Not to name-drop here, but I’ve been texting with Josh Groban.
Yes, that Josh Groban.
And there’s a good chance you have been too, as he posted his text number for anyone to sign up for announcements. So no, I’m not that special, and no, I don’t believe he’s personally sending out the automated messages, and no, I really don’t care. As a self-professed Grobanite, I came into his fandom kingdom when he was melting hearts on Broadway in ‘Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812’. Since then, I’ve revisited his musical catalog – richly varied and anchored with his incomparable vocal talent – and watched his entertaining appearances in live concerts and talk shows, as well as his social media feeds which reveal a hilarious, witty, and impressively-compassionate person.
Such a rarity these days, when most celebrities are afraid to be themselves because they either don’t know that for which they stand, or are simply too concerned with what others might think. Groban has seemingly and only ever been himself – a supremely talented performer with a love of theatrical arts who also happens to be a genuinely good person who cares for the well-being of others. Today he easily earns this Dazzler of the Day honor. Check out his official website here for all the excitement coming up (there are more than a few Gems on the way, and it’s gonna be alright.)
A recommendation from a wise friend with impeccable taste, our Dazzler of the Day is Franz Rogowski, currently starring with fellow Dazzler Barry Keoghan in ‘Bird’. Rogowski has received multiple accolades and awards for his turn in the 2023 film ‘Passages’, as well as work in ‘Great Freedom’, ‘Transit’, and ‘Freaks Out’. This marks his first crowning as Dazzler of the Day.
A fascist dictator requires a populace that allows such a monster to usurp power at every turn. As we watch our country under such an attack from within, I applaud those who resist against what is happening rather than letting it all unfold without speaking out. Case in point is Amanda Rheaume, who was scheduled to perform at the Kennedy Center in April. When the current FOTUS decided to install himself on the Kennedy Center Board (straight-up fascist move to those asking where’s the fascism) Rheaume withdrew from what could have been a career-highlight performance. That sort of sacrifice is monumental especially when compared to the cowardly actions and inactions of the Republican Party today. For that courageous act alone, Rheaume earns this Dazzler of the Day honor, and I am happy to point you to her website here for a rundown of all her musical accomplishments and upcoming tour dates.
“In Rheaume’s music, songs of resistance and resilience travel centuries. With a gentle yet unflinching touch, Rheaume has grown to be a chronicler of stories and people whose acts – out of necessity and opportunity alike – cascade through time and space, from the 18th century Red River Settlement to her own doorstep. With curiosity and empathy, Rheaume has become a bearer of history, unearthing and preserving Métis stories in song. In her gutsy guitar-driven style, punctuated with lively Métis fiddle, Rheaume’s heartland rock is built to last, resolute in rhythm and unswerving in purpose.”
Janet Mills, Governor of Maine, spoke truth to felonious power when she handed Trump his asshole the other day, and for that she earns this Dazzler of the Day. I wish more people in elected office had half as much courage, bravery and basic human decency in standing up for all of us. Here’s part of her statement followed by her gloriously-savage put-down of “See you in court” that effectively ended him on that day:
“No President – Republican or Democrat – can withhold Federal funding authorized and appropriated by Congress and paid for by Maine taxpayers in an attempt to coerce someone into compliance with his will. It is a violation of our Constitution and of our laws, which I took an oath to uphold.
“Maine may be one of the first states to undergo an investigation by his Administration, but we won’t be the last. Today, the President of the United States has targeted one particular group on one particular issue which Maine law has addressed. But you must ask yourself: who and what will he target next, and what will he do? Will it be you? Will it be because of your race or your religion? Will it be because you look different or think differently? Where does it end? In America, the President is neither a King nor a dictator, as much as this one tries to act like it – and it is the rule of law that prevents him from being so.
“I imagine that the outcome of this politically directed investigation is all but predetermined. My Administration will begin work with the Attorney General to defend the interests of Maine people in the court of law. But do not be misled: this is not just about who can compete on the athletic field, this is about whether a President can force compliance with his will, without regard for the rule of law that governs our nation. I believe he cannot.”
When you reach the zenith of musical entertainment in your 20’s, there’s an expected downward trajectory of all that follows, but rather than following the self-destructive trajectory of so many who came before, Darren Hayes has actually only grown more interesting and relevant to those of us who still care about such things are artistry and integrity and honesty. For that alone, he earns this Dazzler of the Day crowning. As the lead frontman for Savage Garden, Hayes crafted such unforgettable classics as ‘Truly, Madly, Deeply’ and ‘I Want You’, marking the soundtrack for many of us in our twenties at the time. Taking us along for the behind-the-scenes turmoil and tumult of his life in the memoir boldly titled ‘Unlovable’, Hayes illustrates with words how he has carved out an existence that reveals how an artist endures, both in legacy and in how they live each day. Check out his website here, where you can order a copy of ‘Unlovable’. {Also check out the powerful voice he has become on Threads in a world where speaking out is increasingly in jeopardy.}
My favorite Dazzlers, apart from those I know and adore in real life, are those requested/recommended by trusted friends, which is why crowning Aaron Pierre as Dazzler of the Day is such a thrill. This was a request from my dear friend Ann, who helped shape my taste in our high school and college years – clearly she still has it, as Pierre joins the vaunted firmament of those actors whose talent matches their beauty. She came to his brilliance thanks to her love of ‘The Lion King’ (which somehow hilariously escaped me all these years – apparently she’s been a huge fan since the first movie came out – who knew?) Pierre voices the title character of ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’, adding to an already-impressive resume that includes ‘Old’ and ‘Rebel Ridge’, along with the miniseries ‘The Underground Railroad’ and ‘Krypton’.
