by Ema Bancroft
E. C. We are delighted. We can't wait to act together again.
It's been a long time, but it's amazing to be back on stage. I was a little nervous, but in rehearsal we all got nervous, as usual. Smooth, like butter.
But things haven't always been easy for 5Point.
(VIDEO of Tabloid Headlines)
The band was badly beaten when the so-called "Sexto Punto", Ricardo Morales, was kicked out of the group shortly after a scandal involving a minor girl. 5Point recovered with open auditions to replace Morales, and young Tim Caldwell was chosen - and an instant hit.
Then, Roland "Whispers" Weaver's stunning announcement at an open-air concert in San Francisco once again drove tabloid newspaper headlines.
I'm gay... and I'm in love, and I'm not ashamed to say it...
POWELL: A hate crime against Weaver's partner, choreographer Eddie "Pops" Silva hit the band hard, but fans joined in support.
Things seemed to be going well for 5Point until a concert in Seattle saw a malfunction of the famous wardrobe.
VIDEO CLIP of the 5 point concert - Daisy Caldwell and E. C. Lynch leaving the stage.
Tim Caldwell was revealed as Daisy Caldwell to thousands of screaming fans in the Seattle Key Arena. It seemed unlikely that the band could recover, but it did.
VIDEO CLIP of the press conference
E. C. LYNCH: I hope the world can understand that Daisy just wanted a chance to be heard - a level playing field. We just wanted to give her that chance: the rest, well, it had to be because of the talent.
POWELL: Talent seemed to be enough as the band played to sell crowds for the remaining months of their tour, then took their first, second and third Grammy awards in February.
VIDEO CLIP of the Grammy Awards
And the winner is... 5 points?
Five points!
Five points!
POWELL: 5Point was on top of the world, but nothing lasts forever, and a year later, the band announced that it was breaking up - a friendly separation, they all insisted - but one that devastated their fans.
Unidentified Fan #4: (Sobbing) I'm going to miss you so much!
It's time to move on. We all love each other, but we want to try new things.
POWELL: For Jordan,"new things" included marriage - then divorce - and then remarriage - with his old love, Terri Gilbert. The two also entered the business together with an old friend, Claude Martinez, a former drag queen who performed under the name of Moxie Galore.
Claude's experience in the drag world gave us the business idea.
CLAUDE MARTINEZ, CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Realistic prostheses were not available everywhere. We knew the Falsie market was a great opportunity for us.
POWELL: Jordan, Martinez and Gilbert formed Not Just Drag, a company that produces prostheses for breast and penis replacement and augmentation. The company was an instant success, with more than ten million dollars in sales just the first year.
TERRI GILBERT, BUSINESS MANAGER: People are very grateful.
Having a boob that really feels like a real boob? It's a miracle.
POWELL: Gilbert and Jordan have also achieved success in their personal lives. After a first rocky marriage and the resulting divorce, the two remarried three years ago and have since adopted six children from various countries around the world.
Look out, Angelina!
GILBERT: (smacks Jordan)
POWELL: 5Point's so-called Bad Boy, Raul Snyder, made the leap to cinema, appearing in a series of teenage movies that critics planned but the girls loved. His financial success had a price, though. The actor became famous for his wild and partying lifestyle, and eventually the jobs were sold out.
No director would touch me. It was a mess. I had lost my girlfriend. I was living on a friend's couch. I had lost everything.
POWELL: After some time in rehab, Snyder struggled to regain his reputation, taking several small parts before taking the lead in the Midnight series, a role that once again put him in the spotlight, but finally made him fight typing.
RAUL "ROCKET" SNYDER: It's always the melancholic and lonely type brought to life by the sweet and quiet girl who thinks it's nothing special. Not that I'm complaining. Midnight has been good to me. I just want a chance to grow up as an actor, you know?
