Get ready, glamazons! Sasha Colby, your favorite drag queen’s favorite drag queen, is back and bigger than ever. The RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 15 winner is hitting the road once again with a revamped and reimagined production of her acclaimed Stripped Tour — and she’s taking audiences along for the ride.
The new production, Stripped II, kicks off Sept. 16 in Seattle, Washington, and will hit 28 cities across North America, including stops in Los Angeles, Toronto, New York and more. The tour wraps up in Colby’s home state of Hawaii with a final performance in Honolulu on Nov. 15.
“Even though this upcoming set of shows is Stripped, it is not the same Stripped show as last year. It’s Stripped II, which is telling different stories,” Colby said in an exclusive interview with Out magazine. “The first Stripped Tour was more centered around my life experiences that brought me to where I am today. With Stripped II, I want to tell different stories about trans experiences and queer experiences that are more general and universal.”
The tour comes at a time when LGBTQ+ communities across the United States are facing increasing challenges, with anti-LGBTQ+ legislation on the rise. But Colby is undeterred. In fact, she’s using her platform to stand louder and prouder than ever.
“Obviously, with the state of mankind right now, it is really scary to be one’s authentic self,” she said. “But our queer strength and community are what will get us through these hard times. It is so important right now to be out, loud and proud — that is the number one weapon in our arsenal to fight back against hatred and sheer stupidity.”
Colby says the tour is not just entertainment — it’s a celebration of resilience, creativity and authenticity.
“Immersing myself in creativity is one of the ways I like to do my own work against hatred,” she said. “I always say, if we don’t like the world that we’re looking at, let’s turn ourselves inwards and make the world we want inside reflect to everyone else.”
Tickets for Stripped II go on artist pre-sale Tuesday, April 22. General on-sale begins Friday, April 25 via Sasha Colby’s official website.
Kristen Stewart and Dylan Meyer have officially tied the knot.The couple wed in an intimate ceremony at their Los Angeles home on Sunday, April 20, 2025, surrounded by close friends and family, including actress Ashley Benson and her husband Brandon Davis.
Stewart, 35, and Meyer, 37, first met on the set of the 2013 film American Ultra but reconnected in 2019.Their relationship became public later that year when Meyer shared a photo of the two kissing on Instagram.In November 2021, Stewart confirmed their engagement during an appearance on The Howard Stern Show, revealing that Meyer had proposed.
“It’s not a given that I would be the one, you know what I mean? Like, with two girls, you never know, like, who’s going to fulfill what weird f—— gender role thing and we don’t do that or think about it in those terms,” the actress explained to host Howard Stern.
“So I was like, ‘Wait, well, I’m not the one for sure.’ And so I was kind of joking for a bit, like, ‘No, I want to be the one to propose, like, I want to be proposed to’ and then she just grabbed that bowl and made it happen. It was f—— so cute,” she continued, adding that Meyer “knocked it out of the park” with her proposal.
Stewart had previously opened up to Stern about the first time she told Meyer she loved her. “It was really late and we were in some s—– bar, and her friends were there or whatever and they walked out, and I was just like, ‘Oh, man, I’m so f—— in love with you.’ Like, done,” she recalled in a November 2019 appearance on the shock jock’s show. “It wasn’t like ‘a thing,’ and it also was so obvious.”
The wedding took place in the couple’s backyard under a bright orange patio umbrella, reflecting their preference for a relaxed and personalized celebration. Meyer wore a short dress with a sheer collared top, while Stewart opted for a button-down ensemble with an A-line skirt. The ceremony was attended by approximately 60 guests and featured colorful tables, white steel chairs, small potted trees, and festive outdoor string lights.
Back in early 2022, Stewart shared an update on her wedding plans, telling late-night host Stephen Colbert that she’d like to have a “big party or something” — but that she could also envision just deciding to get married on the spur of the moment.
“We might just go do it this weekend, I don’t know, and then, like, just hang out with everyone afterwards,” she said. “I just want to do it, you know? I’m not a good planner. I can’t make plans for dinner.”
