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When introducing Sam Smith and Kim Petras at the 2023 Grammys, pop icon Madonna offered a thought to the audience watching at home: “If they call you shocking, scandalous, troublesome, problematic, provocative or dangerous, you are definitely on to something.”
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The “something” that Madonna is now “on to” is a new song with Sam Smith. “Vulgar,” out now (Friday, June 9) via Capitol Records, is a pulsating dance anthem aimed at taking back the titular adjective for your own pleasure. Each of the pair offers their own breathless, spoken-word interpretations of fierce indulgence of the song’s verses, with Smith proudly proclaiming that “you know you’re beautiful when they call you ‘vulgar.’”
On the track’s chaotic chorus, the bass and beat picks up as a swirl of strings play an entrancing melody to lure listeners even further in. As if to accentuate the point, as the song comes to a close, Madonna accosts the listener: “Do you know how to spell my name? B-I-T-C-H,” she snarls. “Go f–k yourself, you heard me, b—h, say our f–king names!”
“Vulgar” comes after a few weeks of teasing from the pair. Smith first teased the team-up in a social media clip, with the pair each chanting “Sam and Madonna” over and over again. In announcing the single last week, the duo offered some new branding for their team-up, restyling their names together simply as “S&M.”
Both Smith and Madonna are currently ramping up their live schedules; after finishing up the European leg of their Gloria Tour, Smith is bringing their show stateside starting on July 25. Meanwhile, Madonna’s long-awaited Celebration Tour is set to kick off this summer, starting at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, B.C., on July 15.
Stream Sam Smith and Madonna’s “Vulgar” below:
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The wait for the highly anticipated UFC 289 match is almost over.
Saturday (June 10) will bring MMA fighter Amanda Nunes back to defend her title against No. 5-ranked contender Irene Aldana. The fight (along with preliminary matches) will take place at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, Canada, starting at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
For those who can’t make it to Vancouver to watch all the action live, you can take advantage of streaming options and catch the action from the comfort of your couch. Other fights you can look forward to watching include the Women’s Flyweight Bout, Middleweight Bout, Bantamweight Bout, Featherweight Bout and more.
Early preliminary matches will begin at 7 p.m. ET all leading up to the championship matchup of Nunes vs. Aldana at 10 p.m.
Rather than hunt for the nearest sports bar, continue reading to see how you can stream UFC 289.
How to Watch UFC 289
For those unable to catch the action inside the arena, UFC 289 is available to watch exclusively through pay-per-view on ESPN+.
You can get an ESPN+ subscription for $9.99/month, or save over 15% with an ESPN+ Annual Plan at $99.99/year. You can also bundle ESPN+ with Disney+ and Hulu for $13.99/month here.
ESPN+ $9.99/month
Besides the UFC 289, ESPN+ members can watch live games in other sports, NFL drafts, NFL playoffs, MLB games and exclusive on-demand videos, as well as access content from what was formerly known as ESPN Insider. In addition to games, ESPN+ has original shows to stream on-demand, including game recaps, NBA finals and analyses hosted by Peyton Manning, a shorter version of NFL Primetime, as well as full replays of historic NFL games.
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Accessories of the past have become new trends: think bucket hats, friendship bracelets and even jelly shoes. Our nostalgia has reached even our tech, with instant cameras and flip phones becoming the envious accessories to own. Celebrities including Machine Gun Kelly and Taylor Swift have even been spotted using retro cameras rather than their smartphones, as it creates quick keepsakes.
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Snapping a pic on your smartphone may be the fastest way to take a photo, but instant cameras can capture spontaneous moments while creating tangible photographs you can hold in a matter of seconds.
If you’re ready to hop on the trend, Billboard spoke with Mitch Holson, a photographer at Atlantic Records who gave his tips and tricks for finding the right instant camera.
Before adding a camera to your cart, there’s another popular model (disposable cameras), which may seem similar to an instant camera, but hold a major difference.
