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 Photography by THOMAS KNIGHTS
I take PrEP. I use
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 This issue
October 2018

Travel
91 JUST THE TICKET
The latest travel tips and news
92 PETIT ST VINCENT
Take a deep breath as we dive into
the luxury Caribbean retreat
100 THREE OF THE BEST
Property rental sites
102 HALLOWEEN AT UNIVERSAL
Ghoulishy good times in Orlando
106 MELBOURNE
Australia’s second-biggest city
108 HOT HOTEL
Preidlhof, South Tyrol, Italy

Active
p50 112 ACTIVATE
The latest fitness news and tech
p74 114 GROOMING
Agenda Getting into a lather
116 ACTIVE FEATURE
11 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF’S LETTER Strictly pro dancer AJ Pritchard
12 ATTITUDE LOVES 122 MATT LISTER
What we’re thirsty for this month Fitness in focus
18 THE BIG ISSUE 124 A PROBLEM SHARED
Gay teacher delivers LGBT+ lesson
20 THE RULES Social
Bringing true stories to the screen
21 RISING STAR 128 REAL LIFE
Ah Mer Ah Su Having a field day with gay farmer
23 BIG IN A WIG Ben Andrews
Monique Heart 132 LIFE LESSONS
24 COLUMNIST — MOBEEN AZHAR Peter Häggström Lindecrantz
Waiting for Superman p78 134 REAL BODIES
27 CULTURE CLUB Former military man and gay
Sex & the City p36 activist Patrick Lyster-Todd
28 COLUMNIST — ANTHONY GILET 136 WORD ON THE STREET
Addiction and dependency 138 TABLE FOR TWO
30 CARS 139 BUDDY BRILLIANT
32 PROPERTY 140 IRIS PRIZE
LGBT+ short film festival returns
Features 141 REVIEWS
Books by Uli Lenart, films by Guy
36 ANDY COHEN Lodge, music by James Barr
TV’s mad, bad and dangerous chat 145 HOMO FOMO
show host Festivals, theatre, events and more
50 RAMI MALEK 146 ATTITUDE 300
He’ll rock you as Freddie Mercury Celebrating our milestone issue
62 TORTURED
Barbaric treatment of LGBT+ people Style
66 CHER
World-exclusive interview with the 152 WARDROBE
singing and acting legend Scarily stylish
72 JODIE WHITTAKER 153 CRUSH
The new Doctor makes time (and Keeping it brief
space) for us 154 BEST WESTERN
74 JONNY BAILEY Dsquared2 autumn-winter
British TV star takes to the stage 167 WATCHES
78 JOHN GRANT 168 TRUE COLOUR
Making music magic Fashion
84 BUSINESS PROFILE 178 FAVOURITE THINGS
Konditor & Cook Hair stylist Ben Cooke

OCTOBER 2018 7
 Meet
Tim Heap, Assistant editor
One brush (“bristle” might be more
appropriate) with fame came at the

the
Cucumber-Banana-Tofu premiere
party. After stalking Matt Smith QUEER MUSIC

team
and Lily James, a colleague and I New albums from
strong-armed the former Doctor Christine and the
and future Prince Philip into a Queens, MNEK, John
misjudged selfie, which chopped Grant, Troye Sivan. Who
off half my face. I’d cringe if I run the world? GAYS!
WHAT’S YOUR hadn’t been wasted at the time
MOST MEMORABLE GET BAKED (OFF)
CELEB MOMENT? Everyone at
Francisco Gomez de Villaboa, Photographer Attitude is at it
I was doing a photo shoot with the singer LP
(below). It didn’t start well because the stylist STRICTLY COME
I was working with arrived 90 minutes late but RANJING
LP was so nice and cheerful. By the end of it, Sequins, glitter, scantily
we were holding hands. I’ve never felt so much clad men… and that’s
warmth. She left me in love and we still talk just Dr Ranj’s dressing
room

A STAR IS (RE)BORN
Mother Monster back
on fire — and ready for
Oscars buzz
Sean Lineker, Account manager
I managed to blag VIP tickets to see Britney

UP &
Spears on The Jonathan Ross Show in 2016. As
we were walking to our seats, Britney’s manager
walked past me — quickly followed by Britney DOWN
herself. Uncontrollably, I shouted: “I love you
Britney” in her face and she gave me an awkward
smile back. Best day of my life!
WHAT WE’RE ROCKING
AND BLOCKING
PRINT / O NLINE / TAB LET / MOBILE
THERESA CRAY-CRAY
Editor in chief Cliff Joannou Interns Matthew Aldridge // Ciaran Munroe
Redefining #awkward
cliff.joannou@attitude.co.uk // Hannah De-Castro Subscriptions Enquiries
Assistant editor Tim Heap with the dance that
tim.heap@attitude.co.uk Head of partnerships Mike Buckley
attitude@warnersgroup.co.uk
01778 392005 inspired a
Features editor Tom Stichbury mike.buckley@attitude.co.uk
thomas.stichbury@attitude.co.uk million memes
Chief sub editor Hugh Sohn Commercial manager Andy Goddard Warners Subscription Department
hugh.sohn@attitude.co.uk andy.goddard@attitude.co.uk
020 3598 6741 Freepost, PE211, Bourne, SUMMER COLDS
Travel editor/staff photographer Account manager Joanna Hill Lincolnshire PE10 9BR Pure awfulness. At least
Markus Bidaux joanna.hill@attitude.co.uk
markus.bidaux@attitude.co.uk 01342 872041 Attitude is now available through the now we can start calling
Sports editor Mark McAdam Account manager Sean Lineker RNIB Newsagent service, which delivers them “colds” again
the latest news, magazines and stories in a range
mark.mcadam@attitude.co.uk sean.lineker@attitude.co.uk of formats to people with sight loss. To subscribe
Editor at large Matthew Todd 020 3598 6743 to RNIB Newsagent, call the helpline on 0303 123
matthew.todd@attitude.co.uk 9999, or email them at helpline@rnib.org.uk. COUNTDOWN
Managing director Darren Styles. OBE rnib.org.uk TO CHRIST***
Art director Gary Simons Commercial director Craig Lewis
gary.simons@attitude.co.uk Operations director Nigel Russell (Oh wait, we’ve got
Designer Laurène Pineau Events manager Lesley Harris Copyright © Stream Publishing Ltd 2018 all rights reserved. No Halloween first…)
laurene.pineau@attitude.co.uk Production executive Tom Doyle part of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part
without the written permission of the publishers. Unsolicited
Fashion and grooming director contributions must be accompanied by a stamped addressed MYKONOS BITCH
envelope if they are to be returned. We cannot accept
Joseph Kocharian
joseph.kocharian@attitude.co.uk
responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts and photographs or FIGHTS
for material lost or damaged in the post. Letters submitted to
Junior fashion editor Nick Byam Attitude or its editors are assumed to be intended for publication Nasty gays on tour. Not
nick.byam@attitude.co.uk Attitude, The Cowshed, Ladycross Farm, in whole or in part. The mention or appearance or likeness of cool, gurls, not cool
Hollow Lane, Dormansland, any person or organisation in articles or advertising in this
Web editor Will Stroude Surrey RH7 6PB publication is not to be taken as any indication of sexual, social or
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Freelance web reporter Fabio Crispim Printed by Wyndeham Bicester

attitude.co.uk @attitude.co.uk @attitudemag @attitudemag

8 OCTOBER 2018
Keep Your
Rainbow
Getting older shouldn’t mean
fading away. Keep your rainbow
and age with pride.

Find out how at ageingwithpride.co.uk

  @ageingwithpride

Contact us:
0121 643 0821
info@ageingwithpride.co.uk
 Editor
in
Chief ’s
Letter
On
the

I
was too young to appreciate Freddie Mercury’s cultural impact when he died in 1991. It would covers
only be much later that I learnt how he had been unashamedly flamboyant both in person
and on stage with Queen, and how honest he was about his love of cock. All I knew at the
time of his death was that a prolific figure from one of the greatest rock band’s ever had come out
as having Aids, and died a day later.
Along with those infamous iceberg and tombstone adverts of the late 1980s, Freddie’s death
from an illness that at that time was a certain death sentence did a very good job of burying my
sexuality. I found the smallest, tiniest crack in the wooden panelling at the very back of the closet
and squeezed myself into it.
Only when I was out and confident in my sexual identity, many years down the line, did I develop
an interest in our queer history and come to understand why Freddie hid the fact he was HIV
positive from the public, let alone that he had developed Aids.
The son of Indian parents, Freddie was one of the world’s most famous men and being HIV
positive was undoubtedly an immense burden at a time when little was Photography Damon Baker
Fashion Joseph Kocharian
known about what is now a manageable health condition. The 1980s and Rami wears tank top by
1990s were terrifying times for gay men, and those in the spotlight suddenly M&S, sweatpants by Gucci
became targets for a media that relished outing people. Whatever your job, “In the 1980s at Matches Fashion, boots
by Saint Laurent, necklace
being HIV positive or gay (or both) could destroy your career whether you and 1990s, by Chupi
were a pop star, doctor, banker or MP. being gay or
In this issue, ahead of the release of the long-awaited Queen biopic
Bohemian Rhapsody, actor Rami Malek talks exclusively to Attitude about
HIV positive
the immense responsibility that came with taking on the role of Freddie could destroy
Mercury, keen to reassure fans that Freddie’s sexuality and his battle against your career”
Aids are very much central to the film.
Also in this issue, US chat show host Andy Cohen shares how his journey
to the UK to study in 1988 proved to be instrumental in his coming out. On
arrival in London, Andy had found himself living in Earls Court — the epicentre of gay life in the
city which, at the time, ironically, was also Freddie Mercury’s stomping ground.
While the Reagan administration’s unsympathetic reaction to the Aids crisis frightened Andy’s
nascent sexuality, it was the UK’s vibrant gay community that helped him find the confidence to be
himself. It’s sadly ironic that at the same time as a young Andy Cohen was taking his first gay steps, Photography Leigh Keily
Fashion Joseph Kocharian
Freddie was taking his last. Andy wears top by Balmain
It’s a fact that highlights something many of us perhaps forget in a world that is so connected yet at MR PORTER
increasingly isolated: how our histories are interlinked, the choices and actions of those who came
before us have direct consequences on the lives of those who follow.
We’re also proud to feature the return of John Grant, in this issue. A man whose music has
become an ongoing dialogue with our community, John frames the sometimes-confusing world of
sexuality and identity through boldly magnificent and beautifully crafted songs.
What do all the above have in common? Stories, that’s what. At a time when everyone is
screaming to be heard on social media, richer and deeper stories are what we strive to deliver
with each issue of Attitude. We’re here to share the experiences of gay, bi and queer men in order to
highlight our individuality, but also to remind us about what we have in common, and so perhaps
make us feel that little bit less lonely and a little more connected.

@CliffJoannou Photography Machado Cicala

OCTOBER 2018 11
 L VES

RINA SAWAYAMA
Pitching herself as a pop futurist,
Rina Sawayama is certainly paving
the way with her ridiculously wriggly
earworms about queer love. Case
in point is her latest tune Cherry.
“Even though I’m satisfied, I lead
my life within a lie, holding on to
feelings I’m not used to, ‘cause, oh,
they make me feel alive,” she coos.
The Japanese-born, London-based
singer bears the fruits of identifying
as pansexual on the track, and
the implications of that while also
being in a heterosexual relationship.
Sounds heavy, but the song floats
as a soft-synth bop. One you can
bounce along to when Rina swings
by London’s Heaven on 19 October.

@rinasawayama

12 OCTOBER 2018
 L VES

CDLP
Swedish underwear brand CDLP
are launching their first swimwear
collection. The three-piece offering
includes the Pool Short that’s soft
to the touch with black velvet, and
a Swim Short in army green and
black nylon. The campaign features
Instagram favourite Jay Alvarrez,
shot in Ibiza through the lens of
co-founder and filmmaker Christian
Larson.

cdlp.com

OCTOBER 2018 13
 L VES

SMEG X DOLCE & GABBANA ESPRESSO COFFEE MACHINE

Calling all caffeine lovers, specifically those who have a spare bob or two. Fashion
giant Dolce & Gabbana and domestic gods Smeg collaborated on a stunning range
of household appliances earlier this year and now, extending that partnership,
they’ve brewed up something rather special: the world’s most couture coffee
machine. Our words, not theirs. Made in Italy, it’s a real beauty, inspired by the
colours and landscape of the island of Sicily. You may need more than a shot of
espresso once you’ve seen the price tag (£699), but dang it is pretty.

harrods.com

14 OCTOBER 2018
 L VES

HOMOTOPIA
Bow down at the altar of John
Waters — once baptised the Pope
of Trash — when he heads to
Homotopia. First launched in 2004,
the annual festival celebrating
LGBT+ arts and culture in its many
forms, returns to Liverpool from
2 November until 2 December.
The undoubted highlight is the
opportunity to delve into the dark,
divinely demented mind of the
director, actor and oh-so-quotable
cult legend during his one-man
show John Waters: This Filthy
World. Promising to be sinfully
good, the headline set at Liverpool
Philharmonic Hall on 10 November
will be the 72-year-old’s only UK
performance this year. Other
must-sees include shows from
RuPaul’s Drag Race favourite Jinx
Monsoon and performance artist
Travis Alabanza.

homotopia.net

OCTOBER 2018 15
 L VES
PHOTOGRAPHY Conor Clinch
FASHION Nick Byam
GROOMING Brady Lea at Stella
Creative using Dermalogica
MODEL Ali Ibrahim at Elite Models

REMUS UOMO
Nature is calling for Remus
Uomo, with the brand taking
inspiration from rock formations,
marble and naturally occurring
shapes for autumn-winter. As
well as sharp tailoring, they have
casual suits with softer shoulder
lines and casual trim details. The
collection is made to be layered
up, with coats with softer lines
and jersey fabrics, knitwear and
plenty of texture, making your
work-wear much more relaxed
and interesting.

Remusuomo.com

16 OCTOBER 2018
 L VES

LONDON FILM FESTIVAL

The BFI London Film Festival returns
for a 62nd year with a feast of
cinematic highlights to devour, from
10 until 21 October. There’s the world
premiere of both Steve McQueen’s
Widows, and Peter Jackson’s WW1
documentary They Shall Not Grow
Old to mention just two, as well as a
raft of queer titles such as Benjamin,
Simon Amstell’s comedy about
intimacy and despair, and the biopic
Colette, starring Keira Knightley,
about a Parisian novelist’s affair with
a gender-defying marquis, and her
relationship with an abusive husband.
In addition, you can see The White
Crow, which tells of gay Soviet dancer
Rudolf Nureyev’s defection to the
West, featuring bad boy of ballet
Sergei Polunin, and Hikaru Toda’s
inspiring documentary Of Love & Law,
following real-life couple Fumi and
Kazu (pictured), pioneers of Japan’s
first LGBT+ law firm.

bfi.org.uk/lff

OCTOBER 2018 17
 BIG I S S U E

A new school
of thought

It’s 30 years since Section 28 banned the

discussion of same-sex relationships in
school. Teacher Luke Burgess, 26, shows
just how much progress has been made
since it was repealed, by coming out to
pupils, along with a colleague this summer

I
grew up in a working-class town, a
stone’s throw from Brighton. But
as a teenager struggling to come to
terms with the fact I was gay, I might as
well have been on another planet.
The education system didn’t
represent, let alone prepare, me for the
person I was on my way to becoming.
Being gay was not something
mentioned in school, and homophobia
wasn’t robustly challenged. I had no
role models to look up to.
This experience had a profound
impact on my life, and it’s the reason
I eventually came out as a gay man in
support of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual
and Transgender Union (LGBTU),
an organisation dedicated to LGBT+
students, faculty, allies and alumni.
I’m currently a teacher at a
comprehensive on the outskirts of
Brighton, and in the past I have felt
the pressure or need to be closeted at
work. Whenever a colleague mentioned
their wife or husband, I would stay
silent. During my training in 2015, I
remember a staff member saying that
they would question the conduct or
competency of a teacher if he or she
told a student that they were gay.
However, as my career progressed, I
threw myself into becoming an LGBTU
ally, receiving training from a charity
called Allsorts, which provides support
for young queer people.
I wanted to improve teachers’ this was a discussion that absolutely
skills, build a body of supportive needed to be had.
governors and parents, and create While planning the end-of-term
effective policies and an inclusive talk, I started thinking about the
curriculum, with an additional focus irony of us saying that it’s OK to be
on pastoral support that would enable gay even though we weren’t being
and empower the voices of our pupils. open or honest with them about our
My aim was to help the school work own sexuality. It dawned on me that
towards a Rainbow Flag award, given I could be a role model to these kids,
by The Proud Trust to institutions that the kind I lacked in my youth. And
shine a spotlight on LGBT+ inclusion all it took was one simple sentence: “I
and diversity. So I set up an LGBTU find it offensive as a gay man and my
group for students, which turned into colleague as a gay woman.”
a weekly lunch-time activity. The whole experience
It became a safe space for “I overheard a student and reaction has been
them to talk about sexuality, incredible. We’ve been
bullying and instances of
describing his flooded with messages of
homophobia. friend’s coming out as support from staff and
I overheard one student attention-seeking” students alike. It even gave
describing his friend’s coming some pupils the confidence
out story as attention-seeking, which to come out. Our objective was to
he then dismissed with a homophobic teach them about sexuality and
slur. Intervening, I told him that that there is no need to hide, or be
this offended me as a gay man. He ashamed of who they are, and I believe
immediately apologised and assured that we succeeded.
me that he wouldn’t have said it if he From the school hall to national
knew. It puzzled me why he thought television, where Pam and myself
that would make a difference. appeared on Good Morning Britain, our
Spurred on by this incident, I message of togetherness has spread.
decided to hold an assembly for the I hope it leads to greater guidance
entire school, focusing on coming out, and support for LGBT+ students and
hate crime and the long-term damage LGBTU members.
that homophobic language can have
on victims. allsortsyouth.org.uk
My colleague Pam and I decided that theproudtrust.org

18 OCTOBER 2018
 Welcome to Rio’s glamorous beachside hideway, where
the magniuficient art deco pool is almost as celebrated as its guests.
Marvellous isn’t it?
 For Bringing True Stories To The Screen DON’T LET LINDSAY LOHAN NEAR IT. She
reached all-new levels of awfulness as
Elizabeth “spinning in her grave” Taylor in
straight-to-TV disaster Liz & Dick. That said,
we could watch LiLo’s fainting scene on
repeat until the end of days

PROSTHETICS CAN BE YOUR FRIEND... Just ask

Nicole Kidman, who wore a fake schnozz to portray
author Virginia Woolf in The Hours and went on to
win awards aplenty. Not to be sniffed at, eh?

…OR YOUR WORST ENEMY. Leonardo DiCaprio

was buried beneath the stuff as FBI director J
Edgar Hoover. The last time the actor looked this
miffed on screen was when Kate Winslet
hogged that wardrobe door in Titanic

AVOID COLOUR-BLIND CASTING. It doesn’t matter

if you’re black or white, until it does. The decision to
cast Joseph Fiennes (caucasian as they come) as king
of pop Michael Jackson was just Bad

EMBRACE GENDER FLUIDITY. Cate

Blanchett is a woman and Bob Dylan is
very much a man. But that didn’t stop
the actress from serving up strum-thing
special while playing the music
legend in I’m Not There

DON’T FUCK IT UP. Some stories should be left

alone as Naomi Watts-the-actual-fuck discovered
when she tried to hold a candle to Princess Di
in 2013’s truly woeful Diana. Your agent should
be fired. Next

JUST ADD GLITTER. Or not. Even Mimi couldn’t

make her hot mess movie debut sparkle.
The fictionalised version of her rags-to-riches
life was an epic fail. We demand an official biopic
about the diva (and a basket of
lambs while you’re at it)

CAMP REALLY IS FANTASTIC. Michael

Douglas is a creepy, surgery-obsessed
older guy in lust with a younger, prettier
lover. As world-famous pianist Liberace
in Behind The Candelabra that is. Not
real life, obvs

20 OCTOBER 2018
AH MER
AH SU
If you haven’t heard of her yet, you
soon will. Growing up in Oakland,
California, trans pop star Ah Mer
Ah Su – real name Star Amerasu
– is blazing trails in the music
industry and has already been
compared to Nina Simone
We’re more than a little obsessed with
your debut album Star. How would you
describe it?
It is an anthology of sorts that tells the
story of what it’s like to be someone
like me. I used the voices of my friends
who I share experiences with — we are
black, queer, trans and also human.
How would you say it moves on from
your EP, Rebecca, both in sound and in
terms of the subjects you tackle?
I think of Rebecca as a few diary
entries, like direct tears from my late
teens’ and early twenties’ exploits,
whereas I put my experiences as a
transitioned trans woman into sonic
play for Star with the intent to get the
girls on their feet.
You have previously delved into
difficult topics such as depression
and substance abuse. What was the
trickiest track for you to write this
time around?
The hardest was 7-15-13. The title of the
song was the date I wrote it, and if you
listen to the lyrics closely it is a very
flowery way of saying I have suicidal
ideas, but that I’m choosing to live. It’s
a reminder that I can choose to live.
You’ve been praised for your raw,
honest lyrical powers, but how
painful, or indeed cathartic, is that
creative process?
It’s like giving away some of the pain.
Music is therapy because now these
raw things are less raw. I’ve sung the
songs hundreds of times, and my story
is now told and will live on after this
physical body is gone.
A few of the songs explore unhealthy
queer relationships. What prompted
you to write about that?
I feel girls — trans girls, that is – don’t
get to be nuanced. As queer people,
we don’t talk about abuse in ways
that actually help folks who are
struggling to get out. We don’t have
examples in the media of what healthy
relationships look like and we don’t
learn about that in school, well, none
that I’ve attended. So, it’s a learning
curve and it was a steep one for me
and for many people I know.
How does it feel to be compared to the
legendary Nina Simone?
I love her voice and I love what she
stood for. She once said that it is the
artist’s task to represent the times and
I feel I’m doing that: showing
my colour, my virtue, my
pain and my hope.
There are a lot of anthemic “I feel I’m representing
songs, such as Powerful and the times. I’m showing
Be Free, on the album. What my colour, my virtue,
message are you hoping to
spread? my pain and my hope”
Self-compassion,
understanding, and holding
space for yourself to be messy, and to
grow from it.
The music business is a notoriously
tricky one. How has it been navigating
that space as a black trans artist?
Have you experienced any racism or
transphobia?
Mostly in micro-aggressive ways. I’m
waiting for the doors into the true
indie world to open for me. The most
difficult thing thus far is feeling
perhaps a bit under-appreciated.
There is a tendency to pair queer
music with an exclusively queer
audience. But we feel your album
speaks to everyone. Do you agree and,
if so, was that your aim?
I agree. There will always be people
who won’t even let themselves enjoy
my music for whatever
reason, let’s just say social
conditioning. There will
be people who will write
it off as some gay shit
or whatever. I don’t care.
The people who need the
message will absolutely
take it in. You don’t have
to be me to love me. You
can listen to the pain and the joy,
and realise that perhaps the human
experience is a bitch to us all.
What’s the dream?
I want the big label coin and some
sync [ad sponsorship] deals! I just
want to be successful so at least all this
suffering was worth it.
Star is out now. @staramerasu
OCTOBER 2018 21
 The UK’s longest running
LGBT+ arts festival
2 November - 1 December

HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

John Waters
His only UK show in 2018

Launch Party with

House of Suarez

Scottee: Fat Blokes

The iconic show
comes to Liverpool

www.homotopia.net Mop the House

UK premier

Supported by
 Monique
bigwig
Heart
Introducing herself as the
heart of Drag Race’s 10th
season, Monique sealed
her place in the herstory
books as one of the show’s
funniest queens. But long
after that lip-synch fail,
Carly Rae Jepsen is
still a sore point
What were your rejected drag
names?
Ariana Styles, Nevah, Jiz
Zonra, Kisha Amillion.
Describe yourself in three
emojis.
Describe your drag style in five
words.
Avant-garde, fashion, seductive,
eccentric, unique.
What’s the first thing you do in
the morning?
Pray.
And what’s the last thing you do
before going to sleep?
Meditate.
You win a million dollars –
what’s the first thing you buy?
I’d reinvest, honey.
Which Drag Race sister would
you want to haunt after death?
The Holy Spirit would tell me
not to, but... RuPaul and Lady
Bunny. Raggedy bitches ain’t
called to invite me to the cook-
out or for coffee. Apparently,
everyone is busy!
Worst pick-up line someone
has said to you?
“You’re my favourite, Monet
Exchange.”
What’s the worst thing someone
could say to you in bed?
“I’ve always wanted to be with
a black guy. Can you get me
tickets to the show?”
What would a film of your life
be called?
The Dream of a Dreamer.
“RuPaul and Lady Bunny haven’t
called to invite me for coffee.
Apparently, everyone is busy!”
Who would star as you in it?
Titus Makin Jr.
How would (or does) your Grindr
profile read?
“Chill, easy-going, clearly black
and beautiful, gym three times
a week.”
in a
If you could be any inanimate
object in the world, what would
you be?
The loofah in John Stamos’s
shower.
What’s your best asset?
My heart, of course.
What’s your life motto?
Knowing the Father loves me
allows me to conquer any
adversity.
Your house is on fire: what
would you save?
My phone (aka my business),
and my Gucci bag.
What hidden talent do you have
tucked away?
Singing.
Where do you like to escape to?
Dusty Ray Bottoms’ house in
New York City.
You’ve been abducted by aliens.
What would your parting
message to Planet Earth be?
All you hoes better come get me.
What would your own fragrance
be called?
The Essence Of The Ooh Ah Ahh
Sensation, made from citrus
and spice.
Which guests (dead or alive)
would you invite to your dream
dinner party?
Aaliyah, Whitney Houston and
[civil rights activist] Rosa Parks.
If you could implement any
law, what would it be?
True equal rights for people of
colour.
What makes your heart skip
a beat?
True demonstrations of selfless
love and random acts of
kindness.
What is your favourite Carly
Rae Jepsen song?
WHO?! I don’t listen to that
woman!
If you were involved in the
casting of RuPaul’s Drag Race All
Stars (S4), which queen would
you bring back and why?
Myself. I have so much to
redeem.
Monique Heart will guest judge
Porn Idol at London’s G.A.Y. on
4 October
@iammoniqueheart
OCTOBER 2018 23

#INSTAMAN
@kennybrain
WE LOVE A MAN WHO’S
GOOD WITH HIS HANDS SO
STEP FORWARD CANADIAN
CARPENTER KENNETH BRAIN.
NOW HOW LONG BEFORE THE
WOOD JOKES START?
We’re all a-quiver over this shot.
Move over Robin Hood and check
out those back muscles
OK, this looks ommm-inous, but,
stop your bleating, it’s just a spot
of goat yoga. We kid you not
Cabin in the woods, log fire and a
lovely rug (of chest hair)… things
can’t get any hotter
24 OCTOBER 2018
In my opinion
AMROU AL-KADHI
THIS
ISSUE
MOBEEN AZHAR
You could miss the real hero if
you go on waiting for Superman
A friend of mine recently got wanked off on
a flight to Helsinki. He’d turned on Grindr
during boarding, swapped seating details and
preferences before the plane took off and,
hey presto, by the time the duty-free woman
was half way down the aisle, his DNA was on a
blanket owned by British Airways.
My friend returned to his
seat with a smile on his face
and a stain on his pants
“Many of us think of
and hoped he wouldn’t Mr Right as a rescue
bump into the man, whose plan to fix things”
hand he just came on, in
arrivals. That would, of course, be awkward.
This friend has often talked about his desire
for a solid relationship. That has not stopped
him constantly looking for strangers to screw.
Upon landing, as the story was relayed to a
couple of my friends and me on our WhatsApp
group, we responded: “So you’ve found your
husband!” and, “He sounds like a keeper” and:
“Are you in love?” The tale of one mile-high
orgasm exemplifies the modern-day search
for intimacy that many of us face.
We revel in the joy of choice
and sexual freedom while also
craving the intimacy that only
a deeper connection can deliver.
We are looking for a man who is
handsome, educated, successful.
He must appreciate our quirks
and understand our shortcomings
while making us feel secure and
nurturing our development.
He must be sensitive
and caring but “not
too femme”.
He must be “non-
scene” and “straight-
acting” as well as being
comfortable on a
podium at WE Party. He
must be a jock and care
for puppies. He must
look great in pictures but
OWEN JONES DEAN ATTA
not be too much of an Insta-slag. Some of us
expect this super-dicked, trapeze-artist cartoon
character to appear like Superman, even though
we are too hooked to look away from Grindr.
A relationship is something you do. It’s
not a club you gain membership of. Many
of us think of Mr Right as a destination or a
rescue plan. We are looking
for a man to fix things. As
if the right relationship
will make everything else
in life fall into place.
The phrase “someone to
complete me” suggests we are not whole until
we are invested in by someone else.
This is not true. Every one of us is a work in
progress. That is part of the human condition.
As gay men, many of us are processing
childhood trauma, familial disapproval and
a ton of other issues relating specifically to
our experiences. That’s why the push-pull of
feeling incomplete while longing for a lover
to save us, is problematic. Doubly so if your
life is punctuated by an endless cycle of
click, meet, come, repeat.
Only you can fix you. Sucking on a
new dick every time you’re bored (or
every time you board a plane) might
dull the tedium but it’s not going to
make everything fall into place.
So, next time you fantasise about
how great it would be for
Superman to walk into your
life, take a moment to
ponder what you really
want and what that
tells you about yourself.
When you work through
those questions with
discipline and honesty,
you might find
Superman turns up
in the mirror.
@Mobeen_Azhar
ABOVE KU LISLE ST.
Cardiff
 C U LT U R E C LU B

