Get Out! GAY Magazine – Issue 516

BY EILEEN SHAPIRO
CELEBRITY CORRESPONDENT
DIANE WARREN
PRESENTS HER ANTHEMIC NEW SONG “BIG BIG LOVE”
TO THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY AS A CELEBRATION OF PRIDE
“Love has no gender- Compassion has
no religion- Character has no race”…
Abhijit Naskar
Songwriting sovereign Diane Warren
celebrates love in a big, big way with
her LGBTQ anthem “Big Big Love”
recorded by superstar Belinda Carlisle,
lead singer of the iconic girl group the
EP collaboration, “Kismet.”
Love is in our blood and in our bones.
The question is not always who we
love, but why we love….not where we
go, but when and how we stay tethered
when our roots are scattered on the
breeze. Without love, what would be
our purpose? Only the heart knows
the answers….Diane is offering an
avalanche of love because love grows
when nothing else is certain, changing
“Kismet” was born by chance. The
and Belinda, who had joined forces
back in 1978. The two Holy Grail’s of
music collided in a coffee shop through
fate and Belinda’s son, and out of that
destiny, both wild hearts created liquid
mathematics and perfumed smoke…
and a gay anthem besides.
“Love takes off the masks we fear …we
cannot live without and know we cannot
live within”….James Baldwin
For years, Diane Warren has dazzled
the planet like a seductive alchemist
transforming private anguish
into a narrative of truth within a
kaleidoscope of songs for legends
including Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Elton
John, Whitney Houston, Aerosmith,
Roberta Flack, Aretha Franklin, Barbra
Streisand, Tina Turner, Céline Dion,
Elton John, Toni Braxton, Brandy, and
a marathon of others. Her songs have
been used in over 150 motion pictures,
including “Gonna Be You”, which was
performed by Dolly Parton, Belinda
Carlisle, Cyndi Lauper, Gloria Estefan,
“80 For Brady”, and most recently, “The
Hot”, which was released June 9.
The multi award winning Diane has
penned nine #1 hits and 32 top 10 hits
on Billboard’s Hot 100 and she is tied
for having written the most #1 songs as
a sole writer in Billboard history. She
was inducted into the Songwriters Hall
of Fame, has been nominated for 14
Academy Awards, is a Grammy winner
with 15 nominations, an Emmy winner,
and a two time Golden Globe award
winner. She also received an honorary
Oscar and is a recipient of a star on the
Hollywood Walk of Fame.
I was fortunate to be able to have
a vibrant conversation with Diane
regarding “Kismet” and “Big, Big Love”
and whatever else just happened to
come up.

INTERVIEW >>
You already know I’ve
interviewed Belinda.
According to her, she had
no intention of even doing
another album until she
heard your songs. Did you
write them for her? Did you
have her in mind?
It is weird how things work. I
had just written “Big Big Love”
two weeks before I ran into her
son. First of all, I didn’t even
know she had a son. As soon
as he said that, I said “OK, get
your mom on the phone.” And
I said, “Belinda, bitch, you’re
coming in the studio.” She
came in and I think she was
thinking, “I hope this doesn’t
suck”. I don’t necessarily write
with someone in mind, I just try
to write a great song. But there
was nobody that was better for
that song than Belinda. It’s the
best of girl pop and Belinda is
the voice of that. And by the
way, the song “Big Big Love”, I
want that to be a gay anthem.
Get the word out. I am giving
that to Pride for LGBTQ+
communities. It’s big big love–
it’s all encompassing love. It’s
loving who you want to love
and loving who you are.
When you wrote that song,
the words?
I was playing. I programmed
in a drum and I just started
singing “Looking for a big big
love that takes up all the space
in my heart.” And I thought,
“That is really cool.” It just
sounded like a hit to me and
I just kept working on it. The
Nothing is weak and to me she
sounds better than she did 30
years ago. She has so much
energy in her voice. She is still
a star. She is a great performer,
and if you see her live, she is
still kicking ass.
Are you ever sorry that
you gave an artist one of
your songs and wish you
recorded it instead?
I have never felt that way in
my life. I am not a performer. I
would rather give them to other
people. I’d rather give them to
someone better than me and I
like my job. I like to write songs.
The EP Kismet, I know the
story and I know why it’s
named Kismet, but who
thought of the name?
Oh, that was Belinda. It was
perfect because this whole
thing was kismet. Because her
son never goes to that coffee
shop. And it was the one day
he went there. What if he went
there an hour later or I went
there an hour earlier? It was
kismet. It was meant to be.
The song “Sanity”, there has
to be a story behind it.
It was just a fun song. It has a
‘60s thing to me. Like it could
have been a Petula Clark
song or something. But yet, it’s
modern. It has that ‘60s thing
that I’ve always loved.
Speaking of movies, I want to
talk about “The Fire Inside”.
That’s from the movie Flamin’
Hot. It is a fun song. I love the
song. Working on that was
awesome. And different too,
you know.
When you do a song for a
movie, does somebody say
“I have this movie. Can you
write a song for it?” or do
you say “I have a song for
your movie”?
Both. I get called to do songs
for movies, but if it’s something
I read about that becomes
something I chase. If it is
something I feel like I can do
something for, you know, it
goes both ways. People call me
and I call them. I am not above
calling and saying “Hey, I’d love
to see that script.”

