Directed by Isabella Poynter-Symonds, the 8-minute film portrays Nikki Van Blair as "the biggest diva you've never heard of" and a legend of the Sydney wrestling scene. Van Blair's journey in professional wrestling represents a significant milestone for transgender athletes, particularly in a sport traditionally dominated by cisgender performers, offering visibility and inspiration to transgender people navigating male-dominated arenas.

'Heel Turn' is part of Queer Screen's Trans & Gender Diverse Shorts program, which is available on demand, making it accessible to global audiences interested in stories of transgender and gender diverse individuals. Queer Screen, an organization dedicated to LGBTQ+ cinema in Australia, curates such programs to amplify voices from the transgender community, fostering greater understanding and affirmation of diverse gender identities.

Nikki Van Blair has carved out a notable presence in Sydney's independent wrestling circuit, where she performs as a pro wrestler known for her distinctive style and persona. Her story in 'Heel Turn' underscores the challenges and triumphs faced by transgender women in combat sports, contributing to broader conversations about inclusion in professional wrestling.

The film's release comes at a time when transgender representation in sports media is gaining traction, with outlets like Outsports highlighting stories that celebrate transgender athletes' achievements. In Australia, independent wrestling scenes provide platforms for diverse performers, and Van Blair's prominence exemplifies how transgender people are breaking barriers in entertainment and athletics.

Isabella Poynter-Symonds, the director, captures Van Blair's larger-than-life character, positioning her as a trailblazer whose work resonates within LGBTQ+ communities seeking authentic portrayals. The documentary's inclusion in a dedicated transgender shorts program signals community support for narratives that affirm transgender identities in high-energy, physical pursuits like wrestling.

While specific quotes from Van Blair or Poynter-Symonds are not detailed in available coverage, the film's promotional descriptions emphasize her legendary status, inviting viewers to discover her contributions. This project aligns with ongoing efforts by LGBTQ+ media to document real-life stories of resilience, potentially influencing perceptions of transgender participation in sports globally.

The availability of 'Heel Turn' on demand through Queer Screen broadens its reach beyond festival circuits, allowing transgender people and allies worldwide to engage with Van Blair's story. Coverage from specialized outlets underscores the documentary's role in elevating transgender voices in niche sports, promoting person-first narratives that humanize and celebrate their experiences.

As independent wrestling continues to diversify, figures like Nikki Van Blair pave the way for future transgender athletes, with 'Heel Turn' serving as a timely record of her impact. The film's focus on her Sydney-based career highlights local scenes' importance in fostering inclusive environments for LGBTQ+ performers.

The plot centers on the death of wealthy businessman Nikos Lambrakis, portrayed by Kevin Scott Allen, just before his 60th birthday. His estate, including the Palm Springs resort, is divided among guests at his final wild birthday bash, which included an orgy. Aaron and his brother Alistair join seven other guests—each with secrets—to navigate sun, scandal, and suspicion.

The cast features LGBTQ+ actors in roles like Olympic athlete Cassidy Raines , socialite Barron Hemmings , publicist Bryan Byrne , fashion model Montana Briggs , animal rights activist Liam McKay , adult film star Jesse Steele , and professor Eric Barnard . The series includes wild gay sex scenes and full-frontal nudity, set against a backdrop of campy thrills.

Rice shared his experience: “I’ve actually never done full-frontal before, and I’ve never been asked to do it before, so it was an honor just to be nominated. Honestly, maybe because it did take place at a gay nude resort, it just felt very casual and easy. Come for the hot bodies, stay for the cold bodies.” The show's casual nudity stemmed from its setting, making actors feel at ease.

Tim O’Leary, Rice's husband of 16 years and creator of 'Laid Bare' under their production company Murder & Gay Stuff, joked about the casting: “It was a very long casting couch situation! Robert was really planning this one out. We’ve been together 16 years, which is funny because we’re so young! Nothing stands between an actor and their job. A couple that gets naked together, stays together.” This personal connection highlights queer couples collaborating in media.

