Friday, May 29, 2015

Duncan James: Dressing in drag turns me on


The Blue singer is preparing to play drag queen Tick in the musical 'Priscilla, Queen of the Desert' and has revealed the idea of taking on a different persona aroused him.
He said: ''I've never done drag before but I really got in to it.

''My new role is nothing like I have ever done. Normally I play a metrosexual man but this time is different. 

''I can relate to the character so much. He has a 10-year-old son, so do I. He's a gay guy, I'm a gay guy.

''My agent thought it would be a good way to show a different side to me and I really was turned on by that actually.''

The 37-year-old star - who came out as gay in 2009 - admits that although he's never done drag professionally before, he has dabbled in wearing women's clothes.

He told the Daily Star Online: ''I did it at my birthday party.

''[Former 'Dancing on Ice' judge] Jason Gardiner came to my party at my mum's house and we were very, very drunk.

''Upstairs my mum has a wig and Jason was like, 'Oh my God, you've got to do drag, I'll do you make-up, put your mum's wig on then come down and freak everybody out.''

''I was drunk so we just did it, it wasn't nerve wracking.''

However, Duncan admits his Blue bandmates - Lee Ryan, Simon Webbe and Antony Costa - weren't too keen on his new look.

He added: ''I didn't go all the way and do proper make-up, it was just a bit of mascara and lipstick.

''I came downstairs, the Blue boys were there and everyone was like, 'What the f**k are you doing?' ''

Stocks, bond yields fall on Greece worries, US data

A money changer counts U.S. dollar bills at a currency exchange office in central Istanbul April 15, 2015.

Global equity markets and bond yields both fell on Friday, as data showed the U.S. economy contracted in the first quarter and as investors were unnerved by mixed signals from Greece's debt talks.
In Europe, shares also fell on data showing that private loan growth in the euro zone stalled in April, while Wall Street shares reacted to details in the U.S. gross domestic product data indicating that after-tax corporate profits declined 8.7 percent in the first quarter.
Conflicting reports that Athens was close to clinching a reforms-for-cash deal with its creditors pushed German 10-year bond yields down 4 basis points to just under 0.50 percent.
"It's just Greece, Greece and Greece," said David Madden, a market analyst at IG in London. "The lack of news in either direction tells you why traders are sitting on their hands."
U.S. debt yields also dropped, with the 30-year U.S. Treasury yield falling to its lowest level in three and a half weeks, at 2.84 percent, while benchmark U.S. 10-year yields hit a three-and-a-half-week low at 2.097 percent.
The U.S. government slashed its GDP estimate, reporting the economy shrank at a 0.7 percent annual rate in the first quarter, instead of the 0.2 percent growth it initially estimated in April. The economy appears poised for its worst first-half performance since 2011.
Consumer sentiment fell this month, a survey by the University of Michigan showed, while the Institute for Supply Management-Chicago Business Barometer unexpectedly fell in May.
The data supported the notion that the Federal Reserve may consider the U.S. economy too fragile for a hike any time soon in interest rates; it has been nearly a decade since the Fed last raised rates. Higher rates would crimp bond prices, which move inversely to their yields.
"The market simply doesn't believe the data will be strong enough to let the Fed (boost rates) this year," said Aaron Kohli, interest rate strategist at BNP Paribas in New York.
MSCI's all-country world index .MIWD00000PUS of the stock performance in 46 countries fell 0.61 percent. The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 .FTEU3 closed down 1.79 percent at 1,586.30 points.
Wall Street also finished lower.
The Dow Jones industrial average .DJI fell 115.44 points, or 0.64 percent, to 18,010.68. The S&P 500 .SPX slid 13.4 points, or 0.63 percent, to 2,107.39, and the Nasdaq Composite.IXIC lost 27.95 points, or 0.55 percent, to 5,070.03.
U.S. 10-year notes pared most gains late in the session to end near break-even, yielding 2.1284 percent.
Oil surged almost 5 percent as a rally in the dollar faded and after data a day earlier showed four straight weekly draws in U.S. stockpiles.
North Sea Brent LCOc1 settled $2.98 higher at $65.56 a barrel, and U.S. crude CLc1 rose $2.62 to settle at $60.30 a barrel.
The dollar index .DXY was down 0.06 percent at 96.902 and remained on track for a rise in May, resuming a string of nearly uninterrupted monthly gains that began last July.