PHOTO CREDIT: NICK SPANOS
How did you feel getting
an honorary Oscar? They
don’t even give them to
songwriters, do they?
They’ve never given it to
a songwriter before. And it
probably will be a very long
time before they do that again.
It was great. I have been
nominated 14 times. I have
lost 14 times, but I really won
14 times. I’ve done a lot of
movie stuff. One I can’t really
talk about yet, but I’m really
excited. I did “Fire Inside” and I
did “80 For Brady”for
the movie, the song
“Gonna Be You”
with Belinda Carlisle,
Dolly Parton, Cyndi
Lauper, Gloria
Estefan, & Debbie
Harry, how is that for
divas, it’s streaming
now.
Is there a time that
you can recall that
changed the whole
trajectory of your
life?
Yeah. I guess
getting signed to
though it was a shitty deal,
but it led to “Rhythm of the
hit. That changed my life. And
the honorary Oscar was pretty
cool. Cher gave it to me.

STATE OF PRIDE
In LGBTQ + -Friendly New Jersey, love is love
all year-round – not just during Pride Month. Discover
dazzling destinations to visit and fabulous places
to stay, eat and play. From neon-lit Atlantic City
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Everyone is welcome here, all of the time.
Plan your getaway at
VisitNJ.org/LGBTQ.

TOP 10
DJ DAVID
MICHAEL
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BY MICHAEL COOK
ROSS MATTHEWS
AS HE HITS THE ROAD THIS SUMMER,
ROSS MATTHEWS HAS A MESSAGE FOR US ALL:
I GOTCHU, GIRL!
Whether he’s sitting alongside RuPaul on the judges panel on
RuPaul’s Drag Race or revolutionizing daytime talk with Drew
road for his one man tour with his aptly titled show “I Gotchu, Girl”!,
Matthews thriving both personally (he is married to Dr. Wellinthon
most culturally important television shows today. I sat down with
Ross to chat about his brand new tour, the powerful women that
helped frame the person he is, and how at all times, he remains
leading with gratitude.