“Film in a disposable camera is 35mm film, which needs to be developed after the fact — either in a lab or through self-processing,” Holson explained. “An instant camera uses a self-developing film, which provides you with results within a few minutes.”
If you’re not looking to get too technical, then an instant camera will be more user friendly.
“Oftentimes, the [instant] camera makes decisions for you depending on the lighting conditions, and the on-board flash makes taking photos in low light relatively simple for beginners looking for results,” he added. “So, it’s truly a snap-and-go camera if that’s how you like to take images. The other benefit is that you get to see your photos very quickly.”
Holson prefers using an instant camera with auto-focus capabilities for professional use as it provides sharper images. And, if you “aren’t looking for sharpness, [you] should embrace the overall softness of instant cameras” as “there’s something cool and nostalgic about it,” he shared. Weight will also be a big factor to consider, as the lighter the camera, the easier it will be to take out and snap a pic.
Read on to shop his picks (and a few reviewer-loved ones) below.
Amazon
Fujifilm Instax Mini EVO Hybrid Black Instant Camera
$349.95
Holson’s favorite to use is the Fujifilm Instax Mini for its modern-meets-retro design and features.
It “allows you to take photos digitally then choose which ones to print,” he said. Plus, the digital library allows you to look through photos and print them as much as you want. The kit even comes with 10 lenses and film effects for further customization.
Amazon
Polaroid Now+
$119.99 $149.99 20% OFF
For a more budget-friendly model, the Polaroid Now+ is an instant camera Holson says is ideal for the “everyday person.” Connect it to the accompanying app to personalize photos and use different filters. It also comes with five lenses for further customization.
BHP Photo Video
Mint Camera InstantKon RF70 Instant Film Camera
$899
This splurge-worthy option is another Holson pick, as the InstantKon RF70 Instant Film Camera gives you fast photos using a glass lens rather than the common plastic one. Beginners can use a the auto-focus feature while more experienced photographers can take advantage of the manual options.
Amazon
KODAK Mini Shot 2 Retro 4PASS 2-in-1 Instant Digital Camera
$99.99 $157.00 36% OFF
Kodak’s Mini Shot 2 is a compact instant camera reviewers are loving for its ability to easily slip into your purse or backpack. Whether you’re traveling or hosting a party with friends, you can snap a picture and within minutes, have it print out. You can even print photos from your phone or smart device, using its Bluetooth capabilities.
Amazon
Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 Camera
$82.99
If you want to mix trendiness with photography, then consider the Fujifilm Instax 9 Camera. Reviewers love the picture quality and its ease of use. Just use the viewfinder in the top corner, push the button, and within minutes, your memory will be captured and printed.
Amazon
Canon Ivy CLIQ+2 Instant Camera
$79.99 $149.99 47% OFF
The Canon Ivy CLIQ+2 Instant Camera combines modern looks with retro photos. Shoppers enjoy the pocket-size design and the peel-and-stick backing on the printed photos.
For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of cameras for music videos, celebrity headphones and best home projectors.
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
We’ve got the scoop: Lil Nas X and Coach have come together to create a fashion line we had to tell you about — and it’s currently on sale.
The collaboration was announced Wednesday (June 7) as part of the fashion brand’s Stuart Vevers’ Winter 2023 collection. If you’re looking to stock up on festival gear or Pride looks, we’ve got everything you need to know about this new drop below — and the brand’s Pride Collection and 50% off sale going on alongside it.
Lil Nas X Breaks Barriers in Coach’s ‘Courage to Be Real’ Campaign: Watch
06/07/2023
The campaign, titled “The Courage to Be Real,” is described on the website as “A call to action and our belief in courageous self-expression. Because when you embrace every side of yourself with confidence, you inspire others to express themselves authentically, too.”
This spoke especially to the rapper as he claims his “whole career has been about breaking down doors,” according to a quote by him on the campaign page. The line even features butterflies playing on the theme of “transformative” meaning everyone is a butterfly and can spread their wings to grow.
The collection also partners with his Montero tour, which can be seen in the graphics of the collection.