POWELL: Snyder had that opportunity in Georgia Sky, an epic Civil War movie that earned him a Golden Globe and an Oscar nomination. It is said that the band's star had to take extreme measures to get the part, even appearing at the door of director Ron Howard dressed in Civil War gowns.
That was Mabel's idea, actually. What can I say? It worked.
Mabel is Mabel Sullivan, Snyder's agent and long-time girlfriend. The two have never tied the knot, but they share this house in the Hollywood hills with three dogs, two cats, and a potbellied pig.
We call him Porky.
She calls him Porky. I call it Bacon.
I think that's cruel.
POWELL: Roland "Whispers" Weaver, who surprised the world by going out in a crowded open-air concert in San Francisco, married his partner Eddie at a sumptuous ceremony at the Central Park Boathouse in New York, followed a month later by another equally glamorous event at Odescalchi Castle in Italy.
EDDIE "POPS" SILVA-WEAVER: We imagine that since they only marry once, why don't they do it twice?
POWELL: The couple are co-founders of Whispers Productions, the company that is behind such popular programs as So, You Think You Can Sing (and Dance) and Love Match. They also starred in their own reality show for two seasons. Roland and Eddie, a love story, recounted the couple's commitment, the wedding and the beginning of their company.
I never thought I could be so happy. I never imagined it.
But it was the romance of E. C. Lynch and Daisy Caldwell that really captivated the world.
VIDEO CLIP of the press conference
REPORTER: Are you romantically involved?
E. C. I don't like to talk about my personal life. But yes.
Masking for months as a child, Daisy had to maintain her relationship with E. C. a secret for fans and the press. But when her true identity was revealed, the pop twosome came out. The fans embraced their romance and celebrated their marriage a year and a half later. His association also continued professionally, even after the breakup of 5Point. The two formed A-Lynch Music, and E. C. opted to work behind the scenes, producing Daisy's first solo album, Just Daisy... and her first hit single, My Secret Life?
VIDEO CLIP from the My Secret Life video: I'm no longer hiding...
It's been a long road for both of us. But being able to do what I love, write music and act... and besides that, being able to do that thing with the person I love? Yeah. It's incredible. A dream come true?
POWELL: Caldwell's career soared, with six platinum records and fourteen number one hits, including a duet co-written and performed with Lynch, What I've Found, which also won a Grammy for Song of the Year.
VIDEO CLIP by Lynch and Caldwell performing at the Grammy Awards: I can't believe what I've lost... but even more, what I've found...?
It's the best of both worlds. I still write songs... I play a little bit, but I also find the side of producing such rewarding things. Find new talent and help grow and cultivate that talent?
It's impressive.
POWELL: The group may have gone their separate ways, but everyone insists that they are as close as they always were. And tonight, fans will receive what they've been waiting for as 5Point finally comes on stage once again. Ruby?
Thank you, Alexis. I'm sure you'll be there tonight, right?
I wouldn't miss it for the world. I'm the biggest fan of 5Point.
I think I could challenge you for that title, Alexis. Thank you for that report. And I am delighted to tell you that the members of 5Point, E. C. , Roland, Rocket, E-Dog and Daisy are with us now. Welcome to all of you. Thank you for joining us this morning.
E. C. Thanks for inviting us.
We're happy to be here.
Tonight'
s meeting at Madison Square Garden was sold out in record time. The fans are excited. What's it like being together again?
It's awesome. It's amazing. It's just like old times.
ROLAND "WHISPERS" SILVA-WEAVER: Well, except for about twenty pounds or so, right Ethan?
Shut the fuck up.
We can't take them anywhere. (Laughs. Seriously, it's amazing. To be honest, we were worried about fans forgetting us, but 5Point fans are the best. Your support has been incredible.
Daisy, you have your own career as a successful soloist. Is it weird coming back to the band after all that?
Being alone has been wonderful, but I really missed these guys. We always have so much fun acting together. I'm only here today for 5Point, so it's an honor to sing with them again. It's a very special moment.
And now you have mothers who will bring their daughters.