Co-star Ethan Daniel Corbett, playing the provocative Alistair with the most full-frontal scenes, described the process: "It's been pretty exciting and a little nerve-racking having everything laid bare in front of audiences to see, but it's been a good time. I have the most full-frontal scenes out of the entire cast. It was a process to get to the point where I am now." Corbett noted the cast bonded quickly: “We all got comfortable with each other pretty much instantly.” He committed fully: “I wanted to throw myself into it. So I was ready to fully commit and do it with a full ass instead of half-assing anything.”

Beyond nudity, 'Laid Bare' addresses queer experiences like self-doubt, body insecurity, and trans representation, weaving in love, loss, mystery, jealousy, and comedy. Corbett emphasized its depth: "This is a silly comedy about ten gay men at a nude resort, but it's also more than that. It shows future generations that there is a life after coming out, which is something that's so beautiful to see." He gained confidence from the supportive cast: "I left with more confidence after we shot this show, just because of the people that we were with... Everyone was just so supportive and sure of who they are. It made it okay for me to be exactly who I am. I hope audiences pull that away as well." Corbett hopes the representation inspires queer individuals in accepting their identities.

'Laid Bare' streams now on OUTtv, offering unapologetic visibility for LGBTQ+ stories through humor and vulnerability.

Todrick Hall – Celebrity Big Brother

Todrick Hall served up some delicious backstabbing on his season of “Big Brother.” He appeared to be nice to the house guest’s faces only to turn on them when they left the room, especially Shanna Moakler who he gunned for and eventually got evicted. Hall leaned into alliance-building and manipulation — and never pretended he wasn’t playing.



Parvati Shallow – Survivor

“Survivor” has been on the air for a long time and there are only a handful of players who have played iconic games. One of them is openly bisexual and fan favorite Parvati Shallow who is widely regarded as one of the greatest social strategists in the show’s history. The “Black Widow Brigade” was pure mastermind orchestration.



Monét X Change – RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars

Monét X Change played a strong social game on “Drag Race All Stars.” It was part “Survivor,” and part “Big Brother” where alliances were the key to staying in the game. Of course with her great costumes, killer lip-syncs and face beat for the Gods, she probably would have won without all the subterfuge.



Carson Kressley – Celebrity Big Brother

You might not be able to win a competition reality show by being nice, but Carson Kressley made it pretty far. Not for nothing his affable personality won over the other contestants and the viewers eventually winning him the title of “ America’s Favorite Houseguest.” Sometimes the nicest guy in the room sees the most.



Andy Herren – Big Brother 15

Andy Herren wasn’t exactly straightforward about his gameplay, and that’s understandable. But the level of sneakiness in his strategy was masterclass. Openly gay from the start, he positioned himself as everyone’s friend, floating between alliances while rarely becoming anyone’s target. His recon was bolstered by gathering information without being aggressive. He quietly steered votes and decisions behind the scenes. By the time the houseguests realized how well-connected he was, it was too late—his long-game strategy carried him all the way to the win.



Brice Izyah – Survivor Cagayan

Brice Izyah got away with a lot in his short time on “Survivor: Cagayan.” He’s a strategic thinker and socially savvy player. Openly gay, Brice understood early that relationships are the real currency of these games. It also helped that he’s a fan of these shows and used that to his advantage. His ability to read alliances, build trust, and position himself within social networks showed the instincts of a fandom strategist.



Frankie Grande – Big Brother

Nothing like a flamboyant distraction to throw everyone off your trail. It seemed like that’s what Frankie Grande did on his season of “Big Brother.” His over-the-top persona masked a calculated social play. He didn’t even have to use his sister’s name to manipulate the houseguests. Camp doesn’t mean clueless.

Orville Peck

Orville Peck hasn’t just infiltrated the country music scene he’s officially incorporated it into the LGBTQ+ community as a brand. Where the genre was once dedicated to pining about heteronormative relationships, Beck inserted same-sex ones, and no one batted an eye. His music is boisterous, theatrical and above all else relevant.



T.J. Osborne (of Brothers Osborne)

Talk about being brave, T.J. Osborne threw the music industry a curveball. When he came out, he and his brother John were already big names in country music with huge numbers ones like “It Ain’t My Fault,” and “All Night.” Then T.J. let the world know in 2021 that he is gay. It was a game-changer, he became the first A-list country star to be gay and have a contract with a major country music label. The industry didn’t collapse and neither did the groups fan base. In fact, the reaction was positive and supportive, another sign that subverting the dominant paradigm creates cultural change.



