Chaz Bono is saving up to get his bottom-half surgery done

Chaz Bono, who has been relatively quiet about whether he had penis surgery in the process of changing from female to male, is finally speaking up about saving for that procedure.

It's another of many recent life changes for the "Dancing With the Stars" veteran, who broke off his engagement to Jennifer Elia in December after six years of dating, first as a lesbian couple, then as man and woman.

"I was in a fairly typical heterosexual relationship ... ," he told Rolling Stone. "Anyway, I think Jen wished I wouldn't get the bottom done, but she understood my need to." (Elia had described herself as bisexual.)

After going through the transgender process, Bono -- born Chastity, to Cher and Sonny Bono -- legally became a man in May 2010.

The surgical decision is more complex than some might think: Bono has to choose between a procedure that builds from scratch, or one that works with what's there -- a body part that's already enlarged thanks to male hormones. Then there are other options; Bono likened it to shopping for a car. For example, he  told the mag, he'd like to be able to stand up to urinate, because sitting down in a men's room can be a pretty gross experience. And that particular feature would need to be built in.

"You have to understand, though, for me the life transformation has already happened."

And what's the MSRP that Bono's saving up to cover?

"The doctor I want to use is in Belgrade. It's going to be a little cheaper there. Probably $25,000, maybe $45,000, I really don't know."

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-- Christie D'Zurilla
Twitter.com/dzurillaville

Photo: Chaz Bono in October. Credit: Paul Zimmerman / Getty Images

Chaz Bono and Jennifer Elia have called off engagement, split up

Chaz Bono and Jennifer Elia have called off their engagement -- in fact, after six years together, they've called off their whole relationship.

"Thanks for your concern about our separation," the "Dancing With the Stars" contestant and transgender activist wrote Monday on Twitter. "I'm doing fine, and we remain on good terms with nothing but respect and affection 4 each other."

The couple had been engaged for two years, but a spotlight was trained on them recently before the Nov. 28 air date of the documentary "Being Chaz," which included a scene in which Bono, 42, had finally presented Elia with a diamond ring.

PHOTOS: Celebrity splits

"Being Chaz" was a follow-up to "Becoming Chaz," the Emmy-nominated documentary that followed the transgender process of the former Chastity Bono. Bono and Elia -- who has said she's bisexual -- had previously put off getting married until Bono's transgender process was completed.

The only child of Sonny Bono and Cher, who was declared a man in May 2010, lasted six weeks on the most recent "DWTS" cycle.

Though Elia stayed with Bono through "DWTS" and through the "Being Chaz" air date, we can't help but think of Paris Hilton, who confirmed that her relationship with Cy Waits had been kaput for a while, with that detail being kept (strategically?) mum until right after a drama-queen episode of "The World According to Paris" in which she'd slapped her beloved in the face.

Waits was "not used to this lifestyle, the media and being on a show," an E! News source said in explaining the reportedly mutual and amicable split. Elia had to handle those pressures as well, with the added challenge of helping her girlfriend become her boyfriend along the way.

That said, in Waits' defense, Elia wasn't called upon to hold any knife-wielding "fans" at gunpoint until the cops showed up.

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Chaz Bono puts a ring on it, icing his engagement to fiancee Jennifer Elia

-- Christie D'Zurilla
Twitter.com/dzurillaville

Photo: Jennifer Elia and Chaz Bono in September. Credit: Noel Vasquez / Getty Images

 

Barbara Walters' most fascinating people: a peek at the list [Poll]

This post has been updated, as indicated below.

Barbara Walters has released the almost-complete list of people that will be included in the 2011 edition of her annual special, "Barbara Walters Presents: The 10 Most Fascinating People of 2011."

Warning to Daniel Craig: The Kardashians are on the list.

The most fascinating person of 2011 won't be revealed until the special airs Dec. 14 on ABC, but the rest of the participants are an eclectic group: In addition to Kourtney, Khloe and Kim Kardashian -- and don't forget mom, Kris Jenner -- there's the "Modern Family" duo of Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Eric Stonestreet, plus Simon Cowell, New York Yankees captain Derek Jeter, Donald Trump, pop star Katy Perry and Pippa Middleton.

Who's missing from the list? And tell us in comments: Who do you think will be the crowned 2011's most fascinating person?