Culture
Club
Sex and the City’s legacy
is enduring and
by Juno Dawson (mostly) endearing

I t has been 20 years since John

James Preston, aka Mr Big,
told New York Star columnist
Carrie Bradshaw he’d “abso-fuckin’-
lutely” experienced love, in the first
episode of HBO’s Sex and the City.
This influential series, spanning six
seasons, one good film and one
very bad film, was purportedly
about women, but at the helm
were two gay men.
In a “what are you doing with
your life?” revelation, Darren Star,
who’d already created Beverly Hills
90210 in his twenties, optioned the
columns of Candace Bushnell. With
Cybill writer Michael Patrick King, he
fleshed out the central relationship
between Carrie and unnamed toxic
bachelor, Mr Big, and solidified the
sisterhood of Carrie’s friendship
circle. The casting was note perfect:
Sarah Jessica Parker was already a
confirmed movie star, Kim Cattrall
(best remembered as the mannequin
from Mannequin), Melrose Place
alumnus Kristen Davis, and Cynthia
Nixon, now possibly on her way to
becoming New York mayor.
Star and King steered all six
seasons of the show on TV and King
directed both movie spin-offs. Even
Marge Simpson commented in an
episode of The Simpsons: “That’s the
show about four women acting like
gay guys.”
This accusation was often
levelled at the series by feminist
commentators. “Another example
that feminism is dead is the
popularity of Sex and the City,” said
columnist Joan Swirsky, “sending out
the unmistakable messages… that
careers, money, looks and, ostensibly,
intelligence are nothing compared
to doing anything to get a man,
including endlessly obsessing about
the subject, engaging in loveless,
even like-less, sexual encounters, and
agonising over intimacy.”
Hindsight has been kinder to
Carrie, and criticism has softened.
In 1998, were real women jumping
into taxis to agonise over a friend’s
potential anal sex? No, probably not,
but SATC encouraged women (and
men) to openly discuss sex during
the notably frigid post-Aids era.
In some ways, it felt as if King and
Star were peeping their heads out of
the sex cave and checking if it was
safe to come out. And it was.
“It wasn’t the norm
as yet to see gay men
on TV, least of all
sexually active ones”
I think Carrie et al emboldened
women and gay men alike to enjoy
sex and enjoy recounting it to their
friends, shame-free. Talking about
safe sex encourages safe sex.
Debuting the same year as Will
& Grace, it wasn’t as yet the norm
to see gay men on television, least
of all sexually active ones. While
both Stanford Blatch (Willie Garson)
and Anthony Marentino (Mario
Cantone) fulfil the tiresome GBF
Over
to you...
Your thoughts on
Sex and the City
Samantha taught me
to be proud of my
sexuality.
@Pagan_Penguin
The nicest boyfriends
trope, both were permitted character got screwed over by
development and transcended some the girls, but SATC
clichés. Oh, until their unlikely introduced me to
wedding. cosmopolitans and
Like Friends, SATC is not without nice shoes so it gets
issues — or clangers. points for that!
Carrie refers to bisexuality as “a @sunshinebooks
lay-over on the way to gaytown”,
Samantha is “paying a fortune to live It was a fun show
in a neighbourhood that’s trendy that wasn’t too deep.
by day and tranny by night,” and @shawnlunn2002
only two notable black characters —
played by Blair Underwood (Robert) Samantha showed
and Jennifer Hudson (Louise) — that a woman can
feature in the show’s startlingly love herself, be
white version of New York. successful and happy
And let’s not even get started on without being tied
Carrie mocking a Muslim woman down by a man.
eating a chip in the second film. @luluolivia_
Carrie and co cannot be said to
“act like gay men” because gay men It tricked an 18-year-
are not a homogenous group who old me into thinking
shop and shag their way around it was feminism.
expensive breakfast venues. To @jamie00781979
suggest that is wildly homophobic.
But I think Star and King love
women and meant well.
Get involved
They presented an aspirational, Next month, we look
if flawed, vision of the world, where at John Waters.
women had the same freedoms Tweet your thoughts
as men. And that’s not such a bad @junodawson
legacy.

OCTOBER 2018 27

GUILLOTINA MUNTER,
Glasgow’s first lady of
drag, spills the tea on the
queens’ latest exploits
It’s a juicy one, hens!
All Star self-eliminee
BENDELACREME
eliminated herself from
her own Australian tour
last month, once again
standing on principle and in
solidarity with queens — including
viral sensation Biblegirl — waiting
for overdue payments from the
promoter. Well, what do you expect
from a former penal colony?
There was quite the scandal
when Glasgow queen OCTOBER
FIST made an attempt
to be so woke that it
nearly ended up being a
wake — for her career!
After tweeting that
paedophilia was a fetish
and not child abuse, it
wasn’t long before she was
burnt by a social media fire storm,
gaining herself the nickname
November Nonce!
Scandal also found
BIANCA DEL RIO
after she made jokes
at Montreal Pride about
Blair St Clair’s sexual assault.
Responding to critics and keyboard
warriors, Bianca kept it real, saying
that it was the ingenue’s timing of
dropping the rape bomb on Ru, just
before facing potential elimination.
Lastly, PEARL dished the dirt on
Mama Ru herself, claiming she was
told: “Nothing you say matters
unless that camera is rolling.”
Drag Race producers
called her to say she
would never be invited
to All Stars. Ouch!
@ladymunter
28 OCTOBER 2018
In my opinion
THIS
ISSUE
ANTHONY GILET GARETH JOYNER MAX WALLIS JONNY WOO
Queer kids need safe spaces
that don’t feed addiction
As I stumbled into my late teens in the early Manchester Pride and the candle-lit vigil was
2000s — a confused queer kid searching for a taking place in Sackville Park.
sense of belonging — I was drawn like a moth Only I’m not there. No, if you look across
to the flickering lights of gay clubs. Beacons Canal Street to that hotel next to the chicken
of freedom complete with flashing lights that shop, I’m in there. I’d been drinking since
swirled to thumping music where barriers lunch time, and when my body wanted
seemed non-existent. me to stop I bought cocaine so I could
In the toilets, people sat on the sinks, continue. When I became too fucked up to
nattering away to total communicate with
strangers as if they were old “There I was, sent other people, I took
friends, and it didn’t seem
to matter if you opted to use
into a lonely solitary myself to the hotel
so I could continue
the ladies or the little boys confinement by alone. I’d travelled to
room. To the 15-year-old me, my alcoholism” Manchester to be a part
on his first queer adventure of the celebrations and
in Manchester’s gay village, this freedom was, in there I was, a lonely alcoholic sent into solitary
a word, intoxicating. Quite literally, because as confinement by addiction. Pathetic, isn’t it?
well as being pulsating signals of liberty, these I bring up these two examples because I’m
places were retailers of alcohol. confident that they’re not unique to me. Pubs and
Legally considered a minor, the isolation clubs are often our first port of call when we try
of being a closeted teenager had led me to to access queer spaces, because too often they are
meet up with an 18-year-old from Faceparty the only queer spaces.
(very 2002, if you please) Meanwhile, studies show that LGBT+ people
and get sloshed. I are far more likely to experience alcohol/drug
woke up the next abuse and dependencies than our cis-straight
morning, naked counterparts. Is this a deal that we’re happy with?
beside my new Two months after my end-of-Pride isolation
friend, my in a Mancunian hotel room, I finally gathered
vomit-coated the strength to take myself to an Alcoholics
clothes festering Anonymous meeting. At the time of writing,
in a pile by the I’m in my first year of recovery.
window. I was Experiencing the LGBT+ scene through newly
convinced that I’d sober eyes brought home just how booze-
had an absolutely dependant queer Britain is. People still buy me
brilliant time. shots to try to tempt me back. I still hear: “Oh,
If we jump that’s a shame,” when I explain that I’m not
forward drinking. Is the alternative, alone and paranoid
— rather in a hotel room, more appealing? Not for me.
abruptly — I ache when I think of confused queer
15 years kids out there, feeling the immediate sting
to 2017, it of childhood loneliness that may well be a
was the distant memory for us grown-ups. And I ache
Monday to create more queer spaces where the focus is
evening of on getting better, not getting fucked up.
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Range Rover Velar
Does neutral Switzerland have an army? And do
they carry knives? Although if their knife was a car…
P
eople choose their cars for all kinds of
reasons. Many, as they would white goods:
it’s a brand I’ve heard of, has the key
features I’m looking for, a decent warranty and
is a fair price.
For others, appearance matters: it’s an
expression of my personality, I want to make a
statement, I’d not wear the “wrong” thing so I’m
not going to drive the wrong car.
And then some, like me, are enthusiasts. We
buy with the heart as well as with the head.
I know a good drive from a bad drive,
appreciate the designer’s art and have a view on
ride/handling compromise that would see me
judged a car nerd.
But that’s OK, because in the way everyone
makes an assumption about dog owners on the
basis of their chosen pooch (mine’s a chi-chi,
a chihuahua/Chinese-crested cross, knock
yourself out) I, in turn, will absolutely judge you useful, and slips into both
by your car. Up to, and including, the old adage
regarding the size of a gentleman’s appendage.
So what does a Range Rover Velar say about
30 OCTOBER 2018
CAR S
Words Darren Styles
Range Rover and Range Rover Sport, and
larger than baby brother Evoque. So three
bears’ porridge style, it’s just right – room
for five to have an adventure, easy enough to
place in traffic.
You sit SUV-tall, but within a coupé profile,
its owner? Well, it’s complicated. It’s an off- so the driving position is commanding but
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brilliant vantage point from which to cruise the Albeit as a premium price option.
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Prices start from a bit more than £44,000 powerplant as tested, the Velar is a sweet drive,
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 H OM ES
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LATE
Andy Cohen became
the first out gay
chat show host
when he took the
reins of Watch What
Happens Live. He
tells us about fame,
celebrity feuds, Real
Housewives and why
he is looking forward
to compering this
year’s Attitude

NIGHT
Awards
Words Cliff Joannou
Photography Leigh Keily
Styling Joseph Kocharian

BAD BOY
36 OCTOBER 2018
 ANDY COHEN

Andy wears track top

and shorts, both by
Fila, socks by Head

OCTOBER 2018 37
 Andy wears top, by Massimo
Alba at MR PORTER, shorts,
by Fila, watch (throughout),
Andy’s own

38 OCTOBER 2018

A
ndy Cohen has a upstairs is a pile of papers and magazines.
tendency to get There’s a casualness to his home that echoes
slapped by famous Andy’s informal presenting style and belies his
women. His job can massive TV personality status. Away from his
be a bit unpredictable nightly show, Andy’s career high is as executive
like that. Watch What producer for the Real Housewives series.
Happens Live — filmed Holding his attention is a challenge in itself,
live five nights a week I don’t know how Andy sits so still on TV. He
— is one of America’s jumps up and heads to the jar of jelly beans by
m o s t- t a l ke d - a b o u t the retro-looking bar in the corner of the room
chat shows, and its and grabs a handful. Apparently, Sarah Jessica
host has made a Parker has had her hands in that bowl.
name for himself He’s also best friends with Ricki Lake and
by asking questions CNN presenter Anderson Cooper, a friendship
other talk show hosts that extends back long before Andy made
don’t dare. Among the the move from behind-the-scenes to in-front
celebrity confessions of camera. Oh, and Mariah Carey’s a regular
aired on the show are house guest, too, although Andy’s keen to
Gwyneth Paltrow admitting to having taken clarify that he has “more non-famous friends
ecstasy, Cameron Diaz’s admission to having than famous friends, but people like talking
had a same-sex sexual encounter, and Susan about the famous ones.”
Sarandon revealing she arrives stoned at Still, if that jelly bean jar could talk…
almost every award ceremony she attends — Born in St Louis, Missouri, Andy has lived in
apart from the Oscars, that is. New York for 28 years and is as synonymous
“There are too many to count,” he says, with the Big Apple as Sex & The City and
reflecting on his personal highlights from cosmopolitan cocktails. But front-of-camera
the 10 years the show has been running. “But fame came to Andy later in life — he had been
getting slapped by Cher, slapped by Oprah. writing a blog for the Bravo website when he
Meryl Streep. Lady Gaga gave me a make-up was asked to present an online after-show
tutorial. All the big divas, that’s the most special for Top Chef. An executive at the network
exciting for me. spotted his natural flair for presenting and
“When John Mayer surprised me and hosted asked him to host a Real Housewives of Orange
my 50th birthday show, that was amazing.” County reunion show.
I’m sitting opposite one of America’s most “I have two wonderful women who I worked
audacious presenters on a large sofa in his for at Bravo for years who saw something in
two-floor apartment in New York’s West me and who knew that my initial goal was to
Village. The decor is warm and homely, with be in front of the camera,” he says when asked
touches of Seventies detailing. His office desk how Watch What Happens Live developed.
ANDY COHEN
It was when British producer Michael Davies
approached Bravo with the idea to essentially
translate what Andy was doing online into a
TV format that Watch What Happens Live was
born, he adds.
“It was right after my great friend Natasha
Richardson passed away and I was in a state of
shock,” Andy recalls. “It was so wild that this
thing was happening to me, that the happiest
thing that had ever happened in my career,
was at the unhappiest time of my life.”
The chat show was broadcast at midnight
for 12 weeks as a try-out and proved an instant
hit, making Andy, now 50, the first out gay chat
show host on US television.
“It kept rating. The minute the show would
have stopped getting ratings it would’ve been
cancelled because that’s what happens.”
He says accusations from comedian
Kathy Griffin that he gave himself his
own show, are completely ridiculous. “I
didn’t give myself a show and I didn’t pick
my show up. It’s impossible to do both.”
After a few interruptions from Wacha, Andy’s
adorable beagle-foxhound, and a couple more
trips to the jelly-bean jar, we finally get settled
for our interview.
Real Housewives has become this crazy
institution. Who’s your all-time favourite
housewife?
I don’t have one. It’s like saying pick your
favourite child.
I knew you were going to say that. I think every
parent actually does have their favourite
child. Which ones stand out the most?
There have been 106 housewives. The ones
who really stand out for me are a lot of the >
OCTOBER 2018 39

originals such as Vicki, Nene, Bethenny,
Ramona, Shereé, Lisa Vanderpump, Kyle,
Teresa and Caroline Manzo. Really the
ones I go back the longest with. But then
there are these game-changers who have
come in such as Dorinda and Erika Jayne,
who really kind of changed up the vibe of
the show. Lisa Rinna as well.
The show is famous for its confrontations.
When was the last time you were in a
confrontation like that?
I actually was in a confrontation with a
housewife over the weekend.
Seriously? What happened?
It’s kind of a lot of behind-the-scenes stuff.
We had a very strong disagreement about
some stuff she was putting out in the
press. It was a pretty heated exchange.
Would it have made the cut on the show if it
was filmed?
Oh, yeah.
Who won?
It depends who you ask. I’m playing the
long game, so I think I did.
Yeah, you sign the cheques.
There you go.
With all the confrontations, are there
moments where things went too far?
Yeah, sure. The show is remembered a lot
for the confrontations, but if that was
the only thing that happened on the
show it would not still be going 12 years
on. It’s about so much more. People want
to see the good times. There’s an episode
of Orange County airing tonight that is
so much fun and it’s like the movie The
Hangover. People are gonna love it, and
it will be one of the most memorable
episodes of this season. If there weren’t
40 OCTOBER 2018
“I GREW UP WATCHING OPRAH
SO WHEN SHE FINALLY CAME
INTO MY LITTLE CLUBHOUSE
IT WAS SUCH VALIDATION
FOR ME AND FOR THE SHOW”
episodes like that to ground it, it would
never work.
You’ve been called a misogynist because of the
shows. How do you feel about that?
First of all, I love women. I think that the
show may not be everyone’s cup of tea.
What I think is that [misogyny] is a very
easy label for someone to slap on it. I think
if you really look at the show, it’s about
bigger things than a fight over an RSVP. It’s
about motherhood, sisterhood, friendship
and being a wife. It’s about all those things
and it does get intense. But I don’t accept
that [label].
Recently, you were classically “I don’t know
her’d” by Britney. Did you realise that at the
time?
I didn’t hear what she was saying.
I actually couldn’t hear, then when I came
off I remember saying to my friend: “Did
she say my name?” and he said, “I have
no idea.” He couldn’t tell either because
he was so freaked out that I was up on
stage, then we left and immediately
looked online and everyone was saying:
“OMG, Britney had no clue who he was.”
I can only imagine that her people told
her, “The talk show host who interviewed
you a few times is gonna be the victim
tonight.” I’m sure she spaced the name,
I space everyone’s name… except Britney,
and I don’t need Britney to know who
I am because she’s Britney and she’s
amazing.
What would you ask her on Watch What
Happens Live?
Oh my God. I need to figure out my way
in, but I would want to know something
about Justin, I would want to know
something about Christina, I would want
to get in there about the Mickey Mouse
Club with Ryan Gosling and that whole
crew. I would just want to figure out where
she stands on the culture today? I think
she’s a mystery, and maybe we like our
Britney to be very mysterious. But it was
magical having her “I don’t know him.
Give it up for him!” It was amazing.
Did she message you afterwards?
She did not [laughs].
What questions would you ask Donald Trump?
Everything. Why are you such a liar? Why
are you such a hypocrite? There are so
many things that agitate all of us about
Donald Trump, but for me two of the
things are what a liar he is and what a
hypocrite he is. He tweeted so many things
to Obama about meeting with dictators, or
playing too much golf, or so much stuff
that he’s gone on to do himself and even
more. Hypocrites really bug me.
Who’s your all-time favourite Watch What
Happens Live guest?
Wow. Probably Oprah, just because I grew
up watching her from freshman year of
college, and she has meant so much to
me as a broadcaster. So when she finally
came into my little clubhouse, it was such
validation for me and for the show. It
meant a lot. >
 ANDY COHEN
Andy wears top and
shorts, both by Fila

OCTOBER 2018 41
Andy wears top, by
Balmain at MR PORTER

42 OCTOBER 2018
 ANDY COHEN

“I’M SO GRATEFUL FOR

EVERYTHING THAT’S
HAPPENED TO ME. I LOVED
ATTITUDE BEFORE I WAS
FAMOUS — IT’S A
FUCKING GREAT MAGAZINE
— NOW I’M GRATEFUL
TO BE ON THE COVER”

OCTOBER 2018 43

She’s the closest thing America has to a queen,
really. She’s royalty.
Yeah, it’s true. And she’s smart, she’s just
great.
Who’s been the most disappointing?
There was a singer who was on recently,
who I was like: “Wow, she’s kind of left the
building.” The thing is you never know.
The experience is unique because we’re
the only live show on late night, and we
don’t pre-interview our guests, so we don’t
set things up. They come in and I just start
playing games with them and doing my
thing, so you don’t know what’s gonna
happen. Usually, I’m more blown away,
thinking: “Oh wow, that was so great, who
knew I was gonna like Charlize Theron
so much?” I’m an optimist and, as much
of a shit-stirrer as I am, that’s why I get
away with the stuff I do. I’m considered
to be someone who is dangerous and
will go there. On the other hand, when
people sit with me I think they realise that
ultimately what I want is just to celebrate
them. I want them to leave happy. I don’t
want anyone to leave pissed [off] at me. I
want to get in there and make news. Our
show, probably more than any other of
this format, generates a lot of water-cooler
talk the next day because a lot of people on
the show reveal things that are surprising.
Do you find being famous intrusive?
I’m so grateful for everything that’s
happened to me. I was behind-the-scenes
for so long. I loved Attitude magazine long
before I was famous. Now, I’m grateful
that I’m on the cover — it’s a fucking great
magazine. You can complain about people
44 OCTOBER 2018
“I’M OPTIMISTIC AND I’M
ENERGETIC. I’M PASSIONATE
ABOUT EVERYTHING I DO
BUT I CAN BE IMPATIENT,
CONTROLLING AND BOSSY!”
wanting selfies at inopportune times but
all anybody’s doing is trying to be nice to
you. They’re only doing it because they
like you. The thing that’s most difficult
for me right now is there’s just no nuance
allowed in any public proclamation.
Everyone is picking sides and everyone
is outraged about something, and that’s
where we’ve come to on social media. It’s
a tinderbox of outrage and emotions. I’m
on live TV every night, I have a entire radio
channel on SiriusXM called Radio Andy —
I was in front of a live mic for two hours
this morning — and I’m scared that I’m
gonna say something that is wrong for
this time. I mean no harm but people are
waiting to be outraged.
What would you say are your best strengths?
I’m optimistic, I’m energetic, I’m
passionate about everything I do. I think
it annoys Anderson [Cooper] how cheerful
I am, but I feel my resting mood is kind of
upbeat until I am told otherwise or until
something really bad happens or pisses
me off, but I bounce back pretty quickly.
What are your negative traits?
I’m a multi-tasker, so I have a little bit of
a short attention span. I can be impatient
and I’m pretty controlling and bossy.
Does that carry through to your personal life?
I think it does. In my last relationship,
I really kind of… it’s always good to be
checked and be like, “OK, this isn’t about
everything I want, let’s take into account
you.” I got invited to this dinner by a
famous person and the person who was
going to be at this dinner was someone
I’ve admired all my life, but my boyfriend
didn’t want to go. We were going back
and forth and we wound up going to the
dinner. Hilariously, he ended up having
more fun than I did. It was hot, I was tired,
and for some reason I totally flipped, but
that’s what’s kind of great about being in
a relationship.
Do you prefer being in a relationship or being
single?
I prefer being in the right relationship, but
I love being single, I excel at being a single
person.
How many times have you been “head over
heels” in love?
I always say I’ve been in love about 2½
times. The half I just kind of realised that
I loved but wasn’t “in love”.
Is it tough being a gay man in the media
spotlight? Do you have to censor yourself?
No, I don’t think so. I’m pretty uncensored.
I talk about poppers and about bottoms on
my show. That’s the thing, I’m really open
about who I am and am unapologetic, so
I think there’s something freeing in that.
What’s so great about 2018 is being gay is
just one of the things that defines you.
I was always out in my career so there
was a freedom to that, and I’ve always
been outspoken, and gay people say they
connect with that and it makes me happy,
too. >
 ANDY COHEN
Andy wears top,
by Sunspel

OCTOBER 2018 45
Andy wears shirt, by Polo
Ralph Lauren at MR PORTER,
tank top, by M&S

46 OCTOBER 2018

I think people connect with authenticity.
A hundred per cent. That’s why the show
connects, because it’s totally authentic.
It’s live — we fuck things up in this teeny
studio. I mess up, I’ll mispronounce a
word, I stumble over stuff, occasionally I
get too drunk on air. Whatever happens,
everyone knows. Sometimes I’m in a bad
mood, people are tweeting “Oh my God
he’s pissed [off],” it’s great. It’s authentic,
it’s not fake.
Anderson Cooper outed you as a top. With zero
per cent being absolute bottom and 100 per
cent being total top, where do you sit on the
Kinky Scale?
I’ve been thinking about the whole
bottom/top thing. There’s a lot of bottom-
shaming going on. It’s a question that I’ve
been asked and I’ve answered over the
years and I feel the question has become
out of date, and the reason why is because
what defines sex anyway? My definition of
sex was always just being intimate, and if
you wanna get really specific, having an
orgasm with another person whatever
way that is achieved. For me, it’s just the
sexual intimacy — that is the part that
defines sex and it can be achieved in
many different ways. So, the connotation
about being a top or a bottom, I think for
the person/the spectator who from the
outside, or who can just be looking to
make a generalisation, it insinuates “Who’s
the man and who’s the woman?” which
obviously is outdated. It’s like a Boys in the
Band kind of thing. The truth about today
is that everybody’s topped and everybody’s
bottomed at one point in life; it’s more of
an open playing field. The truth is, nobody
“WE FUCK UP IN THIS TEENY
STUDIO. I MESS UP, I’LL
MISPRONOUNCE A WORD
OR STUMBLE OVER STUFF.
IT’S TOTALLY AUTHENTIC”
needs to physically picture what specific
kind of sex a talk show host is having.
People have a lot of variations about sex
and it’s safe to say I am well on board the
train and enjoying the ride.
When did you know you were different, that
you were gay?
From as young as you could think it. It
was in the back of my mind: “OK, you’re
gay. This is not going to go well for you,
like you’re never gonna come out.” Then
Aids starts happening when I was in high
school and Reagan was the president and
doing nothing about it, and so I was like,
“Oh my God, now if I come out I’m gonna
die.” When I went to college in Boston and
started fooling around with people, I was
scared but also excited. I would go to gay
bars alone. Then I went to London to study
in 1988, and where did they house us but
Earls Court, which was leather men and
very gay, and I thought, “There’s no way
I’m gonna be able to stay in the closet.” I
came out in London and the soundtrack
was Erasure and Bronski Beat. I felt free
that semester — it was amazing. I met
other gay people and we went out, I went
out the whole time. Then I came back
to the States and that’s when I started
coming out to people. That’s when I kind
of found myself. That’s one of the reasons
ANDY COHEN
I have such a special place in my heart
for London. I was there a few months
ago to see The Inheritance. I feel a sense of
freedom in London that I associate with
that time.
Do you think a lot of gay men are still affected
by the legacy of the Aids crisis?
I came out in 1988, at the height of the
epidemic. I was so scared to have sex. It
was another time dude, it was a scary time.
We used to have these frightening
adverts in the UK with huge icebergs and
tombstones with HIV written on them. I
remember that as a kid and I think that
kind of psychological trauma sits in the
back of your mind. And it’s why I’m alive
today, because I was really scared. It was a
scary time to be gay, it was a scary time to
be sexual.
At what age did you become comfortable with
sex and say: “I’m not going to let the history of
this horrible era affect me?”
Well, it’s always kind of there in one way or
another. It’s not something you can erase
from your experience. I think PrEP has
made it so easy for a whole generation of
people.
You mentioned your previous relationships.
When were you most in love?
That was with a guy who is actually my
sidekick on Radio Andy. We were together
as a couple in the early 2000s. He was in
the original Broadway cast of Hairspray,
whenever that opened was when he
and I got together. Our relationship has
evolved in every way that it possibly
could. There were years where we were
living apart from each other and he had
new boyfriends, I had new boyfriends, >
OCTOBER 2018 47
ANDY COHEN

GROOMING Caroline
Blanchard using
CHANEL Vitalumiere
foundation, Make-Up
Andy wears top, For Ever anti-shine,
by Massimo Alba Armani beauty
at MR PORTER foundation powder

