The self-proclaimed “friendly queer Jew with very long nails”, Matt Bernstein has amassed a formidable social media presence and popularity that shows no signs of diminishing. Earning this virgin Dazzler of the Day, Bernstein has become a champion for marginalized communities, while never lacking in style and pizzazz – all of which is the perfect recipe to dazzle. Check out their Insta here and their YouTube channel here.
Completing the trifecta that is starring in the new musical production of ‘Death Becomes Her’ (see also Megan Hilty and Jennifer Simard), Michelle Williams as Viola Van Horn earns her first crowning as Dazzler of the Day. Stepping into the vaunted heels of Isabella Rossellini is no easy feat, but Williams does that and more as she adds a little song and dance to the whole magical show. From her days in Destiny’s Child until now, Williams has more than merited this Dazzling honor.
Digital creator, Andrew Christian Trophy Boy, and TikTok sensation Joven Calloway earns his first crowning as Dazzler of the Day thanks to his body of work. That’s all. Follow him on Instagram here.
Joining her death-won’t-do-them-part partner in the new musical ‘Death Becomes Her’ playing in Chicago right now (and due to open on Broadway in time for Halloween) Jennifer Simard brings her scene-stealing prowess and powerhouse voice to these parts in her first Dazzler of the Day crowning. Most recently seen bringing down the house in the Britney Spears jukebox musical ‘Once Upon A Once Upon A Time’, Simard take any materials she’s given and elevates it. With ‘Death Becomes Her’, most reports are that she’s found the material to match her talent.
One of the most beloved stars of stage and television screen, Megan Hilty has been long-overdue for her Dazzler of the Day crowning. Headlining the upcoming ‘Death Becomes Her’ musical comedy (currently in previews in Chicago), Hilty looks to add yet another defining performance to a long line of indelible performances, which includes her much-celebrated turn in ‘Smash’. Since then she’s thrilled audiences with her live performances and concerts, and now she’s set to sweep back onto Broadway just in time for the fall scary season.
Star of stage and screen, James Phoon is crowned as Dazzler of the Day thanks to advance buzz on his upcoming season of ‘Bridgerton‘. Is this the year we finally sign up for Netflix? I’m not fully convinced, but James is pushing us in that direction. Check out his Insta here and then watch the new season if you’re lucky enough to have Netflix. (I do realize I’m one of the last people in this country to not have it.)
“No one is truly equal and free until everyone is equal and free.” ~ Helen Zia
This Dazzler of the Day crowning feels like a superfluous and almost frivolous honor compared to the work that Helen Zia has done for her entire life. Activist, journalist, and freedom-warrior, Zia has dedicated her life to advancing justice for Asian Americans and LGBTQ+ community members, and all the various intersectional spaces where marginalized people exist. It’s a war she has waged since the 1980’s, and sadly needs to continue now more than ever. Check out her website here for further evidence of her brilliance.
“There are many lessons to be learned from refugees and migrants that can contribute to the understanding needed to navigate the global tectonics to bring people together, not drive them into flight.” ~
With his crazy-popular TikTok account (and tributary social media accounts), Harry Sisson is one of the next generations most vocal supporter for democracy – and at a time when our country very much teeters on its own destruction should the GOP come into full power, voices like Harry’s will be necessary to see us through these turbulent times. He earns this Dazzler of the Day for his relentless speaking of truth, and encouragement to keep our democracy working.
Iconic goddess Grace Jones, original slayer of pop culture and still a magnificent force with which to be reckoned, has crafted a career and life destined to blaze for ever after. This crowning as Dazzler of the Day is a mere footnote in her storied lifetime of achievements. In a world where the word ‘icon’ has lost some of its hallowed meaning, Jones is a reminder that only a few truly exist. Behold her eternal power and revel in her ongoing relevance.
Anyone who knows how to dance has a leg-up on being crowned a Dazzler of the Day, and so it is that Gleb Savchenko earns his first dazzling honor. A beloved star in his own right from ‘Dancing with the Stars’ and currently on a run in a Chippendales show (now in Las Vegas and moving to Atlantic City this summer), Savchenko dazzles through his fancy footwork and appealing charm.
Whenever someone is vilified and raked across the coals for simply living their life in their early twenties (and making the foolish choices we all make) I tend to want to champion them. Austin Armacost was widely ridiculed for his stint on ‘The A-List’ but he’s gone to make a career from his reality television roots, and so he earns this Dazzler of the Day for surviving in a business hell-bent on striking survival from its resumes.
Nancy Pelosi should need no introduction or explanation as far as earning this Dazzler of the Day, and she does it not only from her historical successes in politics, but her recent swift and simple throw-down of MSNBC ‘reporter’ Katy Tur for continuing to play the both-sides game at a time when that nonsense threatens to kill American democracy as we know it. Go Nancy.
Entertainment legend Vanessa Williams has conquered just about every conceivable performing arts avenue, and she continues to astound and enthrall with new music (the upcoming ‘Legs (Keep Dancing)’ album) and a new musical (the London premiere of ‘The Devil Wears Prada‘ musical). Both sound extremely promising, and as someone who’s loved Williams since her tender ballad ‘Saved the Best For Last‘ through her stiletto-clicking turn on ‘Ugly Betty’ and a glorious spell as the Witch in the Broadway revival of ‘Into the Woods’, I cannot wait to see what comes next. She earns her first Dazzler of the Day for a magnificent career of spellbinding performances.
Susan Brumley has what I consider to be the perfect FaceBook page. She is real and honest, yet errs on the side of what’s hopeful and positive and good. She calls herself out for when she realizes she’s being cranky, works on being ever-present and mindful, and has a witty and wicked sense of humor about life and herself that brightens my world every time I see one of her posts. For that alone she would easily earn this Dazzler of the Day, but she’s also been a company manager for an entire slew of Broadway and touring shows including ‘The Book of Mormon’, ‘Evita’, ‘Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812‘, ‘Sister Act’, ‘Hairspray’ and her current stint at the ‘Hamilton’ Phillip Tour. (She’s often the sole person I consult when plotting out any shows I’m considering attending.)
I remember Susan from grade school and middle school, where she was a grade ahead of me, and one of the smartest people in her class, if not the entire school. Such intelligence thrilled and impressed me, and when she started anchoring the student news programs that opened the day at Wilbur H. Lynch Middle School, I was even more dazzled. She was an inspiration because I thought she would charge into life being whatever she wanted to be, and it looks like that is exactly what she’s achieved.
There have aways been people who have whispered, or shouted out loud, their complaints that the LGBTQ+ community has to proclaim their identity over and over again when most people don’t even care about someone’s sexuality. Those people must live largely ignorant and unaware lives where they don’t see the hatred and homophobia still running rampant, and given a new lease on acceptability with a certain political party’s current leaders. As a gay man, I’m keenly aware that there is a resurgence in homophobia, sanctioned by the GOP Presidential candidate that trickles down to all the other GOP candidates who seem to be ok with stepping in line with a criminal. What a sad and far cry from the Republican Party of my parents.
Case in point is our Dazzler of the Day – brilliant author, activist and actor Maulik Pancholy, whose scheduled participation at an anti-bullying event was canceled by a Pennsylvania school board due to his “lifestyle”. Don’t tell me there isn’t a problem here, and don’t tell me we don’t need Pride Month and reminders that this sort of thing keeps happening no matter how much you might want to pretend it isn’t.
Happily, this is bringing further attention to his work and his passion for making the world better for all children. Check out his website here for all his exciting accomplishments, including his two YA novels, ‘The Best At It’ and ‘Nikhil Out Loud’.
