Made in Brazil

A Semana: Romulo Arantes, Gays On TV, And São Paulo Gay Pride

Actor Romulo Arantes Neto made headlines this weekend for stating that "transvestites are not happy people" when asked about the scandal involving soccer star Ronaldo on an interview to Folha de São Paulo. Knowing Romulo, I am fairly certain that the sad statement was taken out of context, and that he did not mean it as it was printed, especially considering he just posed for the cover of gay magazine Junior. Btw, I have just heard that he will play a mutant on the campy soap Caminhos do Coração.

Two weeks after he was caught with three trannies in a motel room, Ronaldo found out his now ex-girlfriend is pregnant with his child. That is what I call bad timing.

A very pregnant Camila Alves spent mother's day with bf Matthew McConaughey in LA.

Shia LaBeouf does drag and takes his pants off on SNL.

Globo networks announced that it will again veto the gay kiss screenwriter Aguinaldo Silva wrote for the last episode of soap Duas Caras. To justify the veto, Globo claimed that a televised gay kiss does not fit the quality standards of the network.

Watch the commitment ceremony featured last night on Brothers & Sisters, which is a perfect example of what Brazilian TV should be doing.

Patrick Dempsey scores the cover of the latest Men's Vogue.

Nightclub Megga Fun, which had recently opened in São Paulo, was shut down over the weekend. I wonder if DJ Hex Hector, who was scheduled to spin at the club, will now be playing at a different venue for Pride.

The Week's owner Andre Almada will be releasing a guide about proper nightlife etiquette.

The São Paulo Gay Pride Association is working with the military police to guarantee that there will be a large improvement on security this year for the parade on Avenida Paulista. Still I would highly suggest keeping all your belongings neatly tucked inside your underwear if you are going to be attending. About 3.5 million are expected again.

A Semana: Gay Publications, Tourism, Kaká, And Rihanna

Brazil's newest gay publication called AIMÉ has apparently already been released, but nobody I know has seen an actual issue of the magazine. So far all that has surfaced is the cover with ex-Big Brother Brazil Fernando Fernandes.

Tourism minister Marta Suplicy stated this week that the government needs to implement more gay friendly policies in order for Brazil to start attracting more gay tourists than Argentina. Unfortunately the minister did not propose any solutions to the problem other than suggesting more support to the gay pride parades which take place in São Paulo, Rio, and Salvador. Now how about trying to make the country more safe in general for tourists, then focusing on the gay agenda?

Ford and V Man began their nationwide model search at the Diesel store in Union Square in New York this week, and Models.com has caught some of the action on video.

I am loving the cover of the new issue of OUT magazine featuring the 2008 Hot List, as well as some of the hottest male models around (unfortunately no Brazilians).

Soccer player Kaká is the only Brazilian featured on Time magazine's list of the world's 100 most influential people.

Talking about lists, head over to AfterElton and vote for who you think should make it to this year's list of the to 100 Hottest Guys.

DNA magazine launched DNAmobi online.

Singer Ricky Martin has reportedly paid US$8 million for an island off the coast of Rio, which I hope will lead to more pictures of him in speedos.

Maroon 5 and Rihanna team up in "If I Never See Your Face Again".

Brazilian funk group Bonde do Role will be performing at Europa in Brooklyn on May 14. Tickets can be purchased at Ticket Web.

Madam Andreia Schwartz will be hosting a party tonight at nightclub The House in Rio to celebrate the release of the May issue of Sexy magazine, for which she posed naked.

Model Izabel Goulart will be meeting fans and signing photos tomorrow afternoon from 2pm to 4pm at the Armani Exchange store in SoHo. Armani Exchange will be donating 10% of total sales at the store tomorrow to the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation, so make sure to stop by, shop, and email me pictures.

DOM Goes Online

Brazilian gay magazine DOM unveiled its website last week, and I am loving it. Not only does it feature a sexy picture of Alvaro Jacomossi which did not make its way into the latest issue of the magazine, but it also contains making of videos of the covers, articles, interviews, and eye candy (like the picture of Miro below). It is especially great for those who don't have access to an actual copy of the magazine.

DOM magazine starts running monthly after the next issue.