INTERVIEW
Michael Cook: There is a
very simple trait of yours that
both myself and so many
other people that are such a
massive fan of yours notice
about you and every project
you dive into, including your
tour “I Gotchu Girl!”. Simply,
you’re still a fan at heart as
well and are so inherently
thankful for the opportunities
that have come your way.
Ross Matthews: Oh a super
fan. And such gratitude.
Because you have to
remember, when I started
on television back in 2001,
there were not people like
me on television, especially
unapologetic people who
refused to be the butt of the
joke because there was no
other choice. I am so grateful
that my gratitude comes across
on the screen because it is
absolutely one hundred percent
real.
MC: How do you stay so
grounded? So many people
reach levels of success and
the fame turns them into a
completely different person.
RM: It’s not in my my nature.
I was raised by my mom and
my dad who are just good
kind people. I grew up in a
small town and I also think that
most artists have almost an
insecurity where they feel that
it could all go away. I think you
mix small town, good values,
and insecurity together and it
makes this perfect gratitude
pie; that is sort of what I have
going on. There are days when
I am tired and where I do too
much, but I just every day, go
to gratitude.
MC: You are coming to
NJPAC on June 25th with
your stand up show I
Gotchu, Girl! How do you
narrow down the stories you
are going to tell from such a
storied career?
RM: That’s a great question. I
have gone on tour with both of
my past books and they were
their own thing. This tour is
It is about getting back together
with everybody, knowing what
I know and what we all know
after those rough few years
of solitude and missing each
other. There is a lot of my
gratitude about being out of
the house infused in the show.
Also, what I really found out
during that time is how much
we need our friends and our
family and my husband so
there is a lot about that. Really,
it’s about life through my POV,
my lens, life through Ross
colored glasses; it’s what I
wanted to say. Mostly though,
its about making people laugh.
I’m telling you, it is feeding my
soul going across the country. It
sounds so cheese-fest I know,
but when I go in these rooms
and I can shift the energy of
the people in there…bring
them this way, bring them that
way, make them think that I am
script and bring them that way,
it is so fun. I see the surprise
on people’s faces, I see the
joy and I hope that they see
the joy in mine. Every show is
different, I sort of follow where
the audience wants to go. It
has been a real joy and a real
muscle live.
MC: Recently, I said to
someone that every single
person in my life that I have
a deep personal relationship
with is different postpandemic.
Do you think the
same?
RM: I think that we all are;
every relationship that we
have is. Just like anyone who
has been through anything
traumatic, and I think that we
all sort of have, I certainly
have, if you pay attention
during trauma you can learn
invaluable, beautiful things.
MC: What do you think you
those years we were all
separated?
RM: Oh I don’t take anything
for granted anymore. I took
hanging out with a friend for
granted for years in my life,
I think that we all did right?
After the year 2020, everything
changed. I remember thinking
“I should go visit my Mom
more”.

But I’m busy, I’m working hard,
“I’ll see her later, I’ll take her
on a great vacation”; and then
she died. I wish I could redo
that. What about “Oh I’m going
to have a barbecue and invite
everyone over to the house”.
We couldn’t do that anymore.
What I learned is how
important it is to carve that stuff
out and to tell the people that
you love that you love them
and to spend time as much as
you can with them. And to not
think that that’s just a given.
MC: I think that it is so
important to see someone
like you represented
and sitting on the panel
of RuPaul’s Drag Race.
You seem to truly see the
contestants’ heart and
year after year seems like a
complete joy. What does it
feel like for you to be able to
be a part of this show and
family?
RM: I still don’t know how it
happened! I am not a drag
queen, but I am a super fan
of what they do and I always
have been. I am the person in
one there with all my singles
ready to hand them out on
stage, screaming when they
come out, following them on
Instagram. When they asked
me to judge, I thought that
I could represent the fans. I
could be the one that won the
golden ticket and gets to sit
there.
I hope you notice when I judge,
it’s never me telling them
how to do it. It’s me giving my
opinion of how I think I can
nudge them towards their
greatness, their potential, what
I see their superpower being
and how they can get there
and in the best way possible.
Ru can give them advice on
how to be a drag queen and
does, and no one knows better
than her, and Michelle too,
and Carson can give advice
on fashion. I really try to bring
the super fan POV. All I can
do is give you my thoughts on
how to be the best version of
yourself.
MC: There is absolutely
nothing like working with
drag performers and helping
them see their fullest
and greatest potential,
and seeing the best in
themselves, don’t you think?
RM: Completely, that is
fandom or the viewers giving
me a lot of crap because I don’t
pretend to be what I’m not.
It’s always how I’ve earned
my spot at that table, that is
exactly what I bring. I’ll tell you
this through, being a judge at
that table is a legacy job. It’s
the kind of thing that I know
will be in my obituary. This
show has shifted the culture in
extraordinary ways and I am so
proud to be included.
Let me tell you something,
not an episode, not a moment
goes by that I take that for
granted. You know, getting to
make RuPaul laugh it is one
of the best sounds I’ve ever
heard. I love the sound of my
chihuahua eating her food in
the corner means she is safe
and she’s eating, I love certain
songs, I love the sound of Judy
Garland’s voice, and I love the
sound of RuPaul’s laugh.
MC: So much of your own
career is marked with
powerful women, everyone
from Chelsea Handler
to Joan Rivers to Drew
Barrymore. Have you aways
found yourself gravitating
towards powerful and strong
women?
RM: Yes, strong women and
kind women. I don’t think
tough and kind are opposites,
because I think sometimes
being tough on someone is the
kindest thing that you can do.
I was lucky to be raised by an
extraordinary mom who had
strong female friends.