Brandi Carlile

Perhaps now considered a veteran in the country music landscape Brandi Carlile has become an icon in the industry. The Grammy-winning artist couldn’t care less about what people think about her sexuality; with her dedicated humanitarian away from the stage, it’s probably the furthest thing from her mind, especially as a mother and wife. After all is said and done Carlile is still doing tours and filling seats. Her powerhouse vocals are what matters and people seem to understand that.



Amythyst Kiah

The term “Southern gothic” sounds foreboding. And it is. Maybe “Alt Blues” sounds better. Musician Amythyst Kiah does both while keeping her queer black identity intact. Her songs capture the rootsy parts of South while still being firmly set in rock. Her song “Still + Bright” is a haunting mixture of saloon style live music with a pop style beat which sounds more mainstream than down home.  This isn’t what traditional country sounds like but we appreciate the expansion.



Adeem the Artist

If you’re looking for some real country twang for nostalgia’s sake, Adeem the Artist lives in that space on the country charts. Their storytelling is reminiscent of artists like Hank Williams or even Patsy Cline.  Fearless and uncompromising, Adeem the Artist doesn’t sanitize the message and clearly doesn’t need validation.
 


Fancy Hagood

Country artist Fancy Hagood used to be a pop singer. Apparently, that wasn’t his true calling because today he’s a successful country singer and he’s leaned completely into it.  Listen to his pure country tune “Ever Really Ready” from his latest album to understand his style. It might be a little twangy for some, maybe not enough for others, but it’s pure gold through and through.



Ty Herndon

Gender pronouns in songs mattered back in 1995 when Ty Herndon’s hit “What Mattered Most” charted at number one on the Country Chart. The song is about a man regretting that he never saw what was in his girlfriend’s heart. It’s beautiful. Except it’s not technically honest. Herndon came out in 2014, a brave thing to do even later in life.  Thankfully he amended that in 2019 by singing the song using male pronouns at Pride events. Herndon is still booking gigs and making albums, but now from outside the closet.

Rousey and Carano made their first public appearance Tuesday to promote their comeback bout at Intuit Dome.

“This is the biggest fight in MMA right now,” Rousey said. “There are no two people in this sport with more international name recognition than me and Gina — except Conor (McGregor), but no one is going to sanction that.”

Both fighters were pioneers in the nascent days of women's MMA. Carano became the sport's biggest early television star in the 2000s before Rousey's talent singlehandedly persuaded the UFC to create women's divisions in the 2010s.

But the sport accelerated past the MMA icons, who both moved on to entertainment careers after their star power appeared to exceed their cage abilities. Carano, who turns 44 next month, hasn't fought at all since 2009, while the 39-year-old Rousey last competed in 2016 before having two children.

But neither fighter had fully given up on MMA, and this bout was too tantalizing to pass up.

“We only get to live once, and this makes me feel so alive,” said Carano, who also revealed for the first time that she has married her longtime partner, muay thai fighter Kevin Ross.

Rousey and Carano have finally decided to return for a fight that's been anticipated and predicted for many years despite the fighters' long career detours.

Carano said that while she never formally retired, she was persuaded to return after lengthy conversations with Rousey, who was still pregnant when she proposed the bout more than a year ago.

“This is the only fight I wanted to come back for, the only fight that can inspire me like that,” Rousey said.

Rousey sharply criticized the UFC for a financial offer that was much smaller than what she is getting for this fight. Rousey initially wanted to make her comeback with the sports' dominant promotion on its final pay-per-view card, but she turned down its offer.

Rousey said she still loves UFC President Dana White, but the promotion's corporate overlords have strangled fighter pay.

“Now it's become about changing the entire landscape of the sport and challenging the monolith that the UFC has become,” Rousey said.

The Netflix show is being promoted by YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions, but Rousey made it clear she is heavily involved in the promotional end. Paul hopes to promote many more MMA shows in the future.

The bout, which is scheduled for five five-minute rounds, will be the main event at Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer's opulent new arena south of downtown Los Angeles.

Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou also will appear on the card, fighting 40-year-old Philipe Lins.

