Ben Platt just kicked off his Ahmanson residency in LA with a “theatre gay Christmas” guest list

Ben Platt is officially back in Los Angeles, and he’s doing it the most Ben Platt way possible: big feelings, big vocals, and a stage full of surprise friends.

Ben Platt: Live at the Ahmanson is a limited run of 10 performances at the Ahmanson Theatre, running December 12–21, 2025.

The concept is simple and dangerous: a “greatest hits + Broadway favorites” concert with rotating special guests, and you don’t know who you’re getting until you’re seated.

Yes, Josh Groban showed up, and yes, it was a moment

One of the early guest appearances included Josh Groban joining Platt onstage, with reports noting a duet performance that sent the crowd into full theatre-kid meltdown mode.

And because Ben Platt is also the kind of person who can pivot from Broadway sincerity to pop culture chaos in one breath, he’s also been talked about for covering Addison Rae’s “Diet Pepsi” during the residency buzz.

In other words, this isn’t just a concert run, it’s a sparkling little holiday event for anyone who likes their music with a side of surprise.

Okay, but what about his partner and personal life?

Platt’s personal life is basically a rom-com written by someone who owns too many cast albums (affectionate).

He’s married to actor and singer Noah Galvin, who fans will recognize from TV roles and, yes, Broadway.

They didn’t meet as “celebrity couple goals,” they met years ago and built the relationship out of a long friendship before it turned romantic.

The cutest theatre-nerd detail is that Galvin later stepped into the title role in Dear Evan Hansen after Platt’s departure, which means they literally share a very specific Broadway legacy.

The wedding was very gay, very Jewish, and very “we’re still floating”

Platt and Galvin got married on September 1, 2024, in Brooklyn, New York.

The ceremony took place at Pioneer Works in Red Hook, and the celebration stretched across the weekend with events like a Shabbat dinner and multiple gatherings with friends and family.

Coverage of the wedding highlighted the Jewish traditions, the joy-forward energy, and the “we made this exactly us” vibe, which honestly is the dream.

Why this LA run feels extra sweet

Platt is an LA native, so doing a holiday residency at the Ahmanson hits like a homecoming, especially with his career now spanning film, TV, Broadway, and pop touring.

And if you’ve been following his more recent music, his album Honeymind has been explicitly linked to love, intimacy, and relationship-inspired songwriting, which makes this era feel softer and more settled.

So yes, this is a concert residency, but it also reads like a little victory lap for a queer artist who gets to be talented, adored, and publicly loved in the most uncomplicated way.

📷 IG: @ bensplatt / noahegalvin

Jonathan Bailey bought a ‘Wicked’ new seaside villa, and the vibe is pure coastal heartthrob

Jonathan Bailey is having one of those years where the universe just keeps handing you better and better plot twists.

Now the latest whisper is firmly in “rich boyfriend energy” territory, because Daily Mail’s “Talk of the Town” column is reporting that the actor has snapped up a new seaside villa.

And yes, we are choosing to picture him dramatically staring at the horizon like he’s in a prestige period drama, except it’s just a windy UK beach and a really good scarf.

Why the “seaside” detail feels very on-brand

Part of what makes this little real-estate nugget so fun is that Bailey has long been linked (at least in the public imagination) with the Brighton-and-Hove stretch of Sussex, which is basically coastal charm with a side of culture and caffeine.

The Argus has previously leaned into that local-pride angle with coverage around Hove and the wider Sussex area in relation to Bailey’s rising star status, giving the story that “home turf glow-up” flavor.

Hove itself is a seaside town in East Sussex, right next to Brighton, so when people say “coastal base,” that’s the geography they’re picturing.

Illustration (KI)
Illustration (KI)

So whether this new place is a full-time retreat, a weekend bolt-hole, or just a gorgeous backdrop for future “accidental thirst trap but make it tasteful” photos, it fits.

Sexiest Man Alive + ‘Wicked’ era = peak Jonathan Bailey timeline

This property gossip is landing right as Bailey is riding the glow of being crowned PEOPLE’s 2025 Sexiest Man Alive, which is about as mainstream as a queer heartthrob moment gets.

The announcement was revealed on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, which is the kind of “Mom, I made it” moment that also makes your group chat combust.

In the interviews around it, Bailey came off amused and genuinely grateful, which is basically his brand: charming, a little cheeky, and oddly grounded for someone with that face.

