Rumor has it that Rochelle Jordan has provided inspiration and possible samples for Madonna’s upcoming ‘Confessions 2’ dance album, and for that alone she would earn this Dazzler of the Day – more impressive is her mesmerizing aural mix of R&B, house, and dance-pop music. Check out her website here for further info, including upcoming tour dates, and then listen to her latest release, ‘Through the Wall’.
Joining his current ‘Lost Boys’ co-star Ali Louis-Bourzgui on Broadway, LJ Benet earns his first Dazzler of the Day crowning thanks to his moving portrayal of Michael Emerson and a stunning rendition of ‘Belong to Someone’. We are set to see a performance of this on our annual Mother’s Day weekend on Broadway (more on that later). For now, check out LJ Benet’s Instagram page which is a living testament to all that is ‘The Lost Boys’ on Broadway right now. (I cannot wait to see this show!)
I love a succinct and clever bio profile: ‘a broad, a babe, a mom, a writer, an actor, a comedian, and podcaster’ is how Ilana Glazer describes herself, and that just about covers it. This hilarious comedian and creator is bringing her shows to North America and Europe in the next few months, as seen in this ambitious scheduled of tour dates. Check out her website here for further evidence of her brilliance, where she can now add Dazzler of the Day to her impressive repertoire.
Following an epic two-decade dancing career, John Lam has proven that life after retirement is often more rich than anything that came before it. Case in point is his establishment of Lam Dance Works, a non-profit dance company which is presenting its spring 2026 production ‘Forward’ at Emerson Paramount in Boston this May. Lam earns this Dazzler of the Day for his storied career and an adamant refusal to look anywhere other than forward.
His latest book, ‘The Castle of Stories’ is due to be released in the coming days, joining the pantheon of work he’s already written – ‘One Love’, ‘The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle’, ‘Becoming Ted’ and ‘The Madonna of Bolton’. If that wasn’t enough, Matt Cain also co-founded a new LGBTQ+ independent publisher, Pansy, which solidifies his crowning as Dazzler of the Day. A stacked resume of published writing from years of freelance work, in addition to years of support and volunteer endeavors for the LGBTQ+ community, cement his status as Dazzler. Check out his website here for more of his brilliance.
Music has always made the people come together, and when certain songwriters access love and loss, pain and jubilation, and sadness and longing that aligns in lovely form with haunting melodies and vocals, it’s the synergy that moves my heart perhaps more than any other art form. No one does that better than Mitski, whose thoughtful and introspective lyrics match the delicate and moving sounds of her songs. She earns this Dazzler of the Day, because her music speaks of spring, of hope, of what happens when humans find each other, no matter how they end up. Check out her website here for upcoming performances.
When I was a child I wanted to be three things: a florist, an artist, or Wonder Woman. None of them being viable for a boy growing up in the 80’s, I went a very different route, but somehow have managed to retain these obsessions vicariously through others (thank you Lynda Carter). Simon Lycett is another such hero, who’s carved out a name for himself as a florist, presenter and writer, and he may now add Dazzler of the Day to his wreath of laurels. Check out his fascinating website here.
Comedian, songwriter, and unicorn lobbyist Shawn Hollenbach is crowned Dazzler of the Day on the eve of tomorrow’s performance at Rocks in Albany, NY as part of their Happy Place Comedy show. As a practiced host and storyteller, Hollenbach uses wit and a way with words to captivate audiences and put on a scintillating show. Check out his website here for the full story.
If you’ve seen Druski’s deadly accurate skewering of a certain disingenuous blonde (whose husband was recently murdered, but not by the gun everyone said did the deed – awkward!) then you have witnessed some of the glorious genius of Druski. That alone was enough to earn him this Dazzler of the Day crowning. Check out his Instagram, Tik Tok, and YouTube pages.
Protest songs have played a vital part in times of history that feel dreadfully wrong – and we happen to be in such a time right now. Hailing from Ozark, Arkansas, Jesse Welles earns his first Dazzler of the Day crowning thanks to his multi-talented work as singer, songwriter and performance artist. Speaking out against the ills of the world, especially the terrors of our country at this moment in history, is dazzling enough – doing it with melodic brilliance and musical prowess is the stuff of power and grace. Check out his website here for upcoming tour dates and more.
Illustrator and artist Justin Teodoro uses his fashion pedigree to inform his witty and wonderful work, easily earning him this Dazzler of the Day crowning. His artwork has appeared in a multitude of publications including WWD, WSJ, Vogue, Amica, W Magazine, Glamour, GQ, Hercules International Magazine, Harper’s Bazaar, US Weekly and OUT Magazine. Most impressively to this Madonna super-fan, Justin played a part in the iconic costumes of The Celebration Tour. His newsletters offer an intimate at his artistic process, with witty observations and clever behind the scenes revelations, giving a fascinating glimpse into the mind of an artist. Check out his marvelous website here.
Actress, activist and model Hunter Schafer has made a name for herself by fighting for trans rights – a fight more important than ever as this country seems hellbent on denying basic human dignity to all of its denizens. Schafer studied painting and design before working as a model and making her way into acting, where she has since been mesmerizing audiences in ‘Euphoria’. She earns this Dazzler of the Day for refusing to be anything other than her authentic self, and doing it with beauty and grace.
Anyone whose childhood inspirations were Cruella de Vil and ‘Beetlejuice‘ was born to be a Dazzler of the Day, and Jamie Lee Reardin fulfills that destiny with this crowning. Her exquisite artwork has garnered praise and adoration worldwide, resulting in notable stints with Dior, Burberry, Dior Beauty, Prada, Teen Vogue and the New York City Ballet. With a formidable background in fashion and design, Reardin has translated her talent into illustration, where her unique style and eye have garnered a following from all who enjoy whimsical beauty and fantastical elegance. Visit her enchanting website here.
It’s been a while since I’ve been inspired by a musical artist, but Melanie Martinez has reinvigorated and recharged my inspiration battery. With a gorgeously dramatic visual representation of musical visions, Martinez is as much about evoking an atmosphere and feeling as about writing and singing some stunning music.
Deceptively doll-like, her images drip with exquisite irony, while not detracting from their dark gorgeousness. A tricky balance, that, and Martinez manages it with deft and sure confidence. From the days of ‘Dollhouse’ through this week’s release of her fourth album ‘Hades’ (out Friday), Martinez seems hellbent on staking a substantial career propped up by jaw-dropping visuals and backed by aural audacity – and in honor of this exciting next chapter, she earns her first Dazzler of the Day crowning.
Visit her enchanting website here.
A breathtaking gust of fiercely fashionable fabulosity, Robert Hartwell is a force of joy and hope and promise packaged in the prettiest wardrobe you may ever see. With an impressive Broadway background in shows from ‘Memphis’ and ‘Motown’ to ‘Cinderella’ and ‘Hello, Dolly!’, Hartwell has the theatrical experience and rich knowledge to share with others looking to break into musical theater, hence his running of The Broadway Collective. His reality renovation show ‘Breaking New Ground’ revealed a bit of the man behind the myth while pushing the idea that being unabashedly ourselves is always the best form of progress. With a commitment to beauty, joy, and fashion, and a bedrock of family and friends to populate his wonderfully whimsical rooms, Hartwell earns this Dazzler of the Day crowning as if to the manner born.
