Boy Culture Links: Madonna & Sabrina Carpenter Surprise at Coachella, the Eye-Candy World of Carl Van Vechten, Knicks Owner Surveilled Trans Woman for YEARS + MORE
APRIL 18, 2026
BRIAN FERRARI’S BLOG: “The Wonderful World of Carl Van Vechten.” It ain’t Disney, baby.
WIRED: In a shocking exposé, the lengths to which Knicks owner Jim Dolan went to surveil a trans woman — ONLY FOR BEING TRANS! — inside MSG, resulting in her banning from the iconic venue, are laid bare. In the process, we learn about how crazy-intrusive MSG’s surveillance network and systems are. It’s far-future shit, but it’s now. (If you can’t access Wired, Queerty summarizes it here.)
KTLA: Four Dems and two Republicans have qualified for the California gubernatorial debate. Swalwell dropping out has benefited Becerra the most, it would seem.
THE ATLANTIC: You will be, um, surprised to read that FBI Director Kash Patel’s erratic, drunken, MIA behavior is alarming to his colleagues.
POLITICO: As much as a political gift as it would be if Trump pardoned Ghislaine Maxwell, it would also be such a violent abuse of the presidential pardon power and miscarriage of justice — and proof-positive Trump’s a pedophile. That her lawyer is optimistic it will happen should mystify and enrage everyone across the political spectrum.
EXTRATV: Sabrina Carpenter’s second night of headlining Coachella ended with a massive Madonna collab. The Queen of Pop (who is 40 years older than Sabrina) emerged in a black-and-white segment to perform “Vogue” before launching into her new song feat. Sabrina, a world premiere. The two were very chummy, and Madonna had some make-love-not-war astrology advice ahead of a powerful “Like a Prayer” closer. It was lovely seeing them interact, a momentous pop meeting of the behinds.
INSTAGRAM: My instant review of “I Feel So Free” — streaming now — the lead track and first released song — not lead single — from Madonna’s forthcoming album Confessions on a Dance Floor: Part II:
DAILY BEAST: Caitlyn Jenner is a professional anti-trans instigator, yet now that her own passport has been switched back to MALE, she’s crying foul!
NEW YORK TIMES: Iris Long, a chemist who aligned herself with ACT UP in the early years of the AIDS epidemic, has died at 92.
HUFFINGTON POST: Incredibly, and for no reason, Trump has turned on the Door Dash granny, called his stunt with her “tacky” and “embarrassing.”
Thanks for this post. It's my first time hearing this new Madonna track and I agree: Madonna is back! It's been two decades since she released a song this good. (The last may have been "Celebration.") Can't wait for the rest of the album!