MADONNA KICKS OFF PRIDE WEEK WITH ‘PRIDE X BOOM’ PARTY AT THE STANDARD HOTEL

THE QUEEN! photos by Matteo Prandoni/BFA.com

The Standard, High Line kicked off Pride Weekend and celebrated the re-opening of New York City on June 24th, 2021 with an appearance by Madonna in the notorious Boom Boom Room, for one night only.

The evening featured the debut of an original three-piece multimedia art installation inspired by 90’s underground culture and in a thought-provoking layout for people to be who they are, love themselves and stay fearless. This collaboration with Madonna, Ricardo Gomes (who also creative directed the video) and Sasha Kasiuha is inspired by the commitment to make sure every voice is heard and celebrated. The 3-minute installation also took over the jumbo video screens in Time Square at 10pm and 12am.

Madonna auctioned off three new original Polaroids that were shot by her and Ricardo Gomes at her home in New York in June 2021 and are inspired by the art born in the city that never sleeps. Each were individually framed and personally signed by Madonna. The auction raised over $100K for The Ali Forney Center and Haus of Us.

Three additional new original Polaroids that were shot by Madonna and Ricardo Gomes at her home in New York in June 2021 are also now part of a silent online auction to benefit the Hetrick Martin Institute. Link to the auction can be found HERE (https://app.galabid.com/hmiprideoasis/items/).

Strike a pose!

 

“It is crazy, but with all the sacrifices, all the marching in the streets, all the protests, all the compromises, all the lives lost, all the relentless negotiations and all the bills being passed by legislation, the LGBTQ community is still fighting for their rights and their freedom. It is at this very time, as Republicans in the Senate are trying to set us back by stalling bills being passed, that we must never let our guard down and think, “Oh it’s done. The fight is over.” I made those videos to continue to inspire people to be fearless, to continue to have courage, and to continue to be brave and to continue to fight not for special rights but for equal rights. That has always been my mission statement, that we should all, every human being on this planet, be treated with human dignity and respect, regardless of our race, gender, sexual preference or religious beliefs. Nothing has changed for me since day one. I started the minute I landed in New York, and it has not ended. The videos were my way of inspiring people in an artistic way that is fun to watch and eye-catching. They are fun to watch in an elevator or in Times Square, if I should be so lucky to have that privilege. I consider those videos made by Sasha Kasiuha and the whole party that was organized by Ricardo Gomes to be a great success and I am just going to keep fighting, fighting for what I believe in and helping others to give them a voice and fight for what they believe in.” – Madonna (source New York Magazine/The Cut)

Symone

Dreamed up by Misshapes’ Geordon Nicol, The Standard’s Corey Tuttle, and Creative Director & Photographer Ricardo Gomes the celebration, dubbed Pride x Boom, took over the entire eighteenth floor of the hotel, from the iconic Boom Boom Room to Le Bain and its rooftop.  The night featured a special  line up of LGBTQ+ DJs with music by Grammy Award winning producer Kaytranada, DJ and global fashion muse Honey Dijon, iconic New York DJs the Misshapes, and one of the true vanguards of New York disco and house, Eli Escobar.

Lourdes Leon

The evening featured the debut of an original three-piece multimedia art installation inspired by 90’s underground culture and in a thought-provoking layout for people to be who they are, love themselves and stay fearless. The installation was projected around the windows of the Boom Boom Room. This collaboration with Madonna, Gomes (who also creative directed the video) and Sasha Kasiuha is inspired by the commitment to make sure every voice is heard and celebrated. The 3-minute installation also took over the jumbo screens in Time Square at 10pm and 12am and will be shown throughout The Standard, High Line for the rest of Pride Month.

Zachary Quinto

Following the premiere of the installation, a brand new remix of Madonna’s iconic “Vogue” – entitled “Vogue Ballroom Function” – began playing and featured voguing performances atop the circular bar and throughout the room by leaders from the city’s most influential ballroom houses. Madonna then took to the stage in Boom Boom Room with an incredible, intimate and energetic performance of “Hung Up” and “I Don’t Search I Find” – her 50th #1 Billboard Dance Hit. Madonna performed in a look created by Hood by Air, Vintage JPG denim corset from Procell Vintage and Vintage TRIPP NYC mesh tee from Procell Vintage; with hair by Andy Lecompte and makeup by Kali Kennedy.

