Wren, who uses the stage name derived from his full name Connor Warren Smith for his pop persona, penned the song as "a letter to the younger version of myself," he shared. "It’s everything I wish I could have said back then — reassurance, belief, hope." The track speaks directly to individuals facing doubt or the challenges of living authentically, with particular resonance for LGBTQ+ listeners seeking affirmation in their journeys.

This release follows Wren's January 1, 2026, announcement on YouTube, where he revealed plans to drop 13 original songs over two months—one per week for seven weeks, culminating in his full album on the eighth week. In the video titled "13 SONGS IN 2 MONTHS | Meet the new me: Connor Wren," he described the project as a "microscope into my life" over the past 11 years, promising emotions like nostalgia, relief, bliss, freedom, sadness, peace, and euphoria. His first single in this series, "Polaroid Ghosts," arrived on January 9, 2026, with subsequent releases including "Body Language," "POV: Disassociating," and now "Your Sunrise Is Coming."

Wren's path to this moment reflects resilience and reinvention. He publicly came out in 2017, after which he rebuilt his career, moving away from behind-the-scenes work to a more authentic artistic voice. Previously a Disney performer with DCappella under Disney Music Group, he amassed over 150 credits in film, television, and major pop recordings as a collaborator. His last original music release was in 2015, a 11-year gap filled with personal growth, including overcoming a lost record deal and embracing his identity in Los Angeles' LGBTQ+ community.

In a recent interview with She Comes With Baggage, Wren opened up about his struggles: "When I lost my record deal, I really struggled with feelings of self doubt and rejection. That persistent nagging in my ear of 'you’re not good enough' has definitely been a voice in my head for years." He added, "But to be totally honest, learning to deal with those voices and silence our inner saboteurs is what makes us stronger people. If I hadn’t lost that record deal, I probably never would have learned the skills I needed to make it solo... If I hadn’t come out of the closet, I wouldn’t have found the community I have now in Los Angeles." Wren self-produces under Songbird Records, tagging his work as indie pop, queer music, and queer pop.

"Second Adolescence", pre-save available now, is framed as "a coming-of-age story told later than expected, capturing the ache and freedom of becoming who you were always meant to be." For LGBTQ+ artists like Wren, this project underscores the power of music in processing identity, rejection, and self-acceptance—themes that echo broader community experiences of finding voice amid adversity. An official lyric video accompanies the single, amplifying its message visually.

Wren continues choral and arrangement work under his full name while building this pop identity, likening "Connor Wren" to a "pop star persona." Fans are encouraged to follow for weekly releases leading to the full album drop. This series positions Wren as an emerging voice in queer indie pop, self-directing a narrative of liberation.

In response to a fan's question about the project, Estrada stated, “It’s dead sadly. I say sadly because I actually thought there was something really special there. Some truly extraordinary music we had figured out for it.” He further noted daydreaming about pursuing a version independently with different characters. The project, first announced in 2020, was envisioned as a musical blending CGI and live-action for Disney+.

Screenwriter Kari Granlund, who previously worked on Disney's live-action Lady and the Tramp in 2019, was attached to the script. Disney has not issued an official statement on the cancellation. The original Robin Hood, released in 1973 and directed by Wolfgang Reitherman—who also helmed The Jungle Book and The Sword in the Stone—retells the English folklore legend with anthropomorphic animals.

In the film, Robin Hood and Maid Marian are portrayed as foxes, Little John as a bear, Prince John as a lion, and the Sheriff of Nottingham as a wolf. The story centers on the outlaw hero robbing from the rich to help the poor in Nottingham. This cancellation occurs as Disney advances other live-action remakes, including Moana, Tangled, and Hercules.

No specific LGBTQ+ perspectives or community responses to the cancellation have been documented in available coverage of the event. Estrada's background includes diverse storytelling in films like Blindspotting, which explores themes of race, justice, and identity through a hip-hop musical format, but no direct connections to LGBTQ+ representation in the Robin Hood project were reported. The 1973 original features a close friendship between Robin Hood and Little John, often celebrated in fan communities for its camaraderie, though it lacks explicit LGBTQ+ characters or storylines.

Disney's live-action remake strategy has drawn mixed reactions from fans and critics, with some praising modernized takes and others preferring preservation of animated originals. Estrada's regret highlights creative potential lost, particularly in the music, which he described as extraordinary. Over six years, the project saw no major updates beyond its initial announcement, aligning with Disney's selective approach to its remake slate.

The news, reported on March 7, 2026, underscores shifts in Disney's content pipeline amid a focus on sequels and new projects like a Pixar musical led by Domee Shi. Fans of the original, known for its playful songs like "Oo-De-Lally," may view the cancellation as sparing the classic from remake scrutiny.

At the album's center is the synth-pop track "Season 2 Weight Loss," which Styles described as the "mission statement of the record" in an interview with Apple Music's Zane Lowe. He explained the song's title as a metaphor for the "glow-up" phenomenon seen in entertainment, likening it to actors who return for a TV show's second season after gaining fame. "It’s like, you know when there’s like a Netflix show and then it blows up and everyone comes back in the second season, everyone’s got a nutritionist and everyone’s got a trainer, and everyone suddenly looks amazing? Season 2 weight loss," Styles told Lowe.

Styles connected this concept to his own experience during his hiatus, emphasizing a desire to return as a "stronger version of myself." He joked, "This is the same character, but suddenly, he has cheekbones." During his time off, Styles focused on physical training, including running marathons, and completed the 2025 Berlin Marathon in under three hours.

The lyrics delve into themes of authenticity and acceptance under scrutiny. Lines such as "Do you love me now? Do you? Do you? Do I let you down?" and "Holding out, hoping love will come around" capture Styles' introspection about public perception. He referenced personal rituals, like growing a mustache during breaks and shaving it before touring, to test if fans accept his evolving self. "If I go away and grow and change my relationship with this idea of feeling like I have to show up as this version of myself, will you take me as that?" Styles asked. Other lyrics include "It's hard to tell when the thoughts are my own / And the old hat gets harder to hold" and "You've got to sit yourself down sometimes."

The song aligns with the album's disco theme, blending emotional depth with danceable energy. Styles continues to reinvent himself across his solo work, as noted in coverage of the release. While the track is autobiographical, it resonates broadly with pressures of fame.

Within LGBTQ+ communities, Styles has long been an ally, supporting transgender people and other queer identities through public statements and fashion choices that challenge gender norms, such as wearing dresses on magazine covers. His exploration of vulnerability and self-acceptance in "Season 2 Weight Loss" echoes themes valued in queer spaces, where personal growth amid societal expectations is a common narrative. No specific on-the-record responses from LGBTQ+ organizations or community leaders to this track were immediately available in initial coverage. Fans, including those in LGBTQ+ circles, have praised the album's introspective lyrics on social media, viewing them as affirming journeys of self-love.

The album's release has generated buzz, with tracks like "Season 2 Weight Loss" highlighting Styles' evolution as an artist. This event underscores ongoing conversations about celebrity pressure and authenticity in pop music.

The series is described in an official press release as beginning during the crumbling of the Athenian empire, when Aristotle arrives in Macedonia to tutor the volatile young prince Alexander. It will delve into palace intrigue, forbidden love, brutal war, and ruthless ambitions, with the duo's unlikely friendship shaping an empire and altering history. Alexander the Great, who ruled the Greek kingdom of Macedonia in the 4th century BC, built one of the largest empires in ancient history after studying under Aristotle during his teenage years.

Tierney expressed enthusiasm in a statement: "I fell in love with Annabel Lyon's book The Golden Mean years ago and have been dreaming of telling this story ever since. Brendan and I couldn't be more excited to be partnering with Aggregate and Netflix to bring this insanely compelling world to life." He is developing this project alongside work on the second season of Heated Rivalry, a series celebrated in LGBTQ+ media for its portrayal of a passionate rivalry-turned-romance between two gay hockey players.

Joining Tierney as executive producers are Jason Bateman under his Aggregate Films banner, alongside Michael Costigan and Brendan Brady. Bateman, known for his work in film and television production, brings additional industry weight to the endeavor. Netflix, a global streaming platform with a track record of investing in LGBTQ+ affirming content such as Heartstopper and Young Royals, has not yet announced a release date or casting details for Alexander.

The project carries potential significance for transgender people and broader LGBTQ+ communities, given historical interpretations of Alexander the Great's life. Some scholars and queer historians have explored ambiguities in ancient accounts of Alexander's relationships, including close bonds with male companions like Hephaestion, often framed through a modern queer lens. Tierney's background with Heated Rivalry, praised by outlets like Attitude for its authentic depiction of gay men in sports, suggests the series may approach these dynamics with sensitivity and nuance.

LGBTQ+ media coverage highlights the "heated rivalry" parallel in the Attitude article title, drawing connections between Tierney's prior work and this historical drama. Community responses on social platforms have noted excitement over Netflix's continued support for creators like Tierney who center queer narratives, though no formal statements from organizations like GLAAD were available at the time of reporting. The series arrives amid growing interest in queer historical retellings, such as those in Fellow Travelers and It's a Sin, which have elevated person-first storytelling for LGBTQ+ identities.

This development underscores Netflix's strategy to blend high-profile historical figures with intimate relational stories, potentially broadening representation for LGBTQ+ audiences worldwide. Tierney's dual commitments signal a busy period for Canadian talent in international streaming, with Alexander poised to examine power, mentorship, and desire in antiquity through a contemporary affirming perspective.

Titled "POP LIFE: The Ultimate 80’s Kitchen Encore", the book features recipes inspired by 80s glamour, accessible pantry staples elevated to chef-quality dishes, and unseen photographs from her decades-long career.

It is available for pre-order now, inviting readers to recreate comforting classics with a modern twist.

In an exclusive interview with Attitude magazine published on March 6, 2026, Tiffany shared that her love for cooking began in childhood, long before her mall tours and global fame. "I was that kid in the kitchen watching everything – how things came together, how smells changed the mood of the whole house. Food was always about gathering," she said.

She described cooking as distinct from her music career, calling it "intimate" and "instinctual" compared to the large-scale performance of songs for thousands. "In the kitchen, I’m nurturing a handful of people I love... You see someone take a bite and smile and that’s its own applause."

The cookbook emerged from a desire to celebrate shared 80s memories with fans, many of whom she referred to as "80s babies." Touring for decades highlighted food's role in connecting people, leading to recipes that feel both nostalgic and contemporary.

Tiffany emphasized similarities between stage performances and dinner gatherings, both fostering an "energy exchange" where people feel connected and not alone.

A key highlight is her appreciation for LGBTQ+ fans, whom she described as a community that has "always had time for her." She expressed commitment to uplifting transgender people and the broader LGBTQ+ community, noting their mutual support.

This bond underscores the cookbook's theme of gathering, resonating with LGBTQ+ individuals who often find chosen family through shared cultural touchstones like 80s pop.

Professionally, Tiffany recently appeared in the queer film "Pillion", further embedding her in LGBTQ+ cultural spaces.

Adding to the excitement, her signature hit "I Think We’re Alone Now" re-entered charts after featuring prominently in Netflix's "Stranger Things", drawing new fans to her live shows. "I had no idea they were using it in the show until it happened. I’m a huge fan of the show," she revealed, noting the emotional impact as friends messaged her upon its airing.

This resurgence aligns with broader "Stranger Things" expansions into 2026, including books and other media, sustaining fan interest post-series finale.

Tiffany illustrated her life's chapters through a hypothetical three-course meal: a playful 80s appetizer platter for her mall tour days, a slow-roasted main for her growth and reinvention, and a sweet dessert with an edge for her current wiser, sparkling self.

She represented herself with a "comfort classic reinvented," like a retro casserole made layered and rich, symbolizing roots in the past with ongoing evolution.

Pioneering as the first pop star to perform in shopping malls—a format later echoed by artists like Britney Spears—Tiffany's career blueprint continues to influence, now extending to culinary spaces.

For LGBTQ+ fans, the cookbook and Tiffany's affirming stance provide a welcoming extension of her supportive presence, blending music nostalgia with home-cooked connection.

Ballas, playing slippery lawyer Billy Flynn starting April 6, will share the stage with his Roxie, Whitney Leavitt, the “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star who was his dancing partner on “Dancing with the Stars” last year.

“I think it’s going to be so fun. We work so well together," says Ballas, a three-time Mirrorball Trophy winner who has who has done stints on Broadway before in “Jersey Boys” and “Kinky Boots.” “I never thought I’d be surprised by things that come from the show, but here we are.”

This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.

AP: You were originally a theater kid, right?

BALLAS: Yeah, I started when I was 11 at the Italia Conti Academy of Theater Arts in the U.K. They have a high school portion and a college portion. So I did the high school for five years and then I did college for three years. Musical theater and music were my majors.

AP: How did you start your career?

BALLAS: I grew up in England, so I was out there auditioning for West End shows. This is actually a wild, full-circle moment: One of the first shows I auditioned for was “Chicago” in the West End. I got right down to the end. I was only 18, still paying my dues, trying to figure it out. So this is super full circle.

AP: You didn't get it back then?

BALLAS: No. I went in for the ensemble. I got right down to the end. I think I had like four or five callbacks and in the end, I was too short. I was joking with them. I was like, “You know, my height was on the resume!”

AP: The stars seemed to aligning when you and Whitney performed “Cell Block Tango” from “Chicago” on “Dancing with the Stars.”