“MY LIFE CHANGED FOR THE

but we always remained kind of soul B ETTER WHEN I BECAME Has dating become more difficult since you
mates. It’s wild because you don’t hear of
ex-boyfriends on the radio too much but FAMOUS. I GET INVIT ED found fame?
I’m not conscious of it, but that might be
there we are. His name is John Hill and we
TO THESE PA RT IES T HA T the case for the person dating me. I think

were together for three years. I’ve written
about him in some of my books, and
people who listen to me on the radio are
very familiar with him. Our chemistry and
our dynamic is still a little complicated.
Was the break-up difficult?
It was. When you love somebody and you
both know that you have to let them go. It
was heart-breaking. I would say that there
have been two times when I’ve experienced
real heartbreak: one was getting over a
first love that when I look at it now was
obviously never meant to happen. The
second was adult love and real, a love I felt
from every pore of my body.
What are you looking forward to most about
coming back to London when you host the
Attitude Awards?
I have a bunch of friends there. Ralph
Fiennes is a good buddy and I’ll see him…
Tom Hollander, too. It’s fun — London is
slightly dangerous, I like the energy, I like
the people, I love the British accent. I mean,
maybe I’ll fall in love with a banker in the
city, who wears a suit. Or an architect.
What does New York mean to you?
It means the world to me. I love it here,
I D R EAM ED OF BEING AT ”
it’s my favourite place in the world. I got
famous when I was around 40 years old.
I lived here for 18 years, waiting in long
lines at clubs, just being a New Yorker.
Anderson always gives me shit like, “No
one enjoys being famous more than you,”
and I think: “You know what Anderson?
My life changed for the better when I
became famous.” I get invited to these
parties I used to dream of being at.
Your friendship with Anderson extends back
to before you were famous. What is it about
him that you love as a person?
He’s extremely loyal, he’s extremely
supportive, he’s like my cheerleader. He’s
measured, he’s smart and I love making
him giggle — nothing makes me happier.
We have a unique connection. Obviously
our jobs are different, but we’re both on
live television every night, and there’s
something unique about that. We have
more in common than people think.
it’s harder for other people to sit down
with me and have a date because they
have preconceived notions. If I had never
dated myself or I didn’t know me and it
was just based on TV, I don’t know what I
would think. I have no idea.
Are you quite wary of people?
Not really, I’m a good judge of character.
My last boyfriend watched the first
season of every Housewives and that’s all
he would watch. So, he wasn’t a huge fan
and he would never really see my show
because he doesn’t have cable; he had seen
clips. Usually, the people I date are not
fans of Housewives.
Are you on hook-up apps?
I have been, kind of on-and-off because
it’s challenging. It’s weird. It was probably
more uncomplicated hooking up before I
became famous.
Do you feel that’s a sacrifice you had to make
after becoming famous?
No, not really. I still hook up. I mean, a
guy’s gotta eat!
Andy Cohen will host the Attitude Awards at
London’s Roundhouse on 11 October

48 OCTOBER 2018
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50 OCTOBER 2018
 Rami Malek

Rhap
star
Bringing the story
of Freddie Mercury
and Queen to the
big screen was
never going to be
easy. But for
Rami Malek,
playing the rock
legend was “one
sweet moment
set aside”
Words Darren Scott
Photography Damon Baker
Styling Joseph Kocharian

Rami wears shirt,

jeans and boots, all
by Calvin Klein Jeans
>

OCTOBER 2018 51
 S
where we actually wanted to jump up and applaud – then
we’re joining the queue for the finished film now.
It becomes increasingly obvious throughout our
conversation that the project has had a deeply positive effect
on 37-year-old Rami. The first thing he says when asked about
film is: “It was one of the most rewarding experiences of
my life.” He pauses and thinks for a while, as he does often
throughout our conversation, clearly searching for the best
words to carefully describe his passion, but also to ensure
nothing can be misconstrued.
“Being fortunate enough to have the chance to play one
of the most remarkable musicians of our time is something
tanding in a run-down London building, actor Rami Malek that will be lasting for anyone who endeavours to take on
realises he doesn’t need to be wearing the cardigan he’s been that challenge,” he adds.
styled in for his Attitude cover shoot. He casually removes it “I grew up quite a bit during filming and the rehearsing
mid-sentence to reveal a figure- and seeing it all the way through
hugging white vest. Rami, we soon to the end. Freddie had an impact
discover, is intoxicating. on me, as you would imagine he
As the lead actor in the would anyone.”
forthcoming Queen and Freddie The film has been a decade
Mercury biopic, Bohemian in the making — rumours of
Rhapsody, we’re already won different variations, including
over. In real life he’s charming, one where Freddie dies mid-
thoughtful and polite. movie, have been firmly
He smells of sandalwood, debunked, and producer Graham
although he can’t recall the King recently denied rumours
fragrance. Consider us sold. of other casting. When executive
THE SHOW
When we meet Rami, he’s little MUST GO ON: producer Denis O’Sullivan found
more than 48 hours away from Rami as Freddie Rami, the search was over.
on stage
completing work on the film — And it’s just as well, because
noting that two days earlier they once you see him on screen
did some pick-up shots (“piano you’ll realise there could be no
gaps” from the Live Aid scenes, fact one else to play this part. Rami
fans. “A little bit off.”) He’s still very is, quite simply, brilliant. “I don’t
much in the head space of having even know the history,” he says,
played the legendary singer in the explaining that at one point he’d
first official film about the Queen front man, who died from told Graham that before realising it didn’t matter. “In the
an Aids-related illness in November 1991, at the age of 45. spirit of Freddie, I just want to celebrate all things him.
Once the shoot wraps, the actor — best known for his “I’m not hung up on any of the negativity because what I’ve
leading role in Mr Robot and as “Snafu” Shelton in the Steven come to know is how remarkably special and beautiful that
Spielberg-Tom Hanks WWII-set mini-series The Pacific -– is man was as a human being. He was a soul who’ll exist for ever.
once more fully-clothed. And there’s one slight difference “It does all of us a disservice to go back into the past and
INSET: COURTESY OF TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX FILM

from seeing him on our set, and in scenes from Bohemian
Rhapsody. Rami’s not rocking that otter look…
“Let’s say the chest hair is all mine, that’s the best I could
do,” he grins when asked how much help he had from make-
up in that department. “At times I can grow some facial hair.”
Attitude has been lucky enough to see almost 40 minutes of
rough footage from the movie. When they say “rough”, think
the equivalent of those annoying people who post a picture
of themselves on Instagram, looking perfect, with a caption
that says how “horrible” they look. If this is raw footage —
drudge up these, what you could call footnotes.”
We’re taking “footnotes” as our new dismissive term.
And something else we need to banish as a footnote is the
criticism that was levelled on — surprise, surprise – social
media at the film’s first trailer.
People complained that Freddie’s story, as a gay man, was
being “straight-washed” for Hollywood.
“It’s a shame that people are making remarks after a
minute teaser where you just wanna see the music. It’s
difficult,” Rami sighs. >

52 OCTOBER 2018
 Rami Malek

Rami wears coat, by

Versace, tank top,
by M&S

OCTOBER 2018 53
 Rami wears coat, by
Versace, tank top,
by Sunspel, trousers,
by Balmain at Harvey
Nichols, boots, by
Christian Louboutin

54 OCTOBER 2018

“First, let me say that I don’t think the film shies away from
his sexuality or his all-consuming disease, which is obviously
Aids. I don’t know how you could avoid any of that, or if
anyone would ever want to. It’s a bit absurd that anyone’s
judging this from a minute trailer.
“We know he was promiscuous, you see it in the film, but
it’s not salacious and it’s not exploited. The idea is to celebrate
this man’s remarkable life, his unbridled passion and zest for
life. So that when you know the inevitable end is in sight, it
makes you all the more conscious of how quickly beauty can
disappear and be snatched from under you.”
Criticism is also, inevitably, levelled at having straight
actors playing gay roles. And yet people will also still tell you
there can be a hesitance to appear as a gay character. But
Rami is quite clear where he stands.
“I’ve always come from this
idea or maintained the rule that
you are who you are. I don’t think
anyone should be defined by their
sexuality or the way they identify.
What Freddie said was, ‘I’m just
me. I’m me’. He never made a big
fuss about who he was drawn to, “Freddie never
or inclined to sleep with. He never
made a fuss about his sexuality.
made a fuss
He was a very private person and about who he
treated everyone in an equal way. was drawn to
“That’s the way I look at life. I or slept with”
don’t look at roles in a way where
I have to be heterosexual. That
would be ridiculous. I don’t look
at any director in a way where I
would refer to a woman who was
directing me as a ‘female director’
or a gay man directing me as a ‘gay
director’. That all seems absurd to
me. So why would I ever put myself in a position where
I didn’t take a role?”
For those worrying, Freddie is quite gay in the movie. His
friendship with DJ and comedian Kenny Everett (played in the
film by actor and drag legend Dickie Beau) is included, and
Aaron McCusker – Jamie Maguire in Shameless – plays Jim
Hutton, Mercury’s boyfriend.
Hell, even Princess Diana makes an appearance. What
people watching the trailer, waving virtual pitchforks, aren’t
taking on board is Mary Austin: Freddie’s girlfriend.
He referred to Mary as his common-law wife, even
bequeathing his home to her in his will.
“Essentially, I would say [she was] his soulmate. They just
had this infinite understanding for each other.
“It’s something you have to address, the way you have to
address his sexuality in the film. You also have to address
Rami Malek
the six-year relationship he had in which he proposed to a
woman,” Rami says.
There’s something else that the makers of the film felt they
had to address, despite the timeline of real events meaning
they didn’t necessarily have to. Sources state that in 1986 the
press, desperate to prove Freddie had HIV, reported that he’d
taken a blood test — something he consistently denied. But
let that sink in for a second: something as simple as a blood
test was reported as news as recently as 1986.
Hutton, who died in 2010, said Freddie was diagnosed
in April 1987, with Queen guitarist Brian May having said
members of the band were only told “shortly before he died.”
The film builds to the band’s stunning performance at
Live Aid in 1985 and includes a moving scene where Freddie
reveals his diagnosis to the band, while talking about “not
wanting to be the Aids poster boy.”
So, did the members of Queen
discuss how this was handled?
“The guys did tell me. They
did, yeah,” Rami says quietly. “I
wouldn’t want to speak about
that without talking to them first.
When you have a moment like
that, I wouldn’t want to infringe
on it. It’s a sacred moment.
“The film is not an exact
timeline,” he continues. “We play
with it in order to maintain a
really great drama.
“We talked to Brian and Roger
[Taylor, the band’s drummer, who
is played by Ben Hardy] about
altering things that happened
in the scope of a two-hour film.
It’s a finite amount of time that
we’re telling a story in and a finite
amount of the story that actually exists in time.
“They treasure this man as their dear friend and brother.
And I’ve come to treasure him in my own way as well.”
Given that Freddie’s illness became a part of Freddie
Mercury’s story — publicly, at least — in later years, did Rami
feel it was important to include it in Bohemian Rhapsody?
He takes another long pause before answering.
“The film needed to approach it in a delicate manner,” he
eventually continues, “you can’t shy away from it. It was an
important moment to have in the film, one that ultimately is
very sad but also empowering in a way.
“It shows you just how resilient human beings can be and
how much we rely on the strength of our friends and family
to get us through tough times.”
Rami’s voice cracks and he seems elsewhere.
“It’s something about his character in being able to stand >
OCTOBER 2018 55
56 OCTOBER 2018
 Rami Malek

Rami wears tank top, by

M&S, jogging bottoms, by
Gucci at MR PORTER,
boots, by Saint Laurent,
necklace, by Chupi

OCTOBER 2018 57
 there and say those things that is just pure Freddie Mercury. elaborates. “So, I began preparing for it two years prior to
Just to allow his spirit to shine, even in the darkest of shooting, just in case. Then I did Papillon [playing the role
circumstances is something that is hopefully as uplifting made famous by Dustin Hoffman in the 1973 original] with
as it is sad. Charlie Hunnam and he and I aged throughout it.
“This pandemic is still very much a horrific threat to so “The make-up designer had to make moulds for us to make
many people in the world. It exists as a reality for so many our teeth look more and more decrepit as we got older. I got
that I think it would be a shame not to address it. fitted for a new set of teeth and that’s when I had this idea
“Brian and Roger created a charity, The Mercury Phoenix in the back of my head. I said: ‘Do you have my teeth mould?’
Trust, now we get to be a part of that in some way. This and she said yes.
investigation of Freddie’s life has opened me up to realising “I showed her a picture and asked: ‘Can you make me
that we all have more to do in the world other than just these?’ It was a picture of Freddie. She laughed, and within
telling stories. Of course, it’s my passion and love, but I want a week I had the teeth.
to do everything possible now to bring more awareness about “I was still not convinced that I was going to play this role,
a horrific disease that still exists in the world, and make every but every night I’d put [the teeth] in just to kind of get used to
attempt to help eliminate it.” physically being closer to him somehow, and working from
The tragedy of Freddie’s death that frame of reference.
is something that exists in “It was quite some time before
counterpart to his joyful love for I actually knew that I was the guy,
life. So, is he still living a bit of the that my deal was locked. I still had
rock-star life? to get the approval of [Brian] May
“After shooting some of the and [Roger] Taylor but just had to
concert footage — a pretty
big adrenaline high — you
“All I could do be as prepared as possible.”
Rami adds: “I flew to London,
understand why it’s difficult to was attempt and immersed myself here before
go home and straight to bed after to capture his I knew anything at all.”
that. Acting, in and of itself, is
very adrenaline-fuelled at times.
essence and Wait. Hold up. Go back a second
— he was literally getting his teeth
And then to layer on a stage find a window into the role?
performance. The concert within into his soul” But playing someone who’s real,
the film is even more heightened. who’s extremely well-documented,
I’m never going to compare myself that must require much more
to a rock star, I’m just an actor, but preparation as an actor?
you do feel the rush.” “I was very self-aware from the
onset that I was never going to
Quite a long time passed between portray Freddie Mercury as he
Rami landing the role of Freddie was, with all of his idiosyncrasies,
and actually taking to the stage for this career-defining charisma. I will never exactly be this man,” Rami continues.
moment. It was during a press trip for the second season of “All I could do was make as strong of an attempt as possible
Mr Robot, in early 2016, that he flew to LA. It was there he had to capture his essence. To understand his make up, his
the conversation that was going to change his life. identity and find a window into his soul.
“I met with Graham King and Denis O’Sullivan, the “I just had to remove myself from that kind of ‘monkey on
producers who had the rights to the film, they brought me in your back’ that you have to be Freddie Mercury. No one will
and pitched the idea of me playing Freddie. ever be Freddie Mercury, there will only ever be one. I just
“I was being considered. I just didn’t realise that at the end wanted to possibly open up a window to what his story was
of the day they were seeing me as their choice to play this all about.”
role. With things being as fickle as they are in Hollywood, I Rami explains that he surrounded himself with people
kinda took it with a grain of salt.” who could help him achieve his goal, to understand the
That grain was all he needed though, and he didn’t waste complicated life that Freddie had.
time in running with it. Raised in Zanzibar (now Tanzania), Freddie went to
“I did not put myself in a place that was so far removed boarding school in India. Fleeing a revolution, he became,
that I couldn’t constantly immerse myself in things – in essentially, an immigrant in London.
him, and all things Queen – in case it did go my way,” he “So not a real sense of home,” Rami considers. “Through the >

58 OCTOBER 2018
 Rami Malek

Rami wears shirt, by

Valentino, tank
top, by Sunspel

OCTOBER 2018 59
 Rami wears shirt and
jeans, both by GROOMING Tara Hickman
Calvin Klein Jeans using Tom Ford and Ouai.

60 OCTOBER 2018
 Rami Malek

course of some years, discovering how he identified as a man
and sexually, and in his life in so many ways — the way he
loved and the way he existed. It was a constant search, as we
all do. That was the way I could hook into it.”
Rami worked with a movement coach, auditioning
candidates and eventually settled on Polly Bennett. They
threw themselves into research.
“You can see that Freddie watched the film Cabaret a
number of times,” he laughs. “I would sit around and watch
Liza [Minnelli] do her thing and say: ‘There it is, that’s that
little elbow thing, there’s a little [director] Bob Fosse there’.
“To understand Freddie, I looked at his icons and heroes.
We’d constantly be trying to do David Bowie poses, or rock out
like Jimi Hendrix, or do something in the style of Liza and
Bob Fosse. That was the real joy
of it all.”
Along with Polly, Rami was
surrounded by the best to
transform into rock’s greatest
showman. William Conacher
was his dialect coach, Jan
Sewell – who worked with
“The beauty of
Eddie Redmayne on The Freddie is we
Theory of Everything – was the can all relate
make-up designer, and Julian
Day, who’d worked on the Joy
to him: not
Division movie, Control, was on knowing who
costuming duty. “He’s going on we fully are”
to do Rocket Man, the Elton John
film,” Rami grins.
After having embodied this
life, and having lived within
an element of it, how much of
Freddie can he now relate to?
“So very much,” he says firmly.
“I’m a first-generation American. My parents went to the US
seeking a better life. I could say that I felt a bit of a misfit
myself. You know, trying to figure out his way in the world.
The beauty of Freddie Mercury is that we can all relate to him,
in a sense of not exactly knowing at a young age who we fully
are and where we’re supposed to go. Wanting to do something
special and wanting to connect with other human beings.
“What’s miraculous and marvellous about him — maybe
the most remarkable thing – is how he can reach you as a
human being, how he can identify with you, whether it’s one-
on-one or the person right at the back of an arena who feels
they don’t belong. Even through a radio, he’ll getcha. He’ll
snatch you up and make you feel all right.”
Talking about making us feel all right, we need to know if
they recreate the legendary video for the 1984 single I Want
To Break Free, featuring Freddie in drag.
After some coaxing, Rami reveals they did film it.
“It was a shitload of fun. I wish it was extended. I don’t
know what the final cut of this movie is going to be like. But
I did get to vacuum.”
He won’t be drawn on any spoilers for the movie, so
instead we enquire if that was his first time in drag. “I’ll leave
that to everyone’s imagination,” he answers coyly.
But it’s by no means the only flamboyant look he gets to
rock in the film.
“The white satin fan look that Freddie and Bryan both
wore in the mid-1970s, that was quite fun,” he says of a
Zandra Rhodes design. “I got to twirl around in that on stage.
“The camera captures that beautifully. She was very aware
of what would photograph well, as Freddie — as you guys say
— minced. Right? I learned that
here. Mincing about?”
How VERY dare you Rami!
But seeing as we’re talking
about moments on the camper
spectrum...
“The most camp? I’ll tell ya!
The most outrageous was trying
on the clothes for the first time
in all the costume fittings. I
probably had something around
50 hours of costume fittings,
which for some actors would be
a nightmare.
“But it was a way of creating,
experiencing the most bold
movements and outrageous
things I could say, in the spirit of
trying on some fabulous clothing
and trying to shine in them.”
Did he keep anything?
“A few things. I have an FM-embroidered hand towel,”
he smiles. “But the experience and the memories, they are
indelible. I will take them with me as long as I have the
pleasure of waking up on this Earth.”
It sounds, if we might be so bold, as though working on
this movie has changed him.
“How could it not?” he shrugs. “It has. I feel fortunate to
have some tiny corner of a window into a man who I hope I
can get to share with anyone who gets to see this or listen to
his music, or watch a documentary about him.
“It’s nice for people for his spirit to live on in any way. He
obviously doesn’t need my help in any way, shape or form,
but being a part of it is an extraordinarily special experience
and I’m humbled by it.”
Bohemian Rhapsody is due to open in the UK on 24 October

OCTOBER 2018 61
LEGALISED
TORTURE
Men suspected of being gay, and transgender women,
are being subject to barbaric government-sanctioned
anal examinations in parts of Africa and Asia
Words Finbarr Toesland
I
t was 6.30 in the morning when
Jackson Mukasa started hearing
shouting outside their home
in the Ugandan capital of
Kampala. At first it sounded
like people going to work
and school, but it quickly
became clear that something
wasn’t right. “This is where
gays are living! This is where gays are living!”
Jackson recalls a mob chanting.
“My friend opened the door and they
rushed in. They thought maybe we were
naked or having sex and told us to pack
everything up and leave the area, saying
62 OCTOBER 2018
we might recruit young people into
homosexuality,” Jackson recalls.
Members of the crowd began beating
Jackson then the police took both of the
suspected gay men in for questioning,
prolonging their ordeal.
“They took me to a clinic and didn’t tell me
what was happening.” Soon after, Jackson was
forced to undergo an anal examination. “He
forced me to bend and spread my legs, then
he put a device inside my anus.” By the time
the test was finished, Jackson was distraught
and outraged by the violation and physical
assault carried out by the authorities.
Now identifying as a trans woman, who
cannot present as such in daily life, Jackson
describes how, during the procedure, the
doctor shouted derogatory remarks, such as:
“Why are you doing this, you should be a son
of God!”
Jackson adds: “He was forcing his fingers
into my arse, he wanted to prove whether
my arse was loose or tight. It was too, too, too
traumatising and it was too, too, too painful.”
Unfortunately, Jackson’s story is far from
unique.
Anal exams are forced upon on both
men and transgendered women in parts
of Africa and Asia, including Cameroon,
Egypt, Lebanon, Turkmenistan, Tanzania and
Zambia, as well as Uganda, to “find evidence”

that the victim has engaged in homosexual
activities. Male same-sex sexual activity is
prohibited at least in practice if not in law in
all of these countries, although life for LGBT+
people in Lebanon is a little freer.
Doctors who undertake this pseudo-
scientific procedure argue that by inserting
crude objects or fingers into the anus of a
man accused of homosexuality, they are able
to calculate its depth and shape, which would
then “prove” if they have had anal intercourse.
But there is no credible medical or
scientific basis for this belief. International
organisations including the World Medical
Association, Physicians for Human Rights
and the Independent Forensic Expert Group
have condemned anal examinations as
“unscientific, futile, and a form of torture or
inhuman and degrading treatment.”
Victor Madrigal-Borloz, a legal expert
and United Nations independent expert
on protection against violence and
discrimination based on sexual orientation
SPECIAL REPORT
GETTY IMAGES
Jackson Mukasa and Kim Mukisa (right)
appear at the Chief Magistrates
Court, in Kampala, Uganda
and gender identity, regards the technique as
a human rights violation and tantamount to
torture.
“A great deal of visibility has been given to
this type of violation over the past decade.
The underlying idea behind this practice
is contrary to international human rights
law [because] the existence of legislation
criminalising same-sex relations is at the base
of what would bring authorities to carry out
“THE UNDERLYING forced anal examinations,” he says.
IDEA BEHIND THIS “There is an accepted social discourse
PRACTICE of hostility and discrimination based on
sexual orientation, which fuels this idea that
IS CONTRARY homosexuals must be prosecuted because
TO HUMAN they are violating some sort of sexual norm.”
RIGHTS LAW” More than 70 nations or territories have
laws against sexual relations between
members of the same sex and forced
examinations have become a frequent method
of sexual assault in those countries that foster
an unsafe environment for LGBT+ people. >
OCTOBER 2018 63

In Zambia in August, Stephen Sambo and
Japhet Chataba, both in their thirties, were
convicted of “performing unnatural acts”
after employees of the hotel where they were
staying claimed to have seen them, through a
window, having sex.
Even though a doctor who performed the
examinations couldn’t find proof of anal
penetration, admitting that his findings were
inconsistent with the allegations, he told the
court that this did not “exclude the possibility
of sodomy”.
Both men were found guilty and face up to
14 years in jail.
TERRORISE
Crude “gaydar” machines have a long and
sordid history. In the 1950s and 1960s,
the Canadian government used a device
nicknamed the fruit machine, where
participants were shown sexual images and
their pupil dilation was photographed, in a
bid to systematically remove gay men from
the military and civil service.
As recently as 2010, Czech Republic
authorities conducted phallometric testing
on gay asylum seekers, with applicants being
shown heterosexual porn with a device to
monitor blood flow attached to their penis to
supposedly prove their sexual orientation.
The European Court of Justice banned the
use of psychological testing to determine the
64 OCTOBER 2018
sexual orientation of asylum seekers in 2014,
but brutal anal examinations continue to
terrorise queer people across the world.
Of the countries known to carry out this
invasive practice, it is arguably most pervasive
in Egypt, according to Neela Ghoshal, a
Nairobi-based senior researcher in the LGBT
rights programme at the Human Rights
Watch (HRW).
“In almost every case we know of in Egypt,
people are taken to the Forensic Medicine
Authority (FMA), which is a formal branch of
the ministry of justice,” she says. “The head
of the FMA has publicly sought to defend the
exams. When you are arrested… the police take
you to the FMA for a forced anal test.”
In other countries, the practice happens
considerably more haphazardly. Before
Tunisia accepted a request in 2017 from the
European Union External Action Service to
stop conducting the examinations, the state
had gone through periods where the tests
were performed periodically.
“In countries like Uganda and Cameroon,
where there are regular arrests for same-sex
conduct, it does seem it’s at the whim of the
arresting authorities if they take you for an
exam or not,” says Ghoshal.
“In Tanzania, for example, we didn’t see any
for a long time. Then in 2016 they started up
again, which is really worrying — a very clear
violation of human rights.”
Ghoshal has spent years investigating
the practice of forced anal examinations
and compiled a report for the HRW in 2016.
The study includes dozens of interviews
with those who underwent the exams, as
well as doctors and other medical staff who
conducted them. During the time she was
working on the report, Ghoshal found a set
of deeply held attitudes around gender that
“IN EGYPT, WHEN
YOU ARE ARRESTED,
THE POLICE TAKE
YOU FOR A FORCED
ANAL TEST”
made it very difficult for some men to reveal
they felt an element of their masculinity had
been stripped away.
“In one of my interviews, a victim of this
practice vividly described the beatings he
was subjected to, as well as the torture in
police custody. But when it came to the point
where I asked about what happened when
he was brought to the FMA, he just closed up,”
Ghoshal reveals.
“He couldn’t talk about it and stopped the
interview. The fact that someone could find
this more traumatic than days of beating
shows how serious an offence this is.”
Dealing with the aftermath of an invasive
anal exam is tough enough for victims, but
their status as suspected homosexuals often
makes this situation even more complex and
traumatic. When Jackson asked for painkillers
after the examination, medical personnel
said they wouldn’t give a homosexual any
medication and refused.
Then the police told the media about the
arrest. “They captured our faces and posted
the images everywhere: TV, radio, newspapers,
the internet. Our faces were everywhere and
even our families saw,” says Jackson.

