It's a wonderful life

When Trey met Mary (and Tarrantino, Warhol, Farb & Obama): A unique 30-year friendship is told in art

Trey Speegle met Mary Hayslip in 1980 on a disco dance floor of what is now Menil’s Richmond Hall. She remembers saying, “I think we’re going to be good friends." And they have been.

She commissioned a portrait on canvas, and I had the idea to reinterpret Warhol’s 1962 painting, "Gold Marilyn," [https: /www.moma.org/collection/object.php?object_id=79737] as his 1982 "Gold Carolyn," using the exact measurements of the original. ("Gold Marilyn" was donated by Philip Johnson to the Museum of Modern Art and and I “visited” her on my birthday just one month before the VooDoo Pop opening.) We’ve remained friends ever since, and Carolyn has been one of my biggest supporters, always encouraging me to “go for it,” and now she is going for it herself as a partner in the Colton & Farb Gallery [https://www.coltonfarbgallery.com/]. This show is "Gold Carolyn"’s first ever public viewing. Trey Speegle, "Gold Carolyn," 1982, 83 by 57 by 3 inches, silkscreen, acrylic and gold paint on canvas, collection of Carolyn Farb

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So you think you can dance?

Houston hero Megan Thee Stallion rides onto Hulu with new reality TV show

Courtesy of Hulu

Megan Thee Stallion is an executive producer and occasional guest on Playground.

Houston’s favorite Hot Girl is branching out into streaming TV.

Rapper and hometown girl Megan Thee Stallion serves as one of the executive producers for Playground, a new reality series that premieres on Hulu this Friday, July 26. The series follows veteran and up-and-coming dancers whose clubhouse is Playground LA, a popular, viral video-creating Los Angeles dance studio.

Since this is a reality show, it’s more about drama and conflict than delving into the world of professional dancing. (The show does have frantically-edited montages of dancers moving, gyrating, and shaking.) In the first episode, we already have two pairs of dancers butting heads. There’s the rivalry between former dance-troupe mates Deanna, a “loose cannon” (we’re told this because somebody mentions it every five minutes) and Alexis, a self-described princess who isn’t afraid to admit she wants a dude with money.

Playground TV show Maurice Huston and Zonta The show has plenty of dancers strutting their stuff.Courtesy of Hulu

There’s also some tension between Playground LA owners/choreographers Robin Antin (who created the Pussycat Dolls) and Kenny Wormald (who starred in that 2011 Footloose remake), as they obviously get into tiffs about who’s really running things at the studio.

But where’s the romance? Well, we also have a situationship (that’s what the kids call it these days) between best buds Roman and Madison. While Madison would love to make their on-again/off-again romance permanent, proud lothario Roman would prefer to keep it open.

Playground TV show Madison Cubbage and Kenny Wormald Dancers Madison Cubbage and Kenny Wormald discuss something spicy.Courtesy of Hulu

The show also features guest appearances from music stars looking for dancers. In the second episode, R&B singer Tinashe and DJ duo Louis the Child show up to get some performers for their respective projects. Megan herself will also stop by later in the nine-episode season.

In short, if you’ve always wanted to see a messy-as-hell reality show that also has sweaty, stylish dance sequences, then have fun at Playground.

Get a sneak peek of all the drama by watching the extender trailer below. All episodes will be available beginning this Friday, July 26.

celebrities reality-tv