That's pretty interesting. Makes me feel old.
You're an old man.
LYNCH: Hey! (laughs) Seriously, it's fantastic - that these women want to share the experience with their daughters is really flattering?
I have to ask about the scandal.
Which one of them? (laughs)
We know which one. It always comes out.
Haven't we finished with this yet?
No, people still ask me that all the time. There are some who are still angry about it years later. Most of them aren't, though. Most fans have been really understanding.
Would you do it all over again?
That's the million-dollar question, isn't it? (Sighs. It's hard to say. There were parts of her that were very difficult. I didn't like the lies. I still feel guilty about that sometimes.
(Suspires something unintelligible in her ear, nods her head.)
But being here now, doing what I love... married to the man I love, with incredible friends I made thanks to 5Point... and the fantastic fans? I couldn't be happier. I guess I'm glad I can't go back and face that question, because I don't know what I'd do. I'm so, so grateful for how it all ended.
Anyone who criticizes Daisy should think about what she would do if she faced the opportunity to realize her own dream. She had talent. I just needed a chance to prove it. Since then, we've both been heavily involved in the search for new talent, so that people don't have to sacrifice their dreams just because the opportunity isn't there.
How long have you been married?
Nine years, right? Yeah. Nine years...?
And no kids yet?
JORDAN: Yes. What's taking you so long? (laughs.)
Well... actually... we're waiting. You're the first to know. Well, after these guys. (Laughs.)
Breaking news!
CALDWELL: Yes.
Well, that's wonderful. Congratulations.
CALDWELL: Thank you.
LYNCH: Thank you. We're very excited.
Oh, sorry, I thought I turned that off... There, I got it.
I hope it's not bad news.
No... it's not bad news.
Is there something wrong?
Later....
I understand you're playing new music tonight. That's very exciting.
LYNCH: Yes, we released three original songs on the Greatest Hits album, and there will be a couple more that no one has heard yet that we will do tonight.
CALDWELL: E. C. he wrote them. I think the fans will like it.
But we know they're coming because of the old stuff, so there'll be a lot of that too.
I need to have a geek lover and that's it, I'm sure.
Yeah, all the old stuff.
What about spicy candy? That's my favorite.
Mine too.
I heard E. C. actually wrote it for you.
It's a true story, even though I didn't know it for a while.
And now there are rumors of a reunion tour?
We're talking about it. With the response we got for the Garden show, and the success of the album Greatest Hits, it seems there's some interest. It's just a matter of logistics, I think.
We'd all love to do it. It's just a matter of fixing it with all our schedules.
SILVA-WEAVER: Yes, Rocket shoots a miniseries in the fall, and Daisy has a promotional tour for her new album. But I think we'll figure it out. We'd love to do it for our fans.
They'll be back in our next half hour to perform outside our studios, but before we leave, I'd like to have some fun, if you don't mind.
Will it hurt?
FISHER: (Laughs). No pain, I promise. I just have a lot of tabloids here, and I want to play Reality or Fiction... give you the chance to put some of these rumors to rest...
That's easy enough. It's all fiction. (laughs.)
Well, we'll see, are you ready? Okay. Here's the first: Whispers Goes Vegetarian and Gives Eddie No-Meat Ultimatum?
SILVA-WEAVER: Oh, God.
Absolutely true.
SILVA-WEAVER: Shut up. That's fake. I love meat. Nothing like a good hamburger and meat.
Really? Really? Really?
SILVA-WEAVER: Yes. He's the best.
Well, how about this time: Drag and drop in the 5-point meeting rehearsal?
LYNCH: Really? I haven't seen that one.
Did I miss another fight?
Apparently, we all did.
Okay, that's obviously fiction. E-Dog to Sue Mate Band after Butt Bite
Well, that's partially true.
Oh, my goodness.
Rocket's pig bit my ass. But everything's fine. No harm done.
So you're not suing?
No, we've come to an out-of-court settlement.