The dollar was off 0.33 percent against the euro, at $1.0982. Against the yen, it rose 0.13 percent to 124.10 yen.

Heavy metal mama! Kim Kardashian rocks low-cut Metallica top and motorbike jacket at DASH store in LA Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3101761/Heavy-metal-mama-Kim-Kardashian-rocks-low-cut-Metallica-motorbike-jacket-DASH-store-LA.html#ixzz3bXsiXIw4 Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

Kim Kardashian came out of the heavy metal closet on Thursday by donning a low-cut Metallica top while visiting her West Hollywood Dash store.
Still, it's kind of hard to imagine the 34-year-old reality star rocking out to the eight-time Grammy-winning band's hits like Enter Sandman and The Unforgiven.
The Keeping Up with the Kardashians star paired her grey shirt with an $895 BLK DNM leather motorbike jacket and her 'Nori' nameplate necklace.

We're Off to Never Neverland: Kim Kardashian came out of the heavy metal closet on Thursday by donning a low-cut Metallica top while visiting her West Hollywood Dash store


Kim's surgically-enhanced assets were given an extra boost thanks to a concealed nude bustier.
The Selfish author covered her famously curvaceous derrière with black leggings and she toted a grey suede purse.
Kardashian finished off her casual daytime look with suede peep-toe booties, waist-length hair extensions, and false lashes. 
Later, a female police officer snapped a photo of the 5ft3in fashionista posing with one of several waiting fans on Melrose. 
Uncharacteristic attire: Still, it's kind of hard to imagine the 34-year-old reality star rocking out to the eight-time Grammy-winning band's hits like Enter Sandman and The Unforgiven
Uncharacteristic attire: Still, it's kind of hard to imagine the 34-year-old reality star rocking out to the eight-time Grammy-winning band's hits like Enter Sandman and The Unforgiven
Leather mama: The Keeping Up with the Kardashians star paired her grey shirt with an $895 BLK DNM leather motorbike jacket and her 'Nori' nameplate necklace


Leather mama: The Keeping Up with the Kardashians star paired her grey shirt with an $895 BLK DNM leather motorbike jacket and her 'Nori' nameplate necklace
Greeting her public: Kim's surgically-enhanced assets were given an extra boost thanks to a concealed nude bustier
Greeting her public: Kim's surgically-enhanced assets were given an extra boost thanks to a concealed nude bustier
Back it up: The Selfish author covered her famously curvaceous derrière with black leggings and she toted a grey suede purse
Back it up: The Selfish author covered her famously curvaceous derrière with black leggings and she toted a grey suede purse


Back it up: The Selfish author covered her famously curvaceous derrière with black leggings and she toted a grey suede purse
The Kardashian chain of women's boutiques also have locations in Manhattan and Miami Beach.
Earlier on Thursday, Kim escorted her daughter North and niece Penelope to and from Miss Melodee Studios in Tarzana.
The Vogue Brasil cover girl later tweeted a snap of her princess - turning 2 on June 15 - looking cute in a white Balmain blazer and tutu.
Not seen with Kim was Nori's father and her husband of one year, Kanye West. 
Glamourpuss: Kardashian finished off her casual daytime look with suede peep-toe booties, waist-length hair extensions, and false lashes
Glamourpuss: Kardashian finished off her casual daytime look with suede peep-toe booties, waist-length hair extensions, and false lashes
To protect and serve: Later, a female police officer snapped a photo of the 5ft3in fashionista posing with one of several waiting fans on Melrose
To protect and serve: Later, a female police officer snapped a photo of the 5ft3in fashionista posing with one of several waiting fans on Melrose
DASH: The Kardashian chain of women's boutiques also have locations in Manhattan and Miami Beach
DASH: The Kardashian chain of women's boutiques also have locations in Manhattan and Miami Beach
Little North clearly enjoys being carried as she was also seen reaching for her Aunt Kourtney, who already had her hands full with Penelope, 2.
On this coming Sunday's episode of KUWTK, the former sex tape star continues her struggle to get pregnant with baby #2.
After listening to her obstetrician's detailed IVF fertility advice, the platinum blonde sighed: 'I'm, like, so over it. Like, I'm exhausted. I'm, like, okay, I'm done.'  
Tiny dancers! Earlier on Thursday, Kim escorted her daughter North and niece Penelope to and from Miss Melodee Studios in Tarzana


