Billy Masters 01.22.26
You may recognize model Christian Hogue as the face (and body) of Davidoff Cool Water. But he sure wasn't showing model behavior back in August at a Nashville dog park. According to witnesses, he grabbed a guy from behind-something that has happened to me in parks on numerous occasions. Hogue claims he retaliated after the other guy punched his dog. However, that guy says he simply grabbed Hogue's dog by the collar to stop it from attacking his dog. While no witnesses confirm either scenario, they all saw Hogue put the other guy in a headlock. The "victim" claims that Christian restricted his breathing-which I believe is the whole point of a headlock. But it's the model's mugshot causing a stir. Know your angles, I always say. He's due back in court this week.
By the by, Christian was arrested again just days before Christmas. Why? He was driving while using his cell phone. Hasn't he ever heard of bluetooth? As Judge Judy would say, this guy sounds like a real winner!
Speaking of hot guys, Gus Kenworthy is hoping to compete in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. Since we in the gay community always talk about him, we forget that he's an underdog on the world stage. After an acceptable showing at the US Grand Prix in Aspen (he finished 8th), he is in contention to compete for Team Great Britain. Because of dual citizenship, he has also competed for the US and won a silver medal in the 2014 Sochi Olympics. In addition to straddling two countries, here's something else you may not know-his legal name is Augustus!
FranÇois Arnaud has had a heady few weeks. While promoting "Heated Rivalry", he was surprised to meet a superfan backstage at "CBS Mornings"-Oprah Winfrey! "Are you enjoying all the heat?" asked O. "I'm riding the wave." Oprah smiled and said, "That's exactly what I was going to say-ride the wave and stay completely present in all of it. Just ride it. It's fantastic. I'm so happy for you. And the fact that it's coming at a time in your life when you're really able to accept it." FranÇois agreed, saying, "Totally. I think if it happened to me at 25, I'd be dead now. But now I can handle it. I know who I am." "You know who you are. 'Cause if you don't know who you are, you fall off." Arnaud assured her, "I won't fall off." PHEW!
On "CBS Mornings", FranÇois said that prior to going into production with Crave in Canada, "Heated Rivalry" had a deal with a "big streamer" in the US. But they had a list of notes for Jacob Tierney, the series creator-including "no kissing until episode five". Jacob's response? "Well, that's not what we're doing." After they showed a clip of Scott and Kip in a locked embrace, Arnaud made the following observation: "I think Kip needs to stop working out, 'cause he's a smoothie boy. He shouldn't have that body and shouldn't look better than the hockey players." You can see the entire interview on BillyMasters.com.
While in NYC, Arnaud was spotted on several occasions with co-star Connor Storrie, adding credence to rumors that the two are dating. They were even photographed together at JFK where they caught a flight to LAX.
The "Heated Rivalry" effect keeps gaining momentum. Everyone is talking about last week's "Saturday Night Live" parody (yes, we'll post it). Even the NHL has weighed in on the series. Commissioner Gary Bettman says that he binged it in one night. "It's a wonderful story. The content-particularly for young people-may be a little spicy, so you have to balance that out." I suspect young people are the ones least taken aback by the "spice". While no NHL player has yet come out, it's in the air. In 2021, Canadian Luke Prokop was under contract with an NHL team, although he ended up with an AHL team (I say as if I know the difference). Perhaps that was all for the best-the NHL team was the Nashville Predators! And while much was made of Jesse Kortuem coming out due to the series, he too never played with an NHL team. Just a matter of time.
From a new show to one celebrating its 50th anniversary. On January 14, 1976, "The Bionic Woman" premiered. Fun fact-Lindsay Wagner almost didn't take the initial guest starring role on "The Six Million Dollar Man". However, it was her sister Randi's favorite series, so she took it. And the rest is history.
On the day this column drops, Dolly Parton will turn 80! A number of her colleagues planned a celebration at the Grand Ole Opry over the weekend. But Dolly cancelled. "I just wanted to say how much it means to me that you're all coming together again this year to celebrate my big ol' birthday with some of my songs. Some of my favorite memories happened right here onstage at the Grand Ole Opry, and I wish I could be there in person, but I'll be sending you all my love, for sure. So, you have the best night ever." Does anyone have Dolly in their 2026 pool?
Didya know Joel Kim Booster rang out the old year by getting married? On December 30th, Booster tied the knot with John Michael Sudsina at the Exploratorium science museum in San Francisco. Reports indicate that there were 167 guests, including Booster's pals Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers. Photos can be found on our website.
Luke Evans will helm a Broadway revival of "The Rocky Horror Show" starting March 26. When asked about getting cast as Frank-n-Furter, he said, "I always wanted to do Broadway, I just didn't think I would be in stilettos and fishnets." Funny, that's how I always picture him. He's excited for the challenge and said his take would be "different and unique". The show's director will be Sam Pinkleton, who won the Tony for directing "Oh, Mary!"
Speaking of "Oh, Mary!", someone new is slipping into Mary's crinoline-perhaps the oldest Mary of all. Starting on February 3rd, John Cameron Mitchell will play the First Lady for a 12-week run. Can the creator of "Hedwig" bring a little "je ne sais quoi" to the role? My money's on him.
Another off-Broadway sensation is headed to the Great White Way. "Titanique" made a splash when it opened in 2020. Now the show is headed to the Main Stem, and it's kept some of its kooky, original cast, including Frankie Grande, who will reprise his role as Victor Garber. He'll be joined by Jim Parsons as Rose's mother and dynamic diva Deborah Cox as the Unsinkable Molly Brown. The show begins previews on March 26th at the St. James Theatre for a strictly 12-week run.
The hit of Provincetown last summer was "Golden Mean Girls"-a mashup of "Golden Girls" and "Mean Girls" from Jamie Morris, the mastermind behind "Mommie Queerest". Now it's hitting the road. First stop-Boston's Club Cafe for one night only, on February 7th. Not only will Jamie return as Blanche, but he'll be joined by the entire original cast. Grab your tickets at ClubCafe.com. Tell 'em Billy sent you.
Our "Ask Billy" question comes from Walt in San Francisco. "Did you see 'The Housemaid'? Who is that stud playing the husband?"
Not only did I see "The Housemaid", I went to a cinema and PAID! Here's the kicker-I had a screener of it at home. What can I say? Bad movies work better in a crowd. And I was right-it was bad. But there was no crowd for a film starring Amanda Seyfried and Sydney Sweeney. Thank God for Brandon Sklenar-a guy who is indeed gay porn star hot. If you look for info about him online, here is the first thing you'll read: "Brandon Tyler Feakins, known professionally as Brandon Sklenar, is an American actor known for his versatility and dedication to his craft." I dunno about all that-but he definitely has a dedication to his body. In fact, I am ready to kneel before the altar of that body...and perhaps on top of it! You can check out most of it (including an ass that won't quit) on BillyMasters.com.
When someone is changing their name from Feakins to Sklenar, we've definitely come to the end of yet another column. I mean, neither really roll off the tongue. But upon further research, I learned Sklenar is his mother's maiden name. See? Who else digs this deep? Just part of the riches to be found on www.BillyMasters.com-the site that always goes deeper. If you need me to go more in depth, just send a note to [email protected] and I promise to get back to you before Gus straddles anything else. So, until next time, remember, one man's filth is another man's bible.