Billy Masters, 29 June 2009

“Put it this way, I’ve experimented definitely, but I have never had a steady girlfriend.” – Fergie admits to being bisexual. I love when people confirm my blind items in a mainstream interview.

Poor Farrah Fawcett couldn’t catch a break. Just as the world was learning of her passing, Michael Jackson up and died. Suddenly Farrah was old news. Everyone on Twitter started sharing MJ stories. Jane Fonda wrote, “He lived with me for a week on Golden Pond set after ‘Thriller’.” Larry King (who scrapped a Farrah tribute to weigh in on Jackson) said, “I interviewed Michael Jackson when he was 12 and with the Jackson 5.” Cher called into Larry King Live and talked about going to see Dreamgirls with Jackson (presumably on Broadway). When Larry mentioned Farrah, Cher quipped, “This is a rough day for me.” Atta girl.

Speaking of Cher, weeks ago we told you that she’d join Christina Aguilera for a film called Burlesque, which will be directed (and was written) by sexy stud Steve Antin, brother of Robin Antin, founder of The Pussycat Dolls. This item was just picked up by the entertainment bible Variety. Reporter Mike Fleming wrote: “Cher will sing onscreen. While her voice has been heard in many films, Burlesque will mark the first time she’ll be seen singing in a film she stars in. Cher last starred in Tea with Mussolini in 1999.” Sigh – where to begin? In Tea with Mussolini, Cher played a lounge singer and sang “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes” onscreen. And since then, she appeared in the 2003 flick Stuck On You. Fleming also states that after Cher was signed, “it was a matter of creating room in her busy schedule of touring and performing in Las Vegas”. Cher stopped touring in April of 2005. I can confirm one detail – filming will indeed commence in November.

Michelle Pfeiffer has said she’d like to revisit one of her former roles. No, not Grease 2 – she doesn’t even like talking about that one. No, she wants to play “Catwoman” again. “It would be really fun. I don’t think that’s going to happen. I think they like to get a new face for the different characters, and I understand it. But, yeah, that was really fun. I had a good time.” FYI, she’d also be up for revisiting her role in The Fabulous Baker Boys.

Last week, Broadway Bares was the place to be in NYC. The 19^th edition of this annual flesh-filled fundraiser raised a record $808,819 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Of course, little Nick Adams and his chiseled physique was center stage. But he wasn’t the lead. That honor fell to the equally scrumptious Daniel Reichard from Jersey Boys”. Also notable in the hotness department were Travis Nesbitt, Marty Thomas, and Spencer Liff (who seemed to be mighty cozy with Nick, by the by). I’ll run some pics from the gala event on BillyMasters.com.

If you’re traveling on the East Coast, you really should stop by the Westport Playhouse in Connecticut to see tick, tick…BOOM!, which runs through July 18^th. The cast includes our very own Wilson Cruz, who is brilliant in the role he previously played on the national tour. Wilson is probably one of the most beautiful and talented people I know and, let’s face it, I know a lot of people. And, unlike other scribes, most of those people like me!

Adam Lambert is in a tizzy because demos he recorded a few years back are being releasing on CD. Obviously Hi Fi Recordings (ironically, the current studio of Melinda Doolittle) is capitalizing on Adam’s sudden fame. Obviously Lambert’s annoyed that someone is making money off him. But he was paid for the recording sessions and signed a release. What did he think? That this company was dishing out money on for songs to sit on a shelf? The CD, On With The Show”, will be released later this month and will contain 11 tracks – 9 of which were co-written by Lambert himself. Adam allegedly went to the studio last month to hear the finished mixes and was pleased with the results. We’ll run the first single “Want” (which he did not write) on BillyMasters.com.

That’s not the only Lambert release. Adam also did some studio work for DJ Fonzerelli. In addition to some backup vocals for a number of Digital Glitter tracks, he was front and center for a dance remake of “What’s Love Got To Do With It”. The track, credited to the group Brazen, can also be heard on our website.

Every time Rosie O’Donnell has done a radio interview, she’s said how strange she feels working in that medium. She’s repeatedly dismissed any possibility of doing a radio show. That was then, this is now. Rosie has signed with Sirius XM for a Rosie Radio starting in the fall. On weekdays at 10AM, Rosie will interview celebrity guests, take calls, and talk about her life. Why the change in attitude? “Two hours of talk show entertainment without having to wear makeup. Perfection. I can’t wait!” And if she gets a box in her house like my buddy Lynn Samuels (on Sirius Left 146), she won’t even have to go to the studio. When the box is working, that is.

I must confess, I never paid much attention to Cristiano Ronaldo. He’s certainly hot, but I never really cared one way or the other about the sexy Portuguese soccer star with a penchant for taking off his shirt (you’d think he’d be right up my alley). But I was intrigued when I saw some recent snaps of him outside an LA club. He had a flower tucked behind his right ear and was wearing a pink hat. His explanation? “I can see why, if you weren’t comfortable with your sexuality, you might not wear it. But I’m very comfortable so it’s not a problem for me. Men wear pink these days. OK, not many men wear flowers, but it’s good to be different.” Last week, we found out how comfortable he is – while in Las Vegas he was photographed lying poolside while some strange man rubbed his abs! Seems Cristiano needed a full-body massage, and this guy was willing to comply. I don’t get it, but I’ll post the pics on our website.

Our Ask Billy question has been sitting in my Inbox for a couple of months. Frankie in Chicago writes: “I saw Il Divo and they are so hot – especially David Miller. Does he ever take his shirt off? Is he gay, or at least bi?”

I am not a fan of Il Divo, but I did know Miller during his pre-Divo, legit operatic career. He’s definitely a tall drink of water. He also is engaged to marry singer Joy Kabanuck next month, but that means very little to moi. However, back in 2004, Miller appeared in the Franco Zeffirelli production of Rigoletto in Parma, Italy. If you know Franco, you know he lives to get hot guys naked (check out the infamous dream sequence from his film of Otello – and turn on the AC!). Anyhoo, when the curtain came up, a bleached-blond Miller was there in a robe and the skimpiest loincloth seen on the operatic stage. He sings his first aria while cavorting with numerous nubile ladies – and shows quite a bit of athleticism. While he’s not entirely right for the role (and displays the girliest laugh this side of the Adriatic), I’m not gonna nitpick. But I am gonna post the footage on BillyMasters.com.

When everyone’s completely forgotten about Ed McMahon (to say nothing of Gale Storm), it’s definitely time to end yet another column. By the time you read this, I will be on my way to Europe. An opportunity arose that was too good to refuse. Now, I can almost hear your thoughts – will Billy continue to bring us fresh, undiluted gossip while traveling? Need you ask? Have I ever let you down? The latest and greatest gossip can always be found on www.BillyMasters.com. I’ll even answer e-mails. Just drop a note to Billy@BillyMasters.com and I promise to get back to you before anyone takes a look at Rosie’s box! Until next time, remember, one man’s filth is another man’s bible.

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