Leah McSweeney

Following the performance, Madonna auctioned off three new original Polaroids that were shot by Madonna and Ricardo Gomes at her home in New York in June 2021 and are inspired by the art born in the city that never sleeps. Each were individually framed and personally signed by Madonna. Zachary Quinto took the stage to help with the auction, which raised over $100,000 for the The Ali Forney Center and Haus of Us

Ziwe

Pride x Boom also kicked-off a 4-day silent online auction with three additional new original Polaroids that were shot by Madonna and Ricardo Gomes at her home in New York in June 2021. Additional covetable items curated by Geordon Nicol from brand favorites like Supreme, Hood By Air, The Standard, Moschino, Jeremy Scott, Louis Vuitton, and more. The fundraiser concludes on Sunday, June 27th with all proceeds going to the Hetrick Martin Institute.  Link to that auction can be found HERE (https://app.galabid.com/hmiprideoasis/items/).

Andy Cohen & Anderson Cooper

This singular reopening of the famed Boom Boom Room heralded an epic return of New York City back to the dancefloor, and an unprecedented Pride party that brought a diverse group of guests together to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community with an electric lineup of talent both inspired by and eternally influential to the fabric of New York City.

Kandy Muse

The Charities:

About Ali Forney Center:

The Ali Forney Center protects homeless LGBTQIA+ youth (ages 16- 24) and empowers them with the tools necessary to be safe, live independently, and thrive. There are 18 sites across NYC operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

 

Violet Chachki & Gottmik

About Hetrick Martin Institute:

Hetrick-Martin creates this environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth between the ages of 13 and 24 and their families. Through a comprehensive package of direct services and referrals, Hetrick-Martin seeks to foster healthy youth development. Hetrick-Martin’s staff promotes excellence in the delivery of youth services and uses its expertise to create innovative programs that other organizations may use as models.

 

Aquaria

About Haus of Us:

Haus of Us’ mission is to create safe and expressive spaces and experiences for the LGBTQ community and allies within the KIKI Ball community, with a focus on young people between the ages of 12-24. The Door’s mission is to empower young people to reach their potential by providing comprehensive youth development services in a diverse and caring environment. Since 1972, The Door has helped a diverse and rapidly growing population of disconnected youth in New York City gain the tools they need to become successful, in school, work and in life. As the needs of New York City youth continue to shift and change, they work hard to shift their services in response. Haus of Us is an example of all that encompasses The Door, in creating their own culture, own experiences and community gatherings with the goal of one day having their own space to enhance their mission and visions.

 

Billy Eichner

Bowen Yang

All photos by Matteo Prandoni/BFA.com

EXCLUSIVE: ERIKA JAYNE


Photography by Alexandra Gavillet | Styling by Rafael Linares @ Art Department | Interview by Cecily Strong

From dancing on gin-soaked stages in the dive bars of West Hollywood, navigating the many dramas of the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, to being immortally satirized on Saturday Night Live, the reality star, pop culture icon, and now New York Times best-selling author is taking the world by storm.

Erika Jayne is embracing opportunities with open arms, switching at the drop of a hat between author, international performer, “housewife,” and the icon we didn’t even know we needed. The Real Housewives franchises are filled with meme-worthy moments, unforgettable quotes, and exciting drama, but few women from the reality series have become household names to the degree of Erika Girardi, AKA Erika Jayne. In an exclusive interview between Erika and Saturday Night Live’s Cecily Strong, who parodied Jayne on the legendary sketch show and cemented Erika’s status as a cultural touchstone, the two women discuss ageism in the entertainment industry, creating a public persona, and her new Simon & Schuster bestselling book, Pretty Mess.

Jacket by Tom Ford, Earrings by House of Emmanuele

Earrings by House of Emmanuele

Hello! How are you Erika?

Hi Cecily, I am so good—it’s so nice to talk to you.

You too, what a treat! I am such a fan! A real fan, not just an Instagram fan. I am so excited. I’ve been bragging to everyone at SNL about getting to do this interview! So, starting with your new book, how did the idea to publish a memoir take off?

I was approached to do the book and said yes because these days I am just saying yes to everything. Obviously, you see a little bit of it on TV, but sharing 45 minutes of screen time with five other women is difficult. Writing a memoir is a way to give the audience a more in-depth peek into my life.

