‘Celebrity Big Brother’: ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Star Courtney Act On Preparing For A Debate With Ann Widdecombe And Michelle Visage Rivalry (EXCLUSIVE)

The cat is well and truly out of the bag, ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ star Courtney Act has finally arrived in the ‘Celebrity Big Brother’ house.

Prior to entering the ‘CBB’ residence, HuffPost UK caught up with Courtney to chat about how she hopes to promote issues of gender and sexuality, why she doesn’t think she should win and how she “certainly hasn’t” asked ‘Drag Race’ judge Michelle Visage for any tips on surviving in the house…

What are your initial feelings about going into the house?

I’m excited! I feel like I got to cheat on the big test by seeing half the cast that’s gone in already, so there’s been some serious Googling and fact-checking, and girding my loins for a debate. Well, at least with Ann Widdecombe…

Well, let’s talk about Ann Widdecombe. She’s someone who voted against LGBT+ rights throughout her political career, and you obviously represent the complete opposite of that. How do you feel about sharing a living space with her?

One thing with people like Ann on reality television, that I have general concern for, is that she’s hysterical and funny, but the things that she stands for are quite horrible and oppressive. I think it’s very dangerous to make somebody who is so oppressive likeable.

Having said that, I respect that she’s a very intelligent woman, she’s not like one of these stupid people who somehow came to power… she knows what she’s talking about.

I think it’s very dangerous to make somebody who is so oppressive likeable.”

I’m obviously not going to change any of her opinions, but I do hope to perhaps understand how she thinks that a woman shouldn’t have the right to choose what happens to her body or why she thinks pregnant women in prison should be shackled while in labour, or why she’s against trans rights, or why she supports the death penalty.

I’m genuinely interested to, you know, talk to her and hear more about how she’s come to those conclusions that seem somewhat closed-minded for such an intelligent person.

Maybe she just hasn’t come in close contact with somebody like me before, or somebody like India [Willoughby] before. So hopefully she might get to see that our similarities are greater than our differences.

preconceptions about drag queens. I think a lot of her comments are valid, but I think she perhaps is pigeon-holing drag as being one thing. Drag has evolved so much and there are so many facets of drag – from your East London drag to your Glamazon drag, and obviously ‘Drag Race’ has had such a huge influence all around the world.

I just really think India will soon have a new perception of what drag is and what it means. And I actually think that despite her comments we’ll have some common ground and get on quite well.

she later issued an apology retracting her comments].

I suppose I’d have to know more about her specific views, but I would definitely be keen to discuss that with her.

I thought that the “bathroom debate” was something that was just happening in North Carolina, but it’s nice to know that it’s not unique to America. Trans people have been using the bathroom since the beginning of time. It’s only now that this conversation has been raised that this theoretical issue has been created.

And I think it is used to oppress people, I don’t actually think it’s got anything to do with the bathroom, just as it was never anything to do with the water fountain when it came to people of colour.

I’ll definitely be keen to talk to her about that. I love conversation and getting down to the nitty-gritty and hearing people’s opinions, and I just love that this year, seeing so many intelligent and diverse people going in means that there will be lots of intelligent conversation.

On the last show that I did [‘Single AF’ on MTV], I was the oldest person by 10 years and the conversation got about as intelligent as what colour lip gloss to wear, so I’m looking forward to some mental stimulation. And possibly some physical, who knows?

dating show ‘Single AF’” alt=”Courtney and the cast of MTV’s dating show ‘Single AF’” data-credit=”Eamonn M. McCormack via Getty Images” data-portal-copyright=”Eamonn M. McCormack via Getty Images” data-provider=”getty” data-provider-asset-id=”800784556″ data-has-syndication-rights=”true”>

Is any part of you concerned that discussing these topics that so many people don’t understand might backfire or not go down well with reality TV viewers?

I think that any kind of discomfort stems from ignorance and I think that by talking about these topics, people will come to understand them.

As ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ fans can attest, you definitely have a competitive streak. Are you feeling competitive this time around?

I’d love to make it to the final… but I actually don’t think that I should be allowed to win. I know that’s not something that I should think, but it’s ‘Year Of The Woman’. We live in a patriarchy where men make the rules and men define the narrative, and things have been in men’s favour for so long, and I think the script should be flipped and a woman should win… although if it had to be a male-bodied person, I’d like it to be me.

I actually don’t think that I should be allowed to win… it’s ‘Year Of The Woman’.”