Too Sexy For Monday: Edilson For TÊTU

As promised this past Friday, here is an exclusive look at the new issue of French TÊTU magazine, featuring Brazilian model Edilson Nascimento photographed by Greg Vaughan.

I saved the sexier pictures for after the jump. Make sure to check them out. Warning: semi-NSFW.

Exclusif: Edilson For TÊTU

My friend Greg Vaughan shot Brazilian Edilson Nascimento for TÊTU magazine last week in New York, and below is a very exclusive preview.

The issue of TÊTU with Edilson hits newstands on Monday. More pictures coming next week.

Advertising For The Gay Families

Brazilian Nebacetin just launched a gay-friendly campaign with the slogan "families change, but the way they look after each other doesn't" (am loosely translating it, but you get the point). Watch the ad spot, and notice that the last couple featured consists of two men holding hands and carrying a baby. They are both clearly identified as dads. Love it.

Video via A Capa.

The Brazilian Gay Media Boom Continues

Every single Brazilian gay blog today is reporting on the launch of AIMÉ, the third gay publication to hit newstands in the past six months, along with Junior and DOM.

According to the press release which hit my mailbox this morning, AIMÉ will feature three sexy spreads with models but no nudity, and will focus on news and entertainment. Unlike Junior and DOM, it will run monthly.

The first issue is set for a late April launch, with 120 pages, 30,000 printed copies, and ex-Big Brother Brazil Fernando Fernandes shirtless on the cover.

Expect me to fully dissect the magazine as soon as it is launched. Another picture of Fernando after the jump.

A Semana: Gay Media, Gisele, Pato, And Naomi's Tumor

Actor Rodrigo Hilbert has been confirmed as the coverboy for the third issue of gay magazine DOM, making him the first straight actor to take the plunge. According to some of my sources, Junior magazine has a hot celeb in store for its fourth cover as well.

Brazil's porn G magazine shut its doors last Friday in São Paulo. The bankrupt publication was bought by Ad Business, which already owns several gay sites. Rumor has it that the entire staff is going to be revamped, and that the magazine will focus on more nudity and less content from now on.

Talking about gay media, check out more hot pictures of Pedro Virgil's Naked For A Cause.

V magazine has an exclusive peek at the images from the YSL spring campaign which haven't been released yet.

Preview images from the new Colcci fall ad campaign with Gisele, which will be unveiled on national magazines next week.

Tom Ford does GQ Russia (with the usual chest hair exposed).

Rising soccer star Alexandre Pato pays a visit to Nike in Beaverton to get some customized kicks.

Naomi was unleashed from the hospital in São Paulo last night, and is already been taken care of by her current Brazilian bf Marcus Elias. She had to undergo surgery over the weekend to remove a tumor. No nurses were harmed during her stay.

Quick note: just got the new Shapeshifters and Jason Nevins mixes for Leona Lewis' Bleeding Love, and they are off the hook.

Tattoo Parlor

My favorite editorial on the latest Junior magazine is the tattoo story photographed by Murillo Meirelles and styled by Antonio Frajado. It contains the hottest selection of bare (and sometimes hairy) chests ever published on the magazine.

I am going to try to find time to scan some other pages of the edit and post them in a bigger size. All tattoos were designed by Daniel Tutti.

More Skin, Less Content

When I got my hands on the latest issue of Junior magazine this week, I did not know much what to expect other than hot model Igor Macedo on the cover. After all, the new gay magazine is only in its third issue, and still trying to find a formula which works for its customers and editors.

Sitting with editor Marcelo a couple of months ago, we talked about the prospect of a more visual magazine with less written content, and I believe this issue is about that. The problem with the latest Junior though is the lack of content in general. I feel the magazine is caught in a big dilemma: it is not yet sure if it wants to be Butt or Out, and as a result one cannot avoid but to feel a certain lack of focus. There are eight (or perhaps nine or ten) editorials, and yet there is no fashion. And as beautiful as some of the images are, I would actually like to see more clothes and products on display like in the second issue. Content does not need to be in written form, and I feel some of the editorials could be better used to inform readers.

