Latest news with #HamburgerMary's
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Florida's attorney general targets a restaurant over an LGBTQ Pride event
VERO BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Florida's statewide prosecutor has subpoenaed records of a popular restaurant after it hosted an LGBTQ Pride event last month that the prosecutor's office says was open to all ages, even though a recent state law that restricts venues from admitting children to 'adult' performances has been blocked by courts. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier claimed in a statement Tuesday that the event at the Kilted Mermaid in Vero Beach had 'adult, sexualized performers in front of children." His office on Tuesday did not respond to repeated inquiries asking which laws may have been violated. The subpoena issued earlier this month asks for copies of guest lists, reservation logs, surveillance video and contracts identifying performers. The owner of the Kilted Mermaid, Linda Moore, is vice mayor of Vero Beach, which is located on the Atlantic Coast, more than 80 miles (129 kilometers) north of West Palm Beach. Moore did not immediately respond to an email and phone call seeking comment. Florida's Protection of Children Act, also known as 'the drag show ban,' was championed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis. It sought to punish venues for allowing children into what it called 'adult live performances.' Though it did not mention drag shows specifically, the sponsor of the legislation said it was aimed at those performances. Venues that violated the law faced fines and the possibility that their liquor licenses could be suspended or revoked. Individuals could be charged with a misdemeanor crime. The law was challenged in 2023 by the Hamburger Mary's restaurant in Orlando which regularly hosted drag shows, including family-friendly performances. The restaurant claimed the Florida law violated First Amendment rights by chilling speech. In May, a three-judge panel for the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals voted 2-1 to back a lower court's preliminary injunction that described Florida's law as overly broad and vaguely written. The case now returns to the Middle District of Florida for trial.
Winnipeg Free Press
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
Florida's attorney general targets a restaurant over an LGBTQ Pride event
VERO BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Florida's statewide prosecutor has subpoenaed records of a popular restaurant after it hosted an LGBTQ Pride event last month that the prosecutor's office says was open to all ages, even though a recent state law that restricts venues from admitting children to 'adult' performances has been blocked by courts. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier claimed in a statement Tuesday that the event at the Kilted Mermaid in Vero Beach had 'adult, sexualized performers in front of children.' His office on Tuesday did not respond to repeated inquiries asking which laws may have been violated. The subpoena issued earlier this month asks for copies of guest lists, reservation logs, surveillance video and contracts identifying performers. FILE - Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier speaks during a meeting between Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state cabinet at the Florida capitol in Tallahassee, Fla., Wednesday, March 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, file) The owner of the Kilted Mermaid, Linda Moore, is vice mayor of Vero Beach, which is located on the Atlantic Coast, more than 80 miles (129 kilometers) north of West Palm Beach. Moore did not immediately respond to an email and phone call seeking comment. Florida's Protection of Children Act, also known as 'the drag show ban,' was championed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis. It sought to punish venues for allowing children into what it called 'adult live performances.' Though it did not mention drag shows specifically, the sponsor of the legislation said it was aimed at those performances. Venues that violated the law faced fines and the possibility that their liquor licenses could be suspended or revoked. Individuals could be charged with a misdemeanor crime. The law was challenged in 2023 by the Hamburger Mary's restaurant in Orlando which regularly hosted drag shows, including family-friendly performances. The restaurant claimed the Florida law violated First Amendment rights by chilling speech. In May, a three-judge panel for the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals voted 2-1 to back a lower court's preliminary injunction that described Florida's law as overly broad and vaguely written. The case now returns to the Middle District of Florida for trial.