It makes sense that the Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper would be a part of this collaboration as the he’s been a fan of the brand and even made his debut on the runway as an ambassador for Coach during their 2022 New York Fashion Week show.
The collection is already selling quickly, which means you don’t want to sleep on it. Read below to shop the pieces still in stock.
For more product recommendations, check out our best celebrity fragrances, Lil Nas X merch and best celebrity headphones.
Coach
Pillow Tabby Shoulder Bag 26
$450
You can see Nas sport the Pillow Tabby Shoulder Bag throughout the campaign video — and we get why! It’s a versatile accessory you can dress up or down whether you’re headed to the office or out to drink with friends. As an added bonus it’ll keep you pockets from overflowing with your phone, keys, wallet and more.
Coach
Coach X Lil Nas Butterfly Tank
$45 $75 40% off% OFF
Cool off in this tank top that features a butterfly design that reads “Coach x Montero.” You can easily wear it alone or layer it under your got-to denim jacket.
Coach
Coach X Lil Nas Butterfly T-Shirt
$57 $95 40% off% OFF
If you prefer the classic t-shirt look, then jump on this Butterfly patterned top from the collab. It features the signature pattern in either black or white and will add a subtle pop of color to your everyday looks.
Coach
Coach X Lil Nas Butterfly Coin Case
$75 $125 40% off% OFF
If you’re just looking to carry the necessities, this little coin case will keep you cash safe and is compact enough to slip inside your daily purse or backpack. Plus, the butterfly design will make the perfect statement piece.
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
And just like that, it’s been 25 years since Sex and the City introduced us to Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker), Samantha Jones (Kim Cattrall), Charlotte York (Kristin Davis) and Miranda Hobbes (Cynthia Nixon). June 6 marked the momentous occasion, and as we prepare for the season 2 premiere of the show’s sequel, And Just Like That, we can feel nostalgic over how the classic show got its start.
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Parker in particular was feeling sentimental and took to Instagram to share her thoughts along with a photo of her famous “Carrie” bauble necklace from the show.
“It’s our silver anniversary but the memories will always be gold,” she captioned the post.
For anyone looking to add the accessory to their lineup, we found some similar styles below you can snag and exude your inner Carrie with.
Amazon
Lovenus – 18K Gold Plated Custom Name Necklace
$15.99
Whether you’re shopping for yourself or the perfect bridal shower gift, this delicate necklace can be personalized with your or someone special’s name. It’s an under $50 pick with a luxury look you can pair with your favorite white t-shirt or a summery floral dress.
Myka
Myka – 18k Gold-Plated Silver Name Necklace
$70
For a completely customizable design, Myka offers an 18k gold-plated necklace with a durable silver underneath. Choose between four different adjustable chain lengths and add what name you’d like the name plate to say in the provided text box before adding it to your cart.
Leah Jessica Jewelry
If you’re looking for an excuse to splurge, we found this mini name necklace decorated with a diamond, that’s totally worth the investment. It comes in three different metal shades and can be worn alone or layered with other necklaces. Plus, the sparkling accent is almost identical to the one Parker sports in the series.
Speaking of Parker, it’s almost time for her to reappear on our screens for the second season of And Just Like That. The season premiere drops June 22 and will be shown on Max, HBO’s new streaming service. If you’re already a subscriber to HBO or previously subscribed to HBO Max, then you don’t need to worry about downloading a new streaming service, but for those who don’t have a subscription, there’s an easy way to sign up. Simply log into Max.com to join.
Max on Prime
$15.99/month after 7-day free trial
You can watch HBO without cable through streamers such as DirecTVStream and Hulu (use ExpressVPN to access the cable channel and other streaming platforms outside of the U.S.).
Amazon Prime members have the ability to add Max as a premium channel onto their Prime Video subscription.