[For the record, 2:41 p.m. Nov. 30: The headline on this post originally said "9 of 10 revealed." It has been changed.]

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-- Patrick Kevin Day

Photo: Barbara Walters in London for the royal wedding this year. Credit: Rob Wallace / ABC

Chaz Bono puts a ring on it, icing engagement to Jennifer Elia

Chaz Bono and girlfriend Jennifer Elia have been engaged for a while now, but on a clear day recently in Seattle, the "Dancing With the Stars" contestant made it very official with the gift of a sparkling engagement ring.

The big moment will be shown Sunday night in the one-hour special "Being Chaz," a follow-up to "Becoming Chaz," the Emmy-nominated documentary that followed Bono's transgender process.

While calling the ring "gorgeous," "stunning" and "huge," a thankful Elia didn't have to say yes: The couple have been engaged for two years, but put off getting married until Bono's transgender process was complete.

Bono, who lasted six weeks on the most recent "Dancing With the Stars" cycle, revealed on the show's finale last week that since his elimination he'd been backstage each week cheering on the remaining contestants. On the finale, Bono did a number with partner Lacey Schwimmer and her father, Buddy Schwimmer, celebrating dancers of the not-so-slim variety; the routine was set to the tune "Big and Chunky" from "Madagascar 2."

Elia, who has said she's bisexual, told CNN's Piers Morgan in May that she finds her fiance more attractive as a man.

"Being Chaz" airs at 8 p.m. Sunday on OWN. The former Chastity Bono, child of Cher and Sonny Bono, was legally declared a man in May 2010. 

 

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Chaz Bono speaks out -- in a much lower voice

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Cher's footprint ceremony is typically low-key, with a busload of Chilean miners and a G-string

-- Christie D'Zurilla
Twitter.com/dzurillaville

Photo: Jennifer Elia and Chaz Bono at the Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards in L.A. on Sept. 10. Credit: Chris Pizzello / Associated Press

Chaz Bono: Cha-cha-chatting after 'DWTS' debut [Video]

"Dancing With the Stars" fans who wanted to see Chaz Bono in action with Lacey Schwimmer had to stay up late Monday night: The heavily hyped duo were the final performers on the 12-dance "DWTS" season 13 premiere.

Bono didn't seem too sure of things in the clip leading up the the performance. "Being in your 40s, and overweight, it kills my body," he said. "I really wanna not suck."

Mama Cher, however, was stoked when the music was over, tweeting, "WOW! HOW GREAT WAS MY SON! THE GREATEST THING, GREATEST THING, GREATEST THING NO MATTER WHAT! WHAT! WHAT! HES A WINNER! I Was So Nervous!"

The judges were also receptive, giving the two a score of 17 on a night when the numbers ranged from 14 (Ron Artest, newly renamed Metta World Peace) to a couple of 22s (singer Chynna Phillips, actor-veteran J.R. Martinez). Comments included

The Ministry's vote for contestant most likely to be spotted walking on air in the near future, however, goes to the boyish David Arquette, who appeared to thoroughly enjoy his time on the dance floor -- as well as the presence in the audience of daughter Coco, with estranged but smiling wife Courtney Cox.

Check out Chaz and Lacey's post-game interview with ABC, below.

 

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— Christie D'Zurilla
Twitter.com/dzurillaville

Photo: Chaz Bono and Lacey Schwimmer rehearse on Sept. 7. Credit: Matt Sayles / Associated Press

 

Chaz Bono: Unlike dance fever, gender dysphoria isn't catching

Chaz Bono is under the impression that "Dancing With the Stars" is a dance show, where, like the other contestants, he intends to dance.

And though to date he's done a lot of interviews and a documentary about transgender issues and his own transition, Bono said he doesn't plan to use his "DWTS" stint as any kind of soapbox.

"I'm going to be dancing. I'm not up there talking about anything other than dancing," Bono said Tuesday on "Good Morning America." "People who don't have gender dysphoria aren't going to catch it by watching me dance on television."

He wants America to see "that I'm just a regular guy. All these ideas of, 'Children shouldn't watch me, I'm going to be confusing,' ... it's crazy." That said, "it would have made all the difference in the world in my life" had he seen a show like this, featuring someone like him, when he was growing up as Chastity Bono.

Chaz, born the daughter of Cher and the late Sonny Bono, started the gender reassignment process in March 2009, legally becoming a man in May 2010.

