This Dazzler of the Day hails from across the pond, where they made an indelible impression portraying Diana, Princess of Wales in worldwide sensation ‘The Crown’. Emma Corrin was more noticeably celebrated in these parts thanks to being the first non-binary cover star of ‘Vogue’ back in 2022. They also appeared in ‘My Policeman and ‘Lady Chatterly’s Lover’, and will be featured in the upcoming ‘Deadpool 3’.
Artist, author and advocate Paul Castle has lost 90% of his physical vision since being diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa, an untreatable eye disease. I write that he has lost some of his physical vision, because the vision he carries forth in his life and career is something that won’t be stopped or sidelined by his blindness. A visit to his enchanting website will astound anyone with its notable list of accomplishments and artwork, including his children’s book ‘The Pengrooms’. He lives in Seattle with his husband, Matthew, and his guide dog, Mr. Maple. This marks his first crowning as Dazzler of the Day.
Perhaps this Dazzler of the Day could have been better-timed to coincide with Mean Girls Day, but Aaron Samuels deserves more than an October 3rd to shine, thanks to the timelessly-winning portrayal by Jonathan Bennett, who earns this Dazzling honor for winning all our hearts. The boxing/Halloween-themed photo shoot from Out Magazine is a pleasant reminder that Bennett still knows how to land a pretty punch.
Helming a production of ‘Sunset Boulevard‘ as Norma Desmond is no easy feat, and when a show so dramatically veers from its original theatrical conceit, it’s an even riskier business. All reports of Nicole Scherzinger as Norma Desmond in the current wildly reimagined version of the musical directed by Jamie Lloyd have her successfully making the role her own. Today she earns this Dazzler of the Day for having survived in show business from her days leading The Pussycat Dolls. Tickets for ‘Sunset Boulevard’ are available here.
Since it’s no longer a surprise, I can reveal that Andy and I will be attending one of John Mulaney’s upcoming shows (the Proctor’s one, released just after he sold out the Troy Music Hall). It’s a birthday present to Andy, who enjoys a comedian more than I usually do (he introduced me to Lewis Black) and after seeing several clips from Mulaney this looks to be a riot. It also comes as a recommendation from Suzie’s daughter Oona, whose taste in music and comedy is unrivaled. As for the man himself, Mulaney earns this Dazzler of the Day for his Emmy and WGA award-winning work as actor, comedian and writer. Check out his website here for the whole rundown.
Taylor Swift put Travis Kelce on the map the same way Bridget Jones put Renee Zellweger on the map. Only one other person in the world will get that, but it tickles me in the same way that people who had never heard of Travis Kelce are suddenly acting like he was not known. Full disclaimer: I did not know of Travis Kelce prior to Taylor making a spectacle of herself at one of his football games (a spectacle of which I fully support, because I spent all last weekend trying to get into one of those cozy glass houses at a baseball game where it was pouring rain – but that’s a story for another post, and trust me, it’s coming up…) As for Travis Kelce, some rudimentary research and image-seeking found a man wholly worthy of this Dazzler of the Day. See for yourself.
While Jacob Elordi has achieved prominence, fame and acclaim for his turns in ‘Euphoria’ and ‘The Kissing Booth’ trilogy, it is his upcoming performance in Emerald Fennell’s ‘Saltburn’ that has me the most excited. When someone of such beauty also thrills with their talent and acting prowess, it’s the stuff of legend and Hollywood firmament. Witnessing a star in the process of being born is a wonder indeed, and for that Jacob Elordi is crowned Dazzler of the Day.
Having long since aged out of the current pop-culture game, I only know of Selena Gomez through the story of how she has put her mental health as a priority over the celebrity fame-trap, and for that she is more than worthy of this Dazzler of the Day. Based on her website, and popularity among fans (her music and acting careers are both in full swing as she releases a new single and a new season of ‘Only Murders in the Building’) Gomez looks to close out 2023 on a career and personal high. Check out her website here for more information.