Max, which launched on May 23, carries a large selection of content including Max Originals as well as programs from HBO, Discovery, TLC, HGTV, TCM, Food Network, Adult Swim, Cartoon Network, Trvl Channel and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Stream HBO hits, original movies and shows such as Love & Death, Succession, Barry, The Last of Us, Reality, Clone High, White House Plumbers, Love to Love You: Donna Summer, Bama Rush and Being Mary Tyler Moore.
Check below to watch the trailer.
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
The ’80s are calling, but we refuse to give their style back. The latest trend to emerge? Jelly shoes. Trends come and go, but along with late-’90s and early Y2K fashion, the 1980s have now overtaken the fashion world with everything from bucket hats, friendship bracelets and even flip phones becoming the must-have accessories to own.
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The colorful footwear boasts nostalgia and playfulness, and can often be infused with glitter to add a little sparkle to our feet. The main difference between a jelly sandal and any other type of brightly colored shoe, is that these are typically made of PVC-plastic.
The look originated in Paris back in 1980 by the French company Jelly Shoes, which was founded by Tony Alano and Nicolas Guillon. Today, iterations of the colorful footwear are available in different styles by numerous brands and retailers including Amazon, Saks Off Fifth, Nordstrom, Urban Outfitters and more.
Give your feet a colorful (and non-sticky) upgrade with the colorful jelly shoes we rounded up below.
Amazon
OMGard Jelly Shoes Low Heel Sandals
$16.77+
Elevate your ‘fit with the OMGard Jelly Shoes featuring a fisherman sandal styled upper and low platform heel that’ll add some lift to your look. This jelly shoe is available in two styles and solid and glittery shades that’ll add some sparkle to your feet.
Amazon
Hee Grand Jelly Shoes
$15.99
All eyes will be on your feet once you slip on the Gee Grand Jelly Shoes! The sheer-colored design comes with an adjustable ankle strap you can customize to your liking, and features shades including the green pictured above that’ll add a pop of color to your look.
Revolve
Jeffery Campbell – Bubblegum Sandal
$45
Jeffry Campbell’s Bubblegum Sandal is popping off with trendiness as it fuses the ’80s jelly shoe material with a modern mule sandal. Slip the cobalt blue shade on if you want to add an electrifying touch to your outfit — or snag it one of the five other shades available (including a clear sparkly color!).
Nordstrom
Melissa – Possession Glitter Jelly Fisherman Sandal
$69
Feel glamorous in these gold glittery jelly shoes by Melissa. The fisherman sandal not only come in three differently sparkly shades, but use a bubblegum-scented PVC material that’ll have you tempted to sniff your shoes just to catch a whiff of its sweet scent.
Amazon
Steve Madden Echo Fisherman Sandal
$60.71+ $79.95 24% OFF
Speaking of bubblegum, Steve Madden embodies the chewing gum with its fisherman sandal form of the retro jelly shoe. The partial closed-toe design allows your feet to breathe and remain comfortable even on hot summer days. There’s also an open-backed heel to prevent any unwanted heel blisters.
Amazon
COACH Natalee Jelly Sandals
$59.90+ $95.00 37% OFF
Even COACH has clearly hopped on the jelly shoe trend with its fashionable Natalee Jelly Sandals. The slim shoe has a gladiator-inspired sandal design with a long thong strap decorated with a gold “C” emboss for added style.
Nordstrom
Tory Burch – Bubble Jelly Slide Sandal
$131.60 $188 30% off% OFF
Looking for a statement shoe? The Tory Burch Bubble Jelly Slide Sandal will complete your outfit with a mix of fun shades thanks to its purple, pink, yellow and orange rainbow design. They’re also ideal for sliding on when you’re in a rush or just hanging around the house.
Urban Outfitters
UO Halle Jelly Fisherman Sandal
$24.50 $35 30% off% OFF
Bring a fruity twist to your looks with these lemon jelly sandals from Urban Outfitters. This acid green shade boasts the citrusy shade while combining neon and ’80s trends. To really make your feet stand out, apply a pedicure in a complementary or matching shade.