How open are you in this book and are you nervous about revealing too much?

There’s always the version of the truth which you can never tell or else all of your friends and family will never talk to you again (laughs), and then there is the book that I wrote, and then there is the book that got published – which went through two legal processes. Hopefully it works out well and people like it.

(laughs) What was the most challenging part writing the book?

Well, my mother and I were discussing how my father left when I was nine months old, and then she remarried and divorced again. I feel like I had blocked out that part of my childhood. I went back with her trying to piece it all back together. I was looking at it through 46 year-old eyes and thinking it was basically ten years of bullshit!

Do you think that your childhood experiences are the reason that you have this amazing life and personality and are so fabulous and youthful—or in other words, do you think that you’re basking in the things you didn’t have in your childhood?

I feel like I’m eternally 16. I had a nice car, a hot boyfriend, good grades, was performing all the time, and I looked cute. I don’t know if that’s because of my childhood, but I definitely know that all of that has an effect on you growing up.

Well, I understand feeling like you’re eternally a teenager because I feel like I’m 16 even though I’m like… 34, but have you confronted ageism in your industry? Is it something you even think about? I know I don’t think about it much.

Good, and I’m glad you don’t, and the only time I do is when someone tells me, “Oh, aren’t you a little too old to be doing this?” and I’m like, “No, actually I’m not.” I think that it’s important to keep doing it and keep pushing and dreaming because that’s an old way of thinking that is falling by the wayside as women continue to improve and show how powerful we are. You know, when you’re in your 40’s you’re not dead, you’re not done! I feel the most powerful now. I didn’t feel powerful in my 20’s, I was a ding-dong!

I couldn’t wait to turn 30 because I thought, “Finally, people will take me seriously!” And I can’t imagine someone saying to you that you’re too old, that’s insane to me. I’d be like, “Just watch me perform!”

Thank you! Could you imagine telling a man that? Could you imagine telling a man, “Sir, don’t you think you’re a little too old to be running the company?” It’s not fair for us to get a tap on the shoulder like, “Sit down honey, you’ve had enough fun, you’ve had your day, people don’t find you attractive, you can’t sell anything, and your time is up” No! I’m not going to do that.

Good, me neither. We’re taking a vow! What do you hope that people take away from your book and your personal story?

First off, I want people to laugh and have fun. It’s an easy read and a fun read, and if one person walks away inspired to go to dance class again or back to college or just see that, through this human story, we are all the same. My experience is just this way, but it’s the same bullshit for everybody, so don’t quit. You never know what the future holds.

So let’s talk about your persona Erika Jayne, how she was born and how you found her within yourself?

I was about 35 years old, had been married to Tom for six or seven years, and had been exclusively living his lifestyle. I was going to every event and socializing with a whole new set of very educated, super interesting people. I am glad I did it because it was an invaluable education, but it wasn’t me. I was wealthy and living in a bubble where I would shop, go to the gym, and then go to dinners, but what the fuck was I really doing with myself? I longed to go out, create again, and have my own identity.

I just don’t think that Tom expected the book deal, concerts, or this interview in my future. I don’t think anybody did! I started to create on my own, it was something that I loved, and here we are today. And thank God he has been so supportive. I have learned so much, and I am really grateful because without him I wouldn’t be here at all.

That’s so great, and good for you two! You’re a great example for couples. So, when did you get your big break and what was the beginning of your career as Erika Jayne like?

Well, if you take the Erika Jayne Project, it was very small potatoes. It started at my kitchen table and it was just something that I wanted to do. I created the persona with a friend of mine from high school. He took me to a producer friend of his and we made the Pretty Mess album, and I started to perform because that’s what I really love to do. It was the typical beginning. A few people in some terrible dump, no one paying attention, and just begging to get on stage. I thought to myself, “I don’t have to fucking do this, I’m rich! What the fuck am I doing?” (Cecily laughs) I hate to break it down and sound so rude, but there are a lot of naysayers and rejection. I kept putting one foot in front of the other and building it, and slowly but surely people started to pay more attention and come to my shows. The biggest break into pop culture was definitely being cast in the Real Housewives because it took Erika Jayne out of the clubs and into people’s homes, and she even became a parody on Saturday Night Live! (laughs) But I think the most interesting thing was seeing young women, like high school and college-aged girls tell me how much they love my music and style, and I’m like, “Wow, really? I’m old enough to be your mom.” That acknowledgement makes it all worth it.