And of course, the “Wicked” reference isn’t random, because Bailey is firmly in his big-screen musical era playing Fiyero in the Wicked universe, with major attention on the franchise right now.

What we know, and what we’re not pretending to know

Because this came via a column item and the original article text isn’t accessible everywhere, we’re not going to confidently invent the price tag, the exact village, or whether there’s a hot tub facing the sea.

What we can say is that the reporting frames it as a new coastal villa purchase, and the timing makes sense given how huge his year has been professionally.

So for now, consider this a soft-launch of “Jonathan Bailey: seaside edition,” and we will be patiently waiting for the first paparazzi shot that screams windy beach walk, thinking about love.

📷 IG: @ jbayleaf / people

‘Heated Rivalry’ stars respond after Jordan Firstman sparks a very “not gay” debate

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The gay hockey romance Heated Rivalry is having a moment right now, and this week it got an extra boost from a spicy (and very online) conversation about what “authentic” gay sex on TV is supposed to look like.

It started when actor and comedian Jordan Firstman compared the show’s intimate scenes to the ones in his own HBO series I Love LA, and basically said: sorry babes, this isn’t it.

Firstman argued that the early episodes of Heated Rivalry felt more “posed” than real, and he framed it as a bigger issue about who gets to tell queer stories — and how those stories are shaped when they’re built to be glossy, mainstream entertainment.

What Jordan Firstman actually criticized

Firstman’s bluntest point was that the sex scenes in Heated Rivalry didn’t ring true to him as gay intimacy, and he suggested that certain details of gay camaraderie and humor in bed are hard to capture if you haven’t lived it.

He also took aim at the broader culture around casting and identity, including the pressure some actors feel (or refuse) to address their sexuality publicly.

That last part is exactly the kind of comment that turns a TV take into a full-on discourse wildfire in about six minutes.

François Arnaud claps back with a very fair question

François Arnaud (who plays hockey player Scott Hunter on the series) responded on Instagram with the line that instantly became the headline of the whole mess: Is there only one way to have “authentic” gay sex on TV?

Arnaud also pointed out that context matters, because the sex that closeted hockey players have might not look like the sex that “sceney” LA gays have, and pretending there’s just one correct version is its own kind of limiting box.

Honestly, that’s a pretty smart defense, and it manages to be shady without being cruel.

Hudson Williams adds kindness (and a little “go stream his show” energy)

Hudson Williams appeared to co-sign Arnaud’s response by resharing it, and he also encouraged people to check out I Love LA, giving Firstman credit and keeping the vibe surprisingly generous.

Instead of going nuclear, the cast energy has been more like: “We hear you, but also… there are many flavors of gay, sweetheart.”

And truly, that might be the most grown-up way to handle a gay-on-gay critique in public.

Why this is hitting such a nerve

Heated Rivalry is based on Rachel Reid’s popular hockey romance novels, and it has pulled in a huge audience that wants both steamy fantasy and real emotional payoff.

So when someone calls it “not gay enough,” fans hear it as more than a review — it becomes a fight about representation, gatekeeping, and who gets to set the standard for queer storytelling.

The twist is that both sides are kind of arguing for the same thing: more queer stories, told with specificity, confidence, and zero shame.

Where it stands now

The show debuted as a Crave original and has been rolling out weekly, with the season finale scheduled for December 26, 2025.

A second season has also been confirmed for 2026, which means the hockey boys aren’t leaving the locker room anytime soon.

And if nothing else, this whole mini-feud has basically dared half the internet to watch the show and decide for themselves, which is the most effective marketing plan imaginable.

📷 IG: @ jtfirstman / cravecanada

“Old Botoxed Rich Daddy” Sawyer Hemsley Isn’t Letting Trolls Rewrite His Love Story

When Crumbl co-founder and chief brand officer Sawyer Hemsley saw a stranger online describe him as his boyfriend’s “old botoxed rich daddy,” he didn’t spiral, issue a stiff PR statement, or disappear from social media.

Instead, he laughed, reposted the comment, and casually reclaimed the insult with the kind of unbothered confidence that only seems to come from someone very secure in both his life and his relationship.

The comment, which circulated on social media and was later highlighted by Queerty, went after both Hemsley and his partner Antonio Bruno, questioning Bruno’s career in real estate and framing their relationship in the laziest possible internet trope.

Hemsley responded by acknowledging that the remark was cruel and unnecessary, but also by pointing out how absurd it was, joking that the nickname was honestly too funny not to share.

