sexuality

Keke Palmer On Her Sexuality: “I Always Felt Like I Was A Little Bit Of Everything”

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The main focus in Keke Palmer’s life as of late has been her son, Leodis. She and her boyfriend Darius Jackson welcomed the little one earlier this year. Motherhood has, of course, come with its share of tough moments and lessons. Still, the former Disney star continues to carry herself with confidence and optimism. As she inches closer to resuming work as an actress and entertainer, Palmer is being formally recognized for her various contributions. Most recently, the LGBTQ community is singing her praises. As Variety notes, she was honoured on Saturday (April 22) with a Vanguard Award from the Los Angeles LGBT Center, presented to her by Queer Eye star Karamo Brown.

“I’m so grateful to be here today. To be embraced by a community that I’ve always felt accepted by and a part of,” the Chicago native gushed on stage this weekend. “I’ve always been my own person. Sexuality and identity for me has always been confusion. You know, it’s, ‘I never felt straight enough. I never felt gay enough. And I never felt woman enough. I never felt man enough.’ You know, I always felt like I was a little bit of everything,” she additionally expressed.

Keke Palmer Honoured by the Los Angeles LGBT Center

Karamo Brown and Keke Palmer at The Los Angeles LGBT Center Gala on April 22, 2023, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images)

Elsewhere in her speech, Palmer spoke about “leading with masculinity” in life. According to her, this is something that has impacted her career and personal life. “As a woman, I’ve always been met with so much disdain. You know what I mean?” the multi-talent asked the audience. “I think so much of that came from who I thought I had to be to get respect, admiration and love. And I’ve always really wanted to be like my father. To want to be taken seriously and not diminish because I was a woman. You know, that’s always been a source of — I guess you would say — pain and resentment.”

Following the ceremony, Keke Palmer shared a heartfelt Instagram photo dump on Sunday (April 23), further reflecting on what the Vanguard Award means to her. “It was such a gift to be in a room, being celebrated for being exactly who I am. I am so grateful you guys to be living in this time, where yes there is still so much work to do, but dammit we doing it!” she proudly exclaimed. “I am truly filled with so much gratitude, I tried so hard not to ruin my makeup but the tear ducts were giving out.” Read everything the 29-year-old had to say on social media below and check back later for more pop culture news updates.

Actress Commemorates the Special Moment on Instagram

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Benzino Demands LGBTQ+ Community Stop Flirting With Him

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Benzino wants the LGBTQ+ community to stop flirting with him. In a series of since-deleted posts on social media, the 57-year-old explained that, while he’s an ally to the cause, he isn’t interested in men. The comments come after a trans woman named Shauna Brooks alleged that Benzino pursued a relationship with her in 2022. At the time, she leaked audio of phone calls with him. In response, Benzino claimed he is only attracted to cis women.

“Attention to all in the LGBTQ, abcd!!!” Benzino began in one of his new tweets. “I respect y’all’s movement and your decision to be who you want to be BUT STOP THE WEIRD SHIT WITH THE COMMENTS AND FLIRTING. I’M NOT FUCKING FLATTERED BECAUSE I’M NOT GAY!! RESPECT THAT SHIT AS I RESPECT WHO YOU ARE!!”

Benzino’s Response To His Doubters

ATLANTA, GA – OCTOBER 06: Benzino attends “Hollywood Hearts” Atlanta movie premiere at Regal Atlantic Station on October 6, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Marcus Ingram/Getty Images)

When accused of lying about being hit on, Benzino came back with examples from Twitter. “Wtf I gotta lie to y’all for? Yall weird asf!” he captioned the screenshots. “There’s WAY more but twitter only allows 4 pics at a time.” He further complained about his followers on Instagram, reaffirming that he’s “straight.” “Fuck y’all mad at me for?? Cause I ain’t wit that shit?” he asked. “I know it ain’t all gays & not all gay men are disrespectful but it’s a lot who are, it’s been going on for awhile. I don’t wanna see that on my timeline. Just respect that. I’m straight, and idgaf about none y’all comments.”

When he was accused of dating Shauna Brooks, Benzino appeared on The Danza Project in April 2022 to explain why being thought of as gay makes him uncomfortable. “You never want to go through people thinking that you’re gay when you’re not,” he said at the time. “Like, I just, and people are like ‘Well if it ain’t true then you should…’ Man, fuck all thizzat. Like you don’t want to be accused of being gay. I just don’t want that, bro.”

Benzino’s Since-Deleted Posts

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Remy Ma Tells Joe Budden To Stop Trolling About His Sexuality

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Remy Ma recently appeared on The Jason Lee Show and said that Joe Budden should stop trolling about his sexuality. Moreover, many believe that some of the rapper and commentator’s past comments hint at him being LGBTQIA+. Remy’s message to Budden, though, is in the context of a close relationship, as they cohosted State of the Culture together. Of course, he hasn’t strictly confirmed anything or gone into more detail concerning his sexuality. Still, the New York hi-hop legend wants the podcaster to quit with the games and open up.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 28: Remy Ma attends Ma$e, Cam’ron And Jadakiss Live At The Apollo Theater on January 28, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)

“I gotta call Joe,” Remy told Jason Lee on his RevoltTV show. “Because I feel like we’re close enough for him to be honest with me about his sexuality… Because I be confused.” However, Lee offered some pushback, suggesting that the media personality is just trolling. In response, she told Budden to either clarify things or stop making references to his sexuality altogether. “Yeah, but stop!” the “All The Way Up” spitter responded to Lee. “He got me out in the streets arguing with people in his defense.”

Furthermore, rumors first circled of the Slaughterhouse MC’s sexuality back in 2021. On an episode of his show, he briefly remarked that he “likes guys and girls,” first prompting Internet sleuths to speculate. Later, the former Everyday Struggle host tweeted a message seemingly addressing the conversation. “I see the word got out!! Continue to spread the word [please].” In fact, his ex-girlfriend Tahiry Jose suggested that Joe might be open to new things. In addition, rumors sparked again after he said he’d “break” Lil Fizz, reacting to his nudes allegedly leaking. Also, he made a joke about making “fizz” come out of the singer, reality show star, and B2K member.

“I am not gay or bisexual. I’m flattered,” Joe remarked in a subsequent episode of his radio show and podcast. “What I said about Fizz, I was joking. That was a joke, but you never know how the joke feels until you’re on the other side of it.” While she took a moment to talk about Budden, Remy Ma actually went to The Jason Lee Show to promote her upcoming rap battle. Regardless, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest on Joe Budden & Remy Ma.

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