The best part of the magazine lies in its first 30 pages (this issue has 130), which is where readers will find short and yet informative articles: a piece on international gay bloggers, an interview with Ari Gold, and a great visual article about the group of São Paulo gay bikers. And I am not just saying that because Made in Brazil is mentioned, but because those first 30 pages offer something to readers which the rest of the magazine fails to deliver: information of some sort. To compensate for it, more bare chests than in previous issues, which is not technically a bad thing.

As for the editorials, Didio did a pretty good job with the coverboy given the circumstances (the pictures were supposed to take place at the beach but it rained for three days straight), Murillo Meirelles shot an amazing spread on tattoos in black and white (which am posting next week), and Fabio Motta turned out a cool story on bondage. As much as I like the four pictures by Mike Smarro as well, I could have certainly lived without the other edits. It is not that I have a problem with them. I just do not think many of them belong together in the same magazine.

Brazil needs a young hip gay magazine more than an indie underground one at this stage, and Junior is definitely on the right track. I just think some of its attempts of finding its identity on this latest issue did not correspond to my expectations. Or maybe I am just too damn boring to appreciate it for what it is. Either way, I am definitely looking forward to see what happens on the next issue.

More of Junior #3 at:
Two New Cover Boys
Igor Macedo Sizzles On The Latest Junior

Miro Moreira For DOM

As much as I love Igor Macedo on the cover of Junior magazine, I have to admit that it does not compare to Miro Moreira in a swimsuit on the cover of DOM. Below are some images of the editorial with Miro from the gay magazine.

More images and a making of video after the jump.

Igor Macedo Sizzles On The Latest Junior

Photographer Didio shot model Igor Macedo for the cover of the third issue of Junior magazine, which is already in newstands across the country. Made In Brazil has some exclusive images of the sexy editorial with the coverboy.

More pictures after the jump.

Two New Cover Boys

The third issue of Junior and the second issue of DOM magazine are already on Brazilian newstands, and I can't wait to get my hands on both of them. The covers are promising: Junior has Igor Macedo, and DOM scored Miro Moreira.

Brazilian gay media has never had such a good moment.

Speedo Sundays

I love swimsuit editorial season. The pictures today come from the latest Instinct magazine, shot by Troy Phillips.

More swimsuit pictures after the jump.

BBB8: A Gay Bear Icon Is Born

You may have read here already that BBB contestant Marcelo came out to a few contestants last Friday and over the weekend. Since then, his coming out post on his blog has received more than 1,400 comments, some congratulating him on being upfront about his sexuality, and others criticizing him for exploring it to win the gay vote and empathy from the viewers.

Regardless of the actual reason for his coming out (it is obvious that his being gay will keep him in the house longer), I am going to beg him to stop wearing these sandals because they are seriously harmful to the image of gay men. Not even a gay bear would sport such devastatingly ugly footwear. Can someone from the production team hand him some Havaianas?

Considering a gay man has already won the show, my feeling is that Marcelo is not going to take home the R$ 1 million prize. Watch his coming out on national television here.

And fyi, some blogs are speculating that there are may be two other gay men on the show.

UPDATE: Watch Marcelo come out to Alexandre in nothing but a red swimsuit.

Too Hot For Monday: David Jensen

The Brazilian model scores the cover of the Out magazine's homorrific swimsuit issue, shot in Miami by photographer Nino Muñoz.

Make sure to get a copy of the magazine asap. The swimsuit editorial is beyond hot, and even better than last year's, which was shot in Rio. Click here and here for a preview of David Jensen and his fellow water boys.

Speedo Sundays: The Year Of The Speedo

Looking back at the year on Out, February was all about speedos and a sexy spread shot in Rio by Matthias Vriens.

A Semana: Madonna, Miro Moreira, Josh Holloway, Batman, And Ricky Martin

Rumor has it that Timbaland sneak peeked a few minutes of a new Madonna song entitled 4 Minutes to Save The World at radio station Z100's Jingle Ball in Philadelphia yesterday. The leaked track features Timbo and JT, and can be downloaded here.

São Paulo Nightclub The Week is putting the final touches in its first ever calendar. It was shot at the club this past Saturday by Fernando Torquatto, and counts with models Miro Moreira and Igor Macedo on the casting of twelve boys. Profits from sales of the calendar will benefit charitable organizations.