I am lucky to have my longest
lasting friendships to be with
strong opinionated women and
it is a lot of what informs this
tour, I Gotchu, Girl! where I talk
a lot about having each others
backs. I have learned that
my relationships with women
shaped me more than any of
the relationships that I’ve had,
until I had met my husband,
shaped me into the man that
I am. And I am so grateful for
it-and I am grateful for them.
MC: Speaking of kind and
powerful women, you and
Drew Barrymore have
put a seventies style spin
on daytime talk and its
wonderfully revolutionary.
own special ingredient into
the recipe of daytime talk
and the result is something
beautiful.
RM: Thank you so much, that
means a lot because it was
elements of Regis and Kathie
Lee with a whole different
heartfelt and takeaway, and
that was all purposeful. It was
like when you eat something
and you know its a little bit of
that and a little bit of that but
“whoa what is this, I’ve never
had it like this before”!?
know how to digest it, but
luckily we got time because
of Drew and who she is, the
network gave us a little time
And now, it is amazing to
say this, we are the fastest
growing show in daytime!
What Drew has created and
brought me on board with, it
thing about Drew is all that she
wants from me is to be me and
to love her and let her love me.
It is the healthiest and most
of friendship in adulthood.
Did you feel that way at some
point, like I have enough
friends; I’m not meeting new
people. When I met Drew in
2020, it felt like I was meeting
a sibling, that’s what it felt like.
Right away, the trust level
that I felt…here she is, one of
the most iconic people in the
world, but I never thought of
her like that once I met her.
And I just felt like could speak
the truth to her. Even with our
relationship out there we so
support each other, but if she
says something that I disagree
with, I’ll roll my eyes and be
like “girl come on”. The fact
that I can do that to someone
of her stature and notoriety
says so much about her
behind the scenes.
MC: Meeting friends like you
have met Drew and I have
met friends of my own in
adulthood are almost like
when you say you’re “done”
dating; that is when you end
up meeting someone who is
truly a game changer.
RM: I think you’re right. I
believe my mother made this
all happen, she passed away
in 2020. 2020 is when I came
to New York, got engaged,
and met Drew Barrymore. It’s
almost like when she passed
away, she was like, “Let me
carve out some paths for you,
you have some weeds in the
way”.

She did this. Drew always
says, when I talk about my
mom she comes and hugs me
because she says “I feel your
mom here”. My mom had only
been to New York one time, its
not like she was based in New
York where we do the show,
but my mom is there.
MC: Where do you feel your
mom the most in your career
right now?
RM: I feel her in the certainty
that feel in my career right now.
There were so many years
where I felt scared that it would
go away, scared that people
weren’t taking me seriously,
or scared that I would have
to just go into real estate and
give it up. Now there is such
a certainty that I deserve it,
that I deserve where I am, that
it’s because of the work that
I have something to say and
what I have to say is worthy. I
think that is my mother in me.
When she left her body, I think
part of her came into me. I’m
made from her, so I don’t think
its insane to think that some of
her spirit would come into me
as well.
MC: How do you combat
your inner saboteur
and those feelings of
unworthiness and those
feelings of everything going
away and stay so positive?
RM: I just made peace with
it going away. That was part
of what happened when I
got married. I didn’t expect it,
but what I felt was that if it all
goes away, if I tried something
and I failed miserably, if I
embarrassed myself, if I
failed-that I still would be okay.
My husband…he got me girl.
He’s got my back. There was
this freedom that happened,
not long after my mom passed
where it was this perfect storm
now where I feel completely
safe to try, completely safe to
fail, and completely safe to
succeed.
MC: For myself, there is no
me or what I have gotten
to accomplish without my
partner in my corner. Do you
feel the same way?
RM: What’s interesting is that
my husband and I met each
other when we were forty.
I brought with me my level
of success and he is very
successful in his own right he
is a Doctorate in Education.
We came to the table as
fully formed people, or so
we thought. Because then
when we met each other, it
was almost like he lent me
his power and I lent him mine
and we became stronger
individually, a superpower
together.
Could I exist without him?
Maybe. I did exist before I knew
him. But existing together, side
by side and combined together,
is like a power I have never felt
before. It is a strength I have
never known. What I know and
how I feel and what I know to
because of him.
Follow Ross Matthews
on Instagram: @
helloross
Ross Matthews is on
the road now with his
show I Gotchu, Girl!, get
tickets here:
www.helloross.com