My favorite Dazzlers are those people whom I have actually met and known for years – see Suzie Ko, Karel Barnoski, Susan Brumley, Joseph Abramo, Woody Woodbeck, and of course Andy VanWagenen. That’s why crowning Theresa Nellis as Dazzler of the Day gives me such great joy. As the author of the ‘School for the Magically Insane’ and ‘Keeper of the Mirror’ series, Nellis has carved out a literary name for herself, but I remember her as a sweet and quiet classmate as we navigated the grade school journey of R.J. McNulty elementary school. Reconnecting with classmates from our youth is a reassuring way of grounding ourselves with a shared past – a reminder that we did come from somewhere, that it was real, and that good people can remain as good as we remember them. Her latest installment of the ‘School for the Magically Insane’ series – ‘The Witch’s Gowan’ – is out today – and be sure to visit her website here for more written enchantment.
This year’s installment of ‘The White Lotus’ promises more male nudity than even Theo James dared to bare in last season, starting with Dazzler of the DayPatrick Schwarzenegger. Despite growing up in the far-reaching shadows of parents Maria Shriver and Arnold Schwarzenegger, Patrick has forged an acting name for himself, and ‘The White Lotus’ looks to put him on the map in his own right, a long-deserved accomplishment that sometimes gets lost in parental comparisons. Remember, comparison is the thief of joy, so enjoy and celebrate this Dazzler in the following photos and check out this evening’s premiere of ‘The White Lotus’.
At first I thought it was airbrushed trickery, but online peeps are claiming that Pete Davidson had actually undergone a long and painful regimen of tattoo-removal, so I’m not sure what to think of these shots for the Reformation brand, other than they have granted Pete this Dazzler of the Day crowning (thanks in no small part to that leopard-pattern Sofia tote on the couch in one of the shots, available here for anyone who wants to fulfill my lifelong leopard-tote-dream). No, seriously, I want that tote. I don’t care if it’s too late for Valentine’s Day. No cap.
As for Davidson, I’ve been a minor fan ever since his skit with RuPaul. Hilarity.
Quarterbacks don’t usually win Super Bowls all by their lonesome, and to so spectacularly trounce the Chiefs in that epic game the Eagles relied on more than Jalen Hurts, which is why Saquon Barkley earns this Dazzler of the Day. Barkley had been featured here before when we used to have a Hunk of the Day feature (and a couple of naked GIFs of him can still be found if you search hard enough). Today he is crowned as our Dazzler for the amazing work he did to propel his team to such a robust victory. You love to see it! (And you’ll love to see some of the nude shots below from his ESPN Body issue shoot.)
Helming the crushing defeat the Philadelphia Eagles just delivered to the Kansas City Chiefs in this year’s Super Bowl, quarterback Jalen Hurts more than deserves this Dazzler of the Day. It’s also worth noting that his entire management team is comprised of women, so maybe we need to see more of that secret to success. A Dazzler of the Day and the MVP in one week – pretty impressive – and he didn’t even need to bother with the attention-seeking distraction of the current FOTUS.
With luscious locks of hair to rival Beyoncé (and that similarly never met a fan that didn’t adore them and set them into glorious flight for every photo) Law Roach is one of the most celebrated stylists in the Hollywood scene. Witness the fabulous lewks he was integral in conjuring for Zendaya’s promotional appearances for ‘Challengers’ and ‘Dune 2’, as well as Celine Dion’s comeback last year. This marks Law’s first Dazzler of the Day crowning, and it definitely won’t be the last we’ll hear from him.
British racing driver and reigning European Sports Prototype Cup Champion Richard Morris nabs this Dazzler of the Day honor for feeling the need for speed and blowing away his competition. More impressively, he created the Racing Pride movement in order to promote LGBTQ+ inclusion in motorsport – which has its own inherent hurdles. Seeing someone stand up for themselves while insisting on a place that hasn’t historically celebrated diversity is always an inspiration. Check out his website here.
“I am not going to apologize for asking for mercy for others.” – Bishop Marianne Edgar Budde
Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde is the very first Bishop to be named as Dazzler of the Day, thanks to her courage and grace to eloquently and calmly speak truth to ill-gotten power. In a service at which FOTUS (Felon Of The United States) was in attendance, she used her pulpit to defend the very essence of what it means to be a true Christian, and a true American:
“Millions have put their trust in you. As you told the nation yesterday, you have felt the providential hand of a loving God. In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now. There are gay, lesbian and transgender children in both Democratic, Republican and independent families who fear for their lives.
The people who pick our crops and clean our office buildings, who labor in poultry farms and meatpacking plants, who wash the dishes after we eat in restaurants and work the night shifts in hospitals. They may not be citizens or have the proper documentation, but the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. They pay taxes, and are good neighbors. They are faithful members of our churches, mosques and synagogues, gurdwara and temples.” – Bishop Marianne Edgar Budde
And for those who disagree with using the pulpit to espouse mercy for people, I don’t think you understand Christ very well.
