The Next Wave

Watch your back, Fab Five. Theres a new crew of trs fey hipsters that is movin in on your milieunamely, helping hopeless heteros boost their style and self-esteem. Like you, theyre sexy and sassy, and they tool around town in an SUVa totally stylin silver Cadillac Escaladelike gay gang members. And they too are known by a catchy street handle: the Gal Pals. America will meet this pink posseDamon, Danny, Robbie, and Honeywhen Queer Eye for the Straight Girl debuts January 12, the night after Straight Guys season opener, at 10 p.m. Eastern/Pacific on Bravo. The channels counting on a strong launch for both shows, despite the original Queer Eyes decline in ratings last year. Its still our highest-rated show, points out Bravo president Lauren Zalaznick, though she admits a botox injection is needed to freshen up the franchise. No, not literally. Were just giving [the guys] a lift by letting them travel outside the New York area. In other words, no more back waxes for hirsute husbands from Long Island! Im an Ohio boy, winks openly gay creator and executive producer David Collins, and Im here to tell you they need our help in the flyover states. The Los Angelesbased Straight Girl, meanwhile, will focus on female trouble in its own sunny backyard. We have the tragedy that is West Coast fashion to work with, Collins says. Ugg boots are so over. Well nail that in the first episode. Out recently got acquainted with this spin-offs quirky quartet at the Paramour Mansion in the Silver Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles, where they were brewing up a brides dream wedding. Britney Spears shot the video for her remake of Bobby Browns My Prerogative here, says interior designer Damon Pease, 28. She crashed a Porsche right there in the pool! If Pease sounds a touch enthused about the setting, thats just because its his job. The Gal Pals roles are defined by four key L words: the Look, the Life, the Locale (thats Pease), and the Lady. Three out of four are ex-models, including Pease, who skipped college to stalk the runways of Europe then entered the design field as a florist and party planner. I get really stressed with my part of the show sometimes, sighs Pease, who hails from San Diego. Im very meticulous, but were working under a time restraint. Ive learned that if I dont get the right end table, its not the end of the world. London-born dancer Danny Teeson, 29, seems more mellow than the frenetic Pease. The shy Britwho fills the Life slot as Girls health and fitness guruboasts an impressive rsum in the United Kingdom, including stints as choreographer of Robbie Williamss recent world tour and backup dancer for Kylie Minogue, Geri Halliwell, and Gloria Estefan. It wasnt always like, Oh, Ive gotta throw on my gold hot pants and go dance backup for Kylie, he laughs. I was a bellboy in college, so I come from humble beginnings. Ive been fortunate in the jobs Ive had. To read more about the Gal Pals, pick up the January issue of Out.