On Tuesday he closed out a starry Paris Fashion Week with folklore treated as high fashion — capes, cowbells, shearling caps and walking sticks draped with handbags.

Ghesquière called the collection “Super Nature” and said he wanted to find what mountain people from the Alps to Central Asia to the Andes all have in common: clothes shaped by weather, altitude and the need to keep moving.

Zendaya, Ana de Armas, Jennifer Connelly and Jaden Smith sat in the front row.

The set, designed by “Severance” production designer Jeremy Hindle, turned the Louvre's oldest courtyard — the Cour Carrée — into something between a sci-fi landscape and an Alpine postcard.

Wolves, sheep and sailor hats

The show opened with shaggy capes and exaggerated shoulders.

Fur epaulettes swallowed models’ arms and cone-shaped hats recalled the paper sailor hats kids fold for fun. Some models hoisted enormous wicker baskets overhead. Others carried branches.

Wolves, sheep and rabbits appeared embroidered across jackets and skirts.

Ukrainian artist Nazar Strelyaev-Nazarko painted the lambs. Ghesquière reinterpreted a Man Ray parure once worn by Catherine Deneuve, studding it with the nailheads of a Louis Vuitton trunk.

The bags stole the show

The Noé returned in its original 1932 shape. Mini Malles came in soft new versions. Heels were carved to look like antlers.

Where the clothes pushed toward the conceptual, the accessories pulled everything back to earth.

Tuxedo trousers swapped satin side-stripes for strips of fluff and rain capes in scarlet and baby blue crackled against the earthy palette. Coats were lined in hemp-based faux fur.

The house called its material approach “hyper-craft” — not imitation of nature but sublimation of it.

K-pop stars Felix and Lisa, the band Haim, Phoebe Dynevor, Ava DuVernay, Alicia Vikander, Chase Infiniti, Chloe Grace Moretz, Erin Doherty, Katherine LaNasa and Olympic gold medalist figure skater Alysa Liu were also in attendance.

Ghesquière has led Louis Vuitton womenswear since 2013, outlasting more than a dozen creative directors at rival houses.

Miu Miu

Across town a few hours later, the runway at Miu Miu looked like a churned forest floor.

Staff scattered twigs and moss by hand right up until showtime.

Where Ghesquière built a world, Miuccia Prada took one away.

“You, as a human person, you are enough,” Prada said. “You have your mind. That should be enough against whatever happens.”

Last things left in the wardrobe

The clothes looked like the last things left in someone’s wardrobe. Tiny tank dresses. Shrunken washed-leather jackets. Crinkled cotton blazers soft from wear.

Slim coats worn to a sheen, matched with flared pants that dragged through the dirt.

Cotton poplin, boiled cashmere, linen, embroidered tulle—all pulled tight to the skin. Bows recalled underwear. The garments closest to the body.

No armor. No volume. Just the person inside.

Casting as statement

Prada drove the point home with her casting.

Gillian Anderson walked. So did Chloë Sevigny and Kristen McMenamy.

The TXT member Yeonjun appeared alongside Diana Silvers and Gemma Ward.

The lineup spanned generations and gave the stripped-back clothes a weight that a cast of teenagers would not have.

The accessories did the work the clothes refused to. Embellished chapkas, crystallized belts, bedazzled sneakers. One loud element against all that quiet fabric.

After a month of shows that armored the body, padded it and buried it in texture, Prada ended the season arguing the opposite.

The body is already enough. The clothes just need to get out of its way.

“Every year is different,” Taylor said in a recent interview alongside film Academy CEO Bill Kramer. “Every season is different. Every set of movies is different. And so, the show is always different every year.”

It’s a tricky thing to both honor the people in the room while also making an entertaining show for a home audience. But behind the scenes, from returning host Conan O’Brien to the producers and Emmy-winning production design team, is a group of people who know how to dazzle a global audience.

“I think we, in the past couple of years, have really hit that balance right,” Kramer said. “We’re looking at that puzzle constantly and this year is going to be spectacular.”

Final preparations are underway for the 98th Academy Awards on Sunday and everyone is feeling good about what they have planned, including performances, tributes and a special spotlight for their newest award for casting. It helps that the top nominees, “Sinners” and “One Battle After Another,” happen to be great.