GETTY IMAGES
Jackson faces a long
prison sentence after
being found guilty
“Even now, I’m not in a good condition.
I’m living in fear because wherever I live,
wherever I’m walking, people say: ‘You’re
that homosexual, you’re that homosexual’.”
Jackson pauses, audibly upset. “I still have
pain internally and I urgently need surgery.”
TABOO
Many African leaders regularly brand same-
sex relations a Western import, rooted in
colonialism, and the subject of homosexuality
remains taboo.
Campaigning from Western governments
therefore presents a problem and can often
be seen to do more harm than good. When
Barack Obama visited Africa in 2015 and
spoke in favour of LGBT+ rights, he faced an
immediate backlash from community leaders
who accused him of pushing “Western ideals.”
It’s vital for African human rights
organisations to take up the issue with
the African Commission on Human and
Peoples’ Rights but this doesn’t mean Western
governments should sit back and do nothing.
“A lot of pro-LGBT+ governments provide aid
to police forces, ministries of justice and
prosecution services in countries where these
tests take place,” reveals Ghoshal.
“We rarely make the argument of cutting
all aid to countries that are violating LGBT+
people’s rights but governments need to look
really carefully at where their aid is going
and if it’s contributing in some way to these
abuses.”
There are, however, signs of progress.
Kenya’s Court of Appeal recently ruled that
it is illegal to force citizens to undergo anal
examinations, while Tunisia’s National
Council of the Medical Order issued a
statement last year, calling on doctors to stop
conducting all forced anal probing.
SPECIAL REPORT
Most notably, these tests have gone from
a regular occurrence in Lebanon to only
isolated cases being discovered in the country,
thanks to the work of committed activists.
“Ten years ago, we were hearing that many
people who were arrested for same-sex
conduct were sent for these exams. There was
a movement from within the country from
LGBT+ people, organisations and lawyers — all
mobilising around this issue,” says Ghoshal.
This example of a civil society movement
successfully getting doctors and the ministry
of justice on side is of major importance to
activists working in other countries where the
practice is much more widespread.
Proving beyond any doubt that these
tests have zero grounding in science or
medicine can be best achieved when doctors
stand at the forefront of this issue, even
when it appears that governments are fully
supportive of these tests.
Clearly, Western governments have a
limited scope of influence when it comes
to LGBT+ rights in Africa, with inadequate
recommendations to decriminalise same-sex
acts having little impact in repressive nations
such as Uganda, where anti-gay sentiment
is practically universal — 96 per cent of
Ugandans disapprove of homosexuality.
Supporting LGBT+ people who see their
fundamental rights violated should be at the
top of the agenda for all countries who value
basic human rights.
Even as the queer community faces often
seemingly insurmountable challenges
throughout the world, stopping these
pernicious and degrading examinations is a
genuinely achievable goal.
Ghoshal says: “It’s important for pro-LGBT+
governments to look for winnable issues —
this is one of them.
“You can convince a government even
if it believes that same-sex conduct is not
acceptable, that [it isn’t] acceptable to carry
out a form of torture or sexual assault on
those suspected of being LGBT+ people.”
OCTOBER 2018 65
66 OCTOBER 2018
SHE’S
CHER

ONE
OF
US The summer
of 2018 will be
remembered
for a heatwave
AND Cher
stealing the
show in Mamma
Mia! Here We
Go Again. She
tells us about
her love of gay
men, the new
album of ABBA
covers, what the
future holds and
how death won’t
prevent her
making herself
heard

Words Darren Scott

Photography Machado Cicala

OCTOBER 2018 67
68 OCTOBER 2018

T
here’s a heartfelt cry on planet pop, a
statement that, for many of us, may
never have the resolution it calls for. “If
I could turn back time... if I could find a
way.” But bona fide superstar and living
legend Cher has indeed found a way.
Appearing in the final act of Mamma
Mia! Here We Go Again, she looks the
youngest person in the cast, despite the
fact that — confusing Mamma Mia! time-
lines notwithstanding — she’s playing
the oldest character, a grandmother.
So what’s her secret?
“Make-up. Five pounds of make-up. Also the director really liked me,
and I think he took extra special care to light me. That has a lot to do
with it. He was wonderful,” she admits.
Then Cher drops a clanger. “I didn’t really see the whole movie
because I’m not quite ready. And I will see it at some point. ”
At the sight of my shocked face she adds, “I don’t really
love seeing my movies right away.”
At this point, we’re already pretty much near the
ceiling. Attitude is the only gay magazine in the
world granted an audience to talk to Cher about
her new album, Dancing Queen, which we’ve
spent a very enjoyable day in LA listening to.
Over and over again. Needless to say, aside “I never start out
from being quite brilliant, it’s also... how can
we put it… a bit camp. Even for Cher.
to do gay things
“I didn’t mean it to be,” she purrs, dressed all but the two worlds
in black and reclining in a large chair. are one”
We suggest it’s perhaps the default of such
a pairing.
“I know,” she grins. “But in my mind it wasn’t.
Honestly! I didn’t mean it to be camp! I’m happy if
whoever wants to think of it as that, if it makes them
happy I’m pleased. But I didn’t mean it to be camp at all. I
just thought it to be either fun or a little bit heart-breaking.”
She raises her ring-covered hands and her bracelets jangle as if
to say: what can you do?
OK, so it’s camp and heart-breaking — particularly on the final two
tracks, The Winner Takes it All and One of Us — which just happen to be
Cher’s mum’s favourites.
But if she doesn’t think this is camp, what does she consider the
gayest thing she’s ever done in a 55-year career?
Cher lets out an incredible long laugh that I now want as a ring
tone. “Oh God! Oh God, I don’t know! I never start out to do gay things!”
she begins in a manner that’s reminiscent of Ab Fab’s Edina Monsoon.
“It’s just the interpretation of it! What could it be?”
She genuinely tries to consider the question before replying. “I
just think of being me and somehow the two worlds seem to collide.
Actually, the two worlds are one,” she says firmly, locking her fingers
together so there’s just the most fabulous knuckle-duster of jewellery.
“I mean, we’ve always had an agreement.” She bursts out laughing
CHER
again. “Since the beginning, there’s been an agreement. Nobody
actually gave a ring, but there’s always been an agreement.”
Is anything too gay for Cher?
“I don’t think so. We’ve just always known about each other. We’ve
always had this pact, this secret pact.
“No one’s ever said, ‘There’s going to be a pact’. There just always was.
I don’t know how it started. Maybe with dresses.
“I didn’t look like a girl until I did The Sonny and Cher Show. I don’t
think I had a following when it was Sonny and Cher. Unless some very,
very discerning gay men might have recognised how cool I was.
“I’ve known gay men since I was nine years old. My mother brought
these guys to the house. I came home and there were these two guys
in the living room.
“I was talking to them and they were really nice, and they were really
interested in talking to me and I thought, ‘My God, none of the
other guys that my mom brings home are this much fun’.”
So we’re saying that the gays always knew, even when she
was nine?
“I thought, ‘These guys are different’. They were
hairdressers. My mom had all kinds of friends, but
they had something special.
“We went to Palm Springs for the weekend
— my mom’s girlfriends and these two guys
and me. And that was the beginning of a
life-long love affair!”
It’s an affair that’s never going to end —
and we suggest that doing an ABBA album
certainly isn’t going to hurt.
“I know!” she cries. “You should’ve
seen my Twitter. Some of the tweets were
the funniest I’ve ever had. Like: ‘Call the
paramedics, I just listened to SOS’.”
There are also, we noticed, a lot of men talking
about having their wigs snatched...
“I thought it was great. Everyone needs lots of wigs,”
she says.
Her advice for those who snatch wigs? “Death,” she deadpans.
“Or life imprisonment.”
Another thing of “gay interest” doing the rounds on social media
was a mash-up between Cher’s Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! and Madonna’s
Hung Up. Before we’ve even finished asking the question, Cher quickly
states: “I haven’t heard it. I’m not rushing either. I’ll hear it some time.
I’m bound to walk in some place and hear it.” There’s a pause. “When
I’m least expecting it.”
She’s on fine form today with tongue-in-cheek humour, self-
deprecating wit and knowing asides.
As she herself says, she’s been an evil frickin’ diva for 50 years. You
don’t need the bio. After all, she’s Cher.
It’s been five years since she released an album, Closer To The Truth,
but she says – in true diva fashion — that she wasn’t working on
anything new when the idea for Dancing Queen came along.
“But I was thinking about working on another album,” she hints.
What might that have been? “I might tell you. But I won’t,” she grins >
OCTOBER 2018 69
and laughs, seeing our excitement. “Because I didn’t tell anybody else.
“It was something that I’d wanted to do my whole life, and then ABBA
just sneaked in.”
The idea, she explains, came to her one night at home. When she
suggested it to her Australian manager, “He fell on the couch and
thought it was brilliant.”
The project began with her tackling One of Us — a hauntingly
beautiful stand-out moment on the album — in one of the bedrooms
she records in. “No music, just click track. I didn’t think much of it.
“I just went away feeling kind of discouraged. ABBA songs are
a lot harder to sing than one might imagine. They’re much more
intricate, they’re much more substantive.
“I think that people love ABBA, but I’m not so sure they
appreciate them on a musical level. I don’t think they ask
themselves, ‘Why am I loving this?’”
She’s already mentioned a possible second volume, simply because
she wants to record I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do. We suggest that song has
a bit of gay history because of a film called Muriel’s Wedding.
“Uh, hello! I can recite all the dialogue from it,” she laughs
loudly. “That’s how I really got, really liked, ABBA. I was
obsessed with that movie. I watched it the other day.
It’s highly underrated.”
Talking of revisiting back catalogues, and
she is now 72, is there any song she’d love to
take another stab at?
“I’m sure if I had the chance, I’d re-do “I love RuPaul. I
all of them but I would have to think of loved his acting.
them because some are so old I don’t even
remember anything about them. I know that
He should do
there were a couple that I did that I liked.” more of that”
We’ll bite, go on then: tells us which ones.
“Save Up All Your Tears and Heart of Stone.
I could do them better today. Save Up All Your
Tears is the only song I ever sang for someone: a
boyfriend I was so furious with. If you listen to the
lyrics you’ll understand why. I was singing it to him.”
Does that mean she always remembers that guy when she
sings it? “No!” she grins. “I can’t remember who it was!”
Isn’t that always the way though?
Cher laughs. “My mom says, ‘If it doesn’t matter in five years, it
doesn’t matter’.”
Talking of Muriel’s Wedding and thinking of The Adventures of Priscilla,
Queen of the Desert, when did she first become aware of the drag
community emulating her.
“I don’t know, it seems so long ago!” she laughs, before thinking. “I
think I knew it before, but I saw this boy on an afternoon show. I think
it was Mike Douglas or Merv Griffin or something [US chat shows].
“They were in a shopping mall and I saw this guy in my If I Could
Turn Back Time costume going down an escalator singing that song and
I just thought, ‘I need to know that guy now’.
“He was the first one who made me think: ‘This guy is an artist, he’s
unbelievable’. His name is Elgin Kenna and he ended up on my show.
“He was a genius. I used to be on stage with him and when I looked
70 OCTOBER 2018
over, it gave me the willies because he looked like me and he did the
same things I did.
“Then, of course, I saw it everywhere, but he was the best.”
It must be a strange experience, we suggest, seeing people dressed as
her. “It just feels natural,” she replies with brilliant comedic deadpan.
“I was just at the [Pride in Australia] parade and there were millions
of Chers and we just had the best time…”
Speaking of drag, it would be remiss of us not to mention a certain
television show starring RuPaul. Would she ever consider appearing
on Drag Race?
“I think that’s…” she starts carefully before quietly finishing. “I think
that’s probably going to be a surprise at some point.”
She sees my open mouth, forming a question, and quickly
changes the direction of the conversation. “I’ve known him for a
long time. I loved his acting. He’s a really good actor and I wish
he’d do more of that. He’s a sweet guy, I like him.
“And maybe… maybe that would be a surprise.” There’s a
cheeky glint in her eye and a smile on her face.
Talk turns to the series she’d previously been writing
for Logo, the network that airs Drag Race in the US.
She mentions it wasn’t “so much gay” because they
were trying to bring the straight audience to the
network. She plans to sell the show elsewhere.
Netflix should be biting her hand off...
“Right, I’ll tell you something, I haven’t
pursued it, I’ve been busy, but I think it’s
really good. It’s like if two Judy Garlands —
because there are two sisters who are very
Judy Garland-like — met any number of gay
boys.”
Cher, you just told us it wasn’t gay! She
hoots with laughter.
There’s plenty to keep her busy: a book is
planned at some point, and she’s just about to tour
Down Under in Here We Go Again. She thinks the show,
which wasn’t originally going to be called that has more
life in it. Particularly in the UK.
“If it could go anywhere I’d like it to go there. Because it has a special
place in my heart,” she says of Britain.
There’s also the Broadway adaptation of her life, The Cher Show,
which she’s previously mentioned needs some work.
“I am happy with some of the things — I’m dancing with joy over
some of the things,” she clarifies. “Some of the things have to be
changed and refined. If I was dead it would be easier,” she says with a
wicked laugh. “Because I wouldn’t be going: ‘That’s not right, that’s not
right, we’re not doing that, can’t do that’. I think it’s just better to make
a musical about someone after they’re dead.”
We’re kind of getting the impression that even if she was dead, she’d
still have something to say about things.
She gives a wry smile. “I might. I would make my presence known —
I’d rattle something every time I didn’t like things!”
Dancing Queen is released 28 September
 CHER

OCTOBER 2018 71
Who’s
that girl?
The new series of Doctor Who
sees Jodie Whittaker piloting
the Tardis into previously
unexplored territory, and we
think it’s fair to say
she’s excited…
Words Darren Scott
J
odie Whittaker is staring, wide-eyed, at a photo
on an iPhone. The joyful grin — which Doctor
Who fans first got a glimpse of in the closing
moments of the Christmas Day special in 2017 — is
huge. She puts her hand to her face and laughs.
“She’s even got my roots!” Jodie exclaims as she
experiences the first drag version of her take on a
beloved character, taking centre stage alongside
a cast of other characters performing in a Doctor
Whosical show at a gay bar in London.
Jodie’s just found out that her publicist Stephen
went without her. “Thanks for the invite,” she scoffs
in that thick Yorkshire accent which, if you didn’t
already know, is about to spread across the galaxy.
The 36-year-old Broadchurch star is still in
something of a bubble when Attitude sits down with
her for a chat. At this particular point in time (and
space), and virtually nothing is known about the
upcoming series of Doctor Who. Except, of course, that
the new Doctor, the 13th officially (not including
the War Doctor and any technical mis-regenerations
that people apparently concern themselves with), is
female. A woman!
Sorry – spoiler. Except not really. Everyone’s been
talking about the Doctor changing gender for more
than a year. His gender? Her gender? Their gender?
“The alien’s gender!” Jodie laughs, obviously used
to this since being announced as the
first female to play the lead in the long-
running BBC sci-fi series. But what about
sexuality in this new rebirth?
“The relationships within this season,”
she begins before hesitantly adding,
“I think I’m allowed to say: there isn’t
a love interest for the Doctor with her
companions. It’s an absolute love, but
there isn’t a sexual chemistry between the
characters,” she explains of the three new
time-travellers she shares her Tardis with.
72 OCTOBER 2018
An Eighties kid, Jodie was a fan of “creature features”, listing the
likes of Gremlins and Labyrinth as films she adored, although never
limiting her love of film to one genre. “But I’m new to Doctor Who,” she
confesses. “I’m a new Whovian.”
That means she’s not devoured the hundreds of episodes that have
gone before. Fortunately, that’s actually gone in her favour.
“Chris [Chibnall, the lead writer] was brilliant about it, because he’s
seen every single episode. He’s a huge Whovian. I was very honest about
it and said: ‘I’ve seen the odd episode because I’ve got a friend in it, and
I’m aware of it obviously’. I went to drama school around the time that
Christopher Eccleston was announced in the reboot. It was a job I did
audition for, and I didn’t get the part! Not the Doctor, obviously.”
She can’t recall which previous Who role she went for, but we’re sure
some hardcore fan will be able to help out.
“But as far as being someone who’d seen every episode or knew
the mythology or had encyclopaedic knowledge of the show, I wasn’t
coming to the table with that,” she shrugs. “I auditioned and asked
[pulls alarmed face] ‘What do I need to know?’ and he said: ‘You don’t
need to know anything.’ Chris was really excited by that. He said, ‘I love
the fact in the audition you’re using fresh eyes’.”
Fresh eyes, it seems, is where Doctor Who is now at.
“This is the season to welcome Whovians, new and old,” Jodie states.
“You may feel that given it’s a show with a 55-year history, you’re not
going to understand it, if you start it now. That’s absolutely not the
case. We’re all new to this and I think we want it to feel as it always has
done: incredibly inclusive.”
Aware of spoilers, we begin to ask if she can allude to anything...
anything at all. She laughs again.
“You know I can’t! Go and try though, go on…”
We give it a go. What’s in the new series of Doctor Who for its LGBT+
fans? Her face lights up and she replies carefully.
“I am going to tell you that you’re going to love it as much as….
ummm… me!” That loud laugh follows again as she continues. “You
know I’m not allowed to tell you anything! But it’s a show about
everyone and it’s a show about society today and it represents
everybody in my life.”
How does she feel, then, about seeing all those gay fan boys dressing
up as her Doctor?
“It’s brilliant,” she
says with excitement.
“It’s brilliant.” We
think this could be
her catchphrase — it’s
certainly the only word
she’s uttered as the
ON DOCTOR’S
Doctor so far. ORDERS: Jodie
“I have never wanted with her travelling
companions Yasmin
to be defined and (Mandip Gill), Graham
limited to something. (Bradley Walsh) and
Ryan (Tosin Cole)
And being a woman,
 Jodie Whittaker

there are often things you’re told you can’t do

or as an actress you can’t play.
“And I’m finally getting to play a role that
represents everything I love about humanity,
without even playing a human.
“It’s a role for everyone, whether you look
like that person or not. The Doctor is a role
model for everyone. Now, obviously, that’s an
interesting thing. Because for some people
maybe it’ll be the first time they’ve looked up
to a female character. But it’s a show about
inclusivity and love and hope.
So that’s everything for every
community and for every person
I know.”
Speaking of inclusivity and love,
the Doctor does have a wife out
there in the shape of River Song.
“I’ve met ‘er!” Jodie shouts.
“Accidentally. In a corridor at
Comic Con! We passed each other
and I went ‘iya!’ and she went [does
big campy gasp] ‘Hiiiiii’.”
Alex Kingston, who plays River, has been
forward about wanting to return and meet
her other half, which Jodie thinks “would be
amazing”. But what would that mean for the
couple? “Well, it would obviously be in the
hands of [lead writer] Chris Chibnall but River
Song would be the Doctor’s wife,” she says.
Alex Kingston is extremely camp. But what’s
the campest thing Jodie has experienced in
the world of Doctor Who so far? Other than
her? She laughs loudly once more and leans
back into the sofa.
“Because I’m not on social media, I miss
it all. If I was on it, I’d have this connection
with all the fans and seeing the wonderful
imaginative world of all these people at home
making their own costumes.”
And that bit of time travel brings us neatly
back to Jodie’s drag Doctor.
“Aww, man! It’s really amazing. It’s
overwhelming to have all this stuff. It’s
MAIN IMAGE: BYPIP / INSET: BBC / BBC STUDIOS

obviously hilarious, but brilliant. No one’s

doing that for Beth Latimer!” she howls,
“I’ve never wanted thinking of her Broadchurch character.
to be defined and “Can you imagine drag Beth Latimer?
limited and this is a That’d be the most sad, depressing show
you’ve ever seen.”
role for everyone”
Doctor Who is expected to be rematerialising
on BBC1 in October

OCTOBER 2018 73
 Jonny wears t-shirt, by APC
at MR PORTER, trousers, by
H&M, trainers, by Kurt Geiger

74 OCTOBER 2018

Broadchurch star Jonathan Bailey is set to make a real song and
dance in a bold re-imagining of the hit musical Company —
as one half of the play’s first same-sex couple
W
e have just been
presented with a vivid
mental picture: dashing
British actor Jonathan
Bailey, wearing a thong,
leaping around Ian McKellen. A sodden
thong at that. However, before we are
able to let our imaginations run even
a little bit wild, the leash is suddenly
tightened and we’re brought crashing
down to Earth, thanks to a single
reality-summoning word: context.
It innocently transpires that the
pair crossed paths last year, appearing
together at Chichester Festival
Theatre in Shakespeare’s King Lear.
His role required Jonathan, or Jonny,
as he prefers, to don skimpy undies
(yes, we’re kicking ourselves that we
somehow missed this performance).
“Basically, I had to run about in a thong
in the rain. [Ian] would get soaked as
well, so afterwards we’d warm up, have
a cup of tea and a chat,” he smiles.
Best known for his turns in TV hits
Broadchurch, where he played Olly
Stevens, Crashing and W1A, Jonny made
sure he didn’t let the opportunity to
pick the brain of the acting legend go
to waste. “He was everything you could
wish for and more, so brilliant,” he
gushes. “After rehearsals, we’d order
Deliveroo, sit on the picnic benches
In good
company
Words Thomas Stichbury
Photography Markus Bidaux
Styling Nick Byam
and put the world to right. He used to tell me, ‘Just live your
life’, and he is very much someone who has.”
Attitude caught up with a regrettably fully dressed
Jonny while he was taking a breather from rehearsals
for a new production of Stephen Sondheim’s much-loved
musical Company. After a brief interlude about our shared
appreciation of the mini-succulents decorating the table
we’re sitting at, the 30-year-old star fills us in on why the
latest revival is so revolutionary.
Tony award-winning director Marianne Elliott, who
steered the recent Broadway transfer of Angels In America,
and producer Chris Harper, have seriously shaken things up
by flicking the gender switch. Debuting in 1970, the original
“I had to run about in
a thong in the rain. Ian
McKellen gets soaked too”
centred on a 35-year-old man, Bobby, with commitment
issues, while the present-day re-do shifts the spotlight to
Bobbie, played by Rosalie Craig, a woman struggling with the
notion of settling down.
Ushering the comedy-drama into the 21st-century,
Marianne also gives a neat nod to the LGBT+ rights
movement by introducing its first same-sex couple. Enter
stage right Jonny as Jamie (formerly Amy), who is having
doubts about tying the knot with Paul (Alex Gaumond) and
gets to sing Not Getting Married Today. “I got a call on my 30th
birthday, asking: ‘How would you feel about playing Amy?’
and my instinct was 100 per cent,” he recalls.
While the play isn’t necessarily designed to spark debate
Jonny Bailey
about equal marriage — “The thing I
really like about it is that there is no
question of them not being accepted,
Bobbie’s best friend just happens to be
marrying a man” – Jonny stresses that
the milestone certainly informs his
performance.
“Gay men should be able to get
married, it shouldn’t be seen as a
privilege, absolutely we should,” he
begins. “But the question of, ‘Just
because we can, should we?’ is an
interesting one.
“Suddenly you’re allowed to commit
to someone and that is acknowledged
by society in a way that it never had
been before, when you had to fight
your counter-culture.
“The idea of being a part of the
bigger thing, being accepted in a legal
sense, and how that affects the way
you feel about yourself when you’ve
always been othered… that’s what I’m
bringing to it,” he explains.
When it came to preparing for
the part, Jonny, who grew up in
Oxfordshire with three older sisters,
said he buried himself in queer
literature.
“I read books such as [former
Attitude editor] Matthew Todd’s
Straight Jacket and The Velvet Rage [by
Alan Downs], and also just thinking >
OCTOBER 2018 75
about my experiences and those of my
friends, how they are and how they
see themselves in gay culture, what we
aspire to and where we want to be in
our relationships.”
Jonny has found himself drawn to
LGBT+ roles in the past and, earlier
this year, earned rave reviews for
Jonny wears shirt
by, Reiss, t-shirt,
by Balenciaga at MR
PORTER, trousers by H&M
76 OCTOBER 2018
his performance in Peter Gill’s The York Realist at London’s
Donmar Theatre. The “very God’s Own Country” production
saw him turn up the heat as a Londoner in love with a
farmhand in Sixties Yorkshire.
Before that, he popped up in pal Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s
sitcom Crashing, as the womanising Sam who ends up
falling for his very male flatmate Fred.
As for why he enjoys exploring the LGBT+ world, Jonny’s
answer is simple: “I think it’s the
most interesting at the moment, and
if it’s done well and performed with
understanding, these characters are
the best.”
Our conversation then turns to the
increasingly knotty subject of whether
straight actors should tackle LGBT+
figures on stage or screen, following
the controversial casting of comedian
Jack Whitehall as Disney’s first-ever
gay character in forthcoming theme
park ride-turned-film The Jungle Cruise,
opposite Dwayne (The Rock) Johnson
and Emily Blunt.
“It’s hard. Actors should be able to
play everything, that is the main joy
of acting, exploring other experiences.
However, I think Disney missed an
opportunity to make a statement of
inclusivity to say, ‘Our first openly gay
role is played by an openly gay actor’,
especially with their target audience,”
says Jonny, who also appeared in an
episode of Doctor Who in 2014.
“Why not make that point, allow
people to see gay actors playing gay
roles,” he continues, “Am I the right
person to talk about it? Maybe, maybe
not, but I do chime into the argument,
I do understand it, and again I do
think that an opportunity has been
missed because of how beneficial it
would have been for so many people.”
Circling back to Company, also
featuring American superstar Patti
LuPone and former host of The Great
British Bake Off Mel Giedroyc, Jonny
isn’t concerned about this forward-
thinking version putting off purists.
Far from it.
“Well, if they’re not like, ‘What the
fuck?’ then we’ve done something
wrong. It’s going to be extraordinary
because it’s taking something that is
known and flipping it on its head. That
original production will always exist.
We’re not rewriting history, we’re just
evolving and trying something new.”
Regardless, creator Sondheim has
already given his stamp of approval
and according to Marianne, reports
Jonny, “loves it.”
Not that his nerves aren’t jangling
about the curtain rising at the Gielgud
Theatre later this month.
Jonny confides that he has a strict
set of superstitions and rituals that he
 Jonny Bailey

Jonny wears t-shirt, by

APC at MR PORTER,
trousers, by H&M, trainers,
by Kurt Geiger

has to run through before show time

to avoid any Beyoncé-weave-trapped-
in-a-wind machine-style disasters.
“They’re fucking nuts and get weirder
throughout the run.
“Really OCD [obsessive compulsive
disorder] stuff, like having to flick my
watch five times, and once when I was
doing a play at The National I got to
the point where I felt I had to take half
a paracetamol before every entrance.
Then there was the time where I’d say a
Hail Mary. I did go to a Roman Catholic
school, but that was pure anxiety. If I
didn’t say it, I’d think something awful
would happen,” he admits.
Poor Jonny, it turns out, is still
haunted by a painful mishap that he
witnessed as a wee lad starring in West
End favourite Les Misérables. “I played
Gavroche and I was watching one of
the other Gavroches on the day of his
dress rehearsal before he was due to
go on stage that night. His sash got
caught somehow, and he fell from the

“My rituals are

fucking nuts
and get weirder
through the
p l a y ’ s r u n”
top of the makeshift barricade and
broke his arm. Maybe that’s where the
panic comes from,” he shudders.
Next to be seen flexing his muscles
playing a CIA operative in Amazon
Prime action thriller Tom Clancy’s Jack
Ryan, it’s clear that Jonny’s star is on
the rise. Heck, he already has a blog
devoted to him, titled Fuck Yeah, Jonny
Bailey. “I go on it all the time,” he grins,
tongue firmly in cheek.
Not to mention a growing stable
of over-zealous fans. “When I was 18 I
played Jamie in [LGBT+ play] Beautiful
Thing, taking over from Andrew
Garfield, and I remember being sent
some items of clothing and stuff,” he
teases.
Like what, we ask. Turtlenecks?
“Yeah, we’ll say that… worn, soiled
turtlenecks,” Jonny giggles.

Company previews at the Gielgud GROOMING

Zoë Moore using
Theatre, London, from 26 September MAC and T3
before opening on 17 October

OCTOBER 2018 77
 John wears jacket,
by River Island

78 OCTOBER 2018
 John Grant

A kind of
magic...
John Grant’s
music has always
reflected his pain,
struggle and
feeling different.
Little wonder
then that some
song titles on
his new album
aren’t all sweet
and light. He
tells us about
his work, his
loves and
his hates
Words Paul Flynn
Photography Francisco Gomez
de Villaboa
Styling Nick Byam

John wears coat,

by OFF WHITE at
Harvey Nichols,
t-shirt and trousers,
both by Jacamo >

OCTOBER 2018 79
 L
ong before Pierce
Brosnan and Meryl
Streep got their
hands on it, John
Grant and his old
band The Czars
had prised some
previously unheard
depths from the Abba back catalogue.
It was 2003. John was in Paris, sleeping on
the sofa of singer-songwriter Tim Keegan, who
suggested that he should record a version of
the Swedish band’s Angel Eyes.
The cover is one of John’s many recorded
moments of transcendent wonder. “There
was a heatwave,” he recalls. “I was sort of
bottoming out. It was the end of my drinking.
I could hear something in those harmonies.”
John Grant is a comically taciturn fellow,
bruised and scarred, in recovery from
80 OCTOBER 2018
multiple addictions but always back to fight
another day. His work is traced with the
wisdom of one who has seen the bottom of
the world and managed to climb back up.
Born in Michigan, he now lives in Iceland and
celebrated his 50th birthday in July.
Since he emerged from the noble failure
of The Czars in 2010 with his extraordinary
first solo album Queen of Denmark, John has
become one of the most loved songwriters
of his age.
He is very much the artist’s artist. He
has duetted with gay fan favourites (Kylie
Minogue, Sinéad O’Connor), to the straightest
of the straight (Elbow, for whose lovely, Velvet
Underground-like ballad, Kindling, he sung
a female pronoun for the first time as the
subject of a love song), and those somewhere
in between.
After spotting him play at a key
John wears jacket, by
Kenzo at Harvey Nichols
Glastonbury fixture, Robbie Williams
emailed John to ask him to collaborate.
And when Kylie appeared, to duet on his
epic ballad of gay self-hatred and all its
germinating causes, Glacier, “the crowd
went understandably nuts,” he says.
He returned the favour by bringing his
voice to Confide in Me at her Christmas
shows at the Royal Albert Hall in 2016,
lending a moment of graceful levity to
the giddy dancing Christmas puddings
otherwise on display.
Grant is a generous man of the people
who relies on tough humour as the back
pedal to his song-writing habit for emotional
disclosure. He can often set all our sorrows,
anger, vitriol, humour and self-sabotage to
song. He cannot help but wear his heart on
his sleeve. Refreshingly, that valve continues
into his publicity cycle.
So, given his previous miniature ownership
of one fragment of Abba’s genius, you can’t
help but wonder about his feelings on the
Mamma Mia! franchise.
“It makes my skin crawl,” he says. “I hate it
so much.” He has seen neither film, of course.
We are sitting in the courtyard of his
favourite East London recording studio. He
pulls a horrified face. “You see the pain, right?”
He winces. “It is one of those things I feel so
strongly about and maybe it’s going to make
me sound like a snob but I don’t care.
“I can’t stand to hear those versions of the
songs. And even though I sort of desperately
want to meet Abba, I resent them for letting
that happen. But everyone’s just going ape-
shit over it.”
He sighs, as if the entire universe has let
him down — and not for the first time. “As
Lisa Kudrow said in The Comeback: ‘I don’t need
to see that’.”
John is here to talk through the creation
of his new album, Love is Magic. “I feel it’s my
best,” he says. Like the work that proceeded it,
it’s fuelled by some of the untold cracks that
shape modern masculinity. “Smug **** is about
Piers Morgan, that type. You know the sort,” he
adds without need for further embellishment,
while on Preppy Boy he revisits an old
childhood torment: being physically attracted
to the kind of guy who most obviously rejects
you. “My hormones were all over the place,” >
 John Grant

John wears coat, by Dries Van Noten at

Harvey Nichols, trousers, by Jacamo,
trainers, by Christian Louboutin

“I’m wise in certain areas but

I also have triggers that bring
me back to being that little boy
who thinks he’s never going
to be good enough”

OCTOBER 2018 81
 John wears jacket,
by Golden Bear
at MR PORTER,
sunglasses,
by Gucci

“I wore a new ski jacket to school,

thinking: ‘I’m one of you now’. They
were like: ‘It doesn’t matter what
you wear, you’ll never be one of us’.”