It wouldn’t be right crowning Joe Locke as Dazzler of the Day without also bestowing the honor upon Kit Connor, and so today marks the latter’s official coronation, as ‘Heartstopper’ wouldn’t be ‘Heartstopper’ with the incomparable Connor forming the other half of the show’s adorable central couple. Besides, anyone with Connor’s fashion sense, as seen in magazines and at fashion shows (and shirtless at the gym, which may be the most fashionable look of all) instantly deserves recognition as a Dazzler.
The only thing that has given me any pause about not having Netflix (yes, I know, I know…) is the fact that I haven’t had the opportunity to watch any of ‘Heartstopper’, which is, I’m told, one of the greatest series for anyone who grew up as part of the LGBTQ+ world. Joe Locke forms one half of the central couple whose hearts beat for each other, and his charming turn handily earns him this Dazzler of the Day, where he joined the likes of Taylor Zakhar Perez and Nicholas Galitzine as part of same-sex couple idolatry.
Having dabbled in modeling, singing, acting, and baring it all on the Broadway Bares stage, Steve Grand has come into his own with his Grand Axis clothing line, which he so gorgeously flaunts in the promo shots for the brand. As the model and silent-seller of his underwear and swimwear, Grand is the best billboard for his product, and his winning smile and attitude earns him this Dazzler of the Day. A Renaissance man in the truest sense, Grand is ever-expanding his influence and reach, and the world is a little better (and a whole lot prettier) for it.
Many journalists have been suffering from trying, and miserably failing, to hold a bunch of GOP candidates to the truth these days. It’s a new skill required now that lying seems to be the Republican way of winning. Unwilling to let anything stand in the way of truth and honest reporting, Mehdi Hasan earns his first Dazzler of the Day crowning for his masterful way of interviewing subjects. Refusing to be snowed or overwhelmed by lies and repetitious idiocy, he adamantly refuses to let anyone go without an answer to his reasonable and fair questions. Witness the recent interview he did with the awful Vivek Ramaswamy, the joke of an heir to Trump’s nonsensical political career, and marvel at his interviewing skills in the face of slick but obviously false statements. Check out ‘The Mehdi Hasan Show’ on Sunday nights at 8 PM.
She just sang Happy Birthday to Beyoncé at one of the Renaissance Tour stops, which felt somewhat like the anointing of the next queen-in-waiting for the throne of pop culture Queen Bee – a title which Diana Ross has arguably held in her long and storied career. Impossible to encapsulate in a single post, Ms. Ross easily adds Dazzler of the Day to her many titles and accomplishments. Her influence reigns in all the various configurations and career trajectories of singer-actor-producer-writer-multi-hyphenates, and she paved the way for entities such as Whitney Houston, Madonna, Janet Jackson and of course Beyoncé. Michael Jackson himself publicly admired and credited Ross with inspiring him from a young age, so her aspirational career appealed to more than female entertainers. Today, she is still touring, still performing, and still shining as one of the most enduring and beloved stars this world has ever been fortunate to have in its ranks.
He was part of that magical first season of ‘American Idol’, where every contestant was memorable in their own right, each perfectly capable of being the main character in the story. Jim Verraros won the hearts of the world when he competed and viewers got to know his adorable parents, and since then he’s crafted a solid life for himself, one that has included music and film roles along the way. He is returning to the musical scene with new work this month – the eagerly-anticipated new single ‘Take My Bow’ is out September 15, 2023 and he earns this Dazzler of the Day for doing it with the style, panache and talent that earned him a place on the ‘Idol’ platform.
It wouldn’t be right to name Sam Heughan as Dazzler of the Day without bestowing equal glory upon his ‘Outlander’ and ‘Men in Kilts’ co-star and pal Graham McTavish, and so it is that McTavish gets his official crowning as Dazzler today. In addition to his renowned work on ‘Outlander’, McTavish is perhaps best recognized for his work on ‘The Hobbit’ trilogy, where his unmistakable voice cut through all the make-up and fantasy footage. For me, it’s the very real, and often hilarious, friendship depicted in ‘Men in Kilts’ that makes him such a fascinating study.