“It’s always about the movies and the movies this year? They’re all the things,” Taylor said. “There are escapist movies, big commercial movies, there are movies that are really brave and really bold in their storytelling … I get really emotional when I talk about the quality of this year’s films.”

Growing the audience

The ratings for the Oscars have been ticking up since plummeting to an all-time low in 2021 during the pandemic. The winning movie last year, “Anora,” might have been smaller than “Oppenheimer” the previous year, but ratings still went up slightly from 19.5 million in 2024 to 19.7 million in 2025.

The show had an especially big lift among people ages 18 to 49, driven by mobile and laptop watches from younger viewers. Last year was the first time the ceremony was available to stream live on Hulu. They’ve also been partnering with popular internet personalities like Amelia Dimoldenberg in an effort to reach new audiences in a way that still feels “Academy appropriate.”

“Our audiences are growing,” Kramer said. “And young people are watching the show in ways that we’ve not seen before and that’s really great.”

Early planning and last-minute pivots

Boosted ratings might not be a coincidence with the fact that planning for the show has been starting earlier and earlier in recent years.

“It gives us time to talk through so many things pre-nominations. So once the nominations happen, we can start focusing on what that means for the show,” Kramer said. “There’s not a lot of last-minute panicking over anything.”

One of the ways that will manifest in this year’s show is the production design, from the set to the red carpet, details are pored over for many months.

“They’ve done such beautiful work … and this year, they’ve just gone a whole step further with a different feel that’s very intimate and warm,” Taylor said. “It’s a bit of a departure.”

Though a lot is pre-planned, they're also always thinking of ways to meet the moment, which has led to some major showstoppers. Last year’s big opener with Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande was a relatively late addition and ended up being one of the more memorable parts.

“We’re open to pivoting, depending on what’s going on in the world,” Kramer said.

A very special In Memoriam

The deaths of many beloved figures in the film world over the past year have hit hard, including Robert Redford, Diane Keaton, Rob Reiner, Catherine O’Hara, Robert Duvall, Val Kilmer, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, James Van Der Beek and Claudia Cardinale, just to name a few.

Last year Morgan Freeman took the stage to honor Gene Hackman, who had been found dead just days earlier, and others. This year there have been rumors about Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal joining forces for Reiner, but the organizers are neither confirming nor denying that reunion.

“Obviously we’re paying special attention to the In Memoriam this year. It’s going to be robust and beautiful and very, very moving,” Kramer said. “We won’t give away any secrets. You’ll have to tune in.”

As always, there will be a longer version of the In Memoriam available online to recognize people who might not make the broadcast cut.

It'll be three-and-a-half hours. Really.

The longest broadcast in Oscars history, the 74th show in 2002 hosted by Whoopi Goldberg, clocked in at four hours and 23 minutes. But even with a new category, the people behind the show are striving to do it in three-and-a-half hours, or less.

“It’s a lot of moving pieces, but it’s totally doable,” Kramer said. “And casting’s going to get a gorgeous moment on the show.”

Taylor added that awards shows are like movies. Sometimes a long film can feel like “watching paint dry.” Other times, it flies by.

“We really focus on making the show as dynamic and emotionally connecting as possible and really celebrating movies in a way that audiences want to stay tuned for,” Taylor said.

Looking toward 100 and a future on YouTube

Planning is already underway for the 100th Oscars in 2028. They’re also charting a course beyond too: In 2029, the Oscars will move from traditional broadcast television to YouTube.

“YouTube signals our desire to be a more global organization that reaches more audiences around the world,” Kramer said. “The Oscars are just one part of a year-round deal where we’re building a hub for cinema on YouTube that will have our SciTech Awards, our museum programming. Google Arts and Culture will be digitizing components of our collection and making it available to the public. This is all about reach and growing audiences.”

Tink is being written and executive produced by Liz Heldens and Bridget Carpenter, who previously collaborated on the series Friday Night Lights. Heldens' production company, Selfish Mermaid, is also involved through executive producer Quinn Haberman. Gary Marsh, former President and Chief Creative Officer at Disney Branded Television, serves as an executive producer, with the series coming from Disney's 20th Television.