Amazon
Crocs Splash Strappy Sandals
$39.99 $44.99 11% OFF
Even Crocs has hopped on the trend with its version of jelly shoes seen in their Splash Strappy Sandals. It’s made in a relaxed style, and for sizing, the brand recommends sizing down for the best fit. It’s also available in seven shades to stock up on, and features a cupped footbed for what the brand describes as “sinked-in comfort.”
Macy’s
Michael Kors – Plate Jelly Sandals
$55
Make a statement in these Michael Kors Plate Jelly Sandals featuring the traditional jelly shoe material transformed into a fashionable pair of sandals. These come in a pink glittery shade decorated with a gold Michael Kors emboss that’ll have your feet glimmering as you walk on the beach or hit your local cafe.
Saks Off Fifth
Prada Rubber Cage Platform Sandals
$850
We couldn’t help but include Prada’s adorable Rubber Cage Platform Sandals, which boast a simple yet chic style you can pair with your go-to jeans or a cute summery floral dress. While it comes with a luxe price tag, it’s totally splurge-worthy as it comes in basic and vibrant shades including pink, black, blue and more. The round toe softens the look while the elevated heel, leather sole and 100% ethylene-vinyl acetate upper provide added comfort.
For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best toe rings, where to buy sold-out celebrity Crocs collaborations and the best beauty deals.
At 11:30 p.m. on Friday, June 2, attorney Brice Timmons was at an event in Memphis aptly named Big Gay Dance Party. He was de-stressing and commiserating with his co-counsel about the lack of action from a federal judge on their lawsuit against the state of Tennessee for its “drag ban.” They had hoped for a ruling before the weekend, but it hadn’t arrived yet — so, they resolved instead to celebrate the start of Pride Month.
Then, they checked their phones; the ruling had just dropped. “It was a ruling that that called the state on the carpet for every every aspect of the law’s unconstitutionality,” he tells Billboard over the phone. “The DJ just stopped the music, the announcer came up onto the stage and just yelled, ‘We won!’ Yeah, that was a high point of my career.”
Throughout his 70-page ruling, U.S. District Judge Thomas Parker found in favor of Timmons’ clients Friends of George’s, a Memphis-based LGBTQ theater company and drag troupe. The judge determined the Tennessee’s Adult Entertainment Act (or “AEA”) was an “unconstitutional restriction on the freedom of speech,” and permanently prevented District Attorney General Steven Mulroy of Shelby County, Tenn. — the defendant in the case — from enforcing the law.
While Timmons says that he is “very proud to have done this work,” he’s not all that surprised by the outcome. “This has not been very challenging legal analysis — it’s just a new generation of bigots trying the same old tricks,” he says.
Those “tricks” Timmons refers to had the state appealing to the interest of protecting children from explicit sexual content, claiming that the law was intended to be narrowly applied to only certain kinds of drag performances in public spaces.
But LGBTQ advocates and community members like Friends of George’s pointed out that the law’s intentional vagueness left the door open for the state to apply the law in a wide variety of ways — a fact that Judge Parker agreed with, saying in his ruling the AEA was “both unconstitutionally vague and substantially overbroad” in its scope.
When looking at the defense mounted by Tennessee, Timmons recognizes the tactics used. “Going into court and lying is a long standing legal strategy for governments that want to abuse their power,” he says. “It’s not that their legal theory is simply incorrect; it’s false. So they had to walk into court, to lie about why the law was passed, to lie about what the law says, and to lie about what the effects of the law will be.”
Timmons’ case, meanwhile, revolved largely around a number of First Amendment legal precedents set by the Supreme Court. In one case — Ashcroft v. ACLU — the Court upheld that a censorship law passed by Congress aimed at preventing children from accessing pornographic material on the internet was a violation of the First Amendment.
“Those laws were much more carefully drafted, and they did not have an a fundamentally inappropriate purpose. They weren’t targeting certain types of performers or certain types of websites,” he explains. “And still the Supreme Court said, ‘The state doesn’t get to insert itself into communicative decision making, unless it does so in just the most carefully, narrowly crafted way.’”
