Madonna’s Gay Brother Christopher Ciccone Dead at 63

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Christopher Ciccone, the younger brother of Madonna and a key collaborator in her early career, has passed away at the age of 63 after a battle with cancer.

His death, which occurred on October 4 in Michigan, comes just weeks after the loss of their stepmother, Joan Clare Ciccone, also to cancer.

Christopher’s husband, British hairstylist Ray Thacker, was by his side in his final moments.

Instagram: @cgciccone

Christopher was an influential figure in the art and entertainment world. His work spanned across art direction, interior design, and directing, notably serving as the art director for Madonna’s iconic Blond Ambition World Tour and later as tour director for The Girlie Show. He also directed music videos for stars such as Dolly Parton and Tony Bennett .

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Although he and Madonna had a tumultuous relationship, which was detailed in his 2008 memoir Life With My Sister Madonna, they eventually found peace in their bond. In the memoir, Christopher shared his frustrations over his sister’s choices, particularly during her marriage to Guy Ritchie, but he later expressed pride in Madonna’s achievements and acknowledged her influence on his own life.

Christopher’s passing marks yet another tragic loss for the Ciccone family following the death of their brother Anthony earlier this year. His contributions to the LGBTQ+ community and the art world, both through his work and personal life, will not be forgotten.

Update: Madonna shared a heart wrenching post on her Instagram about her brother passing.

Instagram: @madonna

Madonna wrote: “Its hard to explain our bond. But it grew out of an understanding that we were different and society was going to give us a hard time for not following the status quo.

“We took each other‘s hands and we danced through the madness of our childhood. In fact, dance was a kind of superglue that held us together. Discovering dance in our small Midwestern town saved me and then my brother came along, and it saved him too,” she said.

“We danced through the madness of the AIDS epidemic. We went to funerals and we cried, and we went dancing. We danced together on stage in the beginning of my career and eventually, he became the creative director of many tours. When it came to good taste, my brother was the Pope, and you had to kiss the ring to get his blessing,” she recalled.

“We defied the Roman Catholic Church, the Police, the Moral Majority and all Authority figures that got in the way of Artistic freedom,” she continued. “My brother was right by my side.”

+Related: Ricky Martin Got a Boner At Madonna’s Show and We Get Why

Heartstopper Season 3 Lands 100% Rotten Tomatoes Rating

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Heartstopper has done it again! When season three dropped on Netflix on October 3, it felt like the collective community of fans—ourselves included—exhaled a sigh of relief.

The show that captured so many hearts has returned with a bang, earning an almost unheard-of 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes, and not just from long-time fans but from the most seasoned of critics.

(c) Netflix

For those of us who have been following Nick and Charlie’s journey since the webcomic days, seeing Heartstopper mature into its third season is like watching old friends grow up, face new challenges, and still come out the other side with love and resilience.

This season has been particularly praised for tackling issues like mental health, relationships, and sex with more nuance than ever before, a reflection of how both the characters and the audience have grown together.

It’s clear that creator Alice Oseman knew exactly how to balance the heaviness with that same warmth and optimism we’ve all come to expect.

Joe Locke and Kit Connor’s chemistry continues to anchor the series, something the reviews are all glowing about.

Digital Spy points out the show’s “intelligent foray into sex” and a deeper look into Charlie’s mental health, while Attitude notes that no other series on TV right now so genuinely celebrates “queer joy with warmth” .

For LGBTQ+ viewers, the series continues to be transformative, representing queer love in a way that feels safe, hopeful, and real.

This season introduces us to new faces—like Bridgerton‘s Jonathan Bailey and Marvel’s Hayley Atwell—who, while adding a fresh dynamic, never steal the spotlight from the core group we’ve all grown up with.

(c) Netflix

If season three feels more adult, that’s because it is. These are no longer just boys discovering themselves; they’re navigating all the messiness that comes with growing up.

But, like old friends who make you feel at home no matter the distance, Heartstopper still gives us that warm, fuzzy feeling. If you haven’t already started binge-watching, trust me, you’ll want to catch up soon!

+Related: Heartstopper Kit Connor & Joe Locke: MCU Superhero Lovers?

Here are some of the reviews:

Digital Spy

“Heartstopper season three lives up to the standards of seasons one and two, bringing a balance of dark and light with its intelligent foray into sex and a sensitive exploration of mental health beyond Charlie.

“Despite its sharper, rougher edges, we promise you will still binge-watch your way through with a smile lightly on the lips and a tingly, fuzzy warmth in your hearts.”