Model Fernanda Tavares shot the new Davidoff Cool Water fragrance campaign with Lost star Josh Holloway.

The Batman sequel The Dark Knight does not hit theatres until next summer, but a preview is already available online, and it looks like The Joker will steal the movie again.

MySpace was officially launched in Brazil last Friday, where it will have to face Orkut, the leading relationships site in the country with over 14 million registered users.

Gay publication Odissey was relaunched in the country this month with a much improved design, and fotolog and Orkut favorite Lebart on the cover.

Ricky Martin showed off his bom bom at LAX airport this past Saturday.

Brazil's highest-paid singer Ivete Sangalo said she would like to tape her next concert DVD in New York, with special guests such as Bono Vox and Jennifer Lopez.

Getting a US visa is going to be more expensive starting January 1st. The price is going up from USD $100 to $131 for all new visas.

Reviewing DOM, The Second Gay Magazine Launched This Year In Brazil

As mentioned here before, DOM magazine is the second gay publication to hit Brazilian newstands this year. I did not know much about the project prior to picking up a copy of the first issue a week ago, but I had high expectations considering the magazine is printed and distributed by a much bigger publishing house than Junior, the other gay publication launched this year, and that model Andre Ziehe agreed to pose for the cover. My expectations were also for a greater focus on news, and a more mature approach to readers.

The issue looked great on newstands all over São Paulo, but then again there is no way a cover with Andre Ziehe could not work. When I opened the magazine though, the first thing that hit me was the paper quality. It is not that paper stock is more important to me than content, but I do not like to be able to see through pages when I am paying R$ 10 for a magazine. The paper factor ended up giving me the impression of a cheap product before I even started flipping through the pages, and it is something I would highly suggest the editors rethink for upcoming issues.

The first issue of DOM happens to be filled with the same problems of the the first issue of Junior. Most of the items featured are old news to readers who are connected to the internet, which makes me think that editors should be paying more attention to blogs, and international websites. The art direction and graphic design are more cohesive than the one presented in the first Junior, but it looks even more dated than the content, and is harmed by the poor quality of the printing.

Articles in the first issue of the magazine include an interview with a notorious gay couple from Rio, picture profiles of personalities from the São Paulo gay scene, and a travel guide to Buenos Aires. There is also a guide to obtaining a six-pack, a lecture on organizing your closet (no pun intended), and a very Cosmo questionnaire to find out which sexual animal you are. Reading through all of them proved to be a real lesson in patience. It is not that the reading is not informative. The problem is that it lacks personality, and feels sterile.

As for the editorials, I did not understand the main feature with Andre. He looks hot as expected, but the styling is beyond tragic, especially considering this is a magazine for a more mature readership. The other editorial piece with model Gabriel Grandi is more of what I expected from the magazine: simple looks in black and white. Considering the magazine claims not to be interested in becoming a fashion publication, my only question is: why is it that the biggest sentence on its cover reads SEXY FASHION CHIC? The stylists should have gone more Details and GQ than Nylon, that is for sure.

As much as I support the idea of a hetero-friendly gay magazine (to use the editor's own words), my problem with the first issue of DOM is exactly that: a gay magazine trying hard to be straight. Pardon me for being sarcastic, but I don't think any straight boys are going to be picking up a copy, so there is absolutely no need not to be out and proud. I am not saying that there is not a market for DOM because there is: it is a magazine for a relatively older reader, who does not have an immediate need to know about the latest trends, and who does not necessarily live in a big metropolitan area. When you come to think of it, that market is huge, and very much in need of a product like DOM. Proof of that is the fact that the magazine is already sold out in most newstands.

I understand how difficult a first issue can be, and I have no doubts that DOM will improve based on the feedback it is getting from readers like myself and many others. The second issue of Junior was already a million times better than the first, and I am sure the same is bound to happen with DOM. The next cover is set to feature model Miro Moreira, which is already reason enough to look for it.

André Ziehe Does DOM

In my honest opinion, the best thing about the new gay magazine DOM which launched last week is the editorial with André Ziehe, who just so happens to be one of my favorite models. However, only because the magazine claims to not want to focus on fashion and targets an older gay customer, I find the styling of the spread extremely odd and out of place. Lucky for DOM Mr. Ziehe is not capable of taking a bad picture.