Stewart later told CBS Sunday Morning that the wedding would “happen when it’s supposed to happen,” adding, “But I also don’t want to be engaged for, like, five years. Like, we want to do it, you know what I mean?”
Notably, Stewart and Meyer have been open about their plans for the future. In a 2024 interview, Stewart revealed that they had frozen their eggs, keeping their options open regarding having children. She expressed a desire to start a family together, saying, “I’m not scared of being pregnant. I’m not scared of having a kid.”
The couple has also been involved in creative collaborations. In 2024, they co-founded the production company Nevermind Pictures and have worked together on projects such as a TV show starring Stewart and a comedic film. Their relationship is marked by mutual respect, creative synergy, and shared aspirations.
Stewart and Meyer have consistently chosen to keep their personal lives private, opting for a low–key wedding that reflects their shared values. Their marriage marks a significant milestone in a relationship built on love, creativity, and mutual support.
As if! Alicia Silverstone is dusting off her yellow plaid blazer and stepping back into the role that made her a ’90s icon. Peacock is developing a Clueless sequel series, and yes, Silverstone is officially set to reprise her role as the ever-fabulous Cher Horowitz.
A New Chapter for a Cult Classic
The upcoming series is being billed as a follow-up to the 1995 teen comedy classic, which was loosely inspired by Jane Austen’s Emma. Plot details remain hush-hush for now, but fans can expect a modern twist on the world of Beverly Hills’ most beloved matchmaker.
While rumors have swirled about potential storylines, Peacock and its creative team are keeping things tightly under wraps. What we do know: original film director and writer Amy Heckerling is back as an executive producer, bringing her signature flair to the new generation of Clueless.
Creative Team Behind the Sequel
Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage — best known for turning high school drama into TV gold with Gossip Girl and Nancy Drew — are set to write the series along with Freaky Friday (and Freakier Friday) writer Jordan Weiss. The trio will also serve as executive producers under Schwartz and Savage’s Fake Empire production banner.
In addition to Silverstone and Heckerling, the show will be executive produced by Robert Lawrence, who also produced the original film. The project is being developed by CBS Studios and Universal Television for Peacock.
A History of Reboots — and a Super Bowl Surprise
This isn’t Peacock’s first attempt at rebooting the Clueless universe. A 2020 pitch for a mystery series centered around Stacey Dash’s Dionne character never made it to air. Still, Silverstone gave fans a nostalgic treat when she returned as Cher in a buzzy Super Bowl ad in 2023.
30 Years of “Clueless” Charm
The original Clueless turns 30 this year and will return to theaters for a special Fathom Events summer screening. The film grossed $56.6 million worldwide and became a touchstone for a generation of teen comedies. Alongside Silverstone, the film starred Stacey Dash, Paul Rudd, Brittany Murphy, Donald Faison, Breckin Meyer, and Wallace Shawn.
No release date has been set for the Clueless sequel series just yet — but we’ll be totally buggin’ until it arrives.
Kori King may not have snagged any challenge wins or left the judges speechless on the runway during RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17, but don’t be fooled — the queen is thriving.
The fan-favorite performer has carved out a viral empire online, and in recent months, she’s become a surprising sensation on Cameo, where she’s been neck-and-neck with Hairspray star Nikki Blonsky for the top spot. Yes, that Nikki Blonsky.
While strutting down the red carpet at the Season 17 finale, King didn’t hold back when asked about her unexpected Cameo competition.
“F*** Nikki Blonsky, you c***!” King told PRIDE. “I hope Hairspray comes and fires you and takes all of your rights to sing that fing song. I hope you fall off the face of the Earth and never go back to Cameo. I need to get you banned, you fing b****.”
The NSFW comments may have dropped jaws, but fans of King know this type of unfiltered chaos is exactly what’s made her so popular.
What truly sets Kori King apart on Cameo is her unpredictable multiverse of characters. In any given video, she might appear as a chaotic take on Shrek, a possessed JoJo Siwa, or a diva-fied version of Michael Jackson. Her most infamous character, Kori Jackson, is a soulful figure she describes as both “sickening” and “a worried soul that needs saving.”
“When he comes through me, he’s saved!” she said, referencing her own character with her signature tongue-in-cheek bravado.