GROOMING Kris Smith,

using Bumble and bumble
and MAC Cosmetics

82 OCTOBER 2018

he chuckles. “All over my sheets. You could
break them in half. They were like a piece of
flatbread.”
He remembers, as a schoolboy, being
bought a ski jacket that he thought would
represent the unlocking of a door to a secret
club he felt excluded from, mostly on account
of his sexuality and religious upbringing.
“I wore it to school, proudly thinking: ‘I’m
one of you now’, and they all were like: ‘It
doesn’t matter what you wear, you’re never
going to be one of us’.
“They were laughing at me, saying: ‘Oh look,
that’s cute you thought you could be’.”
Slotting the pain of his past into the
predicament of the present is one of his
superior song-writing gifts. For John, music is
all catharsis of one sort or another, a present
he likes to pass on to his devotees. “I still have
to deal with that little boy on a daily basis.”
He fashioned the music as a patchwork in
a studio in Cornwall then wrote songs on top
of the pre-prepared electronic canvases, a new
twist for his talent. He experimented with the
synthesisers that exploded in his imagination
as a teen in the 1980s, the comforting sound-
bed to his rejection. “It was just pure bliss.
Cornwall is so stunning. In that setting,
synthesisers and nature is such a beautiful
combo,” he says.
On the new album cover he’s wearing full
face make-up, in honour of two of his heroes,
musicians Fad Gadget and Klaus Nomi.
The title track is as close as he will get to
recording a power ballad, the all-American
musical tradition of poodle-haired machismo
that cuts at interesting right angles to his own
nuanced and singular disposition.
From his vantage point at the heel of
Britain, he could think about what was
happening in America with the benefit of
some necessary distance. “It doesn’t look that
great. Shall we just call a spade a spade and
say it’s fucking disgusting? Can one say that?”
The record was finished in Texas.
For his 50th birthday, John spent five days
at Cedar Point, the 364-acre Ohio theme park
that zealots consider the rollercoaster capital
of the world. He is wearing a t-shirt he bought
at the gift shop.
“It’s great isn’t it? The only one I could find.
The rest were crimes against humanity.”
In terms of representing the ups and
downs of his life so far, there is no more
symbolic metaphor. “I had four days just
riding rollercoasters. 0-140mph type shit. The
greatest anywhere on Earth.”
Clearly, ageing doesn’t bother him. “No,
but it does feel incongruous with my mental
state. I think I’m still playing catch up. I’m
not even close. I’m very wise in certain areas,
much more than I give myself credit for, but
then I also have triggers that bring me back
to being that little boy who thinks he’s never
going to be good enough.”
He thinks about this for a second. “That’s
the thing about becoming an adult. If you
haven’t worked through all this shit early in
life, which most people haven’t, then you’re
constantly projecting the past on to the
current landscape. A lot of the things that
John wears jacket,
by Golden Bear
at MR PORTER
you perceive as happening are not what you
think, they’re just phantoms from the past
and that’s what I find particularly difficult.”
He continues: “You can see it in people’s
eyes. When I’ve acted in rage at something
and everyone’s saying: ‘What the fuck is wrong
with him?’ And you say to yourself, ‘Fuck, I’ve
done it again, I’ve been tricked once again into
projecting rage from all the rejection earlier
in life on to this scenario’.”
John Grant’s emergence, centre stage, at the
start of this decade ran parallel to a distinct
shift in gay culture, from the analysis of our
exterior problems to our interior life. That his
most successful decade has coincided with
one of global turmoil and political vandalism
is not lost on the artist. The years since 2010
have been kind to him.
“Yeah, and how am I supposed to deal with
that? Obviously, I’m in a tailspin.”
John Grant
In Ohio, the rustbelt heartland, on his 50th
birthday, John couldn’t help but notice new
literature emerging in bookshops. “All these
books about the angelic First Family.” He
can’t laugh about Trump. “No. Not yet. These
giant tomes about the history of purity and
puritanism in the First Family are real.
“I saw a guy being interviewed on CNN
about Trump’s road to faith, saying he’s
one of the most godly men you’ll ever meet.
People believe that. People are writing books
about him, not as the son of [evangelist] Billy
Graham but as Billy Graham himself. That
scares the shit out of me.”
Once John starts, he’s on a
roll. I ask what song he’d
like to be remembered for
after he’s gone. “Maybe that
new one I’m writing: Get
Your Political Dick Out of
my Human Ass!” He doesn’t
specify whether this is a real
or imaginary moment in his
unheard treasure trove. “On
second thoughts, Go Ahead
and Just Put That In. That’d
be the B-side.
“If You’re Going to Put
Your Political Dick in my
Human Ass, Would it Kill You
to Wear a Condom? That’s
another.”
He regains his composure
for a second. “My number
one song that I’d like to
write about Trump is That’s
the Only Baby That Bitch
Could’ve Had. That bitch
being the United States, that system. Of
course, he is the result of it. If you see that Las
Vegas is the destination, the Jerusalem, then
who else would be Jesus?”
Grant has no plans to immortalise the
10th anniversary of Queen of Denmark in 2020.
There will be no playing his introductory
mainstream classic back-to-back at the Royal
Albert Hall. “I’ll do a 50th anniversary,” he says.
“Otherwise fuck off.”
He’s not one for nostalgia.
“If somebody gets me to do a 10th
anniversay concert, it will only because I
plan to commit suicide in public, at the Royal
Albert Hall. In front of the orchestra.
“I’ll strangle myself on stage with my own
intestines.
“Hard becoming an adult, isn’t it?”
Love is Magic is available from 12 October
OCTOBER 2018 83

Gerhard Jenne & Paul Cons
The founder, and the chief executive of Konditor & Cook
erhard Jenne is celebrating the
G
25th anniversary of his Konditor
& Cook shop where he has been
responsible for the production of
more than one million cakes. His success has
been aided by his husband Paul Cons whom
he met in 2006. Paul had worked as a club
promoter in Manchester and was working
with the London art scene creating The House
of Homosexual Culture in London. Four years
later Paul became chief executive of Konditor
& Cook. They talk to Attitude about the joys of
baking, offensive cakes and their ambitious
plans for the future
Where did your love of baking originate,
Gerhard?
Gerhard: I grew up in Germany and always
wanted to escape the countryside. I was
looking at jobs in the hospitality industry
because I thought that was a good vehicle to
get away. After a summer working with my
sister’s boyfriend, who ran the village bakery, I
feel in love with baking. I was more interested
in the artistic side so I trained as a pastry chef
in Munich. From there, I moved to London to
improve my English. I worked for Justin de
Blank’s bakery in the Seventies and Eighties.
Then, 25 years ago, I found a space in Waterloo
and opened my own shop. It has expanded
over the years and we now have six shops
including one in the Gherkin.
When did you enter the picture, Paul?
Paul: My background is in nightclubs so I
think the idea of spreading joy is very similar.
In a way, I have just swapped alcohol for sugar.
G: I met Paul 12 years ago, he was running his
own business in Manchester and living in
London. One night after listening to him tell
me what I should do with my business, I told
him he might as well run it!
How did the name Konditor & Cook originate?
G: Konditor is pastry chef or confectioner in
German and then we used the English word
for cook because when I started the company
there were not that many cake shops in
London. But people would often buy lunch
out so each shop had a cafe to entice people in
and they would hopefully end up buying their
cakes there as well. Of course, there has been a
baking revolution over the past 25 years, first
84 OCTOBER 2018
BUSINESS PROFILE
Words & photograhy Markus Bidaux
it was the cupcake, then The Great British Bake
Off happened.
P: In 2010, when I joined the company it was
still a savoury-and-sweet concept. We decided
if were to move the company forward we had
to simplify what we were doing by focusing
on what we are best known for: cakes.
What is the long-term plan for Konditor
& Cook?
P: We are looking to see how we take the
business past its founder, which I think is
one of the classic challenges of a business
when you have an inspirational founder such
as Gerhard. How do you then sustain that
business [once he retires]? We don’t want to
sell to venture capitalists because then the
founder often ends up unhappy with the
direction the business is taken. Our long-term
goal is to create a trust for the business for
the people employed by Konditor & Cook to
“Each month, customers
can nominate people
deserving of a cake,
through our Joy Awards”
be part of or they can buy shares in, similar
to the model at John Lewis. Our purpose is
to sell joy through cake and that is what
we want every aspect of the company to do,
including for the employees. As a prelude to
becoming employee-owned, we are creating
an ownership culture so everyone feels like
owners of the business and get to see all the
numbers and receive a share of the profits.
We operate a system called the Great Gain
in Business which is based on the idea of
making business fun and getting everyone
involved.
What is your USP?
G: The quality of the cakes. We use very good
ingredients and we bake them fresh. They
don’t just look good, they taste good too. Our
focus has shifted to celebration cakes and we
have recently updated our website so you can
order a cake online anywhere in London, or
phone our cake hotline in an emergency and
have it sent anywhere, the same day.
What effect has The Great British Bake Off had
on your business?
P: I’ve noticed there are a lot more young kids
who want to go into baking as a career, so we
attract a lot of graduates, whereas before food
production was not seen as so sexy.
G: It’s not like business has gone down
because people are baking at home now. It
is actually hard work to bake a cake and do
all the cleaning up. People are more savvy at
buying cakes now and they will order cakes in
to eat while watching GBBO.
P: We do cake lock-ins where we bring people
in after hours to show them the kitchens and
let them eat as much cake as they like.
What do think are the future cake trends?
G: Free-from cakes are a big trend.
P: It is easy to make vegan cakes taste good,
but sugar-free is far more difficult.
G: But people are not that interested in sugar-
free because if you are eating a cake, you know
it’s a treat.
How do you keep your business ethical?
P: If we have any cakes left over, we sell them
through the Too Good To Go app at a reduced
price to avoid food wastage. And customers
who follow us can nominate people deserving
of a cake each month through our Joy Awards
competition.
What is your opinion on whether bakers
should be legally bound to put anything
customers want on a cake?
P: We wouldn’t put anything racist or offensive
on a cake and we bake a Fudge Packer Brownie,
with 20p of each one sold going to Quest,
the mental-health charity. And for Pride,
we created a rainbow-topped brownie with
donations going to the Albert Kennedy Trust
[which helps homeless LGBT+ youth].
There was a recent episode of Will & Grace
in which a baker refused to make a Make
America Great Again cake...
P: Well, we wouldn’t make a cake for Nigel
Farage.
G: Would we not?
P: No!
What is the most outrageous cake you have
made?
G: I once had to make a cake for the premiere
of The Vagina Monologues and it was a bit
challenging because I had not seen one for >
 BUSINESS

SELLING LIKE HOT

CAKES: Gerhard,
left, and Paul

OCTOBER 2018 85
BUSINESS

CVs
GERHARD JENNE

1982
Moves to London from
Germany and begins
working at the Swiss
Centre, Leicester Square

1983
Begins work for Justin
de Blank, the pioneering
food shop and bakery in
Knightsbridge. Gerhard’s
creativity sees him bake
cakes for celebrities
including Tina Turner and
The Rolling Stones

1985
Becomes the production
and retail manager at De
Blank’s bakery

1993
Opens the first Konditor &
Cook bakery in Waterloo,
London

1998
He opens the first new
food shop in what will
develop into London’s
Borough Market as we
know it today

PAUL CONS

1986
Promoter of Manchester’s
Hacienda club, where
he co-founds the LGBT+
many years, but it was all for charity. It was ownership and handing it on to the next night, Flesh
quite large; it could have been the vagina of generation so we can step away.
a whale. What advice would you offer someone 2003
Has being gay ever effected you at work? wanting to get into the food industry? Studies for an MA in film
G: There was a big gay culture in Munich in P: Do a paid internship with us. Most of our at Goldsmiths College in
the 1980s, but it was not something you could kitchen staff originally joined the company London, and co-launches
talk about at work, whereas when I moved to as interns. And it all comes down to people series of arts events under
Britain no one batted an eyelid. skills. You can have a brilliant strategy and umbrella title House of
P: I’m still struck by how the whole chief idea, find the right people, but if you don’t Homosexual Culture
executive world is dominated by white, know how to manage people to execute that
straight males. And I think being gay in that plan… 2006
world, there is a slight lack of confidence and G: Start small outside central London or create Meets Gerhard
you don’t feel like you fit in. a food stall and make sure you specialise in
What do you foresee as your biggest challenge something unique. 2010
over the next five years? Becomes chief executive
P: Delivering the company into employee konditorandcook.com of Konditor & Cook

86 OCTOBER 2018
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92

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OCTOBER 2018 89
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 Travel

FRENCH LEAVE
Raise a glass at the inaugural European Gay
Wine Weekend in Blaye, Bordeaux, where vino
novices and connoisseurs can mingle. Running
between 18 and 21 October, it will be hosted
by Anthony and Patrick, the London-based
founders of wine-selling business Redevined
Wines. The trip includes visits to working
chateaux and local wineries to learn more
about the wine-making process. There will be
dinners, a micro-wine festival and tastings as
the sun goes down in stunning locations each
night. Guests can burn off the calories with
the complimentary yoga classes and group
runs along vineyard tracks, pick up goodies
to take home at the local market, and join
guided tours of UNESCO World Heritage site,
Citadelle de Blaye. At the end of the
trip there will be a champagne and
oyster brunch.

Just the
TICKET
europeangaywineweekend.com

Words Markus Bidaux

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OCTOBER 2018 91
 It’ll take your
breath away
Attitude fitness expert Matt Lister discovers a
whole new world on a free-diving holiday to the
tiny Caribbean retreat of Petit St Vincent

92 OCTOBER 2018
 Travel

ON THE CREST OF A WAVE:

Free-diving is a new
sport for Matt Lister

OCTOBER 2018 93
 THE FLIP-PER SIDE:
Free-divers can reach
depths of 65ft

94 OCTOBER 2018

I remember the first time I learned about
the Caribbean: I was in high school and
my form tutor had just come back from
a week in St Lucia with his wife. He showed
us the photos he’d taken and I couldn’t
work out if he’d taken them himself or just
snatched them from postcards.
I’m now in my twenties and I have
travelled the world over. But gazing at
the abundant greenery, golden sand and
turquoise sea as we approach the coast of
the luxury private Caribbean island resort of
Petit St Vincent by boat, it dawns on me how
all the more enchanting it is to see it with
my own eyes. It’s a sight more enthralling
than anything I could have imagined.
We’re welcomed by general manager Matt
Semark and a fleet of staff carrying trays
of piña coladas. It’s all nearly too clichéd
to believe. Matt tells me how the island is
popular with gay couples who return year
after year, and also a fair few celebrities, the
names of whom I can’t get him to reveal.
The experience is far removed from
the island’s antiquated anti-gay laws. It
seems positive examples of LGBT+ people,
experienced through tourism, really can do
wonders to change the hearts and minds of
local communities.
After the welcome drinks are downed, I’m
dropped off by mini-moke — the island’s
little cars — at my chalet and my jaw hits the
floor. It’s one of just 22 on the island, which
caters to a maximum of only 58 guests at any
one time. If you’re looking for an isolated
retreat away from crowds of tourists, this
definitely makes its way near the top of my
“The island is an escape,
geared towards avoiding
the stresses of the world:
the chalet’s phones can
only make calls out”
list. My room is in fact my very own self-
contained two-bedroom beach-front villa,
complete with two enormous bathrooms.
One room is furnished with two king-size
beds, and the other boasts the largest bed
I’ve ever pounced on. The outdoor private
dining/lounge area, with its mammoth
sunbeds, leads to a lawn stretching down to
the seafront, dotted with ornate bushes. A
Travel
ANYTHING FOR
A QUIET LIFE:
Only 58 guests
stay at the resort
at any one time
hammock suspended between palm trees
sways in the breeze: it’s my own section of
beach and just a short stroll to a pier from
which to dive into the clear blue water.
PSV, as it’s sometimes known, is an escape
in the truest sense of the word, geared
towards avoiding the world’s stresses. The
chalet’s phone can only make calls out so
you aren’t disturbed. Replacing those pesky
front desk calls is a personalised note left
on your pillow during cleaning or turndown
service — so cute.
The only place on the island with Wi-Fi is
by reception or the pavilion restaurant and
bar, but the signal is angled in such a way
that you can’t connect to it from the bar.
Little tricks like this keep everyone away
from their screens, meaning the only time
I picked my phone up was to take holiday
snaps. Surprisingly, it doesn’t take me very
long to disconnect from the world.
Little flag stations dotted around the
island are how you request items from the
menu, indicating what you’d like, what time
and where you want it delivered. You roll up
your request, stick it in the bamboo shoot
and raise the flag. >
OCTOBER 2018 95
PIER PRESSURE:
Matt Lister couldn’t
resist the lure
of the sea
Thanks to the jet lag, I wake at 5am each
day, something that in most places would be
a nightmare but not here. It offers me the
opportunity to get up and explore the island,
making the most of my time in paradise.
Each morning, I start my day by throwing
on my runners and going for a jog around
the island’s loop trail, which offers various
fitness stations, from parallel bars to a full-
size set of gymnastic rings that the athlete in
me can’t ignore.
Breakfast is waiting on my return. Options
include an egg white omelette with spinach
and broccoli, oatmeal with a berry compote,
and a fruit platter. All very healthy and
lovely, but I did indulge in French toast with
maple syrup and bacon later in the week.
96 OCTOBER 2018
Don’t judge me, it is a holiday after all. The
highlight of one breakfast experience is a
row of tiny tropical birds balanced on the
table edge next to me, clearly not shy about
wanting an invite to join in.
“I watch the fishing boats
come in, dreaming about
their haul which could be
on my plate later that day”
The island prides itself on its eco-
sustainability by growing a large proportion
of the fruit and vegetables they serve, with
more than 170 free-roaming chickens
delivering hundreds of eggs daily. PSV is also
aiming to eradicate plastic where possible,
which is music to my ears.
I could watch the fishing boats come
in from the bay every morning for hours,
dreaming about what fresh haul they are
bringing and which could be on my plate
later that day. I’m not the biggest fan of fish,
but when plonked in the middle of paradise,
and the catch of the day is more like catch of
the past 10 minutes, I can’t say no. The mahi-
mahi fish is just incredible.
While I’m more than happy to make my
way through the extensive cocktail menu,
I also get a peek at one of PSV’s prized
treasures: the wine cellar. Built into what
was formerly one of the island’s stone water
tanks, it’s filled with wines from vineyards

SCHOOL’S OUT:
The fish and reefs
are awe-inspiring
PUSH THE BOAT
OUT: Divers enjoy
a quick snack
across the globe, many of which send
representatives to the island to run tasting
courses with the resort’s guests.
Bicycles can be delivered to your chalet
door within minutes of calling reception,
which allows me to cycle around the island
to access numerous secluded beaches. I also
cycle to the yoga pavilion that looks out
across the island’s north side and offers
views of both Union and Palm islands on
the horizon. Meanwhile, the north bay is
teeming with wildlife.
You won’t be short of activities with
numerous options at your disposal. The
dive centre offers excursions with their
experienced divers, there are power boats
to charter, paddle boards, lasers (mini sail
MASKED MAN:
Matt discovered
his inner Ariel
boats), and one morning I took a kayak out
around the island at 6am.
The island itself is only one half of the
experience. Equally as beautiful is the
surrounding sea, of which I enjoy first-hand
encounters that blow my mind, courtesy of
I Am Water co-founders Hanli Prinsloo and
Peter Marshall. Both are free-diving experts
who not only give the best crash-course but
are also a source of information on ocean
conservation.
Each day I explore different locations to
hone my new-found skills, and to see what
the island’s extensive wildlife has to offer.
Diving down to around 20m (65ft) with no
scuba equipment is something I never even
knew was possible. Hanli and Peter guide
Travel
me through the techniques for optimising
breathing to maximise the amount of time
that is safe to spend underwater. By the end of
the trip I manage breath holds of two minutes
and 45 seconds, which is plenty of time to
spend playing Ariel, the Little Mermaid.
Of all the reefs and areas we are able to
explore, the highlight by far is the Tobago
Cays. We journey across on Beauty, the
island’s privately owned sailing sloop, which
takes roughly 60 minutes each way. It’s an
hour that flies by trying not to stare at the
boat’s skipper, Simba, who is so hot, I nearly
introduce myself as Nala. We eventually
arrive in the centre of an azure archipelago,
slap on our “reef safe” sunscreen, snorkles,
fins and rash guards, and slip into the water. >
OCTOBER 2018 97
 OUT ON ITS OWN:
Petit Saint Vincent is
far from the stresses
of the world
TRUE BLUE: The
sea aound the
island is stunning
Diving down to the reefs on the outskirts
of the Tobago Cays marine conservation
area is almost indescribable. I feel like an
extra on the set of a real-life re-enactment
of Finding Nemo. Schools of fish stretch as
far as the eye can see, and with it being a
crystal-clear sunny day in the Caribbean,
visibility is pretty much as good as it gets
anywhere in the world.
Being in vast open seas usually freaks me
out, but I am so distracted by the beauty and
the calming effect Hanli and Peter have that I
couldn’t care less. We swim down to see nurse
sharks sleeping among the rocks, angular box
fish and sand-coloured flounders skimming
the seabed. We spot eagle rays, but it’s the
countless sea turtles grazing on the sea grass
in the shallows that will stick in my memory
for ever. I lie on the sand inches from them
then swim alongside them. Describing it as
magical doesn’t do it justice.
The whole way back to the resort, I’m
beaming from ear to ear, already planning
to visit South Africa and Mozambique with
Hanli and Peter for more adventures.
Back at the resort there’s a chance to check
98 OCTOBER 2018
COME OUT OF
YOUR SHELL: The
sights of the deep
will help you relax
out the island spa. Set on the hillside in tree-
top cottages made from teak and driftwood,
it’s connected by suspended walkways in
a quiet nook at the island’s highest peak.
Draped in beaded curtains made from tiny
seashells, catching the breeze, it felt as if I’d
only walked a few feet but somehow ended
up in Ubud, Bali. I am welcomed by the staff,
“I’m escorted to a private
cabin where the only
sounds are birds chirping,
waves crashing on the
beach and the breeze”
handed an ice-cold glass of cucumber water,
a chilled towel, scented with ginger and
lemongrass -— heavenly in the humid climate
-— and shown to the changing rooms where
I’m handed a robe and a pair of disposable
pants, which I wave off.
Then I’m escorted to a private cabin,
where the only sounds are the birds chirping
outside the window, the waves crashing on
the beach below and the breeze whistling
SEE WEED: Matt
checks out some
of the plant life
through the tree branches. I slip off my robe,
lie on the massage table and stick my head
into the face cradle to stare into a bowl of
water filled with hibiscus and frangipani
flowers. I remember the bowl because the
massage is so good I drooled into it!
After an hour of heated essential oils, whole
body Balinese massage, a soft breeze and
calming music, I’m already scheming how the
hell I am going to not go home but hide on the
island without being caught.
On the last day of my trip while soaking
up the final few rays of sun, I see shadows
darting about in the bay and along the
beachfront. I run to get my snorkel and
shove my face in the water to get a last few
glimpses of what on closer inspection turn
out to be baby black tip reef sharks, hunting.
It’s something I only ever expected to see in a
tank during feeding time at an aquarium.
I’ll never forget my first visit to Petit St
Vincent. I say first because I will return.
Seven-night I am Water Ocean Travel trip
to Petit St Vincent costs $6,560 (£5,050) per
person. petitstvincent.com
 Travel

THROWN IN AT
THE DEEP END:
Matt learnt
new skills

OCTOBER 2018 99
3
Travel

a
OF
THE
BEST...
Property Rental Sites
Sometimes you want to live
like a local, with all the home
comforts that go with that, so
here are three of the best sites
for property rentals...
Words Markus Bidaux

MISTER RIGHT
Get to know the world’s best gaybourhoods as never before by staying at one
of misterb&b’s privately owned properties. The site has more than 200,000 gay
WITHOUT FURTHER ADO hosts in 135 countries as well as destination guides with listings of insider tips,
Further Afield is a gay-owned site that local gay venues and events. And having joined forces with Open Sea Cruises,
offers exclusively inclusive hotels, B&Bs and they are now taking their brand ethos from land to sea.
self-catering stays. The list of properties
is highly curated with about 160 properties misterbandb.com
across 20 destinations. The aim is clearly
quality over quantity with the focus on
hand-picked places to stay. An inspiration
list on the site breaks the properties into
categories with an emphasis on beach and
countryside stays, family and romantic
trips, dog-friendly places, and perfect
spots for wedding celebrations.

furtherafield.com

THE LAP OF LUXURY

Luxury Retreats is the posh arm of the daddy of property rental
sites, Airbnb. There are more than 5,000 places to stay on offer
across the globe, all hand-picked using a meticulous checklist with
240 criteria. Luxury Retreats offers a 24/7 concierge service to
help handle your booking whether you are looking for that perfect
honeymoon getaway, a ski lodge for the family’s winter break or a
Mediterranean villa holiday with all your mates.

luxuryretreats.com

100 OCTOBER 2018

FRIGHT
NIGHTS
Masked maniacs, chainsaw-wielding crazies,
howling werewolves and a girl possessed by
the devil — Universal Orlando has the stuff
your nightmares are made of this Halloween
A s far as holiday destinations
Words
Darren Scott
go, being in a deep-space bio-
research facility with alarms
sounding and smoke billowing, having
a soldier screaming at me to force
myself into a tight space isn’t really
how I want many evenings to turn out.
Well, not without dinner first...
Diving into a vent — my only escape
route from a nightmare overrun by
warring giant Aliens and Predators – I
suddenly realise the rookie mistake
I’ve made. There’s no Ripley here to
save me as, inevitably, an Alien lunges
out at me, hissing.
Game over, man, game over!
But I’m not dead — in fact, I’ve never
felt more alive. This is just one of many
hellish scenarios that have been made
real over the past 28 years at Universal
Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights
event in Orlando.
We Brits never quite do Halloween
102 OCTOBER 2018
on a scale that our American friends
do. It’s all a bit half-hearted, a last-
minute queue at the fancy-dress
shop, then dressing up as a sexy
mouse, duh. But at Universal —
now spanning their Orlando,
Hollywood, Singapore and
Japan locations — it’s an
annual tradition that has
possibly become the world’s
premier Halloween event.
From mid-September to
early-November, the theme park
is transformed and reopens in
the evenings to celebrate (almost)
all things that go bump in the
night. Guests get to experience
the park after dark, with haunted
houses throughout.
These aren’t your standard funfair,
run-of-the-mill haunted houses. These
are massive, specially constructed
works built on sound stages around