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February 2021 © 2022 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. US-BVYC-0088 03/22

BY EILEEN SHAPIRO
CELEBRITY CORRESPONDENT
PUBLISHER MIKE TODD CELEBRATES
14 YEARS OF
When Get Out Magazine’s publisher Mike Todd arrived in New
York City, he knew zero about the publishing, magazine and
entertainment industries, but he had a vision. Fourteen years later,
when all others failed, he owns, operates and publishes what
was dubbed the seventh best LGBTQ+ Magazine on the planet,
both in print and online.
Diana Ross, Melissa Etheridge, Toni Braxton, Dionne Warwick,
Boy George, Annie Lennox, Emma Stone, Sandra Bernhard,
Taylor Dayne, LeAnn Rimes, Belinda Carlisle, Cyndi Lauper,
and their straight allies. The magazine has survived everything
against all odds, including Covid.
stories for bars and has became the go-to guide for New York
bartenders, DJ’s & queens in New York City and surrounding
Prides to come.

PHOTO CREDIT: BILLY HESS
INTERVIEW
After 14 years of Get
Out Magazine (which is
still going strong), while
inspired you to create the
magazine?
I used to go to this one
bartender and pick up
the other two NYC gay
magazines, and I’d always
mention to him , “Why don’t
they lay out the magazine
this way?” “Why are the ads
this way?” I was basically
just talking out loud. Then,
around April 2009, he leans
over the bar and says “You
say this week after week.
Why don’t you do your own?
Then it will be the way you
want it.” I never thought
about that. “I just might
do that”, I replied. Then
Queen’s Pride came and I
great friends, and the rest
was history.
was eight pages, lol, I took
that to the streets and
promoted it. I had to learn
everything after I started it.
I told myself, “Well, it can’t
get any smaller ‘cause eight
pages is the minimum to
print on a huge printing
press.”
I then met Splash Bar owner
Brian and Eddie of currently
Friends Tavern & Viva La
Vida, who has owned bars
on Roosevelt Avenue for
all the 14 years. They both
bought ads and allowed
me space in their venues to
share the magazines with
their patrons. Thank god
for those two; otherwise, it
would have ended shortly
after. I still today think of
those two generous guys
every time I put the new
issue out. I remember Brian
couple pages, “You seem
determined, and I like that.
Send me an invoice.” I was
thinking this guy just gave
me prime exposure in his
huge, successful, packed
Manhattan bar, I have to
make him proud and make
him know he made a good
decision. I am very thankful.
Even the biggest LGBTQ
and commercialized
publications went out of
business, so what do you
attribute your success to
and how did you survive
Covid?
Well, Covid made me
rethink the way we put out
the issue. Luckily, we found
takeout food and alcohol
spots, and the Grand
Central green boxes was a
huge pick up destination.
The biggest attribute of
all was learning that the
future is here–and having
a team of staff to split up
all the workload was not as
easy as it once used to be.
Lucky for Get Out, it was
created with my hard work
and dedication in mind, and
that meant even delivering
as well to keep costs down
and keep advertising rates
where advertisers could
easily afford promoting their
venues, artists, shows,
movies, and merchandise.
That’s why we are still
here, even with paper and
postage that has doubled
in price since we started
14 years ago. We still have
75% of all original clients
in each issue. They are the
reason we are still here,
being able to help others
promote.