Tinker Bell first appeared as a key character in Disney's Peter Pan, released in 1953, and has since become an official mascot for the company, appearing in its logo and starring in multiple animated films and series. Voice actors for the character have included Mae Whitman, Lucy Liu, Raven-Symoné, America Ferrera, Kristin Chenoweth, and Pamela Adlon across various features. Her most recent live-action portrayal was by Yara Shahidi, a Black actress, in the 2023 Disney+ film Peter Pan & Wendy.

Earlier attempts to adapt Tinker Bell into live-action include a 2015 project titled Tink, which had Reese Witherspoon attached to star but evolved into the current drama series format. This places Tink within Disney's broader wave of live-action remakes and adaptations, which has included successes like 2015's Cinderella, grossing $543.5 million worldwide, and 2017's Beauty and the Beast, which earned $1.266 billion. Other entries, such as 2019's Aladdin, 2014's Maleficent, and photorealistic films like The Jungle Book and The Lion King, have also performed strongly, though recent projects like 2020's Mulan, 2023's The Little Mermaid, and 2025's Snow White faced financial challenges.

The announcement comes amid other Disney developments, including the recent release of a Stoney Clover Lane collection featuring Tinker Bell merchandise. No release date for Tink has been announced, but it is confirmed for Disney+.

While the series focuses on Tinker Bell's story, its development aligns with Disney's history of diverse casting in adaptations, as seen with Yara Shahidi's role and voice talents like Raven-Symoné, an openly gay actress, and America Ferrera, who has advocated for inclusive representation. LGBTQ+ media outlets have not yet issued specific responses to the Tink announcement, but the project's emphasis on a strong female lead produced by women like Heldens and Carpenter could offer opportunities for affirming narratives resonant with transgender and queer audiences who see fairies as symbols of transformation and fluidity. Past Disney projects, such as Peter Pan & Wendy, have sparked discussions in LGBTQ+ communities about reimagining classic tales with diverse leads. No on-the-record statements from LGBTQ+ organizations like GLAAD were available at the time of reporting regarding this series.

This project underscores Disney's commitment to expanding its animated legacy into live-action streaming content, potentially reaching global audiences through Disney+.

Robert Cosby Jr., aged 23, died on February 23, 2026, following a struggle with drug addiction, with the cause of death still under investigation after police responded to a possible overdose.

Andy Cohen, host of Watch What Happens Live and executive producer of the Real Housewives franchise, detailed the event during his SiriusXM show, Radio Andy Live, on March 9, 2026, though he could not attend in person. Cohen described the Pentecostal ceremony as "absolutely incredible," "uplifting and so moving and absolutely kind of rapturous."

He highlighted Mary Cosby's powerful presence, noting she was "spiritually on one" during the service. Robert Cosby Sr., Mary's husband and Robert Jr.'s father, delivered a speech that Cohen called "unbelievable," based on reports from attendee Kyle Richards.

The entire Real Housewives of Salt Lake City cast attended, including Lisa Barlow, Meredith Marks, Heather Gay, Whitney Rose, Bronwyn Newport, Angie Katsanevas, and Britani Bateman, along with the production team. Out-of-town Bravo stars Kyle Richards from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, and Cynthia Bailey and Shereé Whitfield, alums of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, also showed up, earning praise from Cohen as "real ones" for their kindness. Cohen stated, "I love it that they went. I think that is so kind. They are real ones, those three."

Notably, the service was not filmed for Real Housewives of Salt Lake City Season 7, despite producers' presence, as confirmed by sources connected to the show. Production on Season 7 had paused briefly after Robert Jr.'s death but resumed the previous week without Mary Cosby.

Robert Jr. had previously shared his struggles with substance abuse and mental health alongside his mother on the show. The memorial underscored the tight-knit Bravo network, with attendees crossing franchise lines to honor Mary during her grief. No specific LGBTQ+ perspectives were reported in coverage of the event, though the inclusive Bravo community, known for diverse representation, demonstrated solidarity.

The turnout highlighted cross-franchise bonds within the Real Housewives universe, offering Mary Cosby a network of support amid personal tragedy. Production for Season 7 resumed the week of March 2, with uncertainty about Cosby's involvement.