 

Jacket by Vitor Zerbinato, Dress by Nookie, Boots by Christian Louboutin, Earrings and Ring by Glynneth B.

Jacket by Vitor Zerbinato

Most of my circle of friends are gay men, and so I’m curious when did your relationship with the gay community start?

Children’s theater! (laughs)

Oh my God! Same for me! I was raised in a theater in Chicago by a group of gay men.

That was where I started! And then I went to a performing arts high school where everyone in dance and theater was gay, even our instructors were gay. They were always a part of my life. These are my people and that’s that.

Right, it’s so true, and it’s so funny that I had a very similar experience. When my parents split up I felt that the gay men of my Chicago theater were raising me while my family was a mess.

And I think that’s a wonderful thing to have and I can’t imagine life without gay people in it. They are my closest confidants.

Now what about drag culture? Has drag had an influence on your life and career?

I mean, just take one look at me! What do you think? (laughs) Of course! I love drag because you get to transform into a superhuman. It’s a true art form that is not for the faint of heart. Your costumes, hair, makeup, the whole look, and your style of drag too! There are so many different styles.

What style would you be?

Hooker drag! I want to be hooker drag (both laugh). Are you kidding? Basically that’s what I already am so why not? Keep it going!

So let’s talk Housewives of Beverly Hills! Obviously I am a huge fan, but how has being on the show changed your life? Cameras catching you crying, drunk…I drink a lot, so I could never do reality TV.

I don’t really like crying on camera because you are embarrassed worldwide, and that sucks. But without that exposure I wouldn’t be talking to Cecily Strong and I wouldn’t have a book out today! See what I’m saying? You have to roll with the punches and make the best of it. At the end of the day, it is reality television and I try to be as authentic as I can and have a good time doing it!

As I say in my book, it’s like professional wrestling. There are heroes, villains, costumes, pyrotechnics, but at the end of the day the injuries are real! It’s like we are participating in this absurd narrative, but these are still my feelings and sometimes they get really hurt.

People are awful! Celebrity in general, people feel like they have some sort of ownership over you, and because you get to do your job they get to hurl insults at you. It seems even worse for people in reality TV because it is your name and your life.

Thank god I am 46 and not 26! I have lived a full life, have a successful marriage, had an unsuccessful marriage, I have an adult child, I can pay the bills. Forget it, if I were a kid and did not know who I was, I may not have made it and I would have been crazy-town. Honestly, I consider myself pretty fucking normal.

I think about that all the time. Like I was crazy enough at 22—

Right! I didn’t need anyone telling me I sucked and was awful and should kill myself. You can imagine how the younger ones feel.

I will say that my favorite piece of advice I’ve ever gotten, and I don’t mean to name drop, but it was from Jim Carey at a host dinner for SNL and he told me “Don’t ever let anyone tell you the narrative of your career.”

He’s right, and thank you for sharing that. I’ll split when I’m ready and I’ll do what I need to do. That’s very well said.

Well, thank you Jim Carey! So, what’s next for you? What do you see in the future?

I am on my way to a book signing in New Jersey which is right across the street from a terrible go-go place I used to go-go in when I was younger.

Wow.

I know, it’s really interesting, Cecily. I’m continuing to create, and there’s going to be more music and more shows, and who knows what’s coming, but I feel like it’s going to be really good.

 

Jacket by The Blonds, Bangles, Cuffs, Earrings and Hat by Glynneth B.

Jumpsuit by Any Old Iron, Shoes by Christian Louboutin

Dress by Gucci

Makeup by Etienne Ortega @ The Only Agency using NARS and KKW Beauty, Hair by Castillo @ Tack Artist Group using Sexy Hair styling products & T3 styling tools, Art Direction Louis Liu, Editor-in-Chief Marc Sifuentes, Photo Assistant Mallory, DP Vanessa Konn, Gaffer Zachary Burnett, Production Assistant Benjamin Price, Produced by XTheStudio.com, Special Thanks to Jack Ketsoyan, Laia and Mikey Minden