Category Archives: Dazzler of the Day

I’m old enough to have attended the first staging of ‘Here Lies Love’ – the fabulous imagining of an Imelda Marcos musical that is everything you expect such a thing to be and quite a bit more – and seeing that it is returning in even more magnificent form (a proper Broadway theater reconfigured for the immersive magic that formed such a key component of this show) makes me giddy and ready to return to New York. Resuming the role of Ferdinand Marcos is Jose Llana, whose initial take on that polarizing figure was as captivating as it needed to be to showcase how he could attain such popularity and power. Llana earns this Dazzler of the Day for capturing such lightning twice.

It takes a formidable performer to step into the many shoes of Imelda Marcos, and in the new staging of ‘Here Lies Love’ Arielle Jacobs is hellbent on proving that she has the vocal chops and emotional fortitude to transform into the former First Lady of the Philippines. Based on her previous performances in such demanding material as ‘In the Heights’, Jacobs seems a shoo-in for a fabulous showing, and I can’t wait to get tickets for this all-Filipino version of that wondrous show. Jacobs earns this Dazzler of the Day for all of her stage work, including appearances in such classics as ‘Into the Woods’, ‘Wicked’, and ‘Aladdin’. More magic is surely on the way with ‘Here Lies Love’.

It’s rare to find an ‘Alan’ that spells his name correctly, so it’s especially thrilling to name Alan Cumming as Dazzler of the Day. It’s even rarer to find someone with such an exquisite last name, so Cumming wins on both fronts. An actor who has been shape-shifting like the most miraculous trickster over the last few decades, Cumming is one of those amazing performers who completely disappears in character, despite a larger-than-life personality that has made his Club Cumming a magnet for the most fascinating people. Seeing him on social media has given his coveted events and performances an accessibility that voyeurs like myself have feasted upon.

His career has spanned a generation, with notable film performances in ‘Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion’, ‘Circle of Friends’, ‘X-Men’, and ‘Emma’ (and during only a few seconds of screen time, he was easily the most interesting and engaging part of the Tom Cruise/Nicole Kidman/Stanley Kubrick masterpiece/fiasco that was ‘Eyes Wide Shut’) and his theatrical and television accomplishments are just as incendiary (he largely gave ‘Cabaret’ its renewed lease on life, lending a menace and pathos that got lost in the movie version). He’s put out a musical album, written several books, and released a fragrance line (with a name like ‘Cumming’ you just have to take a sniff), and regularly enthralls at his club. From all personal accounts, he is as sweet and generous and entertaining as you’d want him to be. Check out all the happenings at Club Cumming – I’m setting a goal to pop into New York before the year is out and finally visit this entertainment landmark.  

My adoration for Martha Stewart goes back decades, when I first caught her show in the months that I had begun to date Andy. In between jobs and locations, I found myself at his house in the middle of the day, when I would find her show in an early afternoon hour, and her voice was always so soothing and calming, that I connected that to a happy and idyllic way of life. Since then, we all know the rollercoaster she’s been on, and she’s still around and kicking ass because she’s a boss. ‘Sports Illustrated’ recently made her their oldest cover subject for their celebrated Swimsuit Issue, and nothing makes me happier. Check out her website here for more ‘good living’ (I’ve never had a failure with any of her recipes) and have no doubt that she is definitely a Dazzler of the Day. 

With his hilarious re-workings of politicians set to musical numbers, Randy Rainbow has carved out a comedic corner of the world where his impressive talents as writer, performer, singer, and activist combine for some combustible creative brilliance. His memoir is titled ‘Playing With Myself’ and for that alone it deserves a read. He earns this Dazzler of the Day for all the albums, podcasts, videos, and books he’s put out over the last few years, and for not showing any sign of slowing down. The world needs more Rainbows. Check out his website here for more magnificence. 

I love a beauty blogger – they make everything look so easy, even when it takes years of practice and perfecting techniques. Case in point is Manny MUA, who’s made a career of painting faces and making beauty. With a colossal social media presence thanks to his YouTube videos and Instagram account, Manny is conquering the world one pretty day at a time. His own beauty line, ‘Lunar Beauty’, is available here. When you’re already such a star, Dazzler of the Day is just another fitting accolade for all the fabulousness at work. 

Another sort of Mother for this Mother’s Day, this is Queen Mother RuPaul, who sings the theme song of the day, ‘Call Me Mother’. The Grande Dame of drag has done just about everything, and in the three decades since they stormed the world with ‘Supermodel (You Better Work)’ they have conquered the entertainment universe completely. One-name marvels  are as rare as they are impressive (see Beyoncé and Madonna) and RuPaul is easily part of that sparkling firmament. Adding Dazzler of the Day to that roster almost feels like an afterthought, but now it’s official. 