Going into this experience, is getting further than Michelle Visage [‘Drag Race’ judge and fifth place contestant in ‘CBB’ 2015] something you’re thinking about?

Fuck yeah. You just know that Michelle Visage is sitting somewhere in the world right now fuuuuuuuming. And I would be lying if I said that it didn’t bring me no end of joy.

I thought you’d have reached out to Michelle for tips on surviving in the house?

No. Certainly not.

I saw they’ve announced John Barnes who is the… footballer? I feel like football players… I’m often threatened by alpha males, or at least historically I have been. Now I like to put on my favourite costume and stand up against them…

But the UK has got such a different relationship with masculinity. Whether it’s John Lennon or Harry Styles… none of these are typical “alpha males”. The UK respects that, but in Australia and America it’s still very much about masculinity.

Even David Beckham! I’m loathe to use the term “metrosexual”, but he seems like a pretty cool guy, and he’s a soccer player. So I don’t know whether John is going to be of the David Beckham variety of football player, or whether he’ll be a little more oppressive.

photo” alt=”Courtney’s official ‘CBB’ photo” data-credit=”Channel 5″ data-portal-copyright=”Channel 5″ data-provider=”Other” data-provider-asset-id=”206003099″ data-has-syndication-rights=”false”>

Who would be your dream male housemate, and who would be your nightmare male housemates?

Dream housemate… a handsome, intelligent gentleman, aged 28 to 40, who is somewhere on the sexuality spectrum, likes boys, likes girls, and perhaps somebody in between. And terror housemate would just be a meathead, opinionated alpha male. Piers Morgan would be a nightmare housemate.

How would you cope if you ended up in the house with a “meathead” like you described?

Look, in real life, when I’m in drag and they’ve had a few drinks, it’s shocking to see how quickly those sorts of people who are against any idea of homosexuality or gender diversity can bend and start flirting… and even on several occasions making out and going even further with me. Behind a closed door.

So often I think a lot of that meathead bravado is actually a distraction for things that lie beneath the surface.

“My terror housemate would just be a meathead, opinionated alpha male. Piers Morgan would be a nightmare.”

With cameras filming you 24/7, how much will we see Shane, how much will we see Courtney, and how much of a difference is there between the two?

There are so many times I’ll be going out to a party, and I just think, “going to this party in drag would be so much more fun”. And so I think there will be times in the house where I just wanna get up in drag.

I’ve got so many great outfits, I’ve been allowed four bags, whereas everybody else gets two, because I’m dressing for two genders – male privilege is alive and well! – but I’ve got so many great costumes and I wanna wear them all. I can’t wait to put them on.

How do you anticipate someone like Ann will react to you coming out of the bedroom in full drag?

I mean, how could you not love it? It looks so pretty and so fun and there are so many sparkles! If you don’t have an appreciation for things that sparkle – then we’re going to have a problem.

Standing up and doing the right thing is more important than anything… so I look forward to any confrontation.”

Is part of you secretly hoping you’ll wind her up a bit by coming out in drag?

Look, I think that any preconceptions will quickly be dispelled – I feel like these are famous last words – when people meet me.

I’m just about having a good time and enjoying company and having fun. Maybe I’m being ignorant here, but I feel like most people just want to connect to other people and have a good time. So I’m hoping they’ll look past anything they might think is a bit strange and see somebody who’s having fun.

You say that, but ‘Celebrity Big Brother’ is notorious for its arguments. How do you deal with that kind of confrontation?

I really like confrontation, but I like balanced confrontation. So if there’s a man speaking down to a woman who isn’t comfortable defending herself, then I’m more than happy to be an ally to either a woman, a minority or anyone in the house who’s being bullied or discriminated against.

Standing up and doing the right thing is more important than… anything, really. So I look forward to any confrontation, and hopefully that will lead to education and transformation of those opinions.

‘Celebrity Big Brother’ airs every night on Channel 5.

www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/celebrity-big-brother-courtney-act-rupauls-drag-race_uk_5a4faebee4b01e1a4b14cd31

John Worboys: CPS Defends Decision Not To Pursue Scores Of Complaints Against The ‘Black Cab Rapist’
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has defended its decision not to pursue scores of complaints against ‘black cab rapist’ John Worboys.

The comments come after it was announced on Thursday that the parole board had approved Worboys’ release following an oral hearing.

The move sparked an immediate backlash, with women’s rights campaigners and charity workers criticising the “shocking” decision to release the 60-year-old from custody.

Worboys used alcohol and drugs to incapacitate his victims between 2002 and 2008.