Tiny dancers! Earlier on Thursday, Kim escorted her daughter North and niece Penelope to and from Miss Melodee Studios in Tarzana
Squeee! The Vogue Brasil cover girl later tweeted a snap of her princess - turning 2 on June 15 - looking cute in a white Balmain blazer and tutu
Squeee! The Vogue Brasil cover girl later tweeted a snap of her princess - turning 2 on June 15 - looking cute in a white Balmain blazer and tutu
Mother-daughter outing: Not seen with Kim was Nori's father and her husband of one year, Kanye West
Mother-daughter outing: Not seen with Kim was Nori's father and her husband of one year, Kanye West
Mother-daughter outing: Not seen with Kim was Nori's father and her husband of one year, Kanye West
Sweet moment: Little North clearly enjoys being carried as she was also seen reaching for her Aunt Kourtney, who already had her hands full with Penelope, 2
Sweet moment: Little North clearly enjoys being carried as she was also seen reaching for her Aunt Kourtney, who already had her hands full with Penelope, 2
According to Us Weekly, Kim reveals one of her implanted embryos didn't take during the mid-season finale.
'I want a boy and another girl; I want it to start happening straightaway,' the Bound 2 video vixen told Elle UK in January.
‘I loved being part of a huge family, and I want that for North. We'd do IVF if nothing happens, but we both want to keep trying naturally.'
Conception concerns: On this coming Sunday's episode of KUWTK, the former sex tape star continues her struggle to get pregnant with baby #2
Conception concerns: On this coming Sunday's episode of KUWTK, the former sex tape star continues her struggle to get pregnant with baby #2
After listening to her obstetrician's detailed IVF fertility advice, the platinum blonde sighed: 'I'm, like, so over it. Like, I'm exhausted. I'm, like, okay, I'm done'
After listening to her obstetrician's detailed IVF fertility advice, the platinum blonde sighed: 'I'm, like, so over it. Like, I'm exhausted. I'm, like, okay, I'm done'
‘I loved being part of a huge family, and I want that for North': According to Us Weekly, Kim reveals one of her implanted embryos didn't take during the mid-season finale
‘I loved being part of a huge family, and I want that for North': According to Us Weekly, Kim reveals one of her implanted embryos didn't take during the mid-season finale


Bobby Jindal says he'll sign medical marijuana, pot penalties legislation


Gov. Bobby Jindal on Thursday said he plans to sign legislation that would change the state's medical marijuana laws and soften penalties for marijuana offenders.
There are three bills moving through the state legislature affecting Louisiana's marijuana laws. Two of them (SB 241) and (HB 149), which are nearly identical, would reduce the tough sentences judges are allowed to hand down for repeat marijuana offenses; reduce a second marijuana offense from felony to misdemeanor; and allow first-time convictions for simple possession to be erased after two years.
The bills also set up a simple possession charge for smaller amounts of marijuana and more serious charges that can be brought for larger amounts of marijuana that drug dealers and distributors typically possess.
The third bill sets up a framework for patients in need of medical marijuana treatment to be able to get the drug if a doctor prescribes it.
Technically, medical marijuana has been legal in the state since 1971, but there's never been rules written to regulate growing, prescribing or dispensing it.
The bill, introduced by Sen. Fred Mills, R-New Iberia, includes those rules but Jindal in the past had said he wanted "to reserve the right" to examine the bill in more detail.
"If it got to our desk we'd sign it," Jindal said during a Thursday press briefing. "Our view on medical marijuana was, it had to be supervised and had to be a legitimate medical purpose and his bill meets that criteria."
On the nearly identical bills introduced by state Sen. J.P. Morrell and Rep. Austin Badon, both Democrats from New Orleans, Jindal said he is similarly supportive of the legislation.
"We are fine with the idea of providing rehabilitation and treatment for non-violent drug offenders, and I think this bill does that," Jindal said. "I think that's good for those offenders and it's good for taxpayers. That's another bill that if it got to our desk we'd sign that as well."
Fiscal analysts have said that Morrell's bill could save taxpayers as much as $16 million over five years.
All three bills have made significant progress passing both committee and at least one of the two chambers of the State Capitol. Badon's bill has passed the full House; Morrell's bill has passed the full Senate; and Mills' bill has passed the full Senate. 