(c) Netflix

The Wrap

“This season does well when confronting the reality of teenage angst in grounded ways.”

Vanity Fair

“Big things do happen in this chapter of the story, rendered with such lively warmth and chemistry by Locke and Connor. But Heartstopper’s third season also does a fair bit of wheel-spinning.”

Empire

“Heartstopper season 3 puts the ‘adult’ in ‘young adult’ without losing sight of the emotional core that made us fall head over heels for Nick and Charlie in the first place.”

The Daily Telegraph

“For all its penchant for sentimental navel-fazing and public information leaflets slipped none-too-subtly into the script, Heartstopper is that rare thing, a show that always has its heart in the right place.”

Screen Rant

“Heartstopper season 3 takes the Netflix show in a confident new direction that makes the most of its maturing characters and impressive cast.”

Collider

“With its third entry, Heartstopper pushes itself into a new, more exciting chapter, embodying the coming-of-age genre like few other shows on television.”

+Related: Heartstopper S3 Trailer: Nick & Charlie’s Love Deepens

Adult Actor Seth Rose (aka Corey DeAngelis) Turns Anti-LBGTQ

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In a twist that could have been plucked from a soap opera, Corey DeAngelis—known in the adult film world as Seth Rose—has found himself at the center of controversy.

Once a performer in gay adult films, DeAngelis has since reinvented himself as an anti-LGBTQ+ activist, pushing for “parental rights” and rallying against discussions of LGBTQ+ issues in schools.

And now, his past and present are colliding in a very public way.

DeAngelis has garnered a strong following as a school choice evangelist and has been vocal about his opposition to what he calls “woke” agendas in schools.

Backed by right-wing organizations like the Heritage Foundation, he even contributed to Project 2025, a document that calls for eliminating the Department of Education, all while decrying LGBTQ+ inclusion in school curricula.

His positions have made him a darling of the MAGA crowd and an emerging figure on the far-right parental rights scene.

But recent revelations have cast a spotlight on a part of DeAngelis’ life that he clearly hoped would stay in the past. Under the name “Seth Rose,” DeAngelis appeared in several gay adult films back in 2014, performing solo scenes for GayHoopla—a detail that recently resurfaced on social media, much to the shock of his current fanbase.

As the old clips circulated, DeAngelis’ connection to his adult film past became too widespread to ignore, leading to his suspension from his role at the Betsy DeVos-backed American Federation for Children.

At first, DeAngelis remained tight-lipped about the controversy. But yesterday, he seemed to address the situation in a tweet, admitting to having made “mistakes” in his past.

“Just like everyone else, I have made mistakes throughout my life,” he wrote. “I was a victim of poor decisions and poor influences. I have turned that experience into the fuel that fires me to save young people from being put in the same position I was.”

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The irony of DeAngelis’ situation hasn’t been lost on LGBTQ+ advocates. Sarah Kate Ellis, President and CEO of GLAAD, slammed DeAngelis not for his adult film past but for his current anti-LGBTQ+ beliefs.

“Project 2025 calls for eliminating the Department of Education, which exists to help make sure every student, including LGBTQ students, receive a quality education in a safe environment,” she said.

Ellis emphasized that DeAngelis’ activism should be seen as a direct attack on LGBTQ+ youth, cloaked under the guise of “parental rights.”

While some of his supporters seem willing to overlook his past—claiming it only strengthens his anti-LGBTQ+ stance—others are scratching their heads at the disconnect.

How does someone who once worked in gay adult entertainment now campaign so vocally against LGBTQ+ rights in schools?

The layers of DeAngelis’ public persona unravel quickly, revealing a man torn between his past and present identities.

For many in the LGBTQ+ community, it’s hard to reconcile the Corey DeAngelis of today—staunchly anti-LGBTQ+ and focused on removing queer issues from schools—with the Seth Rose of yesteryear, who once participated in the very culture he now condemns.

As DeAngelis continues to campaign against LGBTQ+ inclusion, the question remains: how long will he be able to keep up this balancing act?

One thing is certain—this story is far from over.

+Related: ‘X-Men’ Writer: ‘X2’ Was ‘Gay’, Bigotry Was The Point

Gus Kenworthy Celebrates 33y with Burning Man Butt Cake

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It’s hard to believe, but everyone’s favorite Olympian-turned-LGBTQ+ icon, Gus Kenworthy, just celebrated his 33rd birthday yesterday, and he did it in true Gus fashion— with a cheeky nod to his unforgettable Burning Man adventure.

