Well, if it wasn’t already obvious, now it’s official: Vanessa L. Williams is a full-fledged gay icon.
At a panel yesterday at this year’s Outfest (i.e. the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Film Festival) titled "Ugly Betty is a Beautiful Thing," Williams charmed the designer socks off of the near-capacity crowd. To be fair, so did the rest of her Ugly Betty compatriots — America Ferrera, Eric Mabius, Ana Ortiz, Michael Urie, Judith Light, and exec. producers Silvio Horta and Marco Pennette — but only Williams took to the stage to demonstrate how she taught costar Becki Newton (i.e. scheming Mode magazine staffer Amanda) the dos and don’ts of walking the red carpet. It was right about when Williams began explaining with a knowing grin that one must always stand at a three-quarter turn with one leg arched out to best give the camera a full womanly line that she was completely drowned out by the raucous approving applause from the audience.
The moment was but one of many highlights from the delightful 90-minute conversation between the Ugly Betty peeps and moderator David M. Halbfinger of The New York Times. After the jump, I’ll single out some of the best, including some inside scoop on the upcoming season, exec. producer Salma Hayek’s unconventional pitch to Betty star Ferrera, and Ms. Williams’ big surprise at costar Rebecca Romijn’s wedding to Jerry O’Connell.
Moderator David Halbfinger wasted no time asking the cast forhighlights from the Saturday Romijn-O’Connell nuptials, and though theymostly remained politely vague about the event, Williams did spill thatas a surprise she stepped in to "save" Jerry O’Connell’s awful karaokerendition of her hit "Save the Best for Last."
Does ABC raise any objections to the show’s oft-ribaldhumor and racy storylines? Um…not so much. "We do murder and incest,"joked exec. producer Pennette, "and we get notes saying, ‘You can’t say Scrabble.’"
America Ferrera sheepishly explained that her gift forphysical comedy isn’t so much a talent as more a natural inclination totrip and fall. But really, there is nothing awkward about Ferrera inperson. She’s as eloquent speaking about the show’s appeal to minorityviewers — "No one apologizes for who they are" — as she is explainingthe immediate appeal playing a woman like Betty had for her after exec.producer Salma Hayek spent an hour pitching the show to her in a hotellobby. Of course, Hayek’s opening line was a bit unconventional — shewalked up to Ferrera and exclaimed "You’re my Ugly girl!"
The character with perhaps the most resonance with theaudience, Betty’s 12-year-old, musical-theater-adoring nephew Justin,was a obviously a popular topic. But show runners Horta and Pennettewere loath to speak plainly about when the character would begindealing directly with his sexuality — "if he is gay," Horta said,before quickly adding, "which he probably is." What was crystal clear,however, was just how proud everyone on the stage is that a characterlike Justin exists, and that, as costar Ana Ortiz, who plays Justin’smother Hilda, put it, he’s "a happy kid."
There were some season 2 developments thatHorta and Pennette let slip: Judith Light — who plays Eric Mabius’ feloniousmother — will be a series regular, and speaking of mothers, PattiLuPone will reprise her role as Michael Urie’s ma, whom we last sawrejecting her son after he came out to her. Perhaps she’ll be meetinghis new beau; to Urie’s obvious delight, his character will (finally)land himself a boyfriend. And when an audience member began hisquestion by mentioning that Justin’s father/Hilda’s fiancé diedin May’s season finale, Pennette interjected: "May have died." Oh, and there also may be a musical episode, which hopefully should make Justin doubly happy.
Comments (1-19) of 19 Add your comment
Wait, Rebecca Romjin married the fat kid from “Stand by Me”? More proof there is hope for us regular guys.
Justin from the show reminds me of a kid I knew in Chicago nicknamed “Bimbo”. Even as an 8 year old, everyone pretty much knew he was gay. But he was in such a nurturing environment that he grew up happy and well adjusted.
Speaking as a married straight guy, my wish is that all people were afforded that level of freedom and love from their family, no matter who they turn out to be. Justin’s upbringing is proof that Ugly Betty is indeed a very progressive show.
As for Vanessa Williams, I couldn’t be any happier for her. She looks great at 44 and she’s one of the best villains of all time on a great hit show.
Anyone else psyched for season 2?
Well EpSapto, i don’t know if you’ve seen the Fat Kid from Stand by Me, but he is not regular looking. Moral Lesson: Hit the gym and hit it hard if you want to land Rebecca!!! aside from that I am psyched from Season 2, this is the first, non sci-fi, non criminal, comedy I have put on my viewing schedule in about six or seven years.
I’m totally psyched for season 2 and totally pissed I’m not getting re-runs this Summer!!
Ugly Betty is such a great show. It celebrates diversity and I think it’s great. Kids today need to see things like that and know it’s Ok to be who you are. Keep it up.
Mozz, that’s just my envy talking. Jerry’s gotten in fantastic shape since then, rocking an athletic look for “My Secret Identity”, “Joe’s Apartment” and as the quarterback in “Jerry Mcguire”.
But for all the work outs he’s done, he’ll always be the “fat kid from stand by me” to me because he was aces in that role.
“May have died”?? yay! oh, please please… let him be alive. Justin deserves his father in his life!
yeah, I’m done now, thanks.
I also am glad Santos may be alive. Not only can Justin still have his dad but us as viewers can have him around to ogle.
CANNOT WAIT for season 2. UB made me love television again. if america and vanessa don’t take home emmy gold, there is no reason to trust the voters anymore. the speeches alone from both beautiful women would be enough reason to watch. america farrera is my hero, and i’m just a fat gay guy from pittsburgh. only problem, there are like, what 10 people worthy of emmys on that show?? it’s all about lady williams though, nothing else matters.
This has zippily become one of my faves and I cannot WAIT for S2!!!
To Joy-Why aren’t you getting reruns this summer? I’m happy they are rerunning them because I came on this show midway through the season. So many of my favorites shows were either cancelled or on the verge. Here’s one I don’t have to worry about.
Wow, Ep Sato, I had forgotten about “My Secret Identity”. The minute I read your comment, the theme song popped into my head. The brain is a strange thing, indeed.
Forgive me, but Ugly Betty isn’t my most favorite show in the world. I’m sure Ms. America Ferrera is a nice girl, but I don’t care for her too much.
The title “Ugly Betty” fits her perfectly. She has no acting skills what so ever.
I could not stand her role on Gotta Kick It Up and I can’t stand her role on Ugly Betty.
Everyone else may like her, but sorry, I don’t.
Please, I don’t want to assault America Ferrera personally, because I’m not trying to do that at all. Just stating my opinion.
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