Los Angeles Times
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Miss Clair Voyance presents a drag parody to die for in Costa Mesa
When drag entertainer Miss Clair Voyance launched Broadway Divas at Segerstrom Center for the Arts nearly three years ago, she was not entirely sure how the self-described 'off off off off off Broadway' production would be received by local audiences. 'We didn't know if it was going to be a one-off thing; if it would be met with a positive response or negative reaction,' said Voyance, who grew up in Huntington Beach before earning a bachelor of fine arts degree in musical theater. To the delight of Voyance and the rest of the Broadway Divas cast, the show became a hit and found a new following. While Voyance anticipated audiences similar to the ones that followed acts like hers at drag clubs and bars, seats were instead filled with Segerstrom's regular theater goers. 'When I would look out at the crowd, I would think 'Oh I don't think you would be out at Hamburger Mary's on a Saturday night' but they showed up for the show and they came back again and again,' Voyance said. After the third performance, which closed with a number from 'Hello Dolly,' Voyance said she was approached by a white-haired woman using a walker. 'She said she saw 'Hello Dolly' on Broadway with Carol Channing and she said 'this brought me back to that' and that is a lot of the reaction we have gotten from our patrons,' said Voyance. 'It is this really special phenomenon that has occurred where we get to relate with an audience base we would never have direct contact with otherwise.' On Sunday, July 13, 'Broadway Divas' returns to the Samueli Theater with an all-star drag cast that includes Voyance, Leeko Rae, April Showers, Mama St. Merman and Dolly Levil, who will all perform songs from the Broadway songbook in full cabaret style. This time, the cast will present a double header, with shows at 1 and 5 p.m. and even more elaborate costumes, sets and songs. 'I want audiences to experience a drag show that will ruin all other drag shows for them,' Voyance said with a laugh. 'That has always been our little joke about Broadway Divas; it's hard to see other shows after because of the spectacle we put into it.' While Broadway Divas always started out as ambitious, in the years since its inception the show strives to become even better. After several sold-out drag brunches at Segerstrom, Voyance formed her own production company to develop the production value of the show and push the boundaries of what a drag show can accomplish. 'By doing Broadway Divas, I created Voyance Productions LLC. We are a fully formed production company, doing not just the shows at Segerstrom, but all over Southern California and touring things and doing the Comic-Cons, ' Voyance said. 'We have an artistic director, choreographers on staff, additional directors, wig master and costume mistress.' At this month's show, they are eliminating the brunch (although there is still Champagne) and putting on a 70-minute show without intermission, twice. Audiences can look forward to songs from 'Pippin,' 'Moulin Rouge,' 'Smash' and 'Annie.' The Divas will also be including a song from 'Death Becomes Her' the musical, inspired by a trip to New York Voyance took with April Showers last fall to see the musical on Broadway. 'April and I went to New York and got to have this whole 'Death Becomes Her' weekend and see the show and it has just been in our DNA ever since,' said Voyance. 'So when it came time to plan this Broadway Divas, we decided to do our best tribute to the Broadway version of 'Death Becomes Her' and it truly is a from-the-bottom-of-our-hearts tribute.' As an added treat, Delta Work, the Emmy Award-winning drag performer and stylist, best known for her work on 'Ru Paul's Drag Race' and as a podcast host on 'Very That' and 'Very Delta' will be joining the cast as a special guest. 'She is an internet sensation and we are so excited to have her,' said Voyance. While Voyance and her team have worked to raise the stakes creatively, politically they couldn't be higher. Voyance began Broadway Divas at a time when some legislators were pushing bills that would restrict or in some cases criminalize drag shows. The social climate continues to be tumultuous, which Voyance believes makes drag shows more important than ever. 'Right now, where our country is and the state of the world in general, I want people to feel safe,' said Voyance. 'I want the doors to the theater to close, I want [the audience] to not think about the news and have an hour and half that is just going to make them laugh, or move them. As soon as the show is over we go back to reality, but this is a small pocket where we can suspend that. That is really important to us.' After Broadway Divas, Voyance and her team will return to Segerstrom for spooky season, hosting the Rocky Horror Picture Show pre-show event. While Voyance strives to make Broadway Divas bigger and bolder than ever, she knows the work is also a form of protest for the cast and the audience. 'Existing right now is a form of resistance. My cast, we are all under the queer umbrella and you showing up and supporting us is an act of resistance.' Broadway Divas performs in the Samueli Theater at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 615 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa on July 13 at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.. Tickets, which start at $33.90, are available at and include a complimentary glass of Champagne (21+) and the opportunity to meet the queens after the show.
Scottish Sun
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
MTV star reveals she lost 200 pound weight loss WITHOUT Ozempic or surgery and shows off jaw-dropping transformation