DARK DEEDS: Universal at night,
Below, there are frights at every
turn, and below right, Universal’s
own Jack the Clown
SEE SAW: The
Purge scarezone.
Inset below: there’s
something evil in
“Central Park”
the park. It’s like being transported
to the set of your favourite movie —
particularly given that many of the
houses are based on existing horror
films and TV series.
Which brings us back to the AVP:
Alien Vs Predator house, from where
I’ve just escaped. For a sci-fi horror
nerd like me – no apology, it’s 2018 –
this is a dream come true.
I’ve travelled across the world to
Halloween Horror Nights, time and
again, to have the willies put up me.
I’ve walked through Camp Crystal
Lake to face off against Jason Voorhees.
I’ve stepped past girls playing jump
rope on the lawn of 1428 Elm Street,
to go through the door of Freddy
Krueger’s nightmare playground –
finding myself in not only his boiler
room, but also the corridors of Westin
Hills Asylum.
Growing up a gay geek, I could only
Travel
have dreamed — no pun intended – of other houses — this year has a record-
getting that opportunity. breaking 10 in total — are made-up of
I’ve found myself back in a closet, original content, each with their own
hangers rattling overhead, but this unique story, such as a barn, filled with
time the only demon I was fighting demonic scarecrows in The Reaping or
was Michael Myers. Turns out a masked a submerged steamboat overflowing
maniac, slicing through the air with a with drowned zombies in Dead Water.
giant (fake!) knife, really One memory that stands
does get your blood “I’ve travelled across the out is of a Victorian
pumping. Internally only,
thankfully. I’ve walked
world time and again to asylum in the snow:
yes, you actually walk
through the disturbing have the willies put up me” in through a blizzard.
worlds of no less than It’s filled with body
six series of American Horror Story, snatchers. One pulled out the spine
painstakingly recreated in gory detail. of a victim then stared into my eyes
And let’s not talk about the time I as I couldn’t quite believe the level of
found myself inside Regan’s pea-green- special effects on display.
stained mattress from The Exorcist… So caught up in the sheer scale and
They don’t just recreate sounds and beauty of another production, staring
sights, let me tell you. down from the turret of a vast gothic
And that’s only a fraction of the castle and wondering how they made
event. At least with these nightmares the effect look so real, I was knocked
you might know what to expect. The down a peg or two from my “I know >
OCTOBER 2018 103
Travel
how Halloween Horror Nights works,
they can’t scare me” perch by a gargoyle
coming to life out of nowhere and
making me scream.
It’s not for the faint-hearted,
obviously, but we’ll let you into a
little secret. The performers inside
the houses, otherwise known as
scareactors, can’t touch you. There’s
also no fancy dress allowed in the park,
so you know everyone in costume
works for Universal. But if you thought
your troubles were over once you’ve
escaped the houses, think again: you
have to go through “scarezones” to get
around the park.
Large, themed areas throughout the
park, the scarezones, like everything
else for Halloween Horror Nights,
are different each year. There’s only
ever been one house that’s returned
exactly as it was, An American Werewolf
in London, which was brought back for
the 25th anniversary. Yes, it’s strange
being in a perfect reproduction of a
London Tube station in Orlando, never
mind the giant werewolf.
Take the time to enjoy the
atmosphere in the scarezones,
particularly in Orlando’s Central Park
location which is decked out with
pumpkins and is eerily beautiful.
Smoke fills the air, and monsters
(or aliens) lurk behind every corner.
People stop for selfies with giant
horned beasts. A clown with a
104 OCTOBER 2018
ONE, TWO FREDDY’S COMING
FOR YOU: Nightmare on Elm
Street. Below: A demonic
scarecrow from The Reaping
THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE
NIGHT: American Horror Story
chainsaw chases a screaming girl into
a shop and everyone laughs — mainly
because it’s not them being chased. At
least, not this time…
Ah, those sweet, sweet screams.
You’ll hear them all over the park and
it’s absolutely joyous because those
screams always turn into laughter.
Hysterical, aching laughter from the
“victim” then their friends. The day
after Halloween Horror Nights I always
wake up aching: a sore throat from
screaming, tired feet from running,
bruised sides from
laughing, a pounding
head from the all-too-
“A gargoyle comes to life
tempting Chardonnay out of nowhere and
they stock park-wide, but makes me scream”
also an aching to go back
as soon as I possibly can.
Insider tip: visit the Sunday after
opening as this early school night
in the run means you’re able to get
through queues quicker, and do some
of the houses more than once.
As well as houses and scarezones,
there are performance shows, while
certain rides — usually the high-octane
ones — are open and there’s the new
Cinematic Celebrations which takes
place in giant fountains in the lagoon.
The best way to experience the event
is with friends, and the resort offers a
special RIP (see what they did there?)
package with a personal tour guide,
allowing you to jump queues. For the
truly horror-obsessed — in case you
hadn’t guessed, that’s me — there’s
also a behind-the-scenes tour offered
during the day.
Granted access to the house from
The Exorcist, I cry laughing as the tour
guides try to out-spook each other. It’s
a unique opportunity to see just how
incredibly detailed the horror houses
are, and how some of the tricks work.
This year the theme is Eighties,
which means killer doll Chucky will
roam the streets in his own scarezone,
the original Poltergeist
movie will be brought to
life, and Stranger Things
becomes the first Netflix
programme to be part
of the event.
Without a doubt, it’s my favourite
place in the world, and the most fun
you can have while screaming.
“It’s Halloween. Everyone’s entitled
to one good scare,” as Laurie Strode was
told 40 years ago.
Seven nights at Universal Orlando
Resort — with direct Virgin Atlantic
flights from London, accommodation,
car hire, three-park ticket and
Halloween Horror Nights Frequent
Fear Plus Pass Ticket, offering
multiple nights of admission from
14 September to 3 November — costs
from £1,165pp.
virginholidays.co.uk
 © 2018 ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY, OFFICE OF TOURISM
EXPRESSING
YOURSELF IS EASY
IN A CITY THAT
DOES THE SAME.”
Amazing for Brian and Karsten,
Chicago Bean

Chicago is full of surprises. You can explore miles of sandy beaches steps from one
of America’s most scenic skylines. Experience LGBTQ neighbourhoods bursting
with pride, nightlife, and history, including the Legacy Walk. Discover world-class
attractions and adventurous cuisine. And join one of the largest pride celebrations
in America every June.
Second
thoughts
Federation
Square

It may technically be
Australia’s second city, but
there are plenty of reasons
why Melbourne is the top dog
Words Tim Heap

Luna Park The Cullen

Hotel

Vibrant
laneways

106 OCTOBER 2018


S ydney may steal the limelight
and much of Australia’s tourism
trade, but its rival, cool cat
Melbourne, boasts a seven-year record
of being named the most liveable city
in the world, only just pipped to the
top spot this year by Vienna. Sydney,
meanwhile, lags behind in fifth place
— and you don’t get a medal for that.
Although it can’t quite compete
with Sydney’s great swathes of sandy
beaches and the active lifestyle
they afford residents and tourists,
Melbourne is Oz’s undisputed cultural
capital, with a well-earned reputation
for its sporting programme and food
scene. Thanks to early urban planning
allowing Melbourne to expand as
time goes on, it’s also set to overtake
Sydney’s population by 2050.
So, if you’re heading to Sydney for
Mardi Gras in March, be sure to build a
few days into your itinerary to explore
Melbourne and its surroundings: it’s
only a short, cheap flight away and
oozes the kind of cool that’s hard to
come by elsewhere Down Under.
Where to stay
Southern suburb Prahran is one of
Melbourne’s coolest districts, chiefly
known for the eclectic mix of shops,
eateries and bars on Chapel Street,
where many of the city’s trends start
life. It’s also historically one of the
gayest districts, and The Cullen Hotel
is as LGBT-friendly as they come. Part
of Australian art-focused brand Art
Series Hotels, the five-star Cullen is
just a couple of minutes’ walk from
Chapel Street and five minutes from
the Prahran metro station.
Every room, whether an entry-level
studio suite or a penthouse with
sprawling balcony, puts an emphasis
on Adam Cullen’s vibrant paintings.
The Sydney-born enfant terrible of art,
who died in 2012, is one of Australia’s
most recognised contemporary
artists. Rooms are a good size, with
kitchenettes and frosted-glass
bathrooms as standard. Facilities
include a gym, and Smart car and bike
hire, while American-style breakfasts
are served at on-site Gramercy Social.
What to do
If it’s culture you’re after, one of the
annual highlights is the Melbourne
International Arts Festival and its
offbeat Fringe Festival cousin, both
taking place in October.
At other times, you can watch hit
musicals in the East End Theatre
District or admire art at some of
Australia’s top galleries and museums,
such as the National Gallery of Victoria,
which hosts major exhibitions
(many free to enter), including the
NGV Triennial, a bold display of
contemporary art for the Instragram
generation, and the current MoMA
exhibition in partnership with the
New York art giant (until 7 October).
There’s also the majestic Royal
Exhibition Building, built for the
International Exhibition in 1880.
Melbourne’s laneways (narrow
cobbled thoroughfares between larger
streets) are an integral part of
the city centre. You won’t have “It’s a good idea to
to look too hard to find them,
and part of the experience is
explore the suburbs
not knowing what’s down them offering live music,
and whether it’s worth seeing. cafes and bars”
Among them, you’ll find some of
the city’s best street art (Hosier
Lane and AC/DC Lane), al fresco
dining spots (Hardware Lane),
and boutique shops (Centre
Place and Degraves Street).
It’s also a good idea to
explore the suburbs. In the
north, neighbourhoods such as
Fitzroy, Brunswick, Carlton and
Collingwood are hipster heavens,
with a vibrant live music, cafe
and bar scene.
To the south, South Yarra and
Prahran offer a sophisticated
vibe, with food markets and
juice bars as regular fixtures. Further WATERING HOLE:
Tim Heap on a
south still, beach suburb St Kilda is floating bar on
home to the iconic Luna Park fun fair, the Yarra River
a colony of penguins and heated sea-
water spas.
Other itinerary highlights include
the 94-acre Royal Botanic Gardens, and
you can always head out of town to the
start of the Great Ocean Road for a day
on the open water.
Where to eat
Like much of Australia, Melbourne’s
food scene is heavily influenced by
Asian cuisine, and the results are
glorious. To understand just how
good, head to Chin Chin in the Central
Business District. This popular eatery is
something of an institution, founded
Travel
in 2011 and with a recently opened
sister venue in Sydney. Bookings are
reserved for groups only, so you may
have to queue for a table but persevere.
For the full experience, say the
magic words “feed me” to your server
and watch as plates continue to arrive
in front of you, until you say stop, all
for Aus $69.50 (£39.50) per person. The
short rib beef with shaved coconut
salad and spicy citrus dipping sauce is
mind-blowingly good.
Another Asian fusion option is Rice
Paper Scissors in trendy Fitzroy, where
food is served tapas style, with sharing
highly encouraged -— although not
always easy to do graciously!
Where to party
After arriving in Prahran on a
Sunday afternoon, we found
ourselves on the rooftop of
the Emerson, just across from
The Cullen, among fellow gays.
Although not a gay bar, Sundays
become decidedly queer as
locals turn up to get turnt up.
After a few drinks, the crowd
thinned and we’d been tipped
off about Love Machine, an
inclusive club night on Chapel
Street that promised pop hits
until 5am — although we don’t
last quite that long.
Also in the area is the
humorously named Poof Doof,
open on Saturdays and billed
as Australia’s No. 1 Rave, and,
further afield, there’s The Laird
(a men-only bar and hotel with
a bear and leather vibe), The
Peel (an end-of-the-night kind of joint)
and DT’s Hotel (drag queens take over
on Saturdays). Unlike Sydney, where
strict laws have dampened the city’s
nightlife, there’s always a party to be
found somewhere in Melbourne.
Getting around
Melbourne’s metro system connects
most parts of the city and is an easy
way to travel. You’ll need to buy a myki
card (similar to London’s Oyster) for
$6 (£3.40) and load it with credit to use
on journeys. For taxis, download the
Taxify app (an Uber competitor) for
cheap rides from A to B.
Rooms at The Cullen fromt £112/night.
thecullen.com.au
OCTOBER 2018 107
Travel
H O T
S O UTH TYROL, ITALY
T he family-owned wellness resort
Words
Markus Bidaux
Preidlhof is nestled into one side
of the Vinschgau valley in South
Tyrol, about a two-hour drive south of
Innsbruck across the Italian border or
three hours north of Venice.
The adults-only resort has recently
renovated many of its rooms, giving
them bright pops of pink and huge
beds with the option to have the staff
set up a day bed on the balcony for a
night of snuggling under the stars.
Also new is the six-storey Spa Tower
where men and women can enjoy 16
different sauna, steam and relaxation
spaces, in the buff. The mixed nudity
in the sauna and steam rooms took
me a while to get used to so, to start
with, I used a towel to cover myself.
I tried the body scrub in the steam
room and the relaxing salt-walled
room with heated leather seats. By
the time I reached the hops-scented
sauna with panoramic windows and
the rooftop infinity pool, I ‘d lost my
inhibitions (and towel).
108 OCTOBER 2018
H O T E L
Preidlhof
There was also the deep relaxation
room, with its 12,500 LED lights that
dance across the floor, walls and
ceiling as sound lulls you into a state
of calm. But the best aspects of the
tower are the sauna maestro sessions.
The hotel employs a sauna maestro
who performs with his partner to a
different set of three songs each day.
The show I experienced was to the
music of P!nk and started with LED
lights switching on and changing
colours to the music while the maestro
took most of his clothes off, revealing
an impressive torso.
Then they took a snowball infused
with citrus aroma and smashed it over
the hot sauna rocks before dancing
around, spinning, flipping and passing
their towels over the hot rocks and
fanning the aroma in our faces.
After leaving the sauna, there was
a wash area which offered an ice-cold
bucket shower, a cool menthol mist
and a warm mango-scented shower.
Outside the tower there are three
additional pools, and an extensive spa
offering dozens of beauty, massage
and medical treatments.
Each day the hotel offers a series of
inclusive events, classes and exercise
programmes, including gong therapy
and Nordic walking.
You can explore the area by
borrowing one of the hotel’s bikes
or Vespas for free or rent its Porsche
Boxster convertible.
After all that you’re bound to be
hungry so it’s lucky there’s a gourmet
menu offering regional specials at
the breakfast buffet — with honey
from their own apiary — as well as at
the seven-course dinner. Clothes are
mandatory, thank goodness!
Healing Holidays offer a four-night
pampering programme at Preidlhof
— including transfers and full-board
accommodation in a Lavendel room
— from £1,159pp sharing. Terms and
conditions apply.
healingholidays.co.uk
 NUTRIENT SKIN THERAPY

The Wellman® grooming

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 AJ Pritchard
116

MIND, BODY AND WELL-BEING

MARKUS BIDAUX

112 News 114 Grooming 116 AJ Pritchard 122 Matt Lister 124 A Problem Shared

OCTOBER 2018 111

ACTIVE

YOUR FITNESS JOURNEY

With more than 20 million users worldwide, Freeletics, the fitness app company, has established
itself as an industry leader in the five years it’s been around. Its original Bodyweight app
offers effective HIIT training anywhere, any time — as long as you can find a couple of
metres of space. The experts behind the app recently added four new scientifically
sound workouts, designed to push your body to its limit. Strength-training
workout Erebus and female-focused glute workout Amazona are joined
by two full-body workouts, Achilles and Odysseus. The last of these
was designed by Jeremy Jauncey: Freeletics ambassador, travel
influencer and Attitude-certified tall glass of water. As well
as a free version of the app, users can pay to access
the Freeletics training coach, a digital trainer
that builds weekly programmes to suit
fitness levels, preferences and goals,
as well as track progress — and
adapt workouts accordingly.

freeletics.com

Words Tim Heap

SWEAT SHOP
In an effort to tempt potential shoppers through its
doors, Debenhams have joined forces with SWEAT! gyms
to open their first in-store gym in its Sutton branch.
With 17,500sq ft of space, the gym boasts Technogym
equipment and digital health check points, and
membership costs that don’t break the bank — from just
£18.99 a month, including access to group classes such
as virtual spinning and aerobics. The department store is
already planning to open more gyms next year.
THE SMART MONEY
Twelve years since it was founded, Yorkshire-based sports nutrition sweatgyms.co.uk
brand PhD is expanding its Smart range, launched with the Smart
Bar in 2017, which sold a million bars in its first 45 days and was the
fastest growing protein bar of the year. Capitalising on that success,
the company has now introduced a full range of products, including
protein powders and shakes, flapjacks and nut butters — all high
in protein, low in sugar and made with quality ingredients. You can
even indulge your childish side and whip some of the powder into a
protein-packed Angel Delight-style mousse.

phd-supplements.com

112 OCTOBER 2018

 Swimwear Collection
Swimwear Collection

Connect & Win :

Connect & Win :
www.garconmodel.com
www.garconmodel.com
 GROOM ING
Edit & words Nick Byam

©2018 EA Fragrances Co. Britney Spears™ is a trademark licensed to Elizabeth Arden, Inc. by Britney Brands, Inc.
POP AYE
Luxury men’s grooming brand Marram Co
have introduced a new shaving collection:
Pop. The perfect travel companion, Pop
brings you a lightweight, flat-pack brush
and matching bowl. The brush is made
from concentric rings of high-grade
silicone to create perfect lather every time,
and dries quickly after use. And it all comes
in a convenient zip-up case. Available in SIGNING IN
blue, yellow, red and aubergine. Price: £59. Salvatore Ferragamo have
revamped their classic Uomo
marramco.com fragrance. The new darker
Signature scent is a rich and
bold sensation of leathery
notes topped with grapefruit,
mandarin and pink pepper
essence. The heart of the
fragrance is shaped with
cypress and the warmth of
cardamom and cinnamon.
Deep, dark notes of tonka
bean, coffee and patchouli
round it all off. Price: £45 for
30ml eau de parfum.

thefragranceshop.co.uk

114 OCTOBER 2018

 ACTIVE

IT’S YOUR
PREROGATIVE
Britney Spears is launching a new —
gender-neutral — fragrance, her 24th.
Prerogative has a seductive oriental
woody amber scent, and notes such as
latex petals and red calla lily. We spoke
to her to find out more

What was the inspiration behind

Prerogative?
I wanted to create a fragrance that says
no labels, no judgment: make your own
decisions, be whoever you want. It’s like a
celebration for everyone.
Where does the name come from?
None of us are defined by one thing. It’s
important to feel empowered to choose
your own identity and follow your desires.
I think that’s communicated in the scent.
How would you describe the smell and
what are your favourite notes?
It’s different from all the others in my
collection and men and women can wear
it. My favourite notes are goji berry and
red calla lily. They blend well with the
woody base.
What was the inspiration for your
character in the campaign?
I wanted a fun way to show the idea that
your role shouldn’t be defined by a label.
I get to flip the script: instead of being
watched, I’m the one doing the watching.
What sides of your personality does the
fragrance highlight?
It shows the confidence that comes from
knowing I don’t need anyone’s approval.
Do you have tips for choosing a fragrance?
Don’t think about what other people are
wearing or what you think you should wear
and don’t worry about gender or style.
Just wear what you feel like wearing.
What is the best non-fragrance-related
beauty tip you’ve learnt?
Drink a lot of water and get plenty of sleep.

Available from 16 September.

Price: £25-£40. @BritneySpears and
@BritneySpearsFragrances #MyPrerogative

THE NEW FRAGRANCE FOR ALL

#MyPrerogative

OCTOBER 2018 115

116 OCTOBER 2018
 socks, by Puma at Sockshop,
trainers, by adidas

L
et’s go back to the very
beginning. When did you
start dancing?
I’ve been dancing since I
was 12, so almost 12 years now. Before

STRICTLY
that I was into extreme sports such
as snowboarding and quad-biking
-— anything fast and adrenaline-filled.
My dad Adrian was a dancer and he
always said: “No, you’ll never dance,
it’s too much hard work and involves

SPEAKING
AJ PRITCHARD, the Strictly Come Dancing pro, tells
us about training, romances and what he feels
about having same-sex couples on the show
Words Thomas Stichbury Photography Markus Bidaux Styling Nick Byam
too much travelling.” He was Number
One in the world and told me it was
not a guaranteed future. But I decided
I wanted to be a dancer and a TV show
called Baby Ballroom came along. I
said to my mum, “I want to go on TV,”
and she said: “OK, but there is just one
problem, you can’t dance.” I told her it
was fine and that I’d learn. Obviously I
did awfully. The footage is locked away
in the BBC archive — hopefully it never
gets aired. The next day I announced >

OCTOBER 2018 117

301_Active_Featurehs.indd 117 31/08/2018 4:51 pm

 Aj wears shorts, by
Under Armour
at MR PORTER

that I really enjoyed it and wanted to

learn to dance. It started from there.
Is there any competitiveness or
awkward rivalry with your dad?
No [laughs]. I used to take lessons
predominantly with my dad and he
is just extremely happy that I’ve got a
career that I love. I don’t even class it
as a job. Choreographing routines and
dancing in front of millions of people
on a Saturday night is a dream come
true.
Were you ever picked on for taking up
dancing by ignorant classmates who
dismissed it as “gay” or “girly”?
I don’t think I was ever bullied. When
you’re winning European and national
championships, at the top of your level,
they see that it’s something serious.
They look at it differently. I was always
lucky because my school was so helpful
and supportive. My headteacher saw
that I could have a career and said, “You
can drop certain
subjects… as long as
you know how to read
“I use my trophies
your contracts and to keep pens
add up your money.”
What is the biggest
and other bits of
dance title stationery in”
you’ve won?
I’ve won more than my dad [laughs]!
I won the National Youth Latin
Championships three times in a row,
which was a first. My dance partner
Chloe Hewitt and I were also European,
British Open and World champions.
I’ve done quite well.
Where do you keep your trophies? Do
they sit alongside your dad’s?
I just use them as things to put stuff
in, like pens and bits of stationery. I’ve
got one that is big enough to put my
baseball caps in. I should probably
show them off more.
Would you say that you’ve been able to
cope with the pressure of performing
from an early age?
Pressure is a funny thing. For some
people it shuts them down, but it
wakes me up. The harder the situation
or challenge, the more I’m like, “No, I’m
going to show you.” I always turn that
negative into a positive.
Do you have any superstitions or
rituals before hitting the dancefloor?
As long as I know that I have trained
as hard as possible and that I’ve done
the routine as often as I can, that’s my
ritual: the preparation. Before I go on, I
visualise the performance, scream and
shout, jump up and down, and get the
blood pumping.

118 OCTOBER 2018

 ACTIVE

What about mementos? Do you keep out the window. We’ll film all day and
anything in your pocket while you’re night, then travel, film Lorraine and
performing? This Morning or something. I try to keep
I always wear this necklace [reveals a the fitness up as much as possible — I
gold chain around his neck], I almost always carry a bag of free weights with
never take it off. There is a story behind me so I can do a workout wherever I go.
it, too. My dad won his first competition You must be used to being judged.
in Zurich and was given a little brick Have you developed a thick skin?
made from Zurich gold. His one is in I’m my biggest critic. I will do a routine
a safe, but this is a replica. My mum again and again until I physically can’t
bought it for me. stand up. When it comes to the Strictly
Has a performance ever gone judges, you take it on board and try to
disastrously wrong? use it as constructive criticism.
There have certainly been memorable How often do you have to change your
situations [laughs]. Fun things such as bedsheets because of the sheer amount
my trousers splitting midway through of fake tan that is applied on the show?
a competition: “Why the hell are my It’s a nightmare! I try to change my
trousers down by my ankles?!” It’s bed sheets once a week if I have time.
entertaining for an audience, though. Aj wears I also wear long-sleeved pyjamas and
shorts, by
At least the performance could be Under Armour trousers: that’s the first rule. My sheets
described as seamless… at MR suddenly change from summery
PORTER
>
I never thought of that! You have
mental blanks as well. I remember my Aj wears vest,
by 2XU
first dance on Strictly Come Dancing
[in 2016], the introduction of the new
professionals. I had this samba section,
a couple of bars of eight, 10 seconds. I
did it fine in rehearsals, but on the live
show I forgot everything. I have no idea
what I did, but it looked great on TV.
Have you ever been seriously injured,
or injured a dance partner?
I’ve never injured a partner, touch wood,
but I’ve injured myself. I tore my knee
cartilage live on stage once. I had to have
keyhole surgery a couple of months
later, but I was lucky — within six weeks
of having the operation I won the
European Youth Latin Championships.
That must have been pretty terrifying,
though, being confronted with a
potentially career-threatening injury?
It is very scary. An injury can mean the
end of your career. It’s that extreme.
That’s why the fitness side is so
important, whether it is going to the
gym or stretching. The prevention of an
injury is top priority. I may be young at
23, but if I don’t stretch I’m not walking
the next day, that’s for sure.
Talk us through your fitness regime.
How often do you hit the gym?
I use my fitness as a mental cleanser.
I’m dancing all day, so a lot of cardio,
moving 10 hours a day. That keeps me
fit and sweating, but I try to do specific
weights, strengthening the muscles
around my knee, twice a week —
proper weight sessions.
How does your training schedule
change when preparing for Strictly?
I try to make sure I’m physically ready
because as soon as it starts, time goes

OCTOBER 2018 119

ACTIVE

Aj wears shorts, by
Under Armour at Mr “The strength of
colours and white to chocolate brown
MR PORTER, socks, by
Sockshop, trainers, two males dancing
as soon as Strictly starts. by adidas
What dance do you most look forward [together] is
to performing on the series, and which unrivalled”
do you dread?
I’m not going to say it’s my least
favourite because I love dancing it,
but the hardest to teach is the samba,
especially for a female celebrity because
their legs are so exposed. If you do it
wrong, it looks bad. My favourite is the
paso doble; it’s passionate, authentic,
and the characters and storylines you
can create are unbelievable.
What are your thoughts on the famous
Strictly “curse”? Is there such a thing?
I would say that because you spend so
much time together with your partner,
you end up forming a relationship
with somebody that you just can’t
explain. You go through an experience
with them. You go into a bubble and
everyone is so happy, and when people
see people happy, they go, “Oh, they’re in
relationship.” With my previous partner
Mollie King [of The Saturdays], we
trained for 12 hours a day.

Aj wears vest, by
2XU, shorts, by 2XU

GROOMING AND HAIR Nibras using

Estée Lauder and Paul Mitchell
FASHION ASSISTANT Hannah De-Castro

Have you ever been sent anything
weird by a fan?
I was on tour and a teddy bear arrived.
It had clothes on and, inside the layers,
the person had written their mobile
number and left a note that said,
“You’re amazing, I’m going to be sitting
in seat…” I politely left it on the side.
You’re not the tallest chap in the
Strictly line-up. Have you ever had a
hang-up about your height?
I’m 5ft 7½in — the half is very
important [laughs]. My height is my
height. I can’t do anything about that.
When people see me in public they
always say, “We thought you’d be taller
in person.” I don’t see it as a negative
one bit. Plus, I always get clothes in
the sale and so many shoes. I’m a size
seven, or a six in designer ones.
This is a hot talking point each and
every year, but would you like the
series to introduce same-sex couples?
I did a routine the other day with
[fellow pro dancer] Gorka Marquez.
It had a paso doble/Argentine
tango feel and we were technically
dancing it together as a partnership.
The strength of having two males
dancing — or two females — is
unrivalled. I’m dancing with Gorka,
we’re doing lifts, we’re doing a
concept that’s not been done on
the show before. But I think Strictly,
as male and female, as traditional
ballroom and Latin, should stay as it
is. You never know though.
If bosses were to introduce it, would
you happily dance with another man?
Yes, absolutely.
What is the post-Strictly dream?
I would love to present and do
documentaries.
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC1
in September

120 OCTOBER 2018

 H-INTENSITY
-MIN UTE, HIG
50 LA SSES
N G C
BOXI
om | @kobox
oboxlondon.c
k
 FOCUS

STRETCHING
YOUR WINGS
Being proactive rather than reactive is beneficial
for your training: doing a bit of flexibility and
mobility TLC around your time in the gym can
prevent injury and save you a fortune fixing an
avoidable problem, and it seems silly that the
easiest parts of working out — the warm-up and
cool-down — are all-too-often the neglected...
Words Matt Lister
Photography Markus Bidaux

B
y stretching, you can reduce stress, pain, stiffness, and your chance
of injury, while improving your general health, range of movement,
muscular function, performance, circulation, and — ultimately —
maybe even your quality of life. Not only can stretching help to avoid
injury, but it can also help to increase your mobility, thus your posture and technique,
allowing you to reap larger benefits from your training.