Whether it’s filming wild fan videos, crafting new characters, or performing alongside her partner Lydia B. Kollins on tour, King has kept herself booked, busy, and blissfully bizarre.
The queen’s viral success is a testament to the ever-evolving landscape of drag fame — where charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent can shine just as brightly online as they do on the main stage.
RuPaul’s Drag Race airs Fridays on MTV. To catch Kori King’s full interview and red carpet moment, watch the video below.
By day, Karlheinz Weinberger was a warehouse clerk. But by night—and any free moment in between—he was a man with a camera, on a decades-long mission to document a side of masculinity that mainstream postwar Swiss culture tried to ignore.
Weinberger (1921–2006) is now recognized as one of Switzerland’s most fascinating photographers, known for his gritty, intimate portraits of rebellious youth and raw athleticism. His lens focused on outsiders, rule-breakers, and anyone who lived boldly beyond convention.
Weinberger’s most iconic work began in 1958, when a chance encounter changed the course of his creative life. While wandering the streets of Zurich, he met a young man whose greased hair, denim jacket, and cowboy boots immediately caught his attention.
Through this stylish stranger, Weinberger was introduced to a loosely connected group of working-class teens. They weren’t just going against the grain—they were rejecting the clean-cut, postwar Swiss ideal altogether. These teens were known as the “Halbstarken,” or “half-strong”—a term that implied they were immature, misguided, or just plain trouble.
Inspired by 1950s American film icons like Marlon Brando, James Dean, and Elvis Presley, the Halbstarken developed their own flamboyant takes on rebellion. They styled their hair into exaggerated pompadours, wore massive belt buckles and handmade jewelry, and customized their denim with striking imagery—often featuring their movie idols clipped from fan magazines.
Weinberger captured them everywhere: in his modest apartment, on Zurich’s carnival circuit, and in alleyways where they posed with smirks and smoldering stares. His photographs documented not just their aesthetic, but their unapologetic individuality. Today, that body of work remains the most celebrated part of his 50-year artistic career.
But Weinberger’s curiosity extended far beyond subcultural style. In the 1960s, he began photographing athletes, turning his attention to sports photography with the same intensity he brought to his portraits of youth.
The recently released Karlheinz Weinberger – Sports (Vol. 2) showcases this lesser-known but deeply compelling side of his work. Published by Sturm & Drang, the volume features images captured at bike races, wrestling matches, and weightlifting competitions across Switzerland and East Germany.
Weinberger, who worked for sports newspapers and magazines at the time, used his assignments as an opportunity to study the male form in motion. His photos are not just about athleticism—they’re about admiration, desire, and the power of the human body.
Though Weinberger passed away in 2006, interest in his work has only grown. His photographs continue to resonate with those drawn to bold self-expression and underground style. And thanks to the efforts of curators and fans alike, his legacy is being preserved for a new generation.
To explore more of his work, visit the official Instagram account: @karlheinzweinberger.
Sir Elton John has once again partnered with renowned home fragrance expert Harry Slatkin to launch a new candle and reed diffuser collection, the Woodside Collection, inspired by the springtime ambiance of John’s English estate.The collection debuted exclusively on QVC on April 14, 2025.
A Fragrant Tribute to Woodside
The Woodside Collection features a selection of scents that evoke the essence of spring at John’s estate.One standout fragrance is Rhubarb Strawberry Crumble, a scent that made its debut in the holiday collection and has returned due to popular demand.John describes it as capturing the aroma of freshly harvested rhubarb and strawberries from the Woodside gardens, combined with honey and baked into a crust until hot and bubbly.“This candle smells exactly like a fresh one being pulled out of the oven, waiting to be enjoyed,” he says.
Elton John and Slatkin + Co. Woodside Collection. Photo: Slatkin + Co.
Other fragrances in the collection include:
Apple Mint Tea: A crisp yet sweet scent found in the Woodside Hamper trio.
English Moss: Featuring fresh eucalyptus and cedarwood with a green apple note for a tart aroma.
Spring Rain: A blend of fallen rain notes with lush honeysuckle, jasmine petals, and stems.
Sugared Pear & Vanilla: Topped off with sparkling orange and grounded with amberwood.
Windsor Festival: A melange of bergamot, florals including neroli and ylang-ylang, plus sandalwood.
Packaging Reflects Seasonal Elegance
The packaging of the Woodside Collection is as thoughtfully designed as the fragrances themselves.The candles are housed in glass vessels in beautiful spring hues and are embossed with a piano-key pattern, reflecting John’s musical legacy.The reed diffusers come in floral gift boxes, and a curated trio of candles is presented in a reusable wicker hamper, offering a quintessential English gift for any special occasion.
Elton John’s Involvement in the Creative Process
John’s involvement in the creation of the Woodside Collection was hands-on.He tested each scent at every stage, from oil to candle, ensuring that the fragrances met his standards.“My love for candles has always been rooted in their ability to transform a space and evoke emotion,” John says.“Working with Slatkin + Co, and my good friend Harry Slatkin, has been a true joy, and I’m thrilled to now introduce a new collection just in time for Spring.”
Availability and Purchasing Information
The Woodside Collection is available exclusively on QVC and the Slatkin + Co. website.For more information and to purchase the products, visit QVC’s website
Rising chart-topper and certified bisexual icon Doechii is turning up the heat—again. The genre-defying rapper and singer has just dropped the official music video for her breakout hit “Anxiety,” and it’s every bit as bold, surreal, and unforgettable as fans have come to expect from the self-proclaimed “Swamp Princess.”
Co-directed with James Mackel, the video brings cinematic flair to the track, which samples Gotye and Kimbra’s early-2010s classic “Somebody That I Used to Know.” “Anxiety” recently became Doechii’s first single to break into the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, a major milestone for the Tampa-born artist who’s quickly becoming one of the most dynamic names in music.
From Bedroom Vibes to Beautiful Bedlam
The video opens with a direct nod to Doechii’s now-iconic COVEN MUSIC SESSION, where she first premiered “Anxiety” back in May 2020. Seated in her bed beneath the same tapestry seen in the original visual, she’s initially calm—but calm doesn’t last long in Doechii’s world.
Wearing a sleek white MIU MIU top, she’s carried from bed into her lavish living room, where the chaos soon kicks off. Burglars crash through windows, The Shining-style twins stare each other down on the couch, a fire erupts in the kitchen, and Gotye and Kimbra even pop in for a quick cameo in front of the song’s original cover art.
With all the chaos ensuing around her, she stumbles outside the house. Just when you think you’ve seen it all—there’s an elephant. Yes, an actual elephant comes stomping toward the estate as the video builds to a stunning finale: a full-blown flash mob surrounding Doechii, closing in before breaking out into a high-energy dance sequence that turns the chaos into catharsis.
A Viral Hit Gets the Hollywood Treatment
The release of the “Anxiety” video comes just as the song continues its viral reign on TikTok and beyond. Most recently, Doechii teamed up with none other than Will Smith and Tatyana Ali—aka Uncle Will and Cousin Ashley from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air—for a social media dance that broke the internet.
Recreating a scene from the show’s 1990 pilot episode, Ali starts the trend by dancing solo in her room, headphones on, while Smith sneaks in behind her to mirror her moves. Smith shared the video on Instagram with the caption, “Waited 35 years for this dance to trend,” and the internet was instantly obsessed.
Pop newcomer Addison Rae continues her ascent in the music industry with the release of her latest single, “Headphones On,” out now via Columbia Records. The track marks the fourth release from Rae’s highly anticipated debut album, which is set to drop June 6.
The emotional, synth-pop single arrived Wednesday with a cinematic music video filmed in Reykjavik, Iceland, adding another visually rich layer to Rae’s carefully crafted artistic aesthetic. Co-written and produced by Luka Kloser and Elvira Anderfjärd, “Headphones On” blends Rae’s signature dreamy sound with some of her most vulnerable lyrics to date, offering fans a deeper look into her emotional world and musical growth.
“Headphones On” Offers a Glimpse Into Rae’s Inner World
The Mitch Ryan-directed music video opens with Rae aimlessly shopping in a grocery store before slipping on her headphones. From there, viewers are transported into a daydream where Rae roams the vast Icelandic countryside — dancing, twirling, and soaking in her solitude.
The dreamlike visuals reflect the emotional tone of the song, which focuses on themes of escapism, healing, and accepting the past. The chorus line, “Wish my mom and dad could have been in love,” strikes a deeply personal chord, reflecting Rae’s willingness to explore family trauma and emotional scars in her songwriting.
She continues in the pre-chorus, singing: “You can’t fix what has already been broken / You just have to surrender to the moment.”
The track is both haunting and hopeful, underscoring Rae’s talent for combining pop melodies with introspective themes.
A Breakout Year for the Pop Star
The release of “Headphones On” follows a string of successful singles and a breakout year for the 23-year-old singer, who first gained fame as a TikTok influencer and actress. Rae officially signed with Columbia Records in 2024 and quickly began building credibility as a serious music artist.
Her debut single with the label, “Diet Pepsi,” arrived in October 2024 and marked her first appearance on the Billboard Hot 100, debuting at No. 86 and later peaking at No. 54. The nostalgic pop track helped introduce Rae’s dreamy, synth-heavy sound and marked a major turning point in her career.
She followed that success with two more singles, “Aquamarine” and “High Fashion,” both also produced by Kloser and Anderfjärd. “Aquamarine” gained additional momentum after being remixed by Venezuelan artist Arca and re-released as “Arcamarine,” which Rae performed live for the first time during Arca’s Coachella 2025 set.
Viral Coachella Moment and Album Tease
Rae made headlines on April 13 with her surprise appearance during Arca’s set at Coachella, where the duo performed “Arcamarine” to a captivated crowd. At the end of her performance, Rae flashed her underwear to reveal the date “June 6,” a cheeky and viral nod to the upcoming release of her debut album.
The bold move sparked a wave of online speculation and anticipation, fueling excitement around her full-length project, which has yet to have its full tracklist officially revealed.
From Internet Star to Music Artist
Before aligning with Columbia, Rae quietly released a five-track EP titled “AR” in 2023, which featured the single “Nothing On (But the Radio)” and a guest verse from Charli XCX. Though unofficial at first, the EP gained traction online, especially among fans of left-of-center pop.
Rae later collaborated with Charli again on a remix of “Von Dutch,” one of the lead singles from Charli’s Grammy-winning 2024 album “Brat.” These collaborations have helped Rae bridge the gap between mainstream pop and more experimental pop subcultures, giving her broader credibility as an artist.
What Fans Can Expect from Rae’s Debut Album
Though details remain limited, Rae’s debut album is expected to blend early 2000s pop nostalgia with modern synth production, offering a mix of emotional ballads, dance-ready anthems, and introspective lyrics. Themes of heartbreak, family, identity, and emotional freedom are central to her recent releases, hinting at a deeply personal narrative arc for the project.
Music industry insiders have hinted that Rae’s debut may include more collaborations with Arca, Charli XCX, and possibly other artists from the queer pop scene. Her unique blend of viral savvy, fashion-forward visuals, and raw lyricism positions her as one of pop’s most intriguing new voices.
From Viral Videos to Radio Waves
Addison Rae’s rise from TikTok star to charting music artist has been one of the more compelling transitions in recent pop culture history. With each release, Rae continues to redefine her image, focusing on creating authentic and emotionally resonant music that defies her influencer origins.
With “Headphones On,” Rae not only cements her place in today’s pop landscape — she also signals what could be a long-lasting music career. Her full debut album drops June 6, and if her current streak is any indication, it may be one of the year’s most talked-about pop releases.
TV personality Ross Mathews and his husband, Dr. Wellinthon García-Mathews, have officially entered the world of children’s literature and more is to come. The couple released their debut children’s book this week, titled Tío & Tío, a heartwarming and colorful story inspired by their 2022 wedding in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
Published in both English and Spanish, Tío & Tío tells the story of two young brothers who travel to Mexico to serve as ring bearers at their gay uncles’ wedding. The book, illustrated by Tommy Doyel, celebrates love, family, cultural heritage, and the joy of embracing responsibility at a young age. It is aimed at children aged 4 to 8 and includes a foreword by actress and talk show host Drew Barrymore.
A Story of Love, Culture, and Representation
The story behind Tío & Tío is deeply personal for the authors. Inspired by their real-life wedding and their two young nephews, Mathews and García-Mathews created a narrative that reflects their values and their multicultural, bilingual family dynamic.
“Weddings are scary for grownups, let alone little kids with a big responsibility!” Mathews said in a statement about the book’s release. “This book hopes to remind us all of the importance of love, family and embracing one’s cultural identity. Plus, it’s just plain funny!”
García-Mathews, who works in education, added that the story was written with a teacher’s mindset, combining personal experience with educational value.
“I constantly seek out books that serve as both mirrors and windows for children,” García-Mathews said. “Mirrors that help them see themselves and windows that offer glimpses into others’ experiences. I’m proud to have created this book with my husband that showcases our rich bilingual and bicultural heritage, helping children learn about responsibility while appreciating the significance of family, traditions, and cultural heritage.”
A Surprise Announcement on CBS Mornings
The couple appeared on CBS Mornings this week to promote the book and discuss its personal significance. In a cheerful interview with Gayle King, the two shared anecdotes from their wedding and talked about how their nephews served as the inspiration for the central characters.
However, due to time constraints, King wasn’t able to deliver some breaking news during the live segment. Instead, she caught up with the couple backstage to reveal that their publisher had officially greenlit a second children’s book.
The surprise announcement was met with joy and disbelief, as the couple expressed how honored they were to continue creating stories that celebrate LGBTQ+ families and multicultural representation.
From a Poolside Meeting to a Literary Partnership
Mathews and García-Mathews first met in 2020 while vacationing in Puerto Vallarta. In an interview with The Knot in 2022, Mathews recalled spotting García by the hotel pool and introducing himself: “Hi, I’m Ross Mathews.” García, unaware of Mathews’ fame, replied simply, “Hi, I’m Dr. Wellinthon García.”
That chance encounter blossomed into a whirlwind romance, and the couple married at the same resort two years later in a joyous, star-studded celebration that included nods to both of their cultural backgrounds.
Now, their love story is reaching a new audience through their work as co-authors of a children’s book that mirrors their experience and gives young readers a positive and affirming look at diverse families.
LGBTQ+ Representation in Children’s Literature
The release of Tío & Tío is part of a growing movement to increase LGBTQ+ representation in children’s literature. While stories featuring same-sex parents or queer characters are becoming more common, books that reflect bilingual and multicultural queer families remain relatively rare.
By publishing the book in both English and Spanish, the couple hopes to reach a broader audience and offer visibility to children who may not often see their families represented in media.
The story’s vibrant setting in Mexico and its emphasis on cultural traditions provide a backdrop that is both educational and celebratory.
“Whether kids have two moms, two dads, one parent, or are raised by grandparents, we want them to see that all families are valid and full of love,” said García-Mathews.
What’s Next for Tío & Tío?
With a second book already in the works, Ross Mathews and Dr. Wellinthon García-Mathews show no signs of slowing down. Their goal, they say, is to continue telling stories that resonate with children from all backgrounds — and to keep things fun, inclusive, and heartfelt.
The first Tío & Tío book is now available online and in bookstores nationwide. Parents, educators, and librarians alike are already praising the book for its humor, heart, and ability to start important conversations about diversity, responsibility, and love.
As Mathews put it, “We’re telling the kinds of stories we wish we had growing up.”
Margaret Qualley is stepping into a new kind of spotlight — as a smooth, skillful lesbian private detective in the upcoming film Honey Don’t!, directed by Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke. The actress, known for her versatility and recent role in The Substance, confirmed in an interview this week that she will lead the queer noir comedy alongside Aubrey Plaza, who plays an enigmatic “mystery woman.”
The film, described as a stylized and unapologetically queer take on the detective genre, is part of a trilogy of LGBTQ-themed B-movies conceived by the filmmaking duo Coen and Cooke. Honey Don’t! follows 2024’s Drive-Away Dolls, which also starred Qualley in a similarly offbeat and queer-centric role.
Unpacking the Plot
In an interview published Tuesday by i-D magazine, Qualley opened up about her character, Honey, revealing for the first time that the plot centers around the private investigator delving into the shady workings of a suspicious church — one that is led by a character portrayed by none other than Chris Evans.
Aubrey Plaza attends the 2023 Time100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center on April 26, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/WireImage)
“Honey is like her name — she’s smooth, she’s skillful, and she knows how to slip in and out of places unnoticed,” Qualley told the magazine. “She’s calculated. She’s cool. She doesn’t lead with her emotions, and she never gets caught off guard.”
Qualley, who has earned critical praise for a wide range of performances, noted that playing Honey required her to rein in her usual comedic instincts.
“I tend to want to diffuse things before they even happen — I think I have a natural Scooby-Doo inclination,” she said with a laugh. “But Honey’s not that. She’s already three steps ahead.”
Aubrey Plaza Joins the Cast
Aubrey Plaza, who has become synonymous with mysterious, layered roles, joins the cast in what’s being described as a classic “mystery woman” part. While details of her character remain under wraps, fans of Plaza’s work are already expressing excitement over the casting.
“If there’s one thing Aubrey Plaza’s going to do well, it’s playing a character you can’t quite pin down,” one social media user wrote in response to the casting announcement earlier this year.
Margaret Qualley attends the 30th Annual Critics Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on February 07, 2025 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Plaza’s involvement adds a layer of intrigue and humor to a film already brimming with queer sensibilities and genre-bending ambition.
A Trilogy of Queer B-Movies
Honey Don’t! is the second installment in a planned trilogy from Coen and Cooke, a married creative team known for their unconventional storytelling and love for classic cinema. Their first entry, Drive-Away Dolls, was released in 2024 to positive reviews and praised for its mix of irreverent humor and queer representation.
In Drive-Away Dolls, Qualley played Jamie, a swaggering Texan lesbian with a knack for trouble. That role showcased a very different side of the actress than her dramatic turn in The Substance, a performance that is already being discussed as awards season material.
“It’s wild that both films came out in the same year,” Qualley said in the interview. “Jamie is a totally different energy from Honey — that’s what makes this trilogy so much fun. You never know where it’s going next.”
Joking about her future with the filmmakers, Qualley added, “Let the record show that if I’m not in the third one, I will be offended — and I will be upset.”
Inspirations and Setting
Speaking previously with Autostraddle, co-director Tricia Cooke shared that Honey Don’t! is set in contemporary Bakersfield, California, and draws inspiration from noir classics like The Long Goodbye and Fat City.
Cooke also noted that the film’s title was inspired by Wanda Jackson’s version of the song “Honey Don’t,” hinting at a retro Americana vibe laced with subversive, modern twists.
“It’s campy, it’s sexy, and yes — there’s more sex in this one,” she said in that 2024 interview.
The pair’s approach to storytelling is rooted in genre homage, queer character development, and a strong visual aesthetic. Their films blend sharp writing with emotionally complex — and often hilarious — performances from their cast.
Audience Buzz and Anticipation
Though Honey Don’t! has not yet released a trailer, anticipation is building. Social media users have already begun creating fan art, speculative threads, and early reviews based on insider information and interviews. On X (formerly Twitter), fans are celebrating what they expect to be another stylish, queer cult favorite.
The combination of Margaret Qualley and Aubrey Plaza in leading roles, alongside Chris Evans in a villainous turn, has only increased hype around the film.
“I don’t even need to see the trailer — I’m already sold,” wrote one user.
Coming to Theaters in 2025
According to i-D, Honey Don’t! is expected to hit theaters later this year, though an exact release date has yet to be announced. With its unconventional storyline, queer lens, and all-star cast, the film is poised to be one of the year’s most talked-about indie releases.
Whether you’re in it for the noir aesthetic, the queer representation, or the cast’s undeniable charisma, Honey Don’t! is shaping up to be a standout in an already strong year for LGBTQ cinema.