BALLAS: We did “Cell Block Tango” because we had to pick a song that a previous couple had danced to. “Dancing with the Stars” has a bit of strategy to it and you want to have your banger numbers at the right time. So when I saw the list of music, “Cell Block Tango” was on that list. We just picked that song and it’s all very serendipitous. The next week, Whitney was going to audition.

AP: Now you're together again, this time on Broadway.

BALLAS: I had been in talks with “Chicago” on and off over the years. The timing just didn’t really work out. Whitney booked the gig and then I sent in tapes, went in for my audition and that tango happened, Whitney went in for it and then they were interested in having me. So it just like it was meant to be, you know.

AP: You were in New York recently to get ready?

BALLAS: I’ve already learned the show. I’m ready to go. I went and watched it every night. That’s part of my learning process. Like when I did “Jersey Boys,” I did the same thing. When I did “Kinky Boots,” I did same thing. I’ll go have my rehearsals — I take my little notepad — and then I’ll watch what I rehearsed and see it on its feet. I think that’s probably the dancer in me.

AP: Do you have a long history with “Chicago?”

BALLAS: I love this musical. I grew up learning this music. Going into the rehearsal, I knew these songs backwards. Over my lifetime, I’ve probably seen the stage show 30-plus times. When I think of iconic, classic theater, I think of “Chicago,” I think of “Les Misérables,” I think of “The Phantom of the Opera,” “Jesus Christ Superstar.”

AP: What's it like to join the longest-running American musical in Broadway history?

BALLAS: To be a part of that legacy and to step into this character that’s held so much weight for so many years — and had iconic people like Usher, Patrick Swayze play this role — is very cool.

AP: It also has dancing inspired by the great Bob Fosse. As a dancer, how do you view him?

BALLAS: When someone asks me, “Who is your favorite dancer or choreographer of all time?” I would say Bob Fosse. I’m always trying to have my stuff look so clean, that my partner and I are doing the same things at the same time, and that concaved, kind of tortured style. I love that.

AP: Is it true you were an extra in some of the “Harry Potter” movies? How did that happen?

BALLAS: Because you needed so many kids to be extras, they used all the theater schools for kids that were interested in film and theater and acting. So they hired all those kids to be the extras. I was an extra in the first three.

AP: Can we spot you?

BALLAS: I was kind of in my awkward, emo phase, and I had a mouth full of braces and like spiky, Linkin Park hair. The one time I was about to be on full view — I think we were playing wizard chess — they moved me out the shot. But you can like see me lurking in the back if you’re very, very quick.

“Project Hail Mary,” directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller, is the kind of spectacular cinematic adventure that we’ve been missing: A clever, sincere, most-ages crowd-pleaser that’s full of life, energy and a love of science, quirky T-shirts and “Interstellar.” It’s the kind of movie Disney really should be making, but, in this case, we have Amazon MGM to thank. And it will probably just get better with age and repeat viewings.

Ryan Gosling is put to the ultimate movie star test as the only person on the screen for a large part of the picture. It begins with his character, Ryland Grace, waking up from an extended sleep in a spaceship. His long hair and bushy beard suggest he’s been sleeping for quite some time (his highlights may tell a different story, but maybe I should repeat to myself it’s just a show and really just relax). Even worse, he’s alone and he has no idea how he got there or who he is.

The movie's not out to annoy you with wheelspinning: There are soon flashbacks and an alien friend added to the mix as he starts to piece together a picture of who he was on Earth (“Am I smart?” he wonders out loud) and try to complete his apparent mission to save the sun.

Except there’s the small matter that Grace is pretty sure he’s not a hero. On Earth, he was a middle school science teacher. When his students ask about the strange dots that have appeared outside the Earth’s atmosphere that seem to be causing the sun to die, he assures them that the world’s top minds are figuring it out. Against all movie logic when it comes to the extraordinary nobody, he's not excited to discover that he might be their only hope.

Some government types have found an old paper he wrote while getting his doctorate, an idea that made him the laughingstock of the scientific community. He tries to tell them at every step of the way that they’ve got the wrong guy for the job. “I ride a bike to work … and it’s not for exercise,” he tells Sandra Hüller’s project manager Eva Stratt. But he's scrappy and keeps working the problem.

“Project Hail Mary” does make you wonder whether a guy who looks like Ryan Gosling could disappear into the backdrop of his own life the way Grace has. But really what’s the point of that thought exercise? It doesn’t require too much suspension of disbelief to get invested in the journey of someone who essentially has to learn to believe in himself. And it doesn’t hurt when it also comes with an improbably cute alien sidekick who we’ll come to know as Rocky. He’s voiced by James Ortiz and is kind of like a golden retriever crossed with a genius architect. They soon become the best of friends, which can only mean one thing: You’re probably going to cry at some point.