PRE-WORKOUT STRETCHING
Avoid static stretches, where there is no movement, before you hit the weights —
go dynamic instead as these are better for warming up the muscles you plan to
work. This will help them to become more pliable and less prone to injury.
POST-WORKOUT STRETCHING
Conversely, avoid dynamic stretching (where you move in and out of the stretch) post-
workout. Instead, choose static stretches around the areas that feel particularly tight.
You will be warmed up already, and dynamic stretching at this point can increase your
risk of injury. Hold each stretch for between 30 seconds and two minutes.
YOGA/PILATES
Not just for the yummy mummy crew, and definitely not as easy as you might
think! Yoga and pilates classes are available at almost every gym chain, including
low-cost gyms, and they’re a great way to destress after a hectic week and get a
little active recovery. There
are also plenty of super-sexy
flexi male yoga instructors
around to give you that little STRETCHING: A POINT
extra motivation to go.
MASSAGE Timing is everything! There are studies to
Treat yourself! Who doesn’t show that holding static stretches before
love a massage? Opt for a a workout can actually reduce your power
stronger pressure massage output from those muscles. The Journal
style such as Thai, Swedish or of Strength and Conditioning Research
regular sports. You’re looking found that static stretching before a
at between £50 and £100 for workout decreased strength in a squat by
a good standard massage. 8.36 per cent and reduced overall lower
For a cheap DIY alternative, body stability by about 22.7 per cent.
you can use a foam roller All the more reason to opt for dynamic
to release tension in your stretches pre-workout, and save the
muscles. static stretches for the cool-down.

122 OCTOBER 2018

 ACTIVE

STRIKE A POSE
Here are some of my favourite stretches. These are chosen to help mostly with positioning when performing lifts in CrossFit,
but they translate across the board for all sorts of movement patterns and exercises that require good mobility

DOWNWARD DOG
INTO COBRA
For downward dog, start in a
straight-armed plank position,
then lift your hips toward
the sky so that you create
an upside-down V shape.
Try to push your heels into
the ground to increase the
stretch through your calves
and hamstrings. To transition
into cobra, simply drop your
hips to the floor and look up
at the sky. This is great for
GODDESS POSE/PRY SQUAT stretching out your abs and
Drop into a wide-footed squat, keep your chest as upright as hip flexors. To increase the
you can, tuck your elbows inside your knees and, by putting your stretch, bring your hands
knuckles together, pry your knees wider apart. You should feel it closer to your hips, but keep
through your hips and groin. This is great for increasing mobility, driving your hips towards the
helping you to squat deeper and with more control through your floor. Switch between the
range of movement. Try to avoid rounding your back on these. two positions several times,
Prying wider and maintaining good posture is the best holding each one before
way to increase this stretch. smoothly transitioning back.

CHILD’S POSE
Sit on your feet with your knees as wide as they will go. Bend forward so your forehead is flat to the
floor and stretch your hands as far as you can above your head, try to get your chest to the floor. To
increase the stretch, you can walk your hands further to either side. Pull your ribcage away from your
hands for a bit extra, too. This is great for opening up your lats and your intercostals (the little muscles
between your ribs) which can help with pull-ups and overhead work.

PIGEON POSE SAMSON STRETCH

These are hips and bum hell but so worth it! Take one leg at 90°
in front of you and the other out behind you in a semi-splits,
then push your hips into the ground. You should feel a stretch
around the hip, maybe on the inside of your leg, and across the
butt cheek of the leg in front of you. To increase this stretch, you
can try to get your forehead to reach the floor, or rotate
by walking your hands around to either side.
This is the only dymanic stretch here and is great for your hip
flexors. Similar to pigeon pose but this time hovering in a lunge
with your back knee and front foot on the floor. Use something
soft under your back knee if you need more comfort. To
increase the stretch, thrust your hips forward and raise your
arms overhead. You can also pulse this movement on and off
as a pre-workout dynamic stretch.
SHOT ON LOCATION AT CROSSFIT SHAPESMITHS, LONDON

OCTOBER 2018 123

ACTIVE
A PROBLEM
SHARED
Got a problem? Dr Ranj Singh
is here to offer his advice
My boyfriend has always been slim, but
now he’s lost lots of weight. He doesn’t eat
much and is in the gym five times a week.
I’m worried that he’s become obsessed
and might be anorexic. What do I do?
Ben, Worthing
You might be right to be
concerned. There has been a
rise in male body-image-related
disorders, and many people are
worried that it’s down to things
we see in the media. Some TV
shows serve up images of muscly,
chiselled bodies that can create
unrealistic expectations and
pressures, and the effects can
be serious — sometimes leading
to body dysmorphia and eating
disorders.
Common eating disorders
include: anorexia (restricting
what you eat and exercising a
lot), bulimia (eating excessive
amounts then either starving,
vomiting or taking laxatives),
binge-eating disorder (episodes
of eating large amounts quickly
and uncontrollably), and OSFED
(other specified feeding or eating
disorder, where symptoms don’t
fit into one of the illnesses).
Most sufferers are female, but
up to 25 per cent are men or boys,
especially those from the LGBT+
community. Many will also have
signs of other mental-health
issues, including depression.
The symptoms that your
boyfriend is showing could
indicate anorexia. Other clues
would be: food avoidance, rituals
around eating, being obsessed
with not gaining weight, and
abusing laxatives or weight-
124 OCTOBER 2018
HEALTH
NEWS
HIV test kits
Superdrug has become
the first high street store
to sell HIV testing kits.
Instructions are easy to
follow, giving a result in
15 minutes with about
99 per cent accuracy.
loss medications. However, it
The testing window
would need to be diagnosed by a
period applies (the
medical professional.
time between possible
If he’s losing a lot of weight,
exposure and when a
it’s time you had a chat with him
test will give an accurate
about going to see his GP, who
result), so it’s a good
will refer him to a specialist if
idea to get retested after
necessary. This conversation will
this has passed. The kit
be difficult — sufferers are often
can also be bought from
secretive about their behaviour
the manufacturers at
— but it’s important to explain to
biosure.co.uk.
him why you are worried.
If anorexia is not addressed it
can have serious consequences.
Defibrillators
For every minute that
Prolonged starvation will lead
someone who suffers
to physical changes and severe
a cardiac arrest
doesn’t receive CPR or
“The conversation will defibrillation, the chance
be difficult — sufferers of survival drops by 10
are often secretive” per cent. But automated
external defibrillators are
only used in about three
nutritional deficiencies, which
per cent of cases, often
can lead to death. It can also
because people can’t
have a massive impact on the
find one. Now, the British
sufferer’s mental well-being,
Heart Foundation, NHS
with knock-on effects in terms
England and Microsoft
of relationships and work.
are creating a national
Treatment can take time, but is
database. The project
potentially life-saving.
will take about five years
If you or your boyfriend
and, once complete, will
need more support, the charity
mean a 999 operator
Beat (beateatingdisorders.org.
should be able to direct
uk) has a website with lots of
you to the nearest one.
information and helplines to
If your organisation has
call. It won’t be easy for him to
one, register it with your
talk, so give him time, but don’t
local ambulance service.
leave it until it’s too late.
IF YOU’D LIKE TO SUBMIT A PROBLEM FOR DR RANJ TO ANSWER, TWEET @DRRANJ OR EMAIL THOMAS.STICHBURY@ATTITUDE.CO.UK
In support of
 “Polar bear”
134

PEOPLE, PLACES, PERSPECTIVES

FRANCISCO GOMEZ DE VILLABOA

128 Real Life 132 Life Lessons 134 Real Bodies 136 Word on the Street 138 Table for Two
139 Buddy Brilliant 141 Films 142 Books 143 Music 145 Homo Fomo 146 Attitude 300

OCTOBER 2018 127

CREAM OF
THE CROP
Farm boy Ben Andrews grew up far
away from big cities with all they
have to offer a young gay man,
but he didn’t let that affect him
and now he’s reaping the harvest
Words Tim Heap
Photography Markus Bidaux

128 OCTOBER 2018


M
y favourite film is God’s Own
Country. I’ve watched it three
times, and every time, it gets
me a little bit emotional because it’s so
real. It’s the most accurate depiction of
being gay, being a farmer and being a
gay farmer.
I grew up on my family’s farm in
Herefordshire, on the Welsh border
just north of Gloucestershire. My great-
grandfather started farming here back
in the 1930s, so my parents moved here
when they got married. Apart from
going to university in Edinburgh and
having a year off to work in London for
a bit, I’ve lived here all my life.
When I was a kid, we were never
allowed to sit around watching TV or
anything inside. I remember being
about eight years old, and my dad had
me out grading potatoes. I used to get
50p an hour for that, which was good
money back then!
It was always a pretty hands-on
upbringing but I loved it, and when I
went to university I decided to stick to
what I knew so studied agriculture.
In hindsight, I guess I kind of
always knew that I was gay but you
don’t really have a name to call it
when you’re younger. You hear people
talking about it but it probably wasn’t
until I was 15 or 16 that I started to
think, “Yeah, that’s me.”
I’d been given a book on growing up,
which was the extent of sex education
from my parents. I remember there
was a tiny paragraph in the corner
of a page that said something along
the lines: “Some guys like other guys
and some girls like other girls, and for
some people it’s just a phase but for
some people it’s for ever.”
I continued to date girls until I was
18, desperately hoping it was a phase.
I was really worried that my best mate
from school — we’re still friends now
— might take it badly. We’d been so
close and I just thought, “I can’t fuck
everything up.” When I was about 15 or
16, my parents actually found a copy
of Attitude under my mattress. I can
remember almost exactly what was
in it. We sat down and had a chat, and
my dad said: “You’ll never be happy, it’s
not a good life, you’ll always be alone.”
I don’t think he was saying it from
a particularly spiteful point of view,
they just didn’t have the knowledge or
frame of reference they have now.
The farming community in
Herefordshire is very closed off; not
many people move here from outside
the county, and not many people go
away and do great things.
I came out to my friends at school
just after we finished our A Levels but
then left it until I was in my first year
of uni to tell my parents. Initially, it
didn’t go well — I think it’s the same
for a lot of people — and there were
a few things said on both sides that
I think we probably regret. But we
worked through it and we’re a strong
family unit now.
However, my mum’s brother and his
family fell out with us over it, and we
don’t speak to them any more. But my
grandparents took it well, which I was
surprised about, given the generation
they are from.
AFTER UNIVERSITY, I always wanted
to be back at home farming, but I knew
from years of growing up that trying to
find your life partner in Herefordshire
was like finding a needle in a haystack.
Back then, there was
only Gaydar, and the
chance of finding
“It’s not all rolling
someone on there in the hay like some
was almost non- sort of porn movie.
existent. Although
it’s a rural county,
It’s hard work and
there was nobody pretty miserable”
else working in
agriculture, and lots of guys just
fetishised the idea of a gay farmer. But
it’s not all dungarees and rolling in
the hay like some sort of Czech porn
movie; sometimes it’s bloody hard
work and pretty miserable. I realised
I needed to get out to find the man of
my dreams, then drag him home!
A friend of my dad had started a
company making crisps out of his
potatoes, and had employed a PR
agency in London to launch them.
He told me about this company and
I thought I could go there and try
my hand at food and drink, because
I knew about farming and food
Real life social
production, which the agency quite
liked. I soon realised that London
wasn’t really the sort of place I wanted
to spend my life, but it was great fun
and I made some friends there who
I still visit quite often now. But I’m
much happier back here.
I met John, who’s now my husband,
when I was in London. We were
both rowing at the same club in
Hammersmith and got chatting.
Coincidentally, he was at medical
school with some of my friends from
school, and we became friends first
then it turned into more. That was 12
years ago.
He’d been in London for 10 years
but is from Yorkshire, so he’s a country
boy as well. He was ready to get out of
the city and just wanted a big garden
and outside space and green fields
and dogs, and we’ve
got that together
in Herefordshire. I
moved back to the
farm in 2007, and he
followed a year or
two later to work as
a GP in Hereford, the
nearest city.
I know that my mum and dad
probably had the idea of me marrying
a farmer’s daughter and having loads
of kids, but John and I got married two
years ago in my parents’ garden, and
they were great. Mum did the flowers
and dad gave a speech and cried.
It was a great day because from
growing up hearing them saying
things like, “Ooh, the farmer who never
married, he’s living with another
man, isn’t that awful?” or making
homophobic jokes at the local rugby
club, they’ve come a long way and I’m
so proud of that.
My brother, who’s younger than me, >
OCTOBER 2018 129
social Real life

is also gay, so that was a double hit for

my parents — we’ve no other siblings.
He’s a teacher in London and was
always a lot more rebellious than me,
so it didn’t bother him.
I just wanted to do whatever it took
to make my parents proud, and to
come back to the farm and make it a
success and work hard and carry on
the family legacy. There’s never really
been an expectation of me to take the
farm on, but I love it, it feels like a part
of me because we’ve been here for such
a long time.

I’M 36 NOW and started posting on

Instagram a couple of years ago. We
supply veg to Abel & Cole, and they
came to the farm and did an open day
for their customers to look round, and
I did some posts for them. Then I did a
weekend takeover on their Instagram
account, which went really well and
I picked up a few more followers
from that, and people started asking
questions about farming.
I realised from that and speaking
to friends — many of whom are really
intelligent with great jobs — that
people generally don’t have a clue
about where food comes from or about
farming in general. So, I thought I’d
try to use Instagram to give a bit of an
insight into how it all works.
In France, people are so connected
with food and where it comes from,
and everyone, even in the middle of
Paris, has a local farmer that they can
go to for their food. I wanted to give
people the basics of farming and show
what it’s like living here because it’s
a bit grittier than a weekend at Soho
Farmhouse in shiny
Hunter wellies! “We’re aiming to establish an A friend and I recently launched
Since I’ve been using a new initiative called Agrespect
Instagram, all sorts of online community of LGBT+ (@weareagrespect), where we’re aiming
people have messaged farmers and share their stories” to establish an online community of
me from the farming LGBT+ farmers and share their stories.
community, from young We’ll be promoting it at farming events,
gay guys who are struggling to tell things behind your back and create and attending Prides to show urban
their parents up to married guys who rumours, but it’s a big enough world folk that the countryside is a more
are in their fifties, saying, “I’m married, that I don’t feel the need to pretend diverse place than they might imagine.
I’ve got kids, I don’t know what to do.” to be friends with people. I’m happy I’d like to think that me coming out
I really feel for guys like that. My ignoring them. in our county has helped someone else
generation had it easy compared Instagram has been incredible come to terms with it and do the same.
with guys back then. I know that it’s because I’ve spoken to people from I’m not doing anything particularly
still not perfect for everyone, I know all over the world, some who are proactive, I’m just going about my
people still have hardships, but I can’t struggling to come to terms with being life and not giving a shit about what
imagine what it was like for anyone in gay, some who are living happy lives people think. Hopefully people can
the farming community coming out with their same-sex partner, and not take something from that.
during the 1980s. I’ve been very lucky, having to deal with all the shit that so
like I said, there are people who’ll say many people have had to in the past. @bentheoandrews

130 OCTOBER 2018

 D

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AT THE AGE OF 13, I REALISED
I WAS GAY. I THOUGHT I WAS
THE ONLY ONE IN THE WHOLE
WORLD WHO WAS THAT
WAY AND INTO SPORTS.
IT TURNED EVERYTHING
UPSIDE DOWN
I heard: “You fucking
faggot” probably 15 times
a day. It was that kind of
mentality everywhere
I also played football and
LINDECRANTZ
it was tough so the decision
was really easy [to stay in the
closet]. I decided that it was
something that no one would
ever know and I would bury it
in myself
I WORKED HARD AND
PERFORMED AT MY BEST UNTIL
I WAS A GREAT ATHLETE. THAT
WORKED UNTIL THE YEAR BEFORE
THE OLYMPICS. I ENDED UP
DEPRESSED, HAVING BEEN IN THE
CLOSET FOR 10 YEARS
I took the first steps towards
coming out the year before
the Olympics. If I hadn’t, I
think I would have dropped
out. I came out to friends and
did my best ever jumps right
after that. I would have liked
to have come out publically
back then, but you can’t
change history
Sydney was a special and happy
Olympics, it had the most people
in the stands for athletics ever
132 OCTOBER 2018
life lessons
PETER
HÄGGSTRÖM
Founder and chief executive
o f Y M R Tr a c k C l u b , a n d f o r m e r
Olympic long jumper
Words Markus Bidaux
Photography Mecka Studio
Peter Häggström Lindecrantz
represented Sweden in the long
jump at the 2000 Olympics in
Sydney. But before he got there he
spent a decade struggling to come
to terms with his sexuality. Shortly
after the Olympics, he left sport and
moved into the retail and design
sector and also appeared regularly
on Swedish television as an pundit
at sporting events. After meeting his
husband-to-be and having kids, they
moved back to his home town of
Borås, the fashion and textile centre
of Sweden. Now 42, he runs YMR
Track Club sportswear. He tells us
about the joys of sports, coming out
and building his brand
ymrtrackclub.com
The Olympics was not my
most successful competition
but it wasn’t horrible. Looking
back, it is the most amazing
thing I’ve ever done
IT WASN’T DIFFICULT TO
LEAVE SPORT BEHIND AT
THE AGE OF 26. AFTER
COMING OUT, I HAD A
TOUGH TIME COMBINING
MY NEW LIFE WITH MY
FRIENDS AND BEING A
[CLOSETED] ATHLETE
I came out publicly in 2009
when there were no out male
athletes in Sweden. It bothered
me that no one dared to come
out. I was engaged and thought
I had to try to make a difference.
I was also inspired by Tommie
Smith and John Carlos from the
1968 Olympics. I interviewed them
about the Black Power “salute”
they gave on the podium and their
courage struck me
There is still a lot of
homophobia [in Sweden],
but more and more people
are coming out, especially in
sport which was my goal
I met my husband-to-be in
Stockholm after he recognised me
from TV, but it turned out we grew
up in the same small place
BEING OUT AND PROUD CREATES
A LOT OF ENERGY AND IF YOU CAN
KEEP YOUR HEAD UP HIGH YOU
ARE GOING TO PERFORM WELL
 social

Some people think us having

kids is a big issue, some don’t. All
that matters is for us to love our
children unconditionally and be
good role models for them

I HOSTED THE TV PROGRAMME

RAINBOW HEROES LAST
AUTUMN WITH MY BEST FRIEND
AND FELLOW OUT OLYMPIAN
KAJSA BERGQVIST. WE DID FIVE
SHOWS, AND COLIN JACKSON
AND TENNIS STAR JOHANNA
LARSSON BOTH CAME OUT
PUBLICLY DURING FILMING

My sports club, IK Ymer,

turned 100 last year so I
wanted to do something
for the anniversary. I have
always been a huge collector
of sportswear, I had this old
tracksuit from the 1970s and I
wanted to reinvent it. It looked
so good that I designed a whole
collection which turned into
my YMR Track Club brand

It was a side project until my

collection appeared in Vogue. It
was almost like making it to the
Olympics, I had to pinch my arm

SUSTAINABILITY IS REALLY
IMPORTANT TO YMR. IT IS
NICE TO INCLUDE THE LOCAL
HERITAGE AND IT WAS EASY
TO VISIT THE FACTORIES IN MY
CAR RATHER THAN HAVE TO FLY
ACROSS THE GLOBE. IN OUR
LATEST COLLECTION, WE HAVE
USED RECYCLED PET-BOTTLES TO
CREATE THE GARMENTS

OCTOBER 2018 133

FIGHTING FIT
In his day, former military man
Patrick Lyster-Todd stood on
the front line for gay rights. And,
at 63, he is still ready for battle
when it comes to talking about
ageing, his health and being
proud of his body
Photography Francisco Gomez de Villaboa
134 OCTOBER 2018
T
his isn’t my first appearance in
Attitude magazine. That took place two
decades ago while Stonewall and an
organisation called Rank Outsiders, of which
I was chairman, were running the campaign
for lesbians and gay men to be allowed to
serve openly in the British military. In the
end, we took the government to the European
Court of Human Rights and won in 2000.
Born into a military family — my dad was
one of the youngest colonels in the British
Army — I served in the Royal Navy for 20 years.
My career was varied and in many ways very
privileged, but I had to lead a Jekyll & Hyde
existence because, of course, it was a criminal
offence to be gay and serve. I created my own

rules for survival: 1) No boyfriends 2) No gay
friends 3) Only have sex with other service
personnel. It was a lonely existence.
Fitness wise, the standard RAF test in my
time was a 1.5-mile individual run, followed
by a 1.5-mile team run, where everyone gets
failed if the whole team doesn’t come in
within the set time. I’ve always been strongly
built (some might call it a rugby-player build)
and, like many gay
“Some people see me men, took care of my
as a daddy polar bear. appearance. However,
an inescapable fact
I don’t mind the label” of life that all of
us have to come to
terms with is that we age and start to sag in
places we don’t want to sag.
After giving up smoking 16 years
ago, when I was getting over a mental
breakdown, I found myself piling on the
pounds. I ballooned from 89kg (14st) to
146kg (23st) in five years, partly from
comfort eating. The strange thing was that
I then found that a lot of younger gay guys
were attracted to older, larger men.
It was both cathartic and a revelation.
I came to be happy in my skin, while
realising that, in terms of my health, I was
Real bodies social
accumulating unwanted
side effects, notably type
two diabetes. 
Excess weight took
its toll and, after a wait
of nearly three years,
I underwent bariatric
surgery six months
ago. Known as a sleeve
gastrectomy, almost
three quarters of the
stomach is removed through keyhole surgery.
It’s all gone well and, so far, my weight has
dropped from 154kg (24st 4lb) to 117kg (18st
5lb). There is still a way to go and the weight
loss is now much slower but should continue
for another year or so until it stabilises. I feel
incredibly better: local charity shops have
been inundated with over-size clothing!
I’d describe the relationship I have with
my body as very positive and that’s primarily
because I have high self-esteem. It hasn’t
always been that way, but today, and for many
years now, my glass is half full.
I have a fabulous husband who I married in
January — he’s 33 years younger than me, fit
and handsome — great friends, a rewarding
job as the fund-raising and communications
manager for the Haig Housing Trust, the UK’s
leading veterans housing charity, and a nice
home. My body isn’t perfect, but whose is? 
Some people might describe me as a “daddy
polar bear”. I actually don’t mind the use of
labels such as bear, cub and otter as long as
they are used respectfully. To me, they’re a
positive thing, descriptive as opposed to a
term of abuse or criticism.
It saddens me to see members of our
community who strive for perfection, then
hate themselves for failing to achieve it.
Eating sensibly and keeping fit are important,
but there is so much more to being on this
planet than nibbling on carrot sticks and
pumping weights at the gym.
My body and I have lived a life, a lucky one
in many respects, surviving and witnessing
a seismic, shifting social period for LGBT+
people in Britain. I’ve been the director of a
leading gay health and well-being charity
(GMFA) and Pride in London, the manager of
some of London’s best-known bars and Peter
Tatchell’s general manager.
I’ve also buried virtually all of my first gay
friends under the onslaught of HIV/Aids, and
was a volunteer on the residential unit at
London Lighthouse.
And I’m still here. Indeed, one day I would
like to write an autobiography. There must be
a story in there somewhere…
OCTOBER 2018 135
 John Oprah Winfrey,
because she continues to
have a massive influence on
all generations. She came
from nothing and turned
her life into something,
and demonstrates
rock-solid morals

KEVIN No one — I don’t believe

in the monarchy, I believe
in democracy

CHRISTOPHER
RuPaul. She has
already changed so
much for us over the
years and opened
SHAQUILLE Janelle Monáe. She has a progressive vision of today’s world
and the ability to make all people feel welcome in her music — regardless
people’s eyes to the
of sexuality and gender queer community

Frank
Yasmin Le
Bon. She’s
a stunning,
elegant,
fashion icon,
and a great
mother

136 OCTOBER 2018

 social

ANDY
Drag queen Son of
a Tutu, for breaking
down barriers

Ku Bar,
London

THE
DWAYNE
J-Lo. She is
a singer, an

WORD actress and an

entrepreneur.

ON THE
Flawless and
inspirational

STREET
Who is your dream Stefanos (host) Chet Baker.
queen of the world? He was an old-school jazz
musician. An icon. Aesthetically,
he was gorgeous, but I believe
As told to Joseph Ryan-Hicks his music could heal the world
Photography Nicophoto

SEBASTIEN Arrow star Stephen

Amell. He’s really in touch with
people. He has done a lot of charity
work alongside his acting. which
is admirable. He’s amazing... and
being cute helps!

Paul & Steven

Paul: Hillary Clinton. She’s a power b*tch,
and really camp. She’s basically a gay man
in a powerful pant suit. She was robbed
in the election
Steven: Kathy Burke. She’s real,
down-to-earth and stands up for people

OCTOBER 2018 137

 Table
For
Two
GRAHAM AND RICHARD
DINED AT M VICTORIA
STREET, LONDON
What were you hoping to get out of
the date?
Graham: I was in a long-term
relationship until May and this seemed
an interesting way to get back into dating.
Richard: I wasn’t looking for the
Heathcliff to my Cathy, but I fancied
doing something I’d never tried before.
What were your first impressions?
G: Richard had a really cute smile,
was bubbly and friendly. Plus, I really
wanted to steal his denim jacket.
R: He had his own teeth and a full head
of hair – an excellent start.
How different was he to your usual type?
G: I don’t have a usual type so I was
happy to get to know Richard and take
it from there.
R: I have a thing for tall guys with
blond hair, although I’ve mostly dated
average height guys with dark hair. He
wasn’t too far off the mark from some
of my previous dates.
Would you have swiped left or right?
G: Definitely right.
R: At first glance, left, but as the
evening went on, right.
What did you talk about?
G: We covered everything from siblings
and careers to travelling and exes.
R: We soon outed ourselves as gay
Tories. As there are only about four of
us, I should’ve proposed right there!
What was the most interesting thing
about him?
G: He’s a reporter. It was interesting to
understand how he learns of stories and
MVICTORIA.CO.UK
YOUR LUXURY MULTIFACETED VENUE
138 OCTOBER 2018
GRAHAM, 29,
STRATEGY
ASSOCIATE
IN FINANCIAL
SERVICES
incidents, his interactions with the police
at crime scenes and his court reporting.
R: He had a quiet confidence. He’s
obviously very successful in his field
but humble too. That and the fact that
he started out doing law, realised it
wasn’t for him and changed career
paths, which is what happened to me.
What was his best quality?
G: His passion. Regardless of what we
were talking about.
R: His well-groomed beard, which
blended perfectly into his hairline.
When I complimented him on it, he
admitted he’d had a trim before the
date which I thought was sweet.
What did you make of his dress sense?
G: I really liked his outfit. Simple with
a slight edge.
R: Classic chic.
Were there any deal-breakers?
G: He left the table to go for a cigarette.
I’m not a fan of smoking.
R: He explained that although he’d
had a very amicable break-up, it was
only about four months ago. I’ve
dated guys who aren’t that long out of
relationships and it’s never ended well.
What do you think he thought of you?
G: I have no idea. I’m not very good at
reading other people, but maybe that
I talk too much when I’m nervous.
R: Probably that I’m quite confident
and very loud with big hair which
RICHARD, 26,
JOURNALIST
doesn’t move due to the sheer volume
of hairspray I use.
How was the food?
G: Epic. Stop reading this and book now.
R: Divine. I don’t think I’ve ever tasted
such melt-in-the-mouth steak – and
I’ve had a lot of meat!
Any awkward moments?
G: Being congratulated by my Uber driver
for getting a goodnight kiss.
R: After the waitress took our dessert RATE
orders I made my apologies and THE
popped out for a fag. DATE
How did the night end?
G: We went for another drink.
R: We swapped numbers and there was
a little snog, which his driver got a good
view of!
7/10
What would you have changed about
the night?
G: Nothing. Great company, delicious
food and outstanding wine.
R: The last large glass of red in the bar.
I had to down it because they were
7/10
closing. I didn’t feel well the next day.
Snog, marry, avoid?
G: Snog – it was very good.
R: It was a decent kiss so, yeah, snog. IF YOU’D LIKE
Will you meet again? TO BE CONSIDERED
FOR TABLE FOR
G: We’ve exchanged WhatsApp TWO, EMAIL:
THOMAS.STICHBURY
messages, but he’s not the man for me. @ATTITUDE.CO.UK
R: Although it’s always burned me, I
like to date someone who’s a bit more
of a bastard.
 social

BUDDY BRILLIANT
In a celebration of queer friendship, we ask best
mates some telling questions and find out just
how well they really know each other
Josh and Sam immediately hit it off when they met two years ago at work,
braving the battlefield that is music PR. Bonding over a mutual appreciation
of pop princesses, dark humour and all-round inappropriateness, their SAM, 27,
PUBLICIST JOSH, 26,
bromance has blossomed ever since... PUBLICIST

JOSH ON SAM SAM ON JOSH

1

16. At what age did 16.

CORRECT! he come out? WRONG – “19”
2

16, with a girl called Claire. How old was he when he 13! It was his bff Natalie.
WRONG — “14. Probably with my BFF Natalie” had his first kiss, and for CORRECT! – “13, Natalie” Let’s hope not the same Nat!
a bonus point, what was
their name?
3

I know he’d want to be a jock, but I don’t know What’s his gay tribe? All twink.
who he’s kidding. CORRECT!
CORRECT! — “Jock/wolf”
4

When we went to a meeting at the London Edition
and his pen snapped in his back pocket and leaked
all over the pristine sofa.
WRONG - “Oh God, how long have you got? Brighton”
*cringes and departs this Earth*
What’s his most Getting white girl wasted at Celine Dion and seeing
embarrassing moment? his Pad Thai twice. I thought it was hilarious, but he
was mortified and didn’t get out of bed until 7pm
the next day.
CORRECT(ish!) – “Vomiting on his doorstep after a night
out” Possibly the location of the regurgitated food
5

Antoni from Queer Eye. Who’s his biggest Nick Jonas.