In a follow-up message, he added that while he found humor in the situation, it was still disappointing to see how comfortable some people are tearing down strangers online simply for existing openly.

For longtime followers, the moment felt very on-brand for Hemsley, who has increasingly used his platform to be candid about identity, visibility, and the strange side effects of success.

Earlier this year, Hemsley publicly came out as gay after months of online speculation, choosing honesty over silence and making it clear that he wasn’t interested in living defensively.

Not long after, he began sharing glimpses of his relationship with Bruno, a Los Angeles-based realtor, posting affectionate photos that leaned more sweet than flashy.

That openness has been met with overwhelming support, but also the predictable backlash that often follows queer men who are both visible and successful.

The “rich daddy” trope, in particular, is one that circulates frequently around gay couples with any perceived age gap or financial imbalance, regardless of reality.

By reclaiming the insult instead of dignifying it with outrage, Hemsley quietly flipped the power dynamic, turning someone else’s cruelty into his own punchline.

It’s also a reminder that public figures don’t owe the internet access to their insecurities, explanations of their relationships, or proof of their partners’ worth.

Hemsley’s response didn’t deny his success, didn’t downplay his relationship, and didn’t attempt to sanitize the comment into something polite.

He simply made it clear that neither he nor Bruno are interested in living under the weight of strangers’ projections.

For many LGBTQ+ readers, the moment resonated because it reflected a familiar experience of being reduced to stereotypes that have nothing to do with real connection.

It also showed a version of resilience that doesn’t require constant activism, only self-assurance and a refusal to internalize someone else’s bitterness.

In an online culture that often rewards outrage, Hemsley’s reaction stood out precisely because it wasn’t performative.

There was no viral call-out, no pile-on, and no attempt to present himself as flawless or untouchable.

Just a man who knows who he loves, knows who he is, and isn’t about to let a comment section dictate either.

And if “Old Botoxed Rich Daddy Boyfriend™” becomes the internet’s newest accidental nickname, Hemsley seems perfectly content letting it say more about the troll who wrote it than the couple it tried to mock.

📷 IG: @ sawyerhemsley

Lewis Gibson Skates Into Olympic History With Love, Legacy, and a Whole Lot of Glitter

British ice dancer Lewis Gibson is officially having the kind of season that feels ripped straight out of a sports movie, complete with record-breaking wins, Olympic dreams, and a quietly beautiful love story unfolding off the ice.

Earlier this week Gibson and his longtime partner Lilah Fear claimed their eighth British senior ice dance title, a milestone that doesn’t just sound huge because it is huge—it also makes them the most decorated ice dance team in the entire history of British skating.

That achievement puts them ahead of icons like Torvill and Dean and John and Sinead Kerr, which is basically the skating world’s version of leveling up into legend status.

But the real sparkle comes from what this moment means for the road ahead, because all signs point toward Milan 2026 where Gibson is expected to shine as one of Team GB’s brightest LGBTQ+ athletes on the Olympic stage.

OutSports recently highlighted Gibson’s journey toward the Games and what makes it so deeply personal, and a huge part of that is the unwavering support of his husband, Joshua Walsh.

While Gibson dazzles under arena lights, Walsh is the warm, steady presence cheering loudly but loving quietly, grounding the whirlwind of elite sport with the kind of everyday tenderness that never makes headlines but absolutely fuels greatness.

Gibson has spoken before about how stability at home helps him push harder in training and stay centered through the pressure of international competition, and his marriage to Walsh is a glowing example of what authentic LGBTQ+ visibility can look like in the world of athletics.

There is something powerful about watching a gay athlete rise to the highest levels of his sport while also living his love story openly and confidently, because it shows future skaters—and honestly anyone who has ever felt like they needed to dim a little—that you never have to choose between your dreams and your truth.

And as if an eighth national title and an Olympic season weren’t enough, Gibson and Fear head next to Nagoya for the Grand Prix Final before returning home for a once-in-a-generation European Championships in Sheffield, giving fans more chances to watch the duo’s momentum build before Milan.

The skating is strong, the energy is electric, and the love is very much visible, which might just be the winning combination the world needs as we inch closer to the Games.

So here’s to Lewis, to Lilah, to Joshua, and to the glittering path toward Milan 2026, where history isn’t just waiting to be made—it’s already started.

And honestly, we’re all just lucky enough to be watching it happen.

📷 IG: lewisgibson4