Since the ruling was officially released, the state has not officially announced an appeal — it has 30 days from the date of the ruling to file and appeal on the decision. But Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti told The New York Times in a statement not only that the state planned to appeal the decision, but that he feels the law “remains in effect outside of Shelby County.”
Timmons doesn’t mince his words when it comes to Skrmetti’s claim: “I think it’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard a lawyer say.” He points out that while Judge Parker offered a permanent enjoinment to the district attorney general of Shelby County and not the entirety of the state, he still ruled that the law itself was unconstitutional.
“That means there is no constitutional application for that law,” Timmons says. “If Jonathan Skrmetti wants to tell law enforcement officers in the state of Tennessee to go in and force an unconstitutional law, then I guess I’ll just have a cottage industry suing those law enforcement officers.”
As for other states where restrictions or bans on public drag performances have been passed, Timmons says that the Tennessee ruling is going to play a major factor. He knows this from experience — when he answers his phone for this interview, he’s just leaving court in Florida, where he argued as lead council against the state’s restrictive drag law on behalf of Hamburger Mary’s.
“[The Tennessee ruling] was the first thing that the judge here in Florida asked about during the hearing today,” he says. “It seems like judge Parker’s ruling is going to be, you know, a guide for how other courts will address this.”
Timmons says he’s already working with lawyers in Montana and Texas preparing to mount their own suits against their states’ respective drag bans, and that he and his team will “do everything we can to help them.” As for the impending threat of an appeal from Tennessee? “We’ve got a good team of lawyers, and nothing succeeds like success.”
After seeing Maren Morris offer her own interpretation of his iconic style, Willie Nelson has some thoughts. On Wednesday (June 7), Morris graced the cover of Billboard alongside drag stars Eureka O’Hara, Landon Cider, Sasha Colby and Symone. Surrounded by all kinds of different drag, Morris decided to dress in full Willie Nelson drag, complete […]
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Apple TV+ is keeping us fed with content this summer. A new psychological thriller titled The Crowded Room premieres Friday (June 9), and features an edge-of-your-seat story starring Tom Holland and Amanda Seyfried.
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In the show, Danny Sullivan (Holland) is arrested for his involvement in 1979 New York City shooting in New York City. Through a series of interviews conducted by the curious interrogator Rya Goodwin (Seyfried), viewers begin to learn about Danny’s mysterious past and the upbringing that helped shaped him. These critical twists and turns throughout his life will lead him to a life-altering revelation that will shock him and viewers.
Academy Award winner Akiva Goldsman created the show, with Holland taking on the additional role of executive producer. Other cast members include Shameless‘ Emmy Rossum, Mayor of Kingstown‘s Emma Laird, Conversations With Friends‘ Sasha Lane, Nashville‘s Will Chase and Girls‘ Christopher Abbott.
Read on for ways to stream the psychological thriller for free.
How to Watch The Crowded Room
The series premiere will drop on Friday (June 9) with new episodes premiering every Friday for a total of 10 episodes.
Since the series is an Apple TV+ Original, that means it will air exclusively on the streamer. If you’re already subscribed to Apple TV+, you can stream The Crowded Room by clickinghere and signing into your Apple TV+ account.
Not subscribed? Apple TV+ is $6.99 a month after a one-week free trial. If you’re looking for ways to save, get three months free with the purchase of an eligible Apple device or a free month trial when you sign up for Apple One, which bundles Apple TV+ with up to five other services.
Apple TV+
$6.99/month after 7-day free trial
Besides The Crowded Room, you’ll also be able to stream popular shows and movies such as Ted Lasso, Platonic, The Last Thing He Told Me, Silo, Severance, High Desert, Shrinking, The Big Door Prize, Bad Sisters, Schmigadoon!, The Problem with John Stewart, The Morning Show, Ghosted, Still, Tetris, Palmer and more.
