Clinching the number one position on the men’s gymnastics Olympic team representing the USA, Frederick Richard is crowned as Dazzler of the Day in glorious anticipation of this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris, France. Helming our Olympic gymnastics team, Richard has vowed to bring home some medals, even if he’s already proven himself in the past year of competition.
Earning a second trip to the summer Olympics, Ryan Murphy also earns this Dazzler of the Day crowning. Following up on previous golden glory, Murphy is now a veteran, and maybe that means he has a little more to prove. Summer is made for swimming, and Murphy was made for speed – watch both collide in Paris next month.
If anyone is still looking for a Pride anthem at this late date, check out ‘Be Your Girl’ by John Duff, which takes us back to the gloriously melodic whirling days of carefree disco and delicious pop hookery. Duff has made a few of these bops, and several eye-popping videos to go along with them, easily earning this Dazzler of the Day crowning just in time to end Pride Month on a high note.
Joining other luminaries from ‘The Gilded Age‘ (see Carrie Coon, Christine Baranski, Ashlie Atkinson, and Donna Murphy) Louisa Jacobson earns her first Dazzler of the Day thanks to her sweet turn as Marian Brook, who forms the sentimental heart of that sometimes-cutting show. A graduate of the Yale School of Drama, Jacobson began by making her mark on stage, which is where the bulk of ‘The Gilded Age’ actors originated, lending the ensemble its own stylistic grace.
An Olympic superstar, Michael Phelps helps continue the fanfare for this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris, France. Phelps is no stranger to the five rings, holding the record of the most decorated Olympian in history (28 medals). More recently he’s been speaking out on mental health, something that may prove just as compelling and important for those in need of support. He earns his first Dazzler of the Day for his legacy and his efforts to keep making a difference. (And his previous penchant for going naked doesn’t hurt.)
Five decades of any career is impressive – five decades of a career in show business is the stuff of legend, and such is the stuff of Holland Taylor, who is crowned Dazzler of the Day. Many, many years ago, I was at a party thrown for Lee Bailey that Holland was attending, but I was much too shy to say anything to her. Maybe it was her indelible scene-stealing turn in ‘Legally Blonde‘ that lent her such an wonderfully-intimidating slant, or the weight of her sparkling career glowing around her like a legacy. Whatever the reason, I’ve always been a fan, and today she is our Dazzler.
Call me a convert to the church of the coven, as I have fallen completely under the musical spell of enchantment cast by Stevie Nicks and her storied legacy of song sorcery. My friend JoAnn took me to my first Stevie Nicks show at Mohegan Sun this past Sunday, and it was a soul-enriching reminder of the healing power of music – and testament to the enduring performance wizardry of a woman who, despite her repeated reminders of her 76-years of age and wisdom, stood center stage and kept command of an entirely-rapt sold-out audience for two straight hours. The history of her triumphs and tribulations over the past few decades is as tortured and twisted as it is wondrous and miraculous. She’s worked her magic while countless others have burned brightly and faded quickly around her.
A little more than halfway through the how, I marveled at how she had preserved her voice over all those years of gold dust living, when she paused to share the background on how she has religiously maintained a 40-minute vocal warm-up regime before every single show she has done over the past twenty years or so. It’s that sort of dedication to her craft – and her passion for the music that has sustained her during the darkest days – which has established her presence in the firmament of musical legends. This Dazzler of the Day crowning is hardly enough to convey how many lives she has changed and inspired, and it’s only the start of my own discovery of her genius.
My lifelong bestie finally gets crowned as Dazzler of the Day on this, her 49th birthday. Almost everyone visiting this post will have already met, or at least heard of, Suzie Ko. I knew Suzie before I knew just about everyone. Born a couple of months before me, she’s been in this world as long as I have, and I’ve happily never a known a day when she wasn’t here. That’s been one of the best and most comforting facts of my life, and she still makes it worthwhile going through it all.
We’ve had almost five decades of adventures together, from this legendary ‘Mary Poppins’ viewing to the day she came back from Denmark. We’ve traversed the country and the world, from Montana to Provincetown, and Russia to New York.
It hasn’t all been wild fun and laughter – Suzie taught me about heartache and loss before anyone else did, and in that respect we’ve been there for each other at the moments when only the company of a true friend could help. Sharing those times is often more important than the festive events, and the truth is that the best part of our friendship is what happens during all the down-time, the time that makes up the bulk of life – and life is simply better with Suzie in it.
Happy birthday, old friend.
His recent commencement speech at Brandeis University was so powerful it needs to be seen and heard around the country – especially if we are to keep democracy alive in this country. This is Ken Burns – keeper of a storytelling tradition that helps us better understand ourselves, grounded with a compassion and acceptance of difference that encompasses the very best way of looking at the world. He earns his first Dazzler of the Day for a career of life-affirming work. Check out his website here for more upcoming brilliance.
Ken Burns, photographer: Cable Risdon
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.)