Bono's inclusion in the cast has sparked criticism from various corners plus calls to boycott "DWTS." It also appears to have distracted folks from the notion that producers considered pairing "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy's" Carson Kressley with a male dancer and the fact that contestant Elisabetta Canalis shacked up out of wedlock with George Clooney for years. Don't even get us started on David Arquette.

Incidentally, Bono will dance with pro Lacey Schwimmer, Kressley with Anna Trebunskaya, Canalis with Val Chmerkovskiy (brother of Maks) and Arquette with Kym Johnson.

"One of the great things about the show is you can go into it with a preconception about a celebrity, and that often changes once you see the show because you see a completely different side to them," exec producer Conrad Green told Show Tracker.

"It's a process of discovery," Green said. And in Bono's case, "We booked him because he's a great guy with an amazing story."

 

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 — Christie D'Zurilla
twitter.com/dzurillaville

Photo: The new "Dancing With the Stars" cast includes, back row from left, Ron Artest, David Arquette, J.R. Martinez, Rob Kardashian and Chaz Bono and, seated from left, Ricki Lake, Kristin Cavallari, Chynna Phillips, Nancy Grace, Hope Solo and Elisabetta Canalis. Credit: Adam Taylor / ABC

 

 

Chaz Bono: Cher applauds her son's 'Dancing With the Stars' gig

Chaz Bono, the first transgender "Dancing With the Stars" contestant, does have pro Lacey Schwimmer helping with choreography -- but it's nice to know that mama Cher is out there to give him some pointers too.

And how did Cher react to news that her son was climbing aboard ABC's dance show?

"She really thought it was great that I was doing it and wanted to know how I was feeling about it, if I was nervous and how it was going," Bono said Wednesday on Ryan Seacrest's radio show.

Cher also acted like a true mother hen, taking to Twitter to defend Chaz -- born Chastity Bono to the singer and the late Sonny Bono -- against critics.

"Lovelies! Chaz is Being Viciously Attacked on Blogs & Message boards about being on DWTS! This is Still America right ? It took guts 2 do it," she wrote. 

"I support him no matter what he chooses 2do! God! will there always be haters! It took COURAGE 2 do dwts!...Chaz has an Unlimited [supply]," she added.

That unlimited supply can be seen in action Sept. 19 when "DWTS" premieres. Chaz will take the stage against celebs including David Arquette, Elisabetta Canalis, Ricki Lake and Rob Kardashian. The new cast was announced Monday.

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Cher's Hollywood footprint ceremony typically low-key, with Chilean miners and a turquoise G-string

-- Matt Donnelly
twitter.com/MattDonnelly

Left photo: Cher at the Westwood premiere of "The Zookeeper" in July. Credit: Frazer Harrison / Getty Images

Right photo: Chaz Bono in L.A. in April. Credit: Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times

Kristin Chenoweth, Dolly Parton rally for GLAAD Media Awards in L.A.

GLAAD made plenty of famous gays and their supporters beyond happy Sunday during the Los Angeles leg of its annual awards show -- by tapping icon Dolly Parton to appear.

Thunderous applause greeted the country star as she hit the stage at the Bonaventure Hotel in downtown Los Angeles, presenting a prize to NBC Entertainment Chairman Robert Greenblatt. Parton spoke sweetly of Greenblatt's varied television productions, all featuring LGBT characters. 

Click here for pics from the GLAAD Media Awards.

The singer was introduced by Amy Poehler, hosting the show with "Parks and Recreation" costar Rashida Jones. As Poehler approached the microphone to hype their special guest, one fan shouted out how much he loved her, to which she replied, "Sit down, Colin Farrell." 

Not to worry -- Colin Farrell was indeed in attendance, along with Chaz Bono, Joel McHale, Marlee Matlin, Tori Spelling and Lisa Vanderpump.

Shows "Glee" and "Modern Family" both nabbed outstanding comedy series, accepted, respectively, by Chris Colfer and Mike O'Malley, and Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Julie Bowen and Ariel Winter. 

Broadway and TV cutie Kristin Chenoweth was presented the Vanguard Award by her "Promises, Promises" leading man Sean Hayes. The pint-sized Broadway star got plenty of laughs and even a few tears during her acceptance speech.

Click the pics for photos from the red carpet.

