A ‘Freak’ film with Tru Style
ACTRESS TRUDIE STYLER has inked a deal with philanthropist and recording artist Ivan Wilzig that will make him a producer on her upcoming movie “Freak Show.” Styler (photo inset), who’s been married to pop singer Sting since 1992, will direct the flick about a teenage drag queen’s attempt to reach the pinnacle of high school popularity. “Styler will direct the film based on downtown nightlife chronicler James St. James’ novel of the same name about a teenage drag queen’s quest to become the homecoming queen at the conservative Eisenhower Academy,” says a source close to the production. St. James is the former best friend of club kid murderer
Michael Alig, who also wrote “Disco Bloodbath,” based on the infamous 1996 “Party Monster” murder that sent Alig to prison. He has signed on to consult on Styler’s “Freak Show,” which will star Bette Midler, Abigail Breslin and newcomer Alex Lawther as lead character Billy Bloom. This will be Styler’s first feature film as a director, though her acting résumé includes 1986’s “The American Bride,” and 1999’s “On the QT.” She’s also listed as a producer on movies, including a 1993 documentary, “Boys From Brazil,” 2000’s caper flick “Snatch,” and 2013’s “Black Nativity.” We’re told that Wilzig, who goes by Sir Ivan and is known for the lavish Hamptons bashes he throws at his cavernous Sir Ivan’s Castle in Water Mill, got behind Styler’s project because it augments the LGBT anti-bullying campaigns he works on with the Trevor Project. His musical undertaking includes last year’s recording of “Kiss All the Bullies Goodbye,” a song featuring Taylor
Dayne that was a mini-hit on the local nightlife scene. His Peaceman Foundation has donated more than $100,000 to nonprofit organizations that battle discrimination. Wilzig made news in January when his outrageous 60th birthday bash in Miami saw guests wearing animal pattern body paints and leather collars as they piled into the posh Nautilus Hotel. That party had no known link to philanthropy. But a few months earlier, in August, Wilzig hosted a lavish Studio 54-themed bash in Water Mill aimed at raising awareness for LGBT and anti-bullying efforts. Guests there included B-52s singer Fred Schneider, Village People singer Randy Jones and attorney Sanford Rubenstein.