While Grace and Rocky are the main show, Hüller is a particular standout as the dry, practical head of the operation. Gosling already spoiled her big, irresistible karaoke moment in his “Saturday Night Live” monologue, but I suspect it’ll still be a highlight. “The Bear’s” Lionel Boyce also lights up every scene he’s in as a private security/bodyguard type.

Lord and Miller haven’t directed a live action movie in some time, whether or not you count the ‘Solo’ Star Wars debacle, and it’s nice to have them back and teaming with a cinematographer with a keen grasp of scale and visual effects like Greig Fraser.

As in Lord and Miller’s animated movies, their tone and pace remain singular. “Project Hail Mary” might blow past a two-hour runtime and yet there’s rarely a dull moment with all the problem-solving, earnest irreverence and unabashed commitment to imbuing life and wit into every molecule of the story. Daniel Pemberton’s unusual, buoyant score and Joel Negron’s sharp editing are key.

So many filmmakers feel the need to overwhelm their intergalactic spectacles with pathos to match the cosmos. It’s kind of refreshing that “Project Hail Mary” doesn’t have a dead wife or kid weighing down our protagonist — just an alien friend and all of life on Earth.

“Project Hail Mary,” an Amazon MGM release in theaters March 20, is rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association for “some thematic material and suggestive references.” Running time: 156 minutes. Three and a half stars out of four.

Porter joins fellow co-producers Alan Cumming, host of "The Traitors US", and Olympian Gus Kenworthy, with Amrou Al-Kadhi directing the reworked version. In an exclusive interview with Attitude, Porter explained what drew him to the project: “I was initially drawn to the intergenerational relationship and then when I watched the show, I realised that the ‘sugar’ in "Sugar Daddy" was about Sam’s diabetes diagnosis. I have diabetes as well and we were both diagnosed after a traumatic experience that affected our nervous systems.”

This personal connection underscores the production’s resonance within LGBTQ+ communities, where health challenges like diabetes can intersect with broader experiences of trauma and resilience. Porter’s involvement highlights ongoing visibility for gay men navigating chronic illnesses in the arts. His return comes after he was forced to exit the Broadway revival of Cabaret in New York City, where he played the Emcee, due to a sepsis diagnosis in September 2025. Sepsis, a life-threatening response to infection, nearly proved fatal for Porter, who described himself as a “walking miracle” in recent reflections.

Addressing his recovery, Porter told Attitude: “Thank you for asking. I am on the mend. My stamina is still a bit compromised, and my spirits are high. I’m on the road to a full recovery. Daddy’s got to get back into her pumps!” This candid update reflects his characteristic blend of humor and determination. Reflecting on Cabaret, Porter shared: “I think it would be the blessing of having lived long enough to see the day where people of colour would be given the opportunity to tell these very human stories about a period of time when, up until now, we were invisible. The truth of the matter is: we were there. We are always there.”

The interview also touched on themes of loss central to Sugar Daddy. Porter described his “greatest personal loss” as the passing of his mother: “My precious mum passed away two years ago this past February. She was the greatest woman that walked the face of this earth.” His mother, who lived with spinal muscular atrophy, passed away in February 2024. Porter, who has been open about his own Type 2 diabetes and past bariatric surgery, noted that his survival from sepsis has given these themes of resilience a newfound resonance.

On his hopes for the production, Porter stated: “That life is precious, joy is a choice, and love is an action.” Tickets are available via the Underbelly Boulevard website. Porter’s return to producing amplifies vital conversations about health equity and the power of storytelling within the LGBTQ+ community.

It means influence without force and Manfred has that kind of energy on his Instagram. He’s not flexing in a gym, or aggressively baiting us with his VPL to promote an non-existent OnlyFans page. 



Conversely, there are plenty of shots with him in briefs, but even in those shots, the sex is implied rather than pushed. 



Manfred’s handsome, has a fit body and a camera. He uses all of that to show a soft sensuality which is surprisingly provocative, maybe even more than his more explicit counterparts. 



He does try to push the limits on his X account with up shots at waist level, but even that feels innocent. 



He has a profile on the subscription site Privacy which states in Portuguese, “Model and athlete. I can surprise you in ways you never imagined… Subscribe and discover my most intimate side up close!”



Beautiful blue eyes, a perpetual smirk and a laid-back attitude is what Manfred brings to the table, and we are eating it up and asking for seconds.