Strictly’s Graziano Di Prima and The Greatest Dancer’s Todrick Hall lead Attitude’s February Travel issue

Words: Will Stroude

2020 is officially upon us, and we’re dancing our way into a new decade with a brand new issue celebrating two of TV’s biggest movers and shakers.

Just weeks after taking part in BBC Strictly Come Dancing‘s first full-length same-sex dance routine with fellow pro Joannes Radebe, Graziano Di Prima hits back at the haters as he opens up about the power of dance and his bond with his dance partner, who will serve as best man at his wedding this year.

“It was just like a breath of happiness: two friends, who happen to be men, dancing together,” Graziano says in Attitude’s February Travel issue, out now to download and to order globally.

Graziano Di Prima, shot by Joseph Sinclair exclusively for Attitude’s February Travel issue, out now

“It was a new thing for the audience but for us, it was normal. Afterwards, we were crying and laughing. It’s one of those things that I’ll remember for ever. I had the chance to dance with my friend and to dance with him was the best thing.

“At the end of the day, you don’t need to have a female and a male to dance; as long as you love dancing.

Photography: Joseph Sinclair

“Dance is love, that’s it.”

Meanwhile, as Todrick Hall takes up his position alongside Cheryl, Strictly’s Oti Mabuse and Glee’s Matthew Morrison on the new series of BBC One’s The Greatest Dancer, the singer and RuPaul’s Drag Race judge talks Taylor Swift, shaking off the haters and why he’s refusing to get in a spin over recent accusations he’s faced online about his professional conduct.

“My fans have stood beside me, and they know my heart and my integrity, and they know what type of person I am” Todrick tells us.

Todrick Hall, shot by Conor Clinch at Camden Market exclusively for Attitude’s February Travel issue, out now

“They know that I would never intentionally do some of these things, any of these things that are being said about me.

“My show is full of love and I focus on that every night… when some kid comes and tells me that because of my music and my message they didn’t take their own life, that they are now wearing heels at school, and they are winning prom queens.”

The 34-year-old adds: “I’ll sleep with one eye open, but what I’m not going to stop doing is inspiring kids.”

& Juliet’s Arun Blair-Magnat, shot by Markus Bidaux exclusively for Attitude’s February Travel issue, out now

 

Elsewhere in Attitude’s February Travel issue, we meet & Juliet‘s Arun Blair-Magnat, as the star of the West End’s smash-hit Max Martin-soundtracked musical reveals how his character May’s gender storyline encouraged him to embrace his ‘otherness’.

Lucio Castro, shot by Markus Bidaux exclusively for Attitude’s February Travel issue, out now

End of the Century director Lucio Castro also features as he opens up about making one of the most intriguing queer films of the year, and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK finalist Divina De Campo is this month’s Big In a Wig.

Divina De Campo

DJ duo Super Drama also go on the record about their friendship, the do’s and don’ts of partying, and the ever-evolving LGBTQ club scene, and we speak to Belmond’s Arnaud Champenois as the luxury hospitality company announces a special LGBTQ departure of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.

Super Drama 

Theatre director Sean Mathias is also on hand to offer some valuable life lessons, and RAF serviceman Michael Pattison reveals what life is like for LGBTQ people serving in the British Armed Forces 20 years after the ban on gay people serving in the military was lifted.

RAF serviceman Michael Pattison

Plus, in a travel special to mark the start of a new decade, Jodie Harsh sheds light on the life of jet-setting drag superstar, while we venture into the heart of China’s emerging gay capital, Chongqing, and discover how times are a-changing in San Francisco.

Jodie Harsh

We also find out whether Tel Aviv lives up to its reputation as a haven for LGBTQ visitors in the Middle East, and bring you the definitive rundown of the biggest dance and music festivals to look forward to over the next 12 months.

That’s alongside all your usual news, reviews, fashion and travel, of course…

Attitude’s February Travel issue is out now.

Buy now and take advantage of our best-ever subscription offers: three issues for £3 in print, 13 issues for £13.99 to download to any device.