Yeah, he wants a ham when Porky bites the dust.
That's horrible.
JORDAN: What? I like ham.
Don't tell Mabel.
Okay, one more. E. C. and Daisy pregnant with triplets
Old man! (laughs.)
Where do they get these things?
They even say they have a copy of the ultrasound.
Oh, my goodness.
Daisy? Are you all right? You look a little pale.
I'm fine, I'm fine. Just…ummm…
Can we get a glass of water, please?
Honey, what's going on?
the doctor.
LYNCH: What?
Is there something wrong?
Could we go to the commercial?
Daisy, what the hell is going on? Oh (bleep)... sorry about that.?
It's all good. The censors will have it. I hope.
It's just... it's kind of like... right?
What is true?
About the babies?
What about the babies? What...?
You mean like?
Did you say babies? Like with an "S"?
CALDWELL: Yes?
Like more than one?
Like two more than one?
LYNCH: (Beep)
CALDWELL: Yes.
So, just to be clear. In fact, do you have triplets?
Triplets?
Triplets.
Triplets.
Oh, (bleep)... Elijah? Elijah, are you okay?
CALDWELL: Elijah? Oh, my God.
I think he fainted.
Keep your airways open. Or is that for drowning?
Just throw some water in it.
Where's the water, anyway?
You're not pouring water on him. Elijah? Elijah, baby, wake up!
Obviously, we're having some... technical difficulties. But we'll deal with this... situation, and 5Point will be back in half an hour to play his new single The Boys Are Back. For now, this is Today on NBC.
For God's sake, Ethan, stop slapping him!
COMMERCIAL BREAK
Daisy
I thought I killed him. I knew it was ridiculous, but for a moment I thought that I - along with my abnormally fertile eggs - was giving Elijah a stress-induced heart attack.
Of course, he was only thirty-something years old, but with all the red meat he ate. It could happen.
I made a mental note to have him check
his cholesterol when this was over.
I knelt beside him as the studio lights dimmed, and people rushed here and there trying to figure out how to help.
Lift his feet up.
No, his head has to be above his heart.
Slap him again.
Yeah, the last one was Ethan. As usual, it was no help at all.
I had to admit I was a little jealous of Elijah. Yes, he was unconscious, but for these precious minutes he didn't have to deal with the knowledge that in a few months we were going to be parents.
of a bunch of kids.
Threesomes.
My heart started beating at full speed as the reality of it began to settle. When the doctor's office sent me a message with the test results, I hardly believed it. The day before, I had gone to the ultrasound, and Dr. Thomas had bent and flattered me, measuring and tapping and pricking. When it finally formed the words "multiple birth,"I felt my heart sink.
But I thought they were twins. And so does he. Until he took a closer look at my ultrasound. Obviously, baby #3 was a little shy and hiding behind my pancreas or kidney or something.
Everything was a little blurry.
I had been trying to cheer myself up to tell Elijah about the twins and I had imagined that after the meeting it was as good a time as any other. But the text had changed everything. I was surprised. He threw me down a loop. I couldn't think straight.
Well, that was pretty obvious, otherwise I wouldn't have said it on national television.
I sighed. Why should I be different from anything else in my life?
"Here. " Ruby took out a glass of paper filled with water, and I swallowed it before I realized that I had probably thought of it for Elijah. She shook her head with a soft chuckle, taking the cup and ordering someone to refill it.
"He'll be fine,"she assured me.
"I don't know anything about it,"I replied, unaware that I had said it aloud.
"Just give him a little time to get used to the idea,"she said, and I was surprised how much she had changed in the last ten years.
I looked at Ruby, the calm and quiet professional, who not long ago was a crazy girl we called Spiderfan. I smiled. Between her and that reporter - who was relatively sure that my autograph had tattooed on her left chest - it was like an explosion from the past.
"You have been through a lot,"she observed, kneeling beside me. "Anyone who looks at you can see how much they love each other."