On October 1st, Gus posted a picture of his birthday cake, which, naturally, was decorated with an image of him at Burning Man, riding a bike in nothing but a jockstrap, flowers strategically placed to keep things PG(ish).

If you’re picturing a mix of wild fun and pure chaos, you’re absolutely right!

Instagram: @GusKenworthy

Earlier in September, Gus gave his followers a peek into his time at the legendary desert festival, sharing a series of photos and videos that had everyone talking.

Surrounded by his crew of ridiculously hot friends, Gus was living his best life, cycling around the playa nearly naked, dancing like there’s no tomorrow, and just vibing with the unique energy that is Burning Man.

If the photos were any indication, the 33-year-old freeskier wasn’t holding back, and honestly, why should he?

So, it’s no surprise that his birthday cake would feature a hilarious nod to that iconic moment.

Instagram: @GusKenworthy

After all, when your life looks like a never-ending party in the desert with some of the best bodies around, why not immortalize it on a cake?

“Another year around the sun!” Gus captioned the post, clearly enjoying the ride—literally and figuratively.

Instagram: @GusKenworthy

+Related: Gus Kenworthy’s Sizzling Rio Adventure

Beyond the birthday fun, Gus continues to keep fans entertained with his candid moments, whether it’s adventures like Burning Man or his open discussions about his journey as a gay athlete.

Instagram: @GusKenworthy

From his days as a medal-winning skier to his time in Hollywood (remember him on American Horror Story?), Gus has remained one of the most relatable, down-to-earth, and unapologetically bold figures in the LGBTQ+ community.

Instagram: @GusKenworthy

And if you thought 33 would slow him down, think again. Gus is already back in action, sharing workouts and adventures from wherever life takes him next—whether that’s the gym or another wild festival.

One thing’s for sure: as he heads into this next chapter, Gus isn’t planning on holding back.

+Related: Gus Kenworthy: From Olympic Slopes to Silver Screen

Colton Underwood & Jordan C. Brown Welcome Baby Boy

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It’s official: Bachelor alum Colton Underwood and his husband, political strategist Jordan C. Brown, are starting their next big adventure—fatherhood! The couple announced the arrival of their baby boy, Bishop Colton Brown-Underwood, on Instagram on September 30, just days after welcoming him via surrogate on September 26.

Instagram: @ColtonUnderwood

“Our world is a million times better with you in it,” the couple captioned their joint post, alongside a family portrait showing all three dressed in shades of blue and white. The photos had everyone gushing, especially the sweet black-and-white shots of baby Bishop holding one of his dads’ fingers and being cradled during a feeding. It’s safe to say our hearts collectively melted—because, seriously, could this family be any cuter?

Instagram: @ColtonUnderwood

Colton and Jordan have been on quite the journey to get here. Since their stunning Napa Valley wedding in May 2023—just two years after Colton publicly came out as gay—the duo has been open about their desire to become dads. In fact, it was one of the things they bonded over early in their relationship. Colton revealed to Men’s Health in May that the couple’s shared dream of parenthood played a huge role in bringing them closer. “We both wanted to be dads,” Colton said, adding that going through the fertility process together has been an “incredible experience.”

+Related: Colton Underwood and Hubby Expecting First Baby Together

But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Colton, who previously made headlines as the NFL player-turned-Bachelor who later came out, opened up about some of the challenges they faced, including learning that he had a low sperm count and had to undergo what he called “sperm rehab.” It was this intimate, often overlooked part of their fertility journey that inspired Colton to launch his podcast Daddyhood, where he pulls back the curtain on what it’s like for same-sex couples going through the process of becoming parents. “Nobody talks about this publicly,” Colton explained, sharing that even his own family had questions about how surrogacy works.

Instagram: @ColtonUnderwood

Now, with baby Bishop officially here, the couple is basking in their new roles as dads, and we couldn’t be happier for them. And for those wondering about how Colton’s adjusting to his new “daddy” title—he’s more than ready. “I’m only 32, but people weirdly comment ‘daddy’ on my photos,” Colton joked earlier this year. “I’ll enter my daddyhood for you.”

We’re sure there are plenty more adorable family moments (and maybe a few sleepless nights!) ahead for Colton and Jordan. Welcome to the world, baby Bishop—you’ve already got a whole lot of love waiting for you!

+Related: Colton Underwood: From Hiding to Thriving in Love