You can also stream Apple TV+ on the Apple TV app, your iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac and popular smart TVs including Samsung, LG, Sony, VIZIO, TCL, Toshiba and others, along with Roku and Amazon Fire TV devices, Chromecast with Google TV. Apple TV+ is available on PlayStation and Xbox gaming consoles as well.
Check out the trailer below.
For a drag performer with a stacked resumé, packed schedule and an ever-shifting wardrobe, Symone could be forgiven for seeming a bit tired. But while speaking to Billboard for a recent cover (alongside Maren Morris, Sasha Colby, Landon Cider and Eureka O’Hara), the only time the RuPaul’s Drag Race season 13 winner shows a hint of exhaustion is while addressing the rash of anti-LGBTQ laws spreading across the country like a virus.
“It’s a distraction from what’s really going on, what’s really hurting kids in the country,” she sighs. “Gun violence is the number one thing that kills kids.” It’s a point that’s impossible to argue: guns recently became the leading cause of death in children and teens between the ages of 1 and 19 in America.
“It’s a distraction. Gay people, trans people, our whole community has always been an easy mark. It’s easier than dealing with what’s actually going on in the country,” she continues. “Ultimately, they don’t want people to feel that they can express themselves and be different — or that there’s a different way of living outside of the norm.”
An urge to break out of the box was exactly what brought Symone to drag in the first place. Growing up in Conway, Arkansas, the self-described “shy, reserved kid” began doing her own makeup after school around age 16. By 18, she left the house in drag for the first time — to attend her senior prom.
A stint at a club on amateur night followed a few months later, and she’s been doing drag ever since. “It gave me permission to be myself,” she says of the art form. “I was like, ‘Oh my God, this is what’s missing in my life.’ ”
As one of the drag queens to be catapulted into cultural consciousness by the hit reality competition, Symone continues to operate by her own rules. She’ll walk the Met Gala one month, pop up in a music video (“Simple Times”) from Nashville singer-songwriter Kacey Musgraves the next, all while continuing to chart a course through Los Angeles nightlife via the House of Avalon collective.
While the regressive laws aren’t exactly quashing expression in queer meccas like WeHo, Symone knows that other communities aren’t so lucky. “It was very strange. I felt like there’s a contention there,” Symone says of a recent visit to her home state. “It’s heavier, much more than it was when I was growing up… I felt safe enough to go to prom in drag 10 years ago, and I was like, ‘I don’t know if I could do that now.’ It feels more conservative than it did even 10 years ago. And that, to me, is very strange.”
The queen is quick to clarify that the change in the atmosphere isn’t affecting her itinerary: “Is that going to deter me from going home and doing drag or going to the South and doing drag? Absolutely not.” Still, she notes that several of her sisters have begun avoiding drag performances in certain parts of the country because they don’t want to risk their safety by becoming “a focal point” for outraged — and perhaps even violent — people.
“That’s warranted, that’s very valid,” she says. “I just feel like, ‘We can’t let them do that to us.’ But it’s a very hard time. It’s a very difficult time.”
The Drag Race champ is aware that the privilege of expression afforded to her by her platform doesn’t apply to everyone. To queer kids living in states that are passing laws targeting their freedoms, she urges, “Find your family and find people who support you. You may not have them around you in your small town, but there is the internet — build a community and seek solace in that.
“Also, I will say: vote. We can have all the community and all the allyship that we want, but if we’re not voting into office the people that are going to look out for our interests, it doesn’t help. We have these laws coming down the pike because [anti-LGBTQ candidates] are being voted in, and so they feel like they can pass these laws. It’s going to keep happening. So go out in the local elections, midterms — it’s not just the presidential elections [that matter].”
As for where she finds solace these days, it turns out that one of the world’s most fashion-forward and inventive drag queens isn’t all that different from the rest of us. “When I feel bad, TV has always been my respite, my rescue and my solace. It’s how I found out about drag and pop culture, growing up where I did,” she says. “It’s my happy place.”
A version of this story will appear in the June 10, 2023, issue of Billboard.