Queer Entertainment Roundup: New Music, Representation, and streaming Successes
A wave of exciting developments in queer entertainment has unfolded recently, from teh highly anticipated Mean girls musical film to rising streaming hits and critically important personal announcements from prominent artists.
+ The musical adaptation of Mean Girls, released January 12, 2024, by Paramount Pictures, has garnered significant attention for its faithful recreation of the Broadway show and the original 2004 film. Critics and fans alike have praised the film’s inclusion of queer characters, with particular discussion surrounding the performance of Jaquel Spivey as Damien Leigh, a role originated by Daniel Franzese in the 2004 film. Many viewers have noted the casting of a performer embodying the energy of Reneé Rapp, who starred as Regina George in the Broadway production.
+ Apple TV+’s The Buccaneers, a period drama based on Edith Wharton’s unfinished novel, is experiencing a surge in viewership.The series, which premiered July 26, 2023, follows a group of young American women navigating London’s high society in the 1870s and features prominent queer storylines and characters, contributing to its streaming success.
+ Drag superstar and Tony Award winner jinkx Monsoon publicly came out as pansexual during an interview with ziwe Fumudoh on her Showtime talk show,Ziwe,on January 26,2024. Monsoon, known for winning seasons five and seven of RuPaul’s Drag Race, shared details about their identity and experiences.
+ The music scene saw double releases from queer artists Reneé Rapp and Chappell Roan last week. Rapp’s debut studio album, Snow Angel, released January 26, 2024, has been met with critical acclaim and commercial success, peaking at number 13 on the Billboard 200 chart. Roan released her single “Hot to Go!” on January 26,2024,alongside a music video.
+ rapp’s album release has been accompanied by a series of viral moments, including playful prank calls made to radio stations, generating significant media coverage and further boosting her profile.
+ Despite the momentum from her recent single, Chappell Roan has confirmed that work on a full-length follow-up to her 2020 EP, School of Girlfriends, is not currently underway.
+ The Canadian sitcom The Switch, starring trans actress Nyla Rose, will soon be available for free viewing. originally airing for one season in 2013 on Citytv, the show centers on a transgender woman navigating life and relationships.A rerelease is planned through the streaming platform Tubi, offering a wider audience access to this groundbreaking series.