More of André Ziehe in the first issue of DOM here, and after the jump.

Targeting The Boys

I have never been a big fan of the ad campaigns for TNG (not even when they featured Mr. Gianecchini), but I have to confess that the label's new ad on the first issue of gay magazine DOM did grab my attention.

It is great to see that Brazilian labels are now investing on gay vehicles, and developing ads especially for them. Football does not even exist here, but I think the label managed to get its point across.

The Girls Get Attention

One of my lesbian friends always complains that there is not much information online about parties for girls.

Things are about to change though with the launch of Dykerama, the first Brazilian website completely devoted to lesbian news and happenings. I am not very familiar of the world of gay women, but I will try to check out the site frequently, and look for information which may be of interest to readers of Made In Brazil as well. And no, this does not mean I will be attending lesbian parties to document the action.

A Drag A Gozar

The clip below won the Rio edition of the Gong Show at the MixBrasil Film Festival.

It is truly genious if you understand Portuguese.

Another Magazine Comes Out Of The Closet

And it brings none other than Andre Ziehe on the cover of its first issue.

It is as if Brazilian companies are finally starting to realize that a gay market actually exists: following the footsteps and recent success of Junior magazine, DOM (or De Outro Modo) is the second big gay publication to debut in Brazilian newstands this year.

The magazine's first issue was released yesterday, and as soon as I get my hands in a copy over the weekend, I will make sure to dissect it here, and bring you information on the content and editorial work. For a quick preview, visit Revista DOM.

A Semana: Glamour, Angels, Tropa de Elite, Gay Bloggers, And Gay Bikers

Brazil got its first online luxury boutique with the launch of Glamour.com.br. The design of the site is cheap looking and lacks luster, but the selection of merchandise includes a R$6,980 Lanvin bag, as well as R$1,850 Dior sunglasses.

Isabeli Fontana is definitely on the rise again: she was the star of the Rosa Chá fashion show in São Paulo last night, celebrating the pre-opening of Buddha Bar at Daslu.

Brazilian model Andre Ziehe takes over the 29th slot at Models.com list of top male models. The only Brazilian ranking higher than him right now is Evandro Soldati, at number 3.

Missed the Victoria's Secret fashion show on TV last night? Watch it or download it here.

Globo networks is negotiating the rights to develop a TV series based on the controversial movie Tropa de Elite. Production will not start before the movie's international debut, set for the Berlin Film Festival.

Towleroad has news about Gus Van Sant's movie Milk, the upcoming biopic of the slain San Francisco Supervisor and gay rights icon Harvey Milk.

Supposedly gay soccer player Richarlyson called it quits with grilfriend Letícia Carlos because of her decision to pose for the January issue of Playboy. According to the girlfriend, the player did not want the future mother of his children to expose herself for everyone to see. Why bother when she is not even pregnant, and they had been dating for only three months?

Blogger Marcos Costa will soon debut his own gossip column about São Paulo's gay nightlife on the site Cena Carioca. He is not afraid to say what is on his mind, so do expect some controversy (and lots of angry queens).

São Paulo's newest club, Ultra Diesel, opened last Friday to the worst possible reviews from the Brazilian gay blogosphere. According to almost every gay site in the country, the club smelled of fresh paint, and there was water leaking from the ceiling. Critics were so harsh that owner Marcelo Piccine released a formal apology. In an era of top notch service started by gay mecca The Week, you just don't open a club in São Paulo before making sure everything is flawless.

Nothing planned for December 11? Get on your bicycle and join the Gay Bikers SP group for a night of biking around São Paulo. It is a good way to meet new people and also get in shape for summer. For more information about it, email Andre Hidalgo.

São Paulo's Gets A Hip Gay Guide

On December 12, journalist Sérgio Ripardo will be launching his Guia GLS São Paulo, the first complete gay guide about the city containing a calendar of events, as well as pertinent information about culture, nightlife, shopping, bars, restaurants, and accommodations. In it, Mr. Ripardo took the time to list each venue according to target audience (i.e. bears, muscle queens, dykes), and to include a list of slangs and expressions frequently used in São Paulo. As a fan of his gay-oriented column on Folha de São Paulo for over a year now, I am more than certain that his guide is worth the investment for those who are planning to visit the city soon (and even for those who live in São Paulo and want to venture out a bit). Now how about an English version as well?