She once wrote the following, and for this alone Alex Borstein deserves this Dazzler of the Day: “If every chick sat down when using a public toilet then we could all sit down. Hovering only leads to your piss on the seat. Stop it.” On a more serious note, Borstein provides the lynchpin of ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel‘ and her portrayal of Susie Myerson, as foil to the titular character, is one of the best parts of that show. It’s a hat trick of talent she brings to most of her projects, as witnessed in fare like ‘Family Guy’ and ‘Bad Santa’. Check out her latest offering on Amazon, ‘Corsets & Clownsuits’ here.

A graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of Pennsylvania, Atsushi Akera was a professor in the Science and Technology Studies department of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, during which time she wrote the book ‘Calculating a Natural World: Scientists, Engineers, and Computers during the Rise of U.S. Cold War Research’, which sounds as impressive as it is unlikely that I would understand a word of it. She recently retired in order to create Cafe Euphoria right cross the river in Troy. Cafe Euphoria is a transgender and nonbinary worker owned restaurant and cafe, which also offers community support, a safe space to dine and simply be, as well as a fabulously-curated thrift shop. Akera earns this Dazzler of the Day for her ongoing work to be supportive and inclusive of all communities. (Read more about her efforts in this article.)

(All photos by Melissa Ann Argay.)

Credit: Melissa Ann Argay

Credit: Melissa Ann Argay

Credit: Melissa Ann Argay

Credit: Melissa Ann Argay

This Dazzler of the Day thrills on so many levels it’s impossible to fully encapsulate all the superlatives his life’s journey has earned, so I’m turning to his magnificent website for all the reasons Josh Sundquist is so amazing:

Josh Sundquist is a motivational speaker who has inspired audiences across the world. His speeches blend humor and heartfelt storytelling to inspire people to discover their 1MT1MT (One More Thing, One More Time). Josh is an in-demand keynote speaker for conferences of salespeople, leaders, and other professionals. 

Josh’s first memoir, Just Don’t Fall, was a National Bestseller and the inspiration for the Apple TV+ series Best Foot Forward. His second memoir, about his adolescent dating disasters, was We Should Hang Out Sometime. Love and First Sight was his debut YA novel. Semi-Famous explores fame and mental health.

At age nine, Josh was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer and given a fifty percent chance to live. He spent a year on chemotherapy treatments and his left leg was amputated. Doctors declared Josh cured of the disease at age thirteen and he took up ski racing three years later.

After years of training, Josh was named to the 2006 U.S. Paralympic Ski Team for the 2006 Paralympics in Turino, Italy. Josh has since represented the United States in international competition as a member of the U.S. Amputee Soccer Team.

Josh’s internet videos have over one billion views and he has four-million followers across his social media profiles. He’s best known for his viral photos, especially his Halloween costumes. People Magazine named him to the 2017 “Social Media Power List.” As a social media influencer, he’s worked with brands like Chase, Chevy, Dairy Queen, AT&T, and Michelob Ultra. 

Josh is a Celebrity Ambassador for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and makes regular appearances at events and in the media to raise money for children’s hospitals across the country. He has been featured on the back of Doritos bags (specifically, Spicy Nacho flavor) for his work on behalf of amputees. Josh grew up in Virginia. He graduated from The College of William and Mary and later received a Master’s in Communications from the University of Southern California. Today, he lives with his wife Ashley and their dog Mushu near the beach in California. Josh and Ashley enjoy watching magic shows and visiting very old things in foreign countries.

Based in New York City, Michael Bevan has been taking the entire online world by storm with excerpts of his wildly funny show making the Instagram rounds. More than that, he’s an accomplished comedian and performer as outlined on his website here. This marks his first crowning as Dazzler of the Day thanks to all the smiles he provides at a time when we all need to laugh a little more. Check him out at one of his Club Cumming shows if you’re in the city. 

Michael Bevan is a comedian, writer, and actor based in NYC. He’s a Virgo from Houston, just like Beyoncé. He studied with the Atlantic Acting Studio, Stonestreet Studios. Michael’s work has been featured in The New York Comedy Festival, Funny or Die, and Snap. Michael has performed all over NYC including The Comedy Cellar, The Slipper Room, and Broadway Comedy Club. In addition to acting for the screen and stage, he LOVES doing his monthly variety show, The Michael Bevan Show, exclusively at the acclaimed Club Cumming. Michael is a media titan paving the way for innovative new comedy with hit viral videos such as 37 Questions with Flower, which was a Funny or Die feature, A Tour With Cartor, and Adobe advertising for TikTok. He graduated from New York University with a degree in Theatre.