THE INSIDE WORD
BIG MILESTONE FOR STAR CROSS LOVERS
A BIG, happy anniversary to Billy and Jackie Cross.
Nothing to do with weddings, first dates or the like but all to do with celebrating 20 years of their hunkathon Thunder from Down Under performing in Las Vegas.
“It has been an amazing journey,” said Jackie. “From a little show started by Billy in The Penthouse as Manpower to all these years later being a staple on the Vegas strip.
“For the last 19 of those years we have been at The Excalibur Hotel and Casino and last weekend we recorded the best numbers ever in our history.
“It works because it is 100 per cent Aussie. Average guys, who are not dancers, getting up on stage and having a great time and the mainly female audience respond wildly to that enthusiasm.”
Cindy Lauper sings Girls Just Wanna Have Fun and judging by the reaction of the crowd it is definitely true.
“We started over there because we toured America a few times and got a bit of a buzz happening. It was a dream of Billy’s to have a show in Vegas so he met some people who loved his knockabout humour and the show and gave us a stint. It has steamrolled from there.”
LYNN’S FREE AND FAMOUS AWARD
WE mentioned a few weeks back about Lynn Santer’s 20year odyssey to expose the inhumane trophy hunting industry via her film Land of the Free.
Last weekend it premiered at the Marina del Rey International Film Festival, the first of many festivals it has been accepted into around the world. In great news for Lynn (left below) and her dedicated team of supporters, including Priscilla Presley (middle below) and Tippi Hedren (right below), Land of the Free has won Audience Choice Best Film, the first of what is sure to be many awards.
21 YEARS FOR REALTY’S KING COLE
A BIG week for leading realtor Lucy Cole who this week celebrated 21 years selling property under her own banner.
There should be many tales to tell about deals, counter offers and closing a contract but Lucy is keeping her lips sealed – dammit.
Lucy was also announced as an ambassador for Meals on Wheels in Broadbeach: “It is something I am very passionate about because it does so much good for those who need help. Not just with meals but also providing some human contact for those who often can’t get out.
“Covid restrictions have really affected those least able to get about so this is a little something I can do.
“You don’t need to drive to help either – administration, packaging, cooking – whatever you can do they will find a way for you to contribute.”
HATING PETER TATCHELL – AND LOVING IT
GOLD Coast filmmaker Christopher Amos (right below) has completed a 20-year journey that is receiving rave reviews around the globe.
His documentary Hating Peter Tatchell (pictured middle) is about to have its Australian
premiere at the Melbourne Film Festival on August 11 after debuting on Netflix around the world.
“I have known Peter since I worked in London in 2001,” Christopher said.
“He has been a humanrights activist in the UK and globally since the 1970s.
“I was the editor of a gay magazine and I would commission him to write a monthly column addressing LGBT+ issues. The documentary is a compelling story because Peter always asks tough questions, he puts himself in harm’s way in the pursuit of equality.
“He can be confronting and provocative but is someone I felt was worthy of a featurelength documentary.
“But it was a tough sell to get funding. In fact, I had to move back from London to Queensland where Veronica Fury from Wildbear Entertainment in Brisbane believed in the project and here we are.”
Helping Christopher to persevere with his dream was the backing of some high-profile stars. “Elton John and his husband David Furnish were incredibly helpful – Elton gifted me a song for the closing credits to the film. Sir Ian McKellen (pictured left below) also gave us his time and appears throughout the film, which hopefully will draw in audiences to watch our documentary.
“I am so grateful Peter entrusted his story to me. I suspect he knew that I had his best interests at heart from our long friendship.”
You can watch the screening online at https:// miff.com.au/
NEXT CHAPTER IN TALE OF RICH AND SHAMELESS
NOT all is as it seems in this tawdry tale from the next exciting chapter of the rich and the shameless.
The female half of this couple has been spotted exiting from a luxury high-rise in the early morning after spending quality time with her latest beau.
Hubby dearest has been told that she is attending an early morning exercise class which could cover the fact that when she returns home she is still hot and sweaty. The blame isn’t all on her shoulders because the man of the house is reportedly a huge fan of Bolivian marching powder, which could explain his recent erratic behaviour.