The licensed London black cab driver told some women he had won money at a casino or lottery and offered them spiked champagne in an invitation to celebrate with him.

Questions have been raised about the decision by prosecutors not to pursue further allegations against the serial sex attacker.

More than 100 complainants came forward with accusations against Worboys but he was only convicted of 19.

The CPS said that of the 83 complainants initially referred to them by the Metropolitan Police Service during their investigation, just 14 passed the evidential test.

The cases of three more complainants referred to the CPS ahead of the trial passed the evidential test, but the CPS didn’t pursue these.

The CPS said “at that stage it had been decided that there were sufficient counts on the indictment to enable the judge to impose an appropriate sentence in the event of conviction”.

The CPS said its decision was taken in “full consultation” with the police.

Worboys was charged with 23 offences in April 2008, with the CPS believing “there was a realistic prospect of conviction”.

He was convicted of 19 of those offences following his trial in March 2009.

The Met Police informed the CPS that 19 more complainants had come forward following his conviction.

But the CPS said it would “be unlikely that it would be in the public interest” to prosecute Worboys in relation to allegations of sexual assault or administering a substance with intent because it would not impact sentencing.

The CPS said that former director of public prosecutions Sir Keir Starmer did not have “any involvement in the decision making” of the case.

Scotland Yard said that there is currently no live investigation “as no new information has been received at this time”.

“Should any further information come to light it will be fully investigated,” police added.

On Friday the chairman of the Parole Board “apologised unreservedly” for not informing victims of Worboys’ release.

Nick Hardwick said that he was “very surprised and shocked” to hear that victims had learnt about his release through media reports the previous day, and acknowledged it “would have been absolutely horrible for them”.

But he told the Today programme that it was the job of the Victim Contact Service to liaise with victims and the Parole Board believed they had done so in this case.

The Ministry of Justice has since said that not all of Warboys victims chose to be updated about decisions relating to his imprisonment.

www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/john-worboys-cps-defence_uk_5a4fc372e4b089e14dbaa1ee

Golden Opportunity: What to Look for at the Golden Globe Awards

The 75th annual Golden Globe Awards on Sunday features a number of groundbreaking stories about LGBTQ people and celebrates the LGBTQ actors and allies who brought them to the screen. The award show will be hosted by Seth Meyers, a longtime advocate who received the HRC Equality Award last year.  

All eyes will be on the red carpet, as many actors have confirmed they will be wearing all black as a show of solidarity with the #MeToo movement against sexual assault and harassment.  

Last year, several other noted LGBTQ people and allies were nominated and the groundbreaking film “Moonlight” made history when it won for Best Motion Picture – Drama.

Here’s who could make history this year:

• Emma Stone and Steve Carell are nominated for their roles in “Battle of the Sexes,” a film depicting the life of out athlete and longtime HRC supporter Billie Jean King. King, honored by HRC with a National Equality Award in 2006, spoke at last year’s HRC National Dinner.
• Nominated for Best Motion Picture – Foreign Language, the Chilean drama “A Fantastic Woman” tells the story of the struggles of a young transgender woman after her partner suddenly dies. The film stars Daniela Vega, a transgender actor and lyrical singer.
• “Will & Grace,” which has been critical to changing hearts and minds around LGBTQ issues, is nominated for Best TV Series – Musical or Comedy. Cast member Eric McCormack is nominated for his role in the series. HRC was proud to be featured in the premiere of the series’ reboot with a special cameo.
• “Call Me By Your Name,” a coming-of-age story featuring a same-sex relationship, is nominated in three categories, including Best Motion Picture – Drama.
• Meryl Streep, honored by HRC with an Ally for Equality Award last year, is nominated for her role in “The Post,” a movie in which she plays Katharine Graham, the first female publisher of a major newspaper in the U.S.  
• Allison Janney, an ally and HRC supporter, is nominated for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture for her role in “I, Tonya.”
• Richard Jenkins received a nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role for playing Giles, a gay man in the fantasy film “The Shape of Water.”
• Ryan Murphy’s “FEUD: Bette and Joan” received four nominations, including Best Television Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television. Susan Sarandon, a longtime ally, is also nominated, alongside “FEUD” co-star Jessica Lange.

HRC is proud to call so many of these nominees longtime HRC supporters and leaders in the fight for LGBTQ equality, and we wish them the best of luck. The Golden Globe Awards will air Sunday at 8 p.m. EST on NBC.

www.hrc.org/blog/golden-opportunity-what-to-look-for-at-the-golden-globe-awards?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed