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Thursday, June 20, 2013

Celebrity Hair Stylist David Antunes Debuts His Fab New Website!

Celebrity Hair Stylist David Antunes
This just in! Celebrity Hair Stylist David Antunes announces the debut of his new web site! Please check it out! David has created it himself and the site is really fab... definitely worth a look the way I see it! Xx Billy

www.DavidAntunesHair.com

Read about David Antunes with my interview on him here:
http://billycharlesny.blogspot.com/2013/04/getting-to-root-of-matter-with.html



Follow David Antunes on Twitter @DavidAntunesNJ

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

What Happens In The Hampton's ...

                                     Billy Charles, Heather Marianna, and Gina Cutillo in The Hampton's 


I just had the best vacation in The Hampton's with my hubby,  my friend Heather Marianna, and Gina Cutillo. Heather was originally just going to fly from Las Vegas to see me and stay with me for a week when we decided that it would be fun to also drive down to visit Gina in Long Island and be a part of The Gina show on inravio live! We all had a great time doing the show and hanging out afterwards. This was our first time all being together. We ate, drank , laughed , as we shared stories and got to know each other better. It was truly an amazing experience and I wanted to share some of the fun pics that we took also! These two ladies are a class act and I am sure we will all be friends for years to come! I thank them for an awesome time and also you for sharing in our memories with us...the way I see it that is what makes it all worth while! 
Xx Billy Charles
Morning of The Gina Show! 


Heather, Gina , and I at inravio studios.

The three of us during filming live!
Me, Heather, the owner Chuck, and Gin at inravio

Love the Ocean although it was only nice weather one day :(

Fun on the beach!

BFFL Gina and Heather!
My hubby Scott and I :)
Showing of my fashion photo skills....great model!

Scott and Heather  " The Upper Deck  at the Hampton's Cafe" 

Heather and I at  The UDHC:)
Out on the town with Grey Goose 
Gina Cutillo looking Fab and like a Rock Star!

Scott styled by me for The Hamptons :)

Drama Queen and Shady Boots lol
Spoiling the princess while she is on a business call lol
The two beauties at lunch 
Pool time at my house...I later fell asleep on a raft!
Heather bought us  ajuicer and made us drinks! This was Cucumber Lime!
Goofing off at the grocery store...Heather cooked an amazing pasta dish for us!
We both love Red Lobster! Heather took us there too!

Heather and Scott at The Tuscan ( Hamptons) amazing meal!

Besties!

Thanks for checking out our photos  and to keep up with the latest ....


Follow Heather Marianna on Twitter @HeatherMarianna
Follow Gina Cutillo @Ginacutillo 
Follow inravio studios @inravio
and Follow me @BillyCharlesNY XO

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Xavii Matisse...There Goes The Neighborhood!

The Fabulously Talented Xavii Matisse


Xavii Matisse is one of those people who just exudes positive energy! This contagious energy is apparent in his music and the creative choices that he is making as the current editor in chief  ( as well as  creator ) of  Revolutionary Gay Magazine. Xavii Matisse is passionate about life, music, the arts,  and is working hard to realize his dreams...all while trying to maintain a balance of both the personal and professional. He has a drive to create and is helping to give a voice ( through his magazine and lyrics) to those who may not otherwise have one. I was honored and humbled when he asked to interview me for Revolutionary Gay Magazine ( link here : BCNY REV GAY )  and pleasantly surprised at how genuinely nice and down to earth he is. His talent for music goes beyond these " fly by night wannabe artists " just looking for fame and wanting  to make a buck off of  a song where you can barely hear them over the robotic autotune. Behind that handsome face and warm smile Xavii Matisse is a genuinely gifted singer with a unique sound that will  provoke thought  while captivating his listeners.
I was excited to have the opportunity to turn the tables on Xavii and ask him a few questions of my own...below are his  answers and I am sure you will find him as equally entertaining and fabulous as I do . That is the way I see it!  Xx Billy Charles  

BC: Where are you from ?
XM: I was born in Jersey City, NJ and and was there until I was 6, then I moved with my parents and 2 sisters to Camden NJ. Yes, rough. I spent the rest of my childhood there and left when I was 25.

BC: What is your nationality?
XM: My nationality is Puerto Rican & Brazilian. 

BC: What role , if any, do you think your culture plays in your creativity?

Xavii giving " good face" 

XM: I don't ever let my culture consume me like some people. They are sooooo proud of who they are that they need to shout it from the roof tops. Good for them. As for me, I cannot change my skin color. If I was African or French or Chinese or any culture, I would be proud. Culture is beautiful. It doesn't define my creativity but it does affect some of my decisions. I do appreciate when minorities stand up for themselves and become something in life. Anything. We are pre-destined to fail in many people's eyes. They only see our worth when we prove it to them. That's not how it should be. You can be a rapper and be important just like you can be a Doctor and be important. Culture is important.

BC: What were you like growing up and in which ways have you change the most?
XM: Oh my God! I was squeaky and quiet like a mouse. I had 2 sisters so I didn't have anyone to play with. I was good, pure, and innocent. Until 18. I thank my mother for not allowing me to be like these kids nowadays who are terrible! ( laughs) . They are consumed in technology, they don't respect and they are all about themselves. My mami taught me to love God first. She taught me morals and values. As a 32 year-old, well Hadamnnn! I am completely different. I'm very opinionated, outspoken, gutsy and I don't let anyone step on me. But I'm still respectful and kind.

BC: When did you first know you were gay? When did you " come out " and what was that like?

XM: My uncle Carlos asked my mother one day if I was gay, and we happened to be at my sister's house where she was ready to come home from having my first nephew Nathaniel. I could have said no and kept it moving, but I decided it was now or never (I was 17) and she did not take it well. We didn't talk about it for a year, and when it came up again she stopped talking to me for a while. We lived in the same house and didn't speak. It was horrible. I lost about 2 years of my bond with my mother. But now she's great. We've both grown. I had to understand she was going through it as well. 




http://revolutionarygaymagazine.tumblr.com

BC: How did you become involved with Revolutionary  Gay Magazine and what is your role there?
XM: I am Editor In Chief of RevGay Magazine. I have always been a writer. I went to college for Journalism with minor is theater. I can act, and be funny as hell and I'm super creative, but when it comes to singing and writing it just fits. So I decided in December 2012, I was going to start a magazine. I was going to put my name out there, and the name Revolutionary Gay came from seeing all these magazines who were either afraid to put the word Gay in their magazine, or would display sexuality to sell a book on the stands. I was going to use my experience in diversity to put out articles, interviews and pictures that represented  not giving a fuck and putting every word in. And not a month in, I was already being retweeted by RuPaul, Dylan McDermott, Nicki Minaj, Nelly Furtado and Miguel. And I said, "This is gonna POP." And it did.


XM: When did you first become involved with music?
BC: I decided to be professional two years ago. I started working with my production partner and let me tell you it wasn't easy. It is hard as hell to get what you want the way you want it. I'm a perfectionist. So all my music is screened by me. 

BC: How would you describe your sound?



XM: I think nobody has my sound. I'm very unique. I know allot of people say that, and then you hear their music and its crap. ( laughs)  But my music is all written by me, and I am there when the music is done, and like I said I am there through the whole process. If it has reverb or too much base, or autotune then it was done purposely. If it's raw and real it was done purposefully. My music by people have been compared to Gwen Stefani, Nelly Furtado, Santigold, MIA, Maria Mena, Lady Gaga. I mean, it all depends. But I describe my sound as the future. It's so fun and cool and easy to listen to. The lyrics are strong and the message is always easy to understand. I'm not a Brian McKnight but dammit I am an artist and I stand by my work. All of it.

BC: What music projects are you working on currently?




XM: Currently I'm working on writing for a few clients, and producing. I am finishing my first album "Somebody's X." The songs are all done. Sometimes my production partner gets nervous when I write a new song. ( laughing) . I love new music. I get tired of shit real quick. But my album is very NEW. The sound is current, and it can really make you go, "Hmm, I like this."


https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/there-goes-the-neighborhood/id622727398?i=622727402&ign-mpt=uo%3D4

BC: Where can we hear your music?
XM: My new single "There Goes The Neighborhood" is out now everywhere (Itunes, GooglePlay, Amazon.com etc) and you can hear unreleased tracks on my YouTube account. There are a few there actually who will be on my new album like "Meet Me On A Train" "The Hunger" "In Love With My Photo" & "Here."

BC: Which artists inspire you?
XM: To be honest, everyone inspires me. If I listen to it I go, "Hmm, I like this." But the pioneers that molded my brand, I'd say are Madonna, Gwen Stefani, Nelly Furtado, Imogen Heap, Maria Mena, Lady Gaga of course, MIA and Alanis Morissette. All women because I feel women convey more in a song message wise than a man. And these women to me are all brilliant pioneers in music. Gaga and Madonna for being Brave bitches who don't give a fuck, Gwen Stefani for bringing the cool to pop music, Imogen Heap for being a brilliant inventive mind, Maria Mena for her haunting ballads, Alanis for being Alanis, Nelly Furtado for using culture to infuse pop, and MIA for being the future of music.



BC: What do you like to do for fun?
XM: I actually don't do much for fun. I love watching a good movie, drinking wine with friends and dinner, spending time with my mother.

BC: Name 5 things you love and five things not so much....
XM:
I love:
1. Coffee. (Can;t live without it)
2. My laptop (I need it!!)
3. My music.
4. My magazine.
5. RuPaul's Drag Race. It's genius.

 5 things not so much...
People who are passive aggressive and talk down to you.
Gay bashing in the Gay Community.
Bullying.
Corrupt Government.
A 9-5 job.
Just a great guy with a lot of talent!
BC: Describe your personal style to me?


XM: I'm a red black and white guy. I love prints and basics. I am very Comme De Garcon mixed with Vivienne Westwood (& L.A.M.B.)

BC: Are you seeing anyone ? If so care to share?
I am currently in a relationship with my production partner. He's amazing. He is responsible for my hits and my covers. He's my heart.

BC: What advice would you give to others hoping to follow in your footsteps?
XM: My advice is to be yourself and don't bully or hurt anyone to get to the top. You don't need to belittle an employee to get production. Be fun and free. Don't be a whore or a follower. It's fucking boring and you can get those at any online store. Be one of a kind. And be a good person. And stand up for yourself always.

BC: Where do you see your self going both personally and professionally in the next few years?
XM: I'm afraid to say it because I get overwhelmed, but I just might hit it big time and be on your television screens and new stands and in your pop culture. I really believe fame will catch up to me. It's already creeping by.

BC: Thank you for taking the time out to talk with me!
XM: Thanks Billy for having me! 
BC: The pleasure was all mine! 



Follow Xavii Matisse on Twitter @XaviiMatisse
Follow Revolutionary Gay Magazine on Twitter @RevGay

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Please Help End Bear Bile Cruelty in Asia!

Countless bears are suffering in Asia on a daily basis and they need our help!
I was blessed today to be free from work and while I was lounging around enjoying my free time on this Memorial weekend  I came across a disturbing tweet while on Twitter that read #EndBearBileCruelty. Interested I clicked on the hash tagged phrase only to be horrified at the countless results that I received. Upon further investigation I was made aware from several tweeters that I follow that they were trying to raise awareness about this devastating situation and were also trying to get #EndBearBileCruelty to trend on Twitter with hopes of reaching a global audience for a very necessary cause. Apparently a long time practice in China,  as well as other countries in Asia,  is " milking" bears for their bile to use for medicinal purposes. I was shocked that I was just hearing about Bear Bile Cruelty as were several of my friends that I shared the information with on Twitter! The bears are basically kept in cages throughout their lives with no room to even move while a tube is inserted into an open wound in their abdomen up to three times a day to extract their bile!





Aside from being tortured...the bears , due to being left untreated, end up with cancer, infections, and various other problems. They are also kept in inhumane filthy conditions and to top it all off  THERE IS NO SCIENTIFIC PROOF that the bile extracted even works for the treatments that it is prescribed for! This includes breaking down gall stones, using it as an anti inflammatory, improving eye sight and a cure for a hangover! There are alternatives that deem extracting bear bile  unnecessary/obsolete  which includes  herbs and various other methods! The driving factor is the all mighty dollar! These are GOD's living  creatures with spirits like us! It's a shame!


I was both sickened and saddened after I took the time to research this. I even saw a video of the process  being done and the bears were crying in agony...it was haunting to say the least. There will be arguments made as to the Eastern culture/tradition  however I will not be convinced that this process  is not barbaric and cruel and I hope to bring a voice to these helpless animals who have none! Please help them by looking into this and signing the petition below to help put an end to this senseless atrocious treatment of innocent animals.

Please sign the following petition and share the link to help end bear bile cruelty!



Reaching out for help to no avail!



http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/374/432/912/


This group has devoted 20 years to The End Bear Bile Cruelty issue and is making great headway!  Please Check it out !

www.AnimalsAsia.org

They also have a donation link available at www.animalsasia.org/donate

Follow Animals Asia Founder Jill Robinson @moonbearjill on Twitter for more info!


Also here is a donation link to WSPA  ( World Society For The Protection Of Animals ) where you can read about and also help protect these wonderful creatures as well !

http://wspa.thankyou4caring.org/help-end-bear-cruelty-2?utm_source=1300MCSD&utm_medium=Bears&utm_content=Sad&utm_campaign=SEM


For those of you on Twitter please hashtag #EndBearBileCruelty  RT and share with your followers. Thank you for taking the time to read this blog and anything we can do no matter how big or small will definitely be appreciated by our bear friends in need! Thank you Xx Billy Charles


Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Chris Gialanella Wins STARK NAKED Challenge For Charity!!!


Chris Gialanella gets Stark Naked for charity! 

Breaking news!!! Chris Gialanella has won the Stark Naked Challenge Contest and is able to donate to a cause close to his heart, Pitt Hopkins,  in honor of his friend's son Calvin! Thank you to all of you who took the time to vote!
 Chris thanks you and so do I ! 

Special shout out and thank you to David Simonian who rallied relentlessly! @DavidSimonian21 on Twitter and also to Ed.B from www.TVFishbowl.com for sharing Chris's story !

@MediaWhorEd on Twitter
XO Billy Charles

See original story here
:

http://billycharlesny.blogspot.com/2013/04/christopher-gialanella-gets-stark-naked.html