2017 was truly a remarkable year for the LGBTQ community, especially in the entertainment field which showed so many incredible performers earn praise for the work that they do.
Instinct Magazine is taking a look back at some of our favorite entertainers from this past year, who made us laugh, cry, and warmed our hearts from January to December on the big and small screen, radio, stage and more.
Take a look.
The cast of Will & Grace
Early in 2017, there were rumblings about the show doing a reboot after the entire cast did one scene about the 2016 election called #votehoney. Regardless of your political views, it was very evident that the chemistry the four had with one another was still sharp as a tack ten years later, and NBC quickly realized that and brought the show back it's Thursday night line up after going off the air in 2006.
Although there have only been a handful of episodes so far (and a special Christmas one), the four picked up right where they left off (minus the original series finale) and it's like time hasn't changed anything. Part of what makes this work is that it's still just them, with some great guest stars who only enhance each episode (Jane Lynch and Andrew Rannells for example) yet the core of the show is still about the four of them and their everyday lives.
It's truly a shame that Megan Mullally has received no nominations for her work as of yet, as the episode where her maid & best friend Rosario dies is some of her best work yet. The show returns January 4th and this writer truly cannot wait.
Sam Smith
Sam started last year off on a pretty incredible foot as he won an Oscar for Best Original Song from the movie Spectre. This then led to a ton of criticism thrown his way due to his speech, and shortly after that we didn't hear much from him.
Cue 2017, and Sam is front and center again where he belongs. He debuted at number one with his latest album The Thrill of It All, which has already gone platinum in his home country of England. He also hit the top 5 of the Billboard Hot 100 charts with his song "Too Good at Goodbyes", came out as gender Nonbinary, and found love with his boyfriend, 13 Reasons Why actor Brandon Flynn. Not a bad rebound for this talented singer. Here's to seeing what he does in 2018.
Mike Parrow- Professional Wrestler
Coming out in sports is still something that many consider to be very "taboo" especially in the world of professional wrestling. Mike Parrow decided it was finally his time to come out of the closet and be openly gay in December of this year, and has received nothing but support and love from his friends, family and colleagues. Here's hoping more follow suit.
Issa Rae
Issa is the brains behind one of the best (if not the best) comedies on television, Insecure, which just netted her another Golden Globe nomination for Best Performer by an Actress in a Comedy Series/Musical. Although the show directly relates to her dating life with men, it did touch upon the double standards that men face if they hook up with another guy (even once), compared to if a woman does it with another woman. On top of that, HBO just greenlit two new shows from her, one about a bisexual man and his dating life. Can't wait to see what unfolds from that and everything else in Issaland.
Sasha Velour
Sasha's season 9 victory on RuPaul's Drag Race was one that many considered unexpected, but when you looked back on the entire season, it was pretty easy to see why she won. Her determination was evident throughout, as well as her incredibly irreverent fashion that kept fans wanting to see what she was wearing week after week after week. Her personal stories touched many of us, notably her becoming a bald queen after the passing of her mother due to cancer, and let's face it, her final lip sync performances against Shea Coulee and Peppermint were some of the best the show has ever seen… if not the best.
Ricky Martin
Sure, he's gorgeous and always fun to look at, but Ricky Martin really did so much more than that this year with his efforts to help the people of Puerto Rico get their lives back to normalcy after the country was devastated by Hurricanes Irma & Maria. He will definitely be one to watch in 2018, given his role as Antonio D'Amico in the upcoming American Crime Story series about the murder of Gianni Versace.
Armie Hammer & Timothee Chalamet
Armie & Timothee starred in one of the most talked about and controversial films of the year, Call Me by Your Name, The film is set in Northern Italy circa 1983, where Elio (Timothee), 17 at the time, begins a relationship with Oliver (Armie), who happens to be his fathers research assistant. The two bond over their Jewish heritage, his emerging sexuality and the gorgeous Italian landscape.
Regardless of the controversy, the film has been breaking box office records and garnering each with major nominations at the upcoming Golden Globes & Critics Choice Awards. Here's hoping they are each able to bring home some award show globe beginning on January 7th at the 2018 Golden Globe Awards.
Do you have others that should be on this list? Let us know below!
You forgot Ben Platt. I’m
You forgot Ben Platt. I’m sure it was just an oversight.