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.
It’s been a hot minute since we crowned a Dazzler of the Day for purely superficial reasons, but it may be time for this silly and superficial blog to get back to its thirsty roots. Enter Max Kramer, a male model recently featured in the Dietz underwear campaign. That’s all, and that’s more than enough.
Fresh off his Oscar-winning performance in the should-have-been-Academy-Award-winning-film ‘Sinners’, Michael B. Jordan fulfills a long-promised crowning as Dazzler of the Day first so salaciously teased about in this scintillating post. It’s been a long time coming, as this tease will also attest.
Tik-Tok sensation Jordan Palmer runs the JPalm Hairdressing Salon with their wife Alex, and thanks to an inclusive attitude and forward-thinking frame of mind, they more than earn this Dazzler of the Day crowning. Located in Omaha, Nebraska, Palmer’s salon is a refreshingly supportive establishment, particularly for often-marginalized communities. They make proper pronoun usage and terms of consent a matter-of-fact non-issue, gleefully rendering gender-affirming hairstyles as dictated by their clients. Jordan’s easygoing spirit and infectious enthusiasm works to pump up their client’s hair wishes and dreams in a way that is dazzling indeed. (You can make a hair appointment here.)
Currently traveling the nation as LeFou in the touring company of ‘Beauty & The Beast’ (due in Boston this spring, yay!) Harry Francis earns his first crowning as Dazzler of the Day thanks to an impressive roster of artistic accomplishments. His career has already spanned numerous genres – from artist and performer to filmmaker and personal trainer, as well as teacher and trainer. It’s a heavy load, one that he admirably carries with handsome aplomb. Check him out in the current company of ‘Beauty & The Beast’ which has upcoming stops in Washington, DC, Hartford, CT, and Boston, MA.
Playing JFK Jr. at the height of his sexiness is no easy feat, but Paul Anthony Kelly fills out his boxer briefs and biker shorts with admirable appendage and aplomb. While I haven’t gotten into the latest ‘Love Story’ from Ryan Murphy, all one really needs to get the gist of that romp is a couple of these GIFs. Some of us already went through the 90’s in messy fashion and have no need or desire to do it all over again. Still, Paul Anthony Kelly provides more than ample eye candy, warranting this Dazzler of the Day.
Queer authors will always be heroes to me, as it is within the written word where the magical path to self-discovery and freedom begins. Add in a unique slant of “spicy, queer Appalachian Romantasy” and you have the stuff of literary legend. This is Thomas (TJ) West, who has written a couple of books, including the queer Appalachia fantasy ‘Country Road Romance’ which was inspired by his own experiences growing up in West Virginia. (He also wears the coolest shirts.) Today he is crowned our Dazzler of the Day.
