Liza With the T

 

Liza Minnelli's memoir is heading to a bookstore near you, although this has "the audiobook will be even better" written all over it!

She writes:

On March 10, my book "Kids, Wait Till You Hear This!" finally arrives in the world. I’m spillin' the tea and tellin' the truth about my life - from “Original Nepo Baby” to carving out my own lane as an artist. It honors my father, my mother, my family… and all but one of my husbands!

My book began as a series of recorded conversations with my dearest friend, Michael Feinstein, over the past 15 years. I used to say, “Michael, tell it when I’m gone!” Yet, as countless people I loved lost their lives to drugs and alcohol, I knew it was time to open up and truly let you inside my heart.

In these pages, I share my loves, heartbreaks, triumphs, the laughter that keeps me going, and my lifelong challenges with what we now call SUD (Substance Use Disorder) - and yes, how I’ve thrived in recovery for over 10 years. If my book helps even one person find their way to healing, then telling my story is worth it. I'm taking all the tremendous love you’ve shown me over the years and giving it right back to you.

The first signed editions of my book sold out immediately … You've asked for more, so it's back to my desk! Kids, I turn 80 in March, so I can’t keep signing forever. I invite everyone who connects with me here to be aware that we have a limited number of signed copies. If you'd like, we'll share my life, my memories, my recovery, my joy and my love for you.

Order HERE.

Tennis Tuesday: Lachlan McLean

Yowza. More of the 29-year-old old former professional soccer player cum media personality and men's health advocate BELOW.

Remains of the Day (01/26)

Gayety: Mayor Zohran Mamdani urges New Yorkers to stay home and read "Heated Rivalry" during snowstorm

Parade: "Bionic Woman" star and "The Six Million Dollar Man" reunite

Attitude: Terrence Higgins Trust CEO reflects on his meeting with Keir Starmer about chemsex, suicide and gay men’s mental health

E! News: Liza Minnelli says "trolls didn’t bother to read the truth" about AI used on her new song

Greg in Hollywood: Robby Benson at 70 ... time to watch "Ode to Billy Joe"?!

Attitude: "Laid Bare" shows orgy, butts and 11 full frontals just 20 minutes in 

East Bay Times: LGBTQ TikTok star found beaten to death in Thai forest; suspect arrested

TV Line: HBO rejected Ryan Murphy's sex-soaked "Open"

Advocate: Despite doing everything by the book, the U.S. is potentially sending two asylum-seeking gay men to their deaths in Iran

Instinct: Naked Evan Peters will have you reaching for the replay button during "The Beauty"

KIT212: "To Catch a Predator"-style operation ensnares gay English/drama teacher

People: Beloved senior-living center executive found dead, half-dressed, inside a hidden “sex house,” leaving a shattered husband and a mystery that blurs pleasure, power and murder

CNN: Pentagon pauses HIV-positive recruit training while signaling it may soon reinstate a ban on their enlistment 

Out: Meet the lesbian couples competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics 

Socialite Life: Male Model Monday featuring Cris Rivera, Giorgio Ramondetta, Trip Wilson and more

Hot Cat of the Day: Well hello, Mr. Handsome!

Meals on Heels: Just finished -- and thoroughly enjoyed -- Erik Piepenburg's "Dining Out: First Dates, Defiant Nights, and Last Call Disco Fries at America's Gay Restaurants," which explores the cultural history of LGBTQ dining establishments as vital spaces for community, activism and self-expression from the 1920s to the present. (Loved the shoutout!) His event at the New York Public Library was postponed because of the snowstorm. But you can hear his appearance on the "This Way Out" podcast HERE.

ICYMI: When a restaurant full of HIV-positive people posed naked for Spencer Tunick in Florent to mark the 10th anniversary of POZ magazine. (I was reminded of this by Erik's moving section about the legendary Meatpacking diner.)

Heaven Sent: Jaclyn Smith, Cheryl Ladd and Kate Jackson to celebrate 50 years of "Charlie's Angels" at reunion event

Gabe Lopez, Gay Pop Visionary and 'Drag Race' Musical Force, Dies at 49

Was sorry to read about the death of Gabe Lopez, a singer, songwriter and producer whom I knew of through his work with Belinda Carlisle. He was 49. In an Instagram post, his family said the cause was "a brief but intense battle with lymphoma."

Based in Los Angeles, Lopez built a career that bridged artist and behind-the-scenes hitmaker. He became widely known for his work as a music producer on the Rusicals for "RuPaul’s Drag Race," a role he expanded in 2019 to include RuPaul’s Drag Race Live in Las Vegas, which opened at The Flamingo in January 2020. He also produced music for television series including "The Other Two" and "Gayme Show."

Lopez was a trusted collaborator for both legacy pop acts and contemporary artists. His credits included work with the aforementioned Carlisle, the Go-Go’s and New Kids on the Block, for whom he co-wrote and produced multiple tracks across several albums. He also produced and co-wrote all of the songs on Carlisle’s album "Wilder Shores," released in 2017.

Carlisle paid tribute in an emotional statement, calling Lopez “my beautiful friend, creative collaborator and producer of my last two albums, and an incredible artist in his own right.” She wrote that she was “devastated and heartbroken,” adding, “I can’t remember being in so much pain.” Carlisle remembered their 12 years of working together as filled with joy and creativity, saying she could not imagine her life without him. “Godspeed, Gabe -- you were always an angel, now it’s time to soar,” she wrote, adding, “I love you and will always hold you dear to me. May his music live forever.”

Gabe Lopez (far left) with Belinda Carlisle & Co. at the launch of her "Wilder Shores" album in London back in 2017

In addition, Lopez produced the vocals on “Club Zero” by the Go-Go’s for their 2020 documentary, which premiered at Sundance, further cementing his reputation as a go-to creative partner for artists navigating both nostalgia and reinvention.

As a solo artist, Lopez released a string of warmly received albums that blended classic pop hooks with candid storytelling. His debut, "This Is About You" (2006), earned strong reviews and saw all 17 tracks licensed for film and television. It was followed by "Shine Like the Sun" (2011), which included the anti–Prop. 8 anthem “No Hate,” embraced by the NOH8 Campaign.

Later releases included "California Blues" (2015), featuring backing vocals from Belinda Carlisle; "Lasso" (2017), released alongside a UK tour with Carlisle; and "God Bless the Queens" (2018), a celebratory, defiant album that debuted on the iTunes charts and underscored Lopez’s pride in his identity and community.

Friends and collaborators are remembering Lopez on my social-media feeds as endlessly generous with his time and talent -- a true pro who welcomed ideas, worked through the night when needed, and lifted every project he touched. He is survived by his family and a wide circle of friends and collaborators. 

Weekend Tennis Roundup

This year's Australian Open seedings have held up in record fashion. Full report plus all the beef that's fit to post including Pam Shriver's hot sons BELOW.

Once More Unto the Sleet

What a fun way to wake up! Is this what it's like to live in Chicago? 

Harvey's intrigued ...