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-- Matt Donnelly
twitter.com/MattDonnelly

Photos, from top: Dolly Parton wows the GLAAD crowd at the Bonaventure Hotel. Colin Farrell courts the attention of Amy Poehler and everyone else. Credit: Kevin Winter / Getty Images 

Country singer Chely Wright engaged to girlfriend Lauren Blitzer

Chely Wright, the country singer who came out as a lesbian last May after her publicist set a guessing game in motion, is engaged to be married to gay-rights activist Lauren Blitzer.

"The freedom of being out and open about who I am allowed me to find and fall in love with Lauren, the most amazing woman I've ever known," Wright told People on Wednesday. The two plan to marry in Connecticut on Aug. 20, according to the mag.

Noting that she never thought something like this would happen so fast, Wright told E! News that they plan to have kids and "everything that everyone else has. I do want a family and I do want traditional things." (Getting married in front of 200 guests at a relative's house does fall into the traditional category.)

Folks who don't know Wright's name off the bat might remember her as the singer who had a thing going with Brad Paisley about a decade or so ago, and more recently as the star of last year's someone-famous-is-coming-out-the-first-Monday-in-May-who-could-it-be drama.

Publicist Howard Bragman, who also helped manage sexuality-related news about Meredith Baxter and Chaz Bono, jump-started the chatter mill for an audience primed by singer Ricky Martin's then-recent declaration that he was "proud to be a fortunate gay man."

When "someone famous" was revealed to be Wright, some gossips went from holding their breath to feeling a bit deflated. The disappointment, the Ministry's Leslie Gornstein opined at the time, grew from the fact that although Wright was indeed gay, and technically famous, she wasn't a gay megastar, and there wasn't much fun in that -- an attitude Gornstein noted just ain't country.

The couple, who met through youth advocacy work, "say that their passion for Scrabble holds them together," Wright's rep told People.

Early last year the singer also released her most recent album, "Lifted Off the Ground," as well as a memoir, "Like Me."

ALSO:

Chaz Bono is now legally a man

Sara Gilbert puts it out there: She's a lesbian

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-- Christie D'Zurilla

Photo: Chely Wright on April 15, 2010. Credit: Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times

 

Rosie O'Donnell moving into Oprah's Harpo studio

Rosie O'Donnell is making a move on Oprah Winfrey's turf as the comedian readies her talk show, which will be based in Oprah's former Chicago studio.

"I'm delighted to welcome Rosie to the studio I've called home for so many years," Winfrey said in a statement to the Associated Press.

O'Donnell will be hosting a one-hour daytime talk show on Winfrey's OWN Network this fall that will be shot on the Harpo Studios lot, which opened in 1990 and was home to "The Oprah Winfrey Show."

"I can't wait to do my show from Chicago," O'Donnell, an Emmy-winning daytime talk-show host herself and guest host on "The View," saId in a statement. "It's a dream come true ... beyond the beyond."

O'Donnell also sent a video message to the Harpo staff welcoming herself aboard saying:

"Hello people of Harpo, it's me, Rosie O'Donnell, star of 'The Flintstones.' ... I just wanted to say: Hi, I'm coming to Chicago. Yes, I am, and I'm thrilled about it. And I get to work with all of you, who have created magnificent television for two decades-plus. ... It's a huge thrill for me, and I'm beyond the beyond. And thank you, Oprah. And thank all you people there, some of you who are going to be sticking around and helping us. ...  And that's it: Thrilled, thanks, and I hope I didn't blow the surprise. Figure you already knew. Right?"

Winfrey's network also will be home to original programming featuring Lisa Ling ("Our America"), Shania Twain ("Why Not?") and a documentary about Chaz Bono ("Becoming Chaz").

On Jan. 7, OWN premiered "Your OWN Show: "Oprah's Search for the Next TV Star," a reality competition in which the top prize is a six-episode show on the network.

The finale of Oprah's 25-year juggernaut of a talk show will air May 25.

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— Nardine Saad
twitter.com / NardineSaad

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Photos: Top, Oprah Winfrey, left. Credit: Frazer Harrison / Getty Images. Rosie O'Donnell, right. Credit: Lucas Jackson / Reuters. Bottom: Winfrey and O'Donnell at the launch party for O, the Oprah Magazine in New York in 2000. Credit: Reuters