Scroll to find out how she lost this enormous amount of weight 'SO CRAZY' MTV star reveals she lost 200 pound weight loss WITHOUT Ozempic or surgery and shows off jaw-dropping transformation MTV STAR Mistress Isabelle Brooks has revealed she lost 200 pounds WITHOUT Ozempic or surgery. The reality star, who shot to fame on RuPaul's Drag Race, has left fans stunned with her jaw-dropping transformation. 4 Mistress Isabelle Brooks has revealed she has lost 200 pounds Credit: Instagram/mistressisabellebrooks 4 Her lengthy Instagram post revealed she had lost the weight through hard work Credit: Instagram/mistressisabellebrooks 4 Mistress Isabelle shot to fame on Drag Race Credit: Instagram/mistressisabellebrooks Mistress Isabelle became a star when she appeared on the 15th season of Drag Race, and now has revealed her incredible weight loss. Outlining her she did it, she revealed she had shed the pounds through sheer hard work, without any medical help. Taking to Instagram, Mistress Isabelle shared before and after pics which show off her huge transformation. Writing a lengthy post, the drag star penned: "I've lost nearly 200 pounds in a year and a half. "That's so crazy to say. For a year straight I've gone to the gym nearly Every. Single. Day. "Even when I'm dog tired on the road, after the gigs. "For a year straight I've logged everything that has gone in my mouth. (and yes its annoying af). "Many people have their speculations on what I did to get here; like it has to be surgery, medicine or something extreme. "However the truth is quite simple… if you want something… just get off your ass and go get it." Continuing, she said: "Everyone's journey and reasoning is different, and mine has been quite a complex one. Trailer for RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars season 7 "I was never someone who felt disgusted or less than because I was big; which is probably why I have been for such a majority of my life. "This journey/transformation is more than just the physical. It has been a lesson in forgiveness, patience, determination and evolution." Mistress Isabelle also had some words of encouragement for anyone undergoing a similar weight loss journey. "For anyone working towards a goal, the best advice I can give you is to take things one day at a time," she penned. "The longer you put something off the longer it will take you to see the results you desire. "Life is too short to deny yourself the pleasure of being who and what you envision. "I'm not where I want to be just yet, but damn am I getting there." 4 Mistress Isabelle is a hugely popular drag star Credit: Instagram/rupaulsdragrace BECOMING A STAR Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Mistress Isabelle started doing drag as a teenager. After realising her talent, she was an original cast member at the drag-themed restaurant chain Hamburger Mary's, and also regularly performed at JR's Bar and Grill. But Mistress Isabelle got her big break in 2023 when she joined the cast of a very famous MTV show. The star was picked to appear on the 15th season of RuPaul's Drag Race. Due to her popularity on the show, she was snapped up for the All Stars spin off show, which is airing now on MTV. Talking about being on the show, Mistress Isabelle told Gay Times: "Going into All Stars 10, I really didn't want to prove anything. "I think that's what makes my character so relaxed and what allows me to have fun. "I, at the end of the day, have already become a star from being on Drag Race."
The Irish Sun
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
MTV star reveals she lost 200 pound weight loss WITHOUT Ozempic or surgery and shows off jaw-dropping transformation
MTV STAR Mistress Isabelle Brooks has revealed she lost 200 pounds WITHOUT Ozempic or surgery. The reality star, who shot to fame on RuPaul's Drag Race , has left fans stunned with her jaw-dropping transformation. Advertisement 4 Mistress Isabelle Brooks has revealed she has lost 200 pounds Credit: Instagram/mistressisabellebrooks 4 Her lengthy Instagram post revealed she had lost the weight through hard work Credit: Instagram/mistressisabellebrooks 4 Mistress Isabelle shot to fame on Drag Race Credit: Instagram/mistressisabellebrooks Mistress Isabelle became a star when she appeared on the 15th season of Drag Race, and now has revealed her incredible weight loss. Outlining her she did it, she revealed she had shed the pounds through sheer hard work, without any medical help. Taking to Instagram, Mistress Isabelle shared before and after pics which show off her huge transformation. Writing a lengthy post, the drag star penned: "I've lost nearly 200 pounds in a year and a half. Advertisement Read more on celeb weight loss "That's so crazy to say. For a year straight I've gone to the gym nearly Every. Single. Day. "Even when I'm dog tired on the road, after the gigs. "For a year straight I've logged everything that has gone in my mouth. (and yes its annoying af). "Many people have their speculations on what I did to get here; like it has to be surgery, medicine or something extreme. Advertisement Most read in Celebrity "However the truth is quite simple… if you want something… just get off your ass and go get it." Continuing, she said: "Everyone's journey and reasoning is different, and mine has been quite a complex one. Trailer for RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars season 7 "I was never someone who felt disgusted or less than because I was big; which is probably why I have been for such a majority of my life. "This journey/transformation is more than just the physical. It has been a lesson in forgiveness, patience, determination and evolution." Advertisement Mistress Isabelle also had some words of encouragement for anyone undergoing a similar weight loss journey. "For anyone working towards a goal, the best advice I can give you is to take things one day at a time," she penned. "The longer you put something off the longer it will take you to see the results you desire. "Life is too short to deny yourself the pleasure of being who and what you envision. Advertisement "I'm not where I want to be just yet, but damn am I getting there." 4 Mistress Isabelle is a hugely popular drag star Credit: Instagram/rupaulsdragrace BECOMING A STAR Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Mistress Isabelle started doing drag as a teenager. After realising her talent, she was an original cast member at the drag-themed restaurant chain Hamburger Mary's, and also regularly performed at JR's Bar and Grill. Advertisement But Mistress Isabelle got her big break in 2023 when she joined the cast of a very famous MTV show. The star was picked to appear on the 15th season of RuPaul's Drag Race. Due to her popularity on the show, she was snapped up for the All Stars spin off show, which is airing now on MTV. Talking about being on the show, Mistress Isabelle told Advertisement "I think that's what makes my character so relaxed and what allows me to have fun. "I, at the end of the day, have already become a star from being on Drag Race."