Too Sexy For Monday: Polo Boys

Brazilian Models Roberto França and Ramirez Allender in the polo-loaded editorial from the second issue of Junior magazine.

All pictures by Didio, styled by Lu Bortolotti. More at MixBrasil.

A Semana: Brazilianizers, Mark Ronson, K-Fed, And Dykerama

A crowd of Brazilianizers took over luxury boutique Daslu in São Paulo this past Friday: Hamish Bowles and Michael Roberts both debuted their new books, while Liz Hurley introduced her line of swimwear.

Ex-Formula 1 racer Michael Schumacher went tanning in his balcony at the new Fasano Rio yesterday. He was in the country for a kart grand prix organized by Brazilian Felipe Massa.

Hot DJ and producer Mark Ronson will be spinning this Thursday at club Royal in São Paulo as part of Motomix 2007.

Artist (and Björk's husband) Matthew Barney is putting the final touches in an installation set to open to the public in Minas Gerais early next year.

Britney's ex Kevin Federline scores the cover of the Details' most influential men issue. The magazine's power list includes Disney hotties like Zac Efron, the Google founders, Perez Hilton, and Ryan Seacrest.

Model Raquel Zimmermann is featured in the Craig McDean Topsy-Turvy story, in the latest issue of W magazine.

Check out New York magazine's latest fashion publication, Look, and make sure to read the feature on Lanvin's Alber Elbaz.

In the next couple of weeks the girls in Brazil will be getting a website especially devoted to lesbian news and happenings, properly entitled Dykerama.

Brazilian Editora Abril canceled the project for its upcoming gay publication called Romeu.

The movie hit Tropa de Elite inspired a gay spoof on YouTube: As Bis De Elite is hilarious if you understand Portuguese.

An Exclusive Look At The New Junior

Here is a very exclusive look at the cover of the second issue of Brazil's newest gay publication, Junior magazine, as well as pictures of coverboy Ricardo Baldin.

The issue finally hits newstands tomorrow. More after the jump.

Junior Deux And Alair Gomes

The second issue of the country's newest gay publication, Junior, hit newstands this week. I have not got a copy of it yet, but luckily I had an entire b&w swimsuit spread delivered to my mailbox before the issue went to print.

From what I hear, there is already much improvement on the second issue of the magazine, and the editorials I have seen so far look amazing, and much more focused than those from the first issue. I am particularly attached to the one published here since it was inspired by photographer Alair Gomes. I have been completely obsessed about Alair's work for the past year, and it seems that the magazine editors are on my same frame of mind. I was asked to write the intro to the editorial but am not sure yet if it made to print.

The pictures above were shot in Rio by Fernando Torquatto as a tribute to the late Alair Gomes. There are many other incredible edits in the new issue of Junior, and you will be getting exclusive pictures here soon. For the time being, head over to MixBrasil for a look at some pictures which did not make it into the magazine.

Gay Samurais

The promotional video for the 15th Annual Mix Brasil Film Festival put a gay spin on traditional Japanese animation. Check out the result below:

The festival starts in Porto Alegre today, and takes over Rio on November 29.

Candis' Big Brazilian Debut

Candis Cayne is responsible for some of my most fun New York summer moments thanks to her stint at Opus last year. Tonight she will make her big debut on Brazilian TV on Didi Wagner's cable show Lugar (In)comum. In the show, the Brazilian host will spend a day with Candis and interview her hubby DJ Marco. Click here for a video preview with Ms. Cayne performing Alone.

And since I am on the Candis Cayne topic, it is about time some Brazilian producer jets her down to Rio or São Paulo to entertain a pool party or two this summer. I am positively sure that the Brazilian boys would love her. If you happen to have no clue of who she is, check out ABC's new series Dirty Sexy Money.

Telebambies

The short clip below won last night's Gong Show at the 15th edition of the Mix Brasil Film Festival. I am not sure if it has any impact on those who do not speak Portuguese, but I had to post it anyway. Warning: adult content.

Also available at Dailymotion. Thanks Lu for the heads up.