Thinking back, do you
recall your favorite cover?
I can’t really name the
most special one. They
are all special and the
result of everyone’s hard
work. With gratitude and
appreciation and help from
so many people to make
them happen behind the
scenes to their management
the artist themselves, the
writers, interviewer(s) editor,
designer. I have to say singer
Amber, and then Deborah
Cox opened the celebrity
doors for Get Out! Magazine.
I have been lucky to have
featured so many. I’ve almost
had every artist I grew up
listening to on the radio.
You’ve had Diana Ross,
Dionne Warwick, Boy
George, Annie Lennox,
Melissa Etheridge, Taylor,
Dayne, Belinda Carlisle,
DJ Tony Moran, Sandra
Bernhard, Bianca Del Rio,
RuPaul, several RuPaul’s
Drag Race alumni, Paula
Abdul, Bob the Drag
Queen, Madonna, Frankie
Grande, just to mention
a few, and that’s not
counting some of the
hottest dancers on the
planet who’ve been on the
cover of Get Out Magazine.
Is there anyone that you
still wish to have on the
cover?
Well, as I was literally
answering this question,
I was going to say Diane
Warren, Janet Jackson and
Ricky Martin, but those two
latter artists just haven’t
crossed paths as yet to be
done. At this very moment,
I just received a reply from
Diane Warren and I have to
say I am honored more than
my words can explain if this
happens. Her writings are
all over my music shelves. I
am old school and purchase
all my music in CD’s, and
my house is full of music
from Diane and all the above
singers.
What’s your biggest
challenge and your biggest
triumph regarding the
magazine?
A challenge is honestly trying
to keep the advertising rates
and expenses low, and with
the increased cost of living,
gas, paper printing, and
mailings doubling. That is a
huge challenge. The other
challenge is trying to offer
the deal of the decade to
advertisers to promote their
namesakes and trying to
understand those that don’t
take advantage of it. I have
sat in empty places where
I could help them and they
don’t even think to take their
lunch or dinner monies and
invest in their business in
advertising.
I myself am always putting
my money back into the
business, and with that said,
those have always been
the most wise decisions I’ve
made. And the numbers
are right there. Get Out!
Magazine reaches far more
people than any venue post
you see on social media
and we connect exactly to
the reader that goes out and
enjoys entertainment and
nightlife.
As far as triumphs, I have sat
in the best seats all across
the country watching my
favorite artists perform on
stage, and damn, the artists
are a million times better on
stage now then they were
when I was younger. I have
met the best people in the
world doing this magazine.
What is your vision for
the future regarding the
magazine?
I really have no vision of
the future. I honestly never
have had one. I can only
say that I can go searching
and searching, I rarely don’t
make any achievements
from it, it just seems like I am
supposed to do this. Even
the many times I wanted to
stop, something amazing
happens the same week
and I’m back full speed into
it again. In all seriousness,
it has to be said whether it
be God or the universe or
just helping people along the
way, and maybe it’s all three
combined, but everything
just lands in my lap when it’s
supposed to.
Special thanks to you Eileen
Shapiro (interviewer),
Michael Musto (editor), &
Jeff Eason (photographer),
without the three of you,
the following issue would
not be possible. With 516
issues and over 5000 people
involved that I’m thankful for.
I cannot ever write that many
names to say “Thank you”
here.
But I will never forget a
single person and I will still
continue to promote anyone
that I have interacted with till
it ends.

BY EILEEN SHAPIRO
CELEBRITY CORRESPONDENT
Award winning singer, songwriter and
producer, Jade Starling, lead singer for the
dance sensation group Pretty Poison, will
be riding in a semicircle arc of color as an
honored guest on the KTU Pride Parade
York City Pride.
Known for her chart-topping hit “Catch
Me I’m Falling” (among others), Starling
has always been a gay rights activist and
same-sex marriage supporter. Her 1997
hit “Let Freedom Ring” has been used
to further the concept of legalizing gay
marriages. She often performs on behalf
With the release of her new hit single
“Crazy”, she continues to tour and
celebrate her career.
PRETTY POISON’S
JADE STARLING
GOES “CRAZY” AS FEATURED GUEST ON KTU’S NYC PRIDE FLOAT
INTERVIEW >>>>>>>>>
Congratulations on your new song. I
understand you’re going to be on the KTU
does that personally mean for you?
Thanks so much, Eileen! We are completely
blown away by the success on the new single,
“Crazy”- on Tazmania Records. We have been
getting played on KTU and many iheartradio
stations across the country and Mixshows
internationally. Our good friend Steve Bartel,
who we love dearly, has been the music
director at KTU for many years and a huge
supporter of our music. We have been doing
decade minus the Covid years. This will be
in three years and we are very excited! This
year, as with every year I’m involved with NYC
Pride March, has deep emotional meaning to
me. I’ve always been a ride-or-die advocate
for the LGBTQ community, so this is my way
of giving back and supporting the people who
have always remained loyal to us. We actually
got our start in gay clubs and they have always
shown the love and support, even after all
these years. It’s amazing! I’m so proud to be a
part of this year’s festivities with KTU!

