Filmmaker John Waters , the proud “Pope of Trash,” is no stranger to weird questions. But at a recent audience Q&A when someone asked him, “How did you avoid getting cancer?” he was flummoxed. “I thought, ‘I did smoke, I’m 76 — I guess it is a fair question,'” he says on a call from his home in Provincetown, Massachusetts. “I was explaining all this, and the audience starts laughing harder and harder. And then I realized I heard them wrong. They said, ‘How did you avoid getting canceled ?'” For nearly 60 years, Waters has violated the boundaries of good taste with satirical films like Hairspray and Pink Flamingos (recently rereleased by the Criterion Collection in honor of its 50th anniversary), and incisive books that take a closer look at America’s grimy underbelly. Now, the mustachioed misfit is taking on the concept of truth itself with his first novel, Liarmouth: A Feel-Bad Romance , about a compulsive liar named Marsha Sprinkle. “I had a wonderful time thinking … [Read more...] about John Waters on the Truth About Lying and How He’s Avoided Cancel Culture
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Chris Mosier on Making History as First Trans Member of Team USA
As a kid growing up in Midwest America, there was always an equal playing field for Chris Mosier. He felt confident anywhere he could score a goal, cross a finish line or make a play. The minute he stepped up to compete, the only distinction between him and any other athlete was ability. “At any point in my life, regardless if I was confused about who I was or if I didn’t know the language of what I felt, the one identifier that never changed was ‘athlete,'” he says. No matter how his hair was cut, what clothes he wore or if people called him “he” or “she” – there was no confusion about his competitive edge. But decades later, when he qualified for the 2016 Team USA roster at the sprint duathlon national championship and became the first out transgender man to make a U.S. National Team, the place where Chris Mosier’s athletic prowess was valued over his personal pronoun – that equal playing field–changed. “Suddenly, the most gratifying area of my life became the most contentious area … [Read more...] about Chris Mosier on Making History as First Trans Member of Team USA
RS Recommends: Country Star Jimmie Allen Talks Cleaning Up Black-Dad Myths With New Dove Campaign
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission. The Country Music Association has given out 88 awards for Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, and New Artist of the Year since 2000. Of that number, can you guess how many winners have been African American? If you said “two” — Darius Rucker and Jimmie Allen , both in the New Artist category in 2009 and 2021, respectively — you’d be correct. Not exactly the strongest show of diversity for a musical genre that’s been notoriously one-noted with its representation. Allen, a Delaware native who’s written and performed his own music for years, understood the need for a script refresh. The Grammy-nominated artist also knew that if the narrative of little Black boys and girls never seeing country performers who looked like them was ever going to change, he’d have to be a part of the revision. And … [Read more...] about RS Recommends: Country Star Jimmie Allen Talks Cleaning Up Black-Dad Myths With New Dove Campaign
Mullet Championships Pick Kid and Teen Finalists with Wildest Locks
Gallery Launch Gallery mulletchamp.com It's time for some of the boldest, bravest, most badass kids and teens in America to show off their personal neck warmers ... all in the form of a mullet competition. Gallery Launch Gallery mulletchamp.com The finalists have been picked for this year's USA Mullet Championship , and the entries certainly don't disappoint. Each kid and teen is given a spot on the competition's website, where fans can scroll through and pick their favorite Billy Ray Cyrus -inspired hairdo. Gallery Launch Gallery Getty The first round of voting is open now, and the ultimate winner will take home $2,500 ... plenty to spend on hair products to maintain the perfect Camaro crash helmet. There's also a competition for adult men and women (the femullet) coming soon, so stay tuned for those wild and whacky looks. … [Read more...] about Mullet Championships Pick Kid and Teen Finalists with Wildest Locks