Caped Beyonce Goes Nuts For TIDAL At Star-Studded Launch (PHOTOS, VIDEO)


Beyonce‘s husband Jay-Z launched his streaming music service TIDAL yesterday and the couple hosted a launch event last night at Skylight at Moynihan Station in New York City. Some of the industry’s biggest talents were on hand: Usher, Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, Madonna, Dead Mouse, Kanye West, Jason Aldean, Jack White, Daft Punk and Win Butler.
You really can’t go wrong with Beyonce in a cape. Only the best for the biggest stars in music!
Check out some photos and a video of the press conference:



NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 30: (Exclusive Coverage) Alicia Keys, Nicki Minaj and Beyonce attend the Tidal launch event #TIDALforALL at Skylight at Moynihan Station on March 30, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images For Roc Nation)















eck out some photos and a video of the press conference:
                 
TIDAL Press Conference Video:

Caped Beyonce Goes Nuts For TIDAL At Star-Studded Launch (PHOTOS, VIDEO)
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 30: (Exclusive Coverage) Beyonce and Rihanna attend the Tidal launch event #TIDALforALL at Skylight at Moynihan Station on March 30, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images For Roc Nation)

Mariah Carey: Being On ‘American Idol’ Was ‘Boring,’ ‘Fake’ + The ‘Worst Experience of My Life

In a recent interview, former judge Mariah Carey slammed American Idol, calling her experience on Season 12 of the reality show boring, fake and the worst experience of her life.
Not that she hasn’t thrown shade at her former gig before, even calling it hell.



Said Carey to Australia’s KIIS FM hosts Kyle and Jackie O (via the Daily Mail), “It’s so boring and so fake.”
“I’m sorry I just think it’s… When I say it’s fake… I mean like you have to make up things to say about people. Half the time the performances are good, you just be like ‘It was good’ and you feel like ending it there: ‘You were really good.'”
When asked if she would return for the final season, Carey responded, “Absolutely not, that was the worst experience of my life!”
“I don’t think they had any intentions of us having a good experience through that show. Pitting two females against each other wasn’t cool,” she added, referencing the “non-existent feud” (her words) between herself and fellow judge Nicki Minaj.


Thursday, May 28, 2015

Mariah Carey slams 'American Idol,' calls show 'fake'


It seems safe to say that Mariah Carey doesn’t have any fond memories of her “American Idol” days.
“It’s so boring and so fake,” the 45-year-old pop icon told Australian KIIS FM hosts Kyle and Jackie O on Thursday.
The “Infinity” singer explained judges were expected to make up stuff about the contestants and their performance to keep the show going.
“I’m sorry I just think it’s… when I say it’s fake… I mean like you have to make up things to say about people,” she said of the recently cancelled show. “Half the time the performances are good, you just be like “it was good” and you feel like ending it there: “You were really good.”
Carey, who appeared on season 12 of the show, alongside Randy Jackson, Keith Urban and (perceived rival) Nicki Minaj, said she has no interest in participating in an “Idol” reunion show either.
“Hell, no! Absolutely not, that was the worst experience of my life,” she said.
This article originally appeared in the New York Post