I’d like to send out a special shoutout to Glen
Ellis from Mazda of Lodi for sponsoring the
KTU Float this year. We love and appreciate
you so much. The excitement from the crowd is
so spiritually uplifting. There’s nothing like it on
earth.
What was the inspiration for your new
record?
The new single, “Crazy”, is actually a cover of
the iconic mega hit by Seal. I usually don’t do
covers, but my bandmate/musician /songwriting
partner /producer Whey Cooler from Pretty
Poison heard it on the radio one day and
suggested I cover it. I always trust his intuition
when it comes to song choices and he was
certainly right about this one. “Crazy” has gone
number one all over the world– North and South
America, Asia, Africa, Europe, UK, Oceana
countries. Now we are getting airplay on Top
40 radio stations in the U.S. and currently Top
music video “Crazy”-Jade Starling on YouTube–
is currently over 106K views. I’m feeling very
blessed about the success of this record and I’m
so grateful to the DJs and fans around the world
for showing the love and support. Special thanks
to my incredible promotion team for working so
hard to make “Crazy “ so successful. Big Love
to Henry Vargas, Dan Mathews, Sam Michaels-
Klubjumpers, Mike Ferullo, Tazmania Records,
Darulah Man/Whey Cooler, Patti Andrews, New
Music Weekly, Music Week UK. Without this
amazing dream team, none of this would have
been possible. I love you all!
I believe the last time I saw you was at the
huge new casino in Queens, NY, where you
did an amazing performance. What have you
been up to since?
Yes, that was Resorts World Casino in Queens
and that was a great show. My group, Pretty
Poison, has been on many tours and multi-act
freestyle shows over the years and many clubs
especially in the NYC area .We still do quite a
few shows with Sal Abbatello, Brian Rosenberg,
Vito Bruno, Paul Lopes, Entourage Productions,
Alan Beck, Bobby Dee Presents, and Steve
Robinson. Currently, we are doing Freestyle
Explosion, Freestyle Madness, 80s in the Sands
Festival in Cancun and Freestyle Festival
tour dates all around the country. Heading to
Yuma, AZ, Phoenix AZ, Las Vegas, Dallas
TX, Denver Co., Boston Mass, Providence
RI, LA , Miami and of course NYC, to name a
few. We are beyond excited to perform for our
fans in so many cities. Check out the website
prettypoisonmusic.com for cities/dates info.
Will you be performing during Pride on the
Yes, I’m totally thrilled to be performing on
performing a medley of my hits alongside some
special guests TBA. We will also be performing
41st and 9th Ave. Special Thanks to Mike Todd
for introducing us to Daniel Nardicio, owner
of Red Eye NYC and also Ice Palace on Fire
Island. We are proud to be working with such an
established and well respected promoter for this
epic after party event. Will be updating the info
and showtime very soon.
What does the rest of 2023 and beyond look
like for you ?
The rest of 2023 is incredibly busy with tour
dates, international travel and writing and
recording sessions in our studio. We are
album to be released by the end of the year or
the beginning of 2024. I’m so excited for people
to hear what we’ve been working on. I’m so
proud of the songs that Whey Cooler and I have
and House music, as well as some ballads and
even trance mixes, with a twist and signature
sound all our own. I think the DJs and fans
will love it! We will be working with our team
of remixers Stonebridge, Block and Crown,
Country Club Martini Crew, Klubjumpers, Dark
Intensity, Liam Keegan, Sam Gee and Chris Cox
to name a few.These talented remixers never
disappoint and always deliver amazing remixes.
We will be releasing a new single sometime this
summer. We are still deciding on what song we
want to drop next, but it will be an original. My
last original single, “So Alive”, also did extremely
well on radio and Mixshows and had KTU
support, as well as internationally. We just got
awarded a plaque from New Music Weekly for
“So Alive” having spent three weeks at #1 on
the Indie Music Singles Chart. It’s especially
rewarding because it’s an original song written
by Whey Cooler and myself.

