James Franco and Kalup Linzy's (Bad) "Drag-ish" Torch Song Duet

Performance artist Kalup Linzy and "surprise guest" were the headliners celebrating Campari's 150th anniversary Sunday night in New York City. The "surprise" was actor James Franco who made quite the scene, reports NYMag.

"[D]rag-ish performance artist and Guggenheim fellow Kalup Linzy, came out onto the makeshift stage in what appeared to be a studded gold lamé wetsuit — bare-armed, barefoot, with a flower in his hair, singing gorgeously before a six-piece band. A couple of songs in, after the Voguers did their mirroring strut, Franco got up in a tuxedo, his hair slicked back, looking a little like Christian Bale in American Psycho: assessing, aloof, addled. Plopped onto a red velour wing chair in the middle of the small stage, clutching a microphone, his role in the performance was to stare with arrogant fascination at Linzy's ample ass, as the singer performed torch songs about bad men. Franco looked sleek, game, and sincerely confused, and sang badly on their duet, which was Nicolette Larson's "Lotta Love." Much of the crowd didn't seem to know who he was."

Nothing on the YouTubes—yet!—but more photos at ARTInfo.

Comments

[Chris Cruz]

is james franco family? i cant help but think he is, given his gay themed short stories, short film and nightlife.

no worries though, he is quite amazing.

[Marcus]

He is--or at least that's what I'm hearing out of NYC, Chris. Everything he does is gay now.

[mechadude2001]

James Franco is getting hotter, and hotter.

[KP]

I'm always skeptical when I hear rumors about an actor being gay. I'm sure there are several who are gay; Neal Patrick Harris, who decided to out himself before the tabloids did, is one example. However, just because an actor plays gay on-screen - even more than once - doesn't mean he is gay in real-life. In Europe, many straight actors play gay or bi roles and nobody bats an eye. Here in the US it's so much more an issue and people just can't stop speculating. No wonder a lot of American actors are reluctant to play gay, even if they aren't homophobic. They don't want the burden of being typecast or maybe losing work or fans because of other people's prejudice.

[cinderella show guy]

this man is so fine.

[FREELEO]

Ok, the white dude has on a tux and the black dude looks like he just found his way out of Studio 54 after decades of being trapped in the basement. What the? We haven't come so far that we still don't need to be cognizant of the images we project to the world and more importantly our younger sgl brothers.

[Dalton]

"No wonder a lot of American actors are reluctant to play gay, even if they aren't homophobic. They don't want the burden of being typecast or maybe losing work or fans because of other people's prejudice."

No, because this country is homophobic and even gay men (esp black gay men) bring their own internal homophobia every time the issue is brought up.

Google is your friend, dear. Obviously you arent aware of this, but Franco is working on his MFA at NYU. His thesis film involved NAKED men playing basketball and lots of gratuitous PENIS shots. Franco has also written several poems and short stories with heavy gay subtext. He's also made several appearances at NYC edgy night venues. Sometimes people don't come out per se, but their work or action speak volumes.

It's been reported all over the white gay blogs like TR, Queerty and Gawker. I just assumed Rod hasnt covered it because he didnt think we'd care. Again, Google is your friend or go to those blogs.

An actor would be angry if someone thought he was gay only if he thought there was something wrong with it. Clearly Franco doesn't. And clearly many black gay men still do, because the minute there is ever any speculation on this blog the pearl clutchers come out.

[Dalton]

"I'm always skeptical when I hear rumors about an actor being gay. I'm sure there are several who are gay"

That sounds very flyover.
If you ever leave Ohio or Kansas and visit NYC or LA, you'll see many faces from tv, movies and magazines in the gay clubs, at parties or cruising men. There are a lot more than "several", but bless your heart.

[cinderella show guy]

Dalton, you are right about the many faces who are gay. I was in Las Vegas and saw Sean Paul at The Palazzo. The man is gay and was cruising hard. I had no idea that he was gay until that night. There are indeed a lot more than several.

[Shade Tea]

Yes Franco is family and he *LOVES* the brothas and papis in NYC and LA...

Get into it, kiddies! James is "family" and we should be OK with that..all roooiight?!?!?!?!?!

Linzy is a hot mess...the drag performance he gives is just caricature and idiotic. I have been too impressed with his work and this is no different.