CORRECT! – “Tom Hardy and Antoni Porowski celebrity crush? CORRECT!
— both can stay”
6

Smoking. What’s his most Talking about his hair too much.
CORRECT! – “Smoking.” Needs to go annoying habit? WRONG – “Probably my cleanliness”
7

Slow people on the Tube. What’s his pet hate? Rock music.
CORRECT! – “Keep it moving, people” WRONG – “Liars”
8

Samantha Mumba. What is his secret Pitbull — I just don’t get it.
CORRECT! – “Not one bit sorry. Please tour soon SM!” guilty pleasure? CORRECT! – We’re not seeing it, either
Couldn’t agree more, Gotta Tell You is a CHOON
9

Bad boys. What’s his DILFs.

WRONG – “Oh someone funny. I don’t ask for much” secret kink? CORRECT! — But then he is a twink
We love a good bone… a funny one, that is
10

P!NK. Who is his Ms Spears.

CORRECT! favourite diva? CORRECT!

IF YOU’D LIKE
JOSH’S NOT TOO SHABBY, GUYS. IF WE WERE SAM’S TO BE CONSIDERED
SCORE: AMERICAN, WE’D HAVE A PENALTY SHOOT SCORE: FOR BUDDY
BRILLIANT, EMAIL:

7/10 OUT BECAUSE THERE’S NO

SUCH THING AS A TIE... 7/10 TIM.HEAP
@ATTITUDE.CO.UK

OCTOBER 2018 139

social Iris Prize

CRASHING WAVES
Dir: Emma Gilbertson | UK
Competing for both the Best British Award
46 and the Iris Prize, short films don’t come much
Dir: Joseph A. Adesunloye | UK shorter than this one. In just four minutes
We think we’ve seen this story a thousand times: the young, possibly closeted gay guy with a it takes us through moments of aggression,
crush on his straight best friend. We think we know how it ends. But this time, we’re wrong. This attraction and intimacy, against a backdrop
powerful film could prove one of the more controversial titles in this year’s Best British category, of forbidding tower blocks. This beautifully
tackling a difficult subject with unflinching honesty. choreographed film blends storytelling and
contemporary dance with dazzling effect.

The Iris Prize 2018

– five of the best
The Iris Prize Festival returns to Cardiff in October,
when 35 filmmakers from 20 countries will
compete to win the world’s largest prize awarded THE WORLD IS ROUND SO THAT
to an LGBT+ short film, with a further 15 competing NOBODY CAN HIDE IN THE
for the Best British Award. Here are some of the CORNERS — PART 1: REFUGE
Dir: Leandro Goddinho | Brazil/Germany
fantastic movies to look out for at the festival Don’t be put off by the long-winded title. This
moving, often heart-breaking documentary
tells the story of a refugee and his journey to
Europe from Nigeria, where gay men often
suffer terrible persecution. This is a timely look
at one of the lives behind the headlines, and a
RICK reminder that many LGBT+ people are not as
Dir: J.P. Horstmann | Germany fortunate as us.
There are a number of excellent
documentaries in this year’s programme,
but Rick stands out for its freshness and 47 short films and 13 feature films from
originality. Its subject is a deaf, gay porn star around the world will be shown at this
living and working in Germany. In a frank year’s Iris Prize Festival. Here are 10 more
series of interviews, he reveals how he came to recommendations you can see in Cardiff
be in the world of adult movies and how it has
helped him to find his sense of self. 1 Calamity (Belgium, short)
2 Evening Shadows (India, feature)
3 How I Got to the Moon by Subway
(USA, short)
DARIO 4 Mrs McCutcheon (Australia, short)
Dir: Manuel Kinzer, Jorge A. Trujillo Gil 5 The Other Side (Mexico, short)
Colombia/Germany 6 Postcards from London (UK, feature)
Dario is a sassy teenager who just loves to 7 Sauvage (France, feature)
dance, but his traditional family have other 8 The Things You Think I’m Thinking
ideas. Why can’t he be more like his football- (Canada, short)
playing peers? Why can’t he turn up to work 9 When the World Changed (USA, short)
on time? Why can’t he act like a “real man”? 10 Wren Boys (UK, short)
This delightful, uplifting film features a
charming performance from Javier Alberto irisprize.org
Bula García in the title role.

140 OCTOBER 2018


Words:
Guy Lodge
4/5
CLIMAX
Sofia Boutella, Romain Guillermic
This one-wild-night sensory attack
has been described as demented
provocateur Gaspar Noé’s twist on a
Step Up movie: those familiar with his
work (Irreversible, Enter the Void) will
know to expect a twisted twist indeed.
It’s his most kinetic ride in ages, starting
with tight, dazzling choreography as
a group of young, hot dancers get
together to rehearse a hip-hop routine,
only to unravel into violent, brain-
bending chaos when psychotropics
enter the party. 21 September
ALSO
THIS
MONTH
4/5
THE LITTLE STRANGER
Domhnall Gleeson, Ruth Wilson,
Will Poulter, Charlotte Rampling
There’s a Gothic chill to this classy
adaptation of Sarah Waters’ novel.
It’s a thoughtful, slow-burning study
of class and longing, told through the
eyes of a doctor (Gleeson) fixated
on a crumbling stately home and
the ruined family within it. Gleeson’s
miscast — a tad young for the part,
maybe — but Wilson, superb as the
wary object of his desire, gives the
film its aching heart. 21 September
4/5
THE WIFE
Glenn Close, Jonathan Pryce,
Christian Slater, Max Irons
It’s unwise to make Oscar predictions
this early, but there’s little doubt
Glenn Close will be nominated for
her ferocious performance as the
side-lined wife of a celebrated but
misogynistic author in this gripping
drama. On a trip to Stockholm to
PHOTOPRESS-CANNES-CMJN
collect his Nobel Prize, she gradually
leaves her shell — you can see where
it’s going, but Close’s turn is a riveting
exercise in itself. 28 September
Films social
FILM
OF THE
MONTH
Asian fusion
Standard rom-com formula gets a Far East shake-up
4/5
CRAZY RICH ASIANS
Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Michelle Yeoh, Awkwafina, Gemma Chan, Harry Shum Jr
With Idris Elba having recently seemingly removed himself from the James Bond casting
conversation, it’s time to agree on a new ideal candidate — and the good news is that he’s
right here. British-Malaysian travel presenter Henry Golding makes the suavest of screen
debuts in this lush, Cristal-fizzy romantic comedy: he’s charming and looks a million bucks
in high-end tailoring. Job done. He’s only one selling point, however, in an adaptation
of Kevin Kwan’s bestseller about a young Asian-American woman (Wu) who’s stunned to
find her history-professor boyfriend (Golding) belongs to one of Singapore’s wealthiest
dynasties. The film tackles matters of cultural and class conflict with a light, wry touch.
Not since 1993’s The Joy Luck Club has a Hollywood film boasted an all-Asian ensemble and
director (Jon M Chu) and that makes Crazy Rich Asians bracing, even as it delightfully rejigs
what could otherwise be a familiar rom-com formula. 14 September
3/5
REINVENTING MARVIN
Finnegan Oldfield, Jules Porier, Isabelle Huppert, Grégory Gadebois, Vincent Macaigne
Winner of the Queer Lion at Venice last year, French director Anne Fontaine’s tender-hearted
coming-out drama is a film of two halves, one rooted in a firmer reality than the other.
The first is a tough, honest, all-too-believable portrait of Marvin, a young gay schoolboy
discovering his sexual identity in a hostile rural environment, surrounded by bullies at
home and school alike. The other
rewards his resilience, fast-forwarding
to a more accepting future in the
Paris theatre scene, with no less than
Isabelle Huppert (amusingly playing
herself) as his mentor. The film
alternates between these timelines
to form a kind of cathartic “it gets
better” tale, loosely inspired by the
memoirs of writer Edouard Louis. The
contemporary segments are on the
indulgent side, but it’s still empathetic
and affecting. 14 September
OCTOBER 2018 141
social Books

BOOK
OF THE
MONTH

Words
Uli Lenart

The gloves
are off
Thomas Page McBee
pulls no punches
in tale of racism,
grief and modern THE SILENCE OF THE GIRLS  
Pat Barker/Hamish Hamilton
masculinity
The classics are full of accounts of the
ingenuity and heroism shown by courageous,
outspoken men, but what of the often silent
women? We know the story of the Trojan
AMATEUR War from Homer’s Illiad, but Pat Barker
Thomas Page McBee/Canongate reframes the story from the perspective of
Briseis, the queen of Lyrnessus. As the novel
Subtitled A True Story About What Makes a Man, this extraordinarily articulate, beautiful opens, she is waiting in the citadel, packed
and soulful book is the account of Thomas Page McBee (also the author of Man Alive: A in with all the other high-born women, as
True Story of Violence, Forgiveness and Becoming a Man), a trans man, as he trains to fight in Greek soldier Achilles and his army sack
a charity boxing match at Madison Square Garden, in New York. Along the way, he explores the city — massacring the men and raping
masculinity, violence, fraternity and sexism, but also writes powerfully about racism, the slaves. Briseis is taken by Achilles as a
abuse and grief. Through his experience of boxing, learning to punch and to take punches, prize and removed to the Greek camp on
negotiating the challenges and comradery of the changing room, and the betrayals and the battleground at Troy. Trapped in a world
strength of his own body, he embarks on a journey into modern masculinity and self- defined by men, can she survive to become
realisation. This is an extraordinary, humane and compassionate book about aggression, the author of her own story? Pat Barker is a
selfhood and love. Nothing short of superb. Out now Booker Prize-winner and the creator of the
Regeneration trilogy. Out now

ALSO
THIS
MONTH

GHOST WALL    THE RULES OF I’M AFRAID OF MEN

Sarah Moss/Granta
An unsettling novella
about gender, power and
control that immerses
you in its dark terror
and won’t let go. Under
the controlling gaze of
her father, 17-year-old
Silvie is living in a remote Northumberland
camp as part of an exercise in experimental
archaeology. Her father is a cruelly
abusive man, obsessed with recreating the
harshness of Iron-Age life. The landscape
around them, where the group forage for
food, is riddled with bogs, sites of ancient
human sacrifice. As the experiment begins
to roam into darker territory, Silvie edges
towards danger. Captivating. 20 September
SEEING   Vivek Shraya/Random
Joe Heap/HarperCollins
A refreshing and brilliantly
written novel about a
32-year-old lesbian who
has been blind all her
life. Nova can do many
things. She can speak five
languages. She can always find a silver lining
in something. And she can even tell when
someone is lying just from the sound of their
voice. She has honed her own methods for
navigating the world. But when her brother
convinces her to have an operation that will
allow her to see for the first time, Nova wakes
up to a world she no longer understands —
until she meets Kate. This is a fascinating,
original and heartfelt debut. Out now
House Canada
In this slender but
powerful essay, artist,
performer and writer
Vivek Shraya explores
toxic masculinity through
her experiences as a
gender-evolving trans person of colour. As
a trans woman, she grew up experiencing
aggression for displaying femininity, and
is haunted by the violence of men. She
was rejected as too girly as a boy and not
feminine enough as a woman. This is an
important contribution to the ongoing
discussions about gender, homophobia and
misogyny that resounds with trauma, brutal
honesty, compassion and hope. Out now

142 OCTOBER 2018

 social
Words:
James Barr
TAKE COVER
Why are radio stations not
playing Cher’s Gimme! Gimme!
Gimme!? (See p66). This is blatant
homophobia, but thankfully we
have the internet. The music icon
is giving me life with her album
of karaoke-booth ABBA covers
(side note: her spin on SOS is
perfection). But it’s not the only
giddily gay tune out there.
Troye Sivan finally dropped
his much-hyped second album,
Bloom, and it totally lives up to
the billing with lashings of loud
Eighties inspiration throughout.
I’m also obsessed with
Christine & The Queens. New
single La marcheuse is a glittering
pop masterpiece dripping with
desire. Plus, if you run the French
title through Google Translate, it
comes out as “stop Brexit”.
Not really, but we can wish.
PHOTO: @SUFFOMONCLOA
We speak the
same Language
MNEK’s long-awaited debut album
brims with power and pride
Make no mistake, MNEK — real name Uzoechi
Emenike — has influenced “twenty-gay-
teen” pop far and wide. The man’s writing
and production credits include Beyoncé,
Madonna, Kylie, Little Mix and Dua Lipa to
name but a few — not too shabby eh? And
listening to his debut album Language, one
thing is pretty obvious: Mariah Carey has
taken a swig of Harry Potter’s poly-juice
potion and morphed into
Uzo. Have you ever seen
them in the same room “There’s no shortage
together? Exactly! of sass, and MNEK’s
It’s been four years big-dick energy slaps
since we were introduced
to MNEK on Gorgon City’s
you in the face”
Ready For Your Love and it’s
hard not to be emotional about his LP.
Uzo has previously told Attitude that he
wants to be the role model for gay black
kids that he never had growing up, and that
aspiration feeds the record.
Crazy World opens with a reference to the
Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando. “A man
is told he’s committed a sin, all because of the
colour of his skin, a father is disappointed by
Music social
MNEK
his son, he’s coming out, he can’t keep it in,” he
sings. It’s a blistering battle cry that sets out
Uzo’s mission in life perfectly.
It feels pretty tiring to constantly feel
our love is a protest, even holding hands
with someone can be a terrifying reminder
of how unsafe we are. But Free takes us
to a higher place. After an opening from
Imogen Heap, the song swoops into an
angelic anthem bursting
with pride. Meanwhile,
Body showcases MNEK’s
vocal and production
powers in full force. “I
only speak English, but
another language I know
is body,” he teases as the
track dives into deep house synth that made
me feel like a Disney princess dancing in a
dream sequence.
There is no shortage of sass, that’s for sure.
MNEK’s big-dick energy slaps you in the face
on Girlfriend, which calls out a “straight”
dude for cheating on his other half with a
guy. “Neither you or your story’s straight,” he
smirks. Language gets all the snaps.
OCTOBER 2018 143
Db x Jay Alvarrez
LESS HUMAN, MORE BEING

douchebags.com
 social

ART THEATRE

MICHAEL LEONARD RETROSPECTIVE WEST END BARES:

This is our kind of art. Henry Miller Fine Art — a TOP OFF THE POPS!
gallery specialising in the male form (an area we’re Annual fund-raiser West End
interested in, too, surprisingly) — will present the Bares has previously left us
first UK retrospective of Michael Leonard. One of panting for an encore with a
Britain’s most sexy Wizard of Oz-themed strip
talented artists, show brimming with theatre-land
his work often tottie. What more could a friend
features models of Dorothy ask for? Well, this
on the move, year the company will be shaking
or in a state their stuff to some of the sexiest
of undress. pop tracks known to man, this
The showcase time at a new venue: London’s
at Coningsby Shaftesbury Theatre. All monies
Gallery, London, from the “do” on 28 October will
between 8 and go to The Make A Difference Trust
27 October, to fund HIV and Aids projects in
features some the UK and Africa. Make sure you
of Leonard’s have easy access to a cold shower
best-known afterwards because, gurl, things
drawings and paintings, notably 1982’s Changing are going to get hot.
Head, used for the cover of Larry Kramer’s seminal
gay novel Faggots, and his illustrations for The Joy Of madtrust.org.uk
Gay Sex, published in 1977.

henrymillerfineart.co.uk

HOMO ARTS FESTIVAL

AND WHAT? QUEER ARTS FESTIVAL

FOMO
The month-long celebration of queerness is
back and boasting a line-up of more than 20
events dotted around London. You can get your
dose of queer dance, theatre, spoken-word, art
and music to prepare you for the winter Pride
drought. Highlights of the event which starts
QUEER THEATRE, FESTIVALS, EXHIBITIONS AND MORE on 1 October include ambitious immersive
theatre performance Garden, circus/cabaret
show Pink Bucket and a Queer Prom that’ll
make up for the excruciatingly hetero one you
probably found yourself at.
COMEDY
andwhatfest.com
YOUR WRONG!
Condragulations to Phil Nichol,
currently starring in hit West End
musical Everybody’s Talking About
Jamie, who has just announced an
upcoming UK comedy tour. The string
of stand-up shows, running from
28 September to 24 November, will
see the Canadian comedian gunning
for Trump, Brexit, Twitter, religion
and people’s need to always be 100
per cent correct (especially when
it comes to grammar, cue the tour
name). Sounds right up our alley.
NEWO IMAGERY

philnichol.com

OCTOBER 2018 145

146 OCTOBER 2018
To mark our 300th issue, we joined forces
with Three to host a special exhibition of
60 of the magazine’s most memorable
covers since our launch in May 1994. Our
LGBT+ friends, and allies, were at London’s
Hospital Club to support the showcase,
which featured pop princesses, royalty, a few
knights of the realm and our community’s
biggest trail-blazers. While it was a joy to
toast the past, our eyes remain fixed on
the future. Bring on new milestones...
Photography Chris Jepson

OCTOBER 2018 147

148 OCTOBER 2018
OCTOBER 2018 149
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Photography Bram wears all clothing
Leonardo Corredor by Dsquared2

“‘I WAS ROOTING FOR YOU, WE

WERE ALL ROOTING FOR YOU!!’”

152 Wardrobe 153 Crush 154 Cowboys 167 Watches

168 Bright and bold 178 Favourite Things

OCTOBER 2018 151

 1 2

w. a . r. d . r. o . b . e
4
SCARE
WEAR
It’s almost Halloween but if
you don’t like wrapping up in
bandages like a mummy, try
these more subtle picks
5
Edit & Words
Nick Byam

1 // Skeleton camouflage backpack, £750,

by Alexander McQueen at farfetch.com
2 // Dracula sweatshirt, £20, by Topman
3 // Large ethnic cross pendant in silver, £498, by Thomas Sabo
4 // Spider printed t-shirt, £210, by Lanvin at Selfridges
5 // Striped jumper, £120, by Belstaff X Sophnet
6 // Skull-patch leather wallet, £550, by Loewe at Matches Fashion
7 // Double wrap bracelet, £175, by Alexander McQueen
8 // Gold skeleton embroidered overcoat, £4,090,

6
by Thom Browne at farfetch.com
9 // Printed cotton jersey t-shirt, £70,
by Neighborhood at MR PORTER

152 OCTOBER 2018

9
 STYLE

BIRTHDAY BOYS
River Island has hit the big 3-0. To celebrate,
the in-house design team have tapped into the
brand’s favourite fashion moments over the past
three decades to produce an 18-piece menswear
capsule collection. Keeping things casual, there
are supple leather biker jackets, cropped suede
bombers, with embroidered chest badges, and
rock ‘n’ roll skinny jeans. On the formal side they
have tuxedos, with satin peak lapels, and shirts,
in a palette of black, charcoal and petrol blue
accents as well as touches of burgundy, gold and
deep bronze. Prices range from £25 to £250.

The Anniversary collection is available in selected

stores and online
riverisland.com

c.r.u.s.h
Words Joseph Kocharian
MATCH MAKERS
Raf Simons’s reign at Calvin Klein is in full
swing and he’s turned his attention to the
brand’s briefs and boxers, launching the
Monogram series. They come in bold and
graphic colours with contrasting patches
and waistbands, matching the Calvin
Klein runway and jeans collections. So
SANDRO now you can match your underwear to
COLLABORATE your outer wear.
WITH HELLY HANSEN
French fashion house Sandro have calvinklein.co.uk
teamed up with Norwegian brand Helly
Hansen for autumn-winter. Taking
inspiration from the Nineties urban
scene, from Manchester to New York, the
collection features sweatshirts, t-shirts
and sailing and puffer jackets. The
stand-out piece for us is this red tartan
jacket.

sandro-paris.com

OCTOBER 2018 153

 WILD
SIDE
Dsquared2’s Autumn Winter 2018
collection is all about the rhinestone
rebel. Their signature pieces have been
given a Western twist with plenty of
embellishments and fringing that mean
this cowboy has the Canadian
duo’s quintessential dazzle
Photography Leonardo Corredor
Fashion Joseph Kocharian
Model Bram de Wolf, at IMG Models

154 OCTOBER 2018

 Bram wears all clothing
by Dsquared2

OCTOBER 2018 155

Bram wears all clothing
by Dsquared2

156 OCTOBER 2018

OCTOBER 2018 157
158 OCTOBER 2018
 Bram wears all clothing
by Dsquared2

OCTOBER 2018 159

Bram wears shirt,
by Dsquared2
cowboy hat, by
Jessie Western

160 OCTOBER 2018

 Bram wears all clothing
and hat, by Dsquared2

OCTOBER 2018 161

 Bram wears all clothing
and hat, by Dsquared2

162 OCTOBER 2018

Bram wears all clothing
by Dsquared2 cowboy hat
by Jessie Western

OCTOBER 2018 163

Bram wears all clothing
by Dsquared2

164 OCTOBER 2018

 GROOMING Kristopher
Smith, using Bumble
and bumble and
MAC cosmetics
FASHION ASSISTANT
Ciaran Munroe

OCTOBER 2018 165

 Hi-viz*

*
be scene

The C60 Trident 316L Limited Edition, with a bezel and case made
from rugged 316L marine grade stainless steel, is a classic macho dive
watch. But the vivid yellow matte finish dial gives it an eye-popping twist
that’s boldly on trend. Sure to draw admiring glances, whether paired
with a wetsuit or a jacket, it’s also a rarity - with only 316 of them in
existence you’d better make your move soon.
Do your research.

christopherward.co.uk
 STYLE

W.A . T . C . H
Words Joseph Kocharian

MIND THE GAP

The Velo from Larsson & Jennings is a watch
of many guises, fusing sports utility with a
classic dress-watch aesthetic. Its applied
luminous indexes and signature date window
add functionality, while the textures and
details keep it looking classic. It’s available
in two sizes and three finishes: the 39mm
features 3D casing with a circular textured
dial for an updated sports aesthetic that
complements the simpler face on the gold-
finished 33mm version. Both have a concave
ring, allowing the wearer to track seconds.
The new Velo is the gap between a dress and
a sports watch, filling the space for an all-
purpose watch that will accompany you
to work, to the gym and to dinner later
the same day. Then sleep, wake, repeat.
Price: £445.

larssonandjennings.com

OCTOBER 2018 167

 Ali wears all clothing and
trainers, by Givenchy

TRUE
COLOURS
Go bold with bright colours and all over prints
Photography Conor Clinch
Fashion Nick Byam

168 OCTOBER 2018

Ali wears shirt, by Burberry at
Browns Fashion, trousers,
by Bottega Veneta

OCTOBER 2018 169

 Ali wears all clothing,
by Balenciaga,
sunglasses, by
Oakley

170 OCTOBER 2018

Ali wears coat, by Tom Ford,
suit and jumper, by Paul Smith,
shoes, by Christian Louboutin

OCTOBER 2018 171

Ali wears all clothing and
accessories, by Fendi,
trainers, by Nike at Office

172 OCTOBER 2018

OCTOBER 2018 173
 Ali wears sunglasses, by 100%
Eyewear at Browns Fashion,
scarf, by Liam Hodges

174 OCTOBER 2018

Ali wears t-shirt, by
Versace, trousers
and boots, both
by Saint Laurent

OCTOBER 2018 175

 Ali wears trouser and
boots, both by
Louis Vuitton

176 OCTOBER 2018

 Ali wears all clothing, STOCKISTS
trainers and accessories,
by Alexander McQueen
100% Eyewear at Browns Fashion
brownsfashion.com
2XU 2xu.com

A A.P.C. at MR PORTER mrporter.com

adidas adidas.co.uk
Alexander McQueen alexandermcqueen.com
Alexander McQueen at Farfetch farfetch.com

B Balenciaga at MR PORTER mrporter.com

Belstaff X Sophnet belstaff.co.uk
Burberry at Browns Fashion brownsfashion.com

C Calvin Klein Jeans calvinklein.co.uk

CDLP cdlp.com
Christian Louboutin christianlouboutin.com
Chupi chupi.com

D Dsquared2 dsquared2.com

F Fendi fendi.com
Fila fila.co.uk

G Givenchy givenchy.com
Gucci at MR PORTER mrporter.com
Gucci at Matches Fashion matchesfashion.com

H Head head.com

J Jessie Western jessiewestern.com

K Kurt Geiger kurtgeiger.com

L Lanvin at Selfridges selfridges.com

Liam Hodges liamhodges.co.uk
Loewe at Matches Fashion matchesfashion.com
Louis Vuitton louisvuitton.com

M Marks & Spencer marksandspencer.com

Massimo Alba at MR PORTER mrporter.com

N Neighbourhood at MR PORTER mrporter.com

Nike at Office office.com

O Oakley oakley.com

P Paul Smith paulsmith.com

Polo Ralph Lauren ralphlauren.co.uk
Puma at Sockshop sockshop.co.uk

R Reiss reiss.com
Remus Uomo remusuomo.com
River Island riverisland.com

S Saint Laurent ysl.com

Soar Running at MR PORTER mrporter.com
Sunspel sunspel.com

T Thom Browne at Farfetch farfetch.com

Thomas Sabo thomassabo.com
Tom Ford tomford.com
Topman topman.com

U Under Armour at MR PORTER mrporter.com

V Valentino valentino.com
Versace versace.com

Correction: On the cover of issue 300,

Edward Enninful wears glasses by Moscot

GROOMING Brady Lea at Stella Creative

using Dermalogica
MODEL Ali Ibrahim at Elite Models
FASHION ASSISTANT Hannah De-Castro
PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANT Guy Gunstone

OCTOBER 2018 177

STYLE

Must-have Most fun person to do hair for?

tool of the I’ve been lucky enough to work
trade? with some amazing people over the
My Tangle Teezer years. Lots of musicians and actors.
brush. Their new Leona Lewis is beautiful inside
flatter version that and out, and has great hair to work
has a handle that fits with, but also Carey Mulligan,
in my back pocket Saoirse Ronan and Ruth Wilson
perfectly. I highly
recommend it even
for shorter hair

ANYONE WHOSE HAIR

YOU HAVEN’T STYLED
BUT WOULD LIKE TO?
Since Meghan Markle hit our
shores, I’ve been admiring her
hair. I’d love to get my hands
on that. Adele is way up there Best place
too. Both girls seem extremely for a holiday?
professional yet also like to
have a laugh which is the dream I’ve been going to Ibiza
combination
for more than 20 years.
I’ve got great memories
— some of them a bit
hazy — but it’s also the
perfect place to go to
chill with my husband
and kids
Favourite
T hings

Ben Cooke Favourite hair-

care product on
a photoshoot?
Words Joseph Kocharian

TOP SPICE GIRL? Sam McKnight’s

Hair stylist Ben Cooke’s clients range of
I’ve done all their hair
and went on to do loads
include everyone from Carey Mulligan sprays. My
of stuff with Victoria so
to The Spice Girls, while he also co- favourite is
she will always be my
owns Lockonego, on The Kings Road,
London, where the glitterati flock. Ben
the “cool girl”.
favourite. I spent nearly tells us his favourite tresses to truss It gives hair
10 years with her — and and whose hair he wants an amazing
her husband! We had
to get his hands on
texture, and
a ridiculous amount of makes it smell
fun together @benlockonego incredible.
It’s great for
guys, too
178 OCTOBER 2018