Do you have any concluding words?
We had an amazing year with our classic
smash hit single “Catch Me, I’m Falling” being
featured in episode four of the Golden Globe
Dahmer Story “ The series has over a billion
views worldwide. It has also won Bafta Awards
and is now nominated for four Emmys. We are
honored to have our music included in this iconic
Ryan Murphy production and I look forward to
attending the Emmys in L.A. this September.
There are also some upcoming movies using
our music and a commercial is in the works. We
have been extremely lucky with placements in
some very Iconic TV shows and movies. One
of my favorites is RuPaul impersonating me in
a red wig and fringe gloves. He did a killer
performance. Also we have been working with
Trance DJ producer Markus Schultz on a track
for his album titled “Stolen”, dropping in July. He
is working on a remix of “Catch Me, I’m Falling”
that’s going to blow minds for sure. We are very
excited. In closing, I would like to thank you and
Mike for featuring me in your Pride issue of Get
Out magazine. I always appreciate your support.
Also I’d like to thank everyone who has stood
by us over the years. Your continued love and
support means everything!! I love you all so
much. Happy Pride!! Follow me on all my socials
Xoxo
week in pictures >> By Joey Trom
TRUE COLORS BAR

ISSUE #516
< DIANE
WARREN
PHOTO CREDIT:
NICK SPANOS
DARRIN M.>
SEBASTIAN E.
PHOTO CREDIT:
WILSONMODELS
PUBLISHER MICHAEL TODD
MIKE@GETOUTMAG.COM
DESIGN AGOTA CORREA
AGOTA@GETOUTMAG.COM
CELEBRITY INTERVIEWER EILEEN SHAPIRO
@EILEENSHAPIRO3
NYC’S NIGHTLIFE AWARD WINNING BLOGGER/
WRITER & INTERVIEWER JIM SILVESTRI
NIGHTLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER WILSONMODELS
JEASO86@HOTMAIL.COM
The publications of MJT/GOOTH ENTERTAINMENT, getoutmag.com or any
other related print or Web publications or social media accounts, their images,
quotations or articles should not be construed to be an indication of the sexual
orientation of anyone portrayed therein.
All Content © Copyright 2019
MJT/GOOTH ENTERTAINMENT
25-21 45TH STREET ASTORIA, NY 11103
GET OUT OF THE HOUSE ENTERTAINMENT EST. 2009

BY GETOUT MAGAZINE
SEBASTIAN
BOXERS BARTENDER BURSTS INTO
BUBBLEGUMWEAR INSPIRATION
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START A
SWIMWEAR COMPANY?
I decided to make my own and create
something that I would want to see out
there in the stores.
WHAT KINDS OF SWIMWEAR ARE YOU
MANUFACTURING AND HOW CAN
PEOPLE SEE YOUR PRODUCTS?
We are manufacturing pieces that would
make you feel sexy and comfortable, with
the freedom to use the swimwear for any
occasion–summer party, the beach, or the
website, www.bubblegumwear.shop.
Sebastian works at one of New
York’s outstanding nightlife bars…
However, he has also launched a
new brand of men’s swimwear called
“bubblegumwear”. He was inspired
to create a new type of swimwear
after searching for a swimsuit, but
found none he liked. He decided to
then make his own….
Get Out magazine caught up with
Sebastian regarding his swimwear.
DOES BEING A BARTENDER AT
BOXERS INSPIRE YOUR SWIMWEAR
BRAND, AND IF SO, HOW?
It does inspire, especially because we all
wear boxers underwear behind the bar,
so I can’t help to think about how I would
incorporate my brand into my work at the
bar and make everyone look better. I even
had conversations with my bosses about
doing something with the two brands.
WHAT MAKES YOUR SWIMWEAR
DIFFERENT FROM OTHER BRANDS?
We want our brand to be known for always
making sure we are delivering the best
possible product, and that includes all our
swimwear being environmentally friendly,
made with bio fabrics. Also, designs that
are original and fashionable.

DO YOU PLAN ON INCORPORATING
YOUR SWIMWEAR WITH BOXERS
SOMEHOW?
We are planning on having events in the
near future, we would also love to design
something for the bartenders to wear.
WHERE ARE YOU HOPING
TO BE WITH BOTH OF YOUR
CAREERS IN FIVE YEARS?
We want to evolve and grow as
brand. We are just at the beginning of
we’d like to be positioned a little
better in the market, so that
we are better known
and the number
one option for
our customers.

getoutmag.com week in pictures
>> BY WILSONMODELS / wilsonmodels.blogspot.com
DWORLD UNDERWEAR PARTY @ ICE PALACE FIRE ISLAND GROVE

getoutmag.com week in pictures
LOW TEA @ BLUE WHALE FIRE ISLAND PINES
>> BY WILSONMODELS / wilsonmodels.blogspot.com