She’s Like the Wind
Five-Time U.S. Olympian Gail Devers overcame daunting obstacles to earn the rarest of titles: “fastest woman in the world.” Photo / Jessica McGowan As a woman in her early 20s, Gail Devers was so plagued with health problems, she was barely able to leave her home. Yet her indomitable spirit helped her become one of the most dominant athletes of her time. In 1990, Devers experienced... Read More
Rising to the Occasion
These standout student-athletes from Central Florida are ready to shine once again during the fall season. JT Bronaugh, Foundation Academy football A senior running back, Bronaugh is coming off a breakout junior season in which he rushed for 1,277 yards and 15 touchdowns on 91 carries to help Foundation post a 6-3 record. Also a star sprinter during track season, he is being... Read More
Homegrown Star
Matt Lauria may often play a tough guy on TV, but in casual conversation, it only takes a few moments for his sensitive side to rise to the forefront. In fact, the first words out of his mouth, following a very polite greeting, involve an offer to move a phone call over to Zoom, just so his facial expressions can be seen and all of his answers during a wide-ranging interview can... Read More
Asking the Right Questions
Iconic sports broadcaster Dan Patrick brings The Art of Interviewing to Full Sail University with new short-form course. Whether on TV, radio or in print, few have interviewed as many distinguished individuals as Dan Patrick. Now, the legendary sportscaster is taking his decades of experience and sharing his in-depth knowledge on the finer points of being a great interviewer... Read More
A Transcendent Talent
Actress Rachel McAdams has always shown an ability to seamlessly move in and out of different types of films during her notable career, from comedies like Wedding Crashers and Mean Girls to romantic fare like The Notebook to the key dramatic part she played in Spotlight, an Oscar winner for Best Picture. Lately the role she has been focused on is mother to her two children with... Read More
All the Right Moves
Salma Hayek has always been a fighter. In her early 20s, she gave up a career as a top TV soap opera actress in her native Mexico in order to move to L.A. and pursue her dream of becoming a Hollywood star. Despite her limited English, a thick accent, and a lack of roles for Latinas, Hayek persevered against all odds and eventually made her mark with roles in From Dusk Till... Read More
Focused on the Future
Orlando is one of the fastest growing cities in the country and for good reason. It appears that people are finally realizing what we have always known—that this area is a wonderful place to live, work and play and continues to broaden its horizons. Just ask around and you’ll see there’s no shortage of civic pride running deeply through each pocket of the region. We should... Read More
Better Than Ever
For a little more than 30 years, Marlon Wayans has been making folks laugh out loud. Whether he’s on screen, on stage or behind the scenes, he has enjoyed tremendous longevity in what can be a sometimes unforgiving entertainment world. Yet, despite his track record of success, he shows no signs of slowing down. If anything, he may just be ramping up. “I feel like I’ve been... Read More
Drama Queen
It says a lot for Emilia Clarke that between filming the eight seasons of Game of Thrones, the actress additionally managed to squeeze in appearances in two of the biggest movie franchises of all time. She played the role of Sarah Connor opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger in Terminator Genisys in 2015, before starring as Qi’ra in the Solo: A Star Wars Story three years later. In more... Read More
A Lot on Her Plate
Anya Taylor-Joy has a hearty appetite, both on and off the screen. At 26, when many actors are just getting their footing, the charming Taylor-Joy is winning awards, leaving her indelible mark on movies in a variety of genres and making lifelong friends in the entertainment world. Most recently she portrayed a young woman in The Menu, a dark comedy about a couple, Margot and Tyler... Read More
Always an Underdog
Whether Hilary Swank is getting into shape for her role as a boxer in Million Dollar Baby or stepping in the shoes of an investigative crime reporter on the new ABC drama Alaska Daily, the two-time Oscar winner is all about the details. The extremely grateful 48-year-old actress recently announced that she and her husband of four years, Philip Schneider, who she calls “the... Read More
Call to Action
Even at the tender age of nine, actor and activist Leo Abelo Perry knows how to make an indelible mark on the world. The Doylestown native stars with Zach Braff and Gabrielle Union as fraternal twin Luca Baker in the hilarious remake of the 2003 family comedy, Cheaper by The Dozen, currently available on Disney+. The uplifting story follows the Bakers, a multicultural family of... Read More
Larger Than Life
Idris Elba has a powerful and visceral screen presence. This is most likely one of the many reasons that Elba is an A-list Hollywood actor who climbed from poverty in an East London canning town. He was named People’s Sexiest Man Alive in 2018, a title that he called “a nice surprise and an ego boost.” But his brilliant career, and easy-going attitude, show that he has not... Read More
Raising the Bar
Meet some of Central Florida’s top-level varsity athletes Sean Stewart, Montverde Academy boys basketball A 6-foot-8 forward, Stewart averaged 20.5 points, 13.6 rebounds and 4.6 blocks last year at Windermere and was part of the U.S. team that won the gold medal at the FIBA World Cup in Spain this past summer. He transferred to Montverde Academy for his senior season before moving... Read More
The Best is Yet to Come
Best known as a founding member and lead guitarist for accomplished bands such as Creed and Alter Bridge, as well as lead vocalist and guitarist for his own band, Tremonti, with whom he has released five successful albums, it’s easy to see that Mark Tremonti rocks. Now, with his latest album, a collection of Frank Sinatra cover songs, Tremonti is not only showing a different side... Read More
Pushing the Envelope
It’s been a complete whirlwind of a ride for Jessica Chastain in the past decade: Three personal Oscar nominations, one win, a marriage and having two children with her husband. But nothing has helped keep her feet on the ground more than her saying that she remembers how fortunate she is to be where she has gotten—regardless of the speed with which it has happened—every day... Read More
Animal Instincts
When Marcia Gay Harden thinks about joyous family vacations, her mind immediately goes to the time spent in Orlando in the legendary Diagon Alley at Universal Studios. The Tony- and Academy Award-winning actress feels a strong tie to Orlando because of her family’s enormous attachment to “all things Harry Potter.” So much so that her three children cajoled her into going... Read More
Last Man Standing
Ethan Hawke is a sucker for a good love story. When he first heard about the idea of taking on the story of Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, he initially hesitated. The couple’s daughter, Claire Olivia Newman, wanted Hawke to make a documentary that would transcend their iconic status and take a deep look at their respective careers—and, of course, their made-for-Hollywood... Read More
‘Helping Others Help Themselves’
Central Florida is fortunate to have a strong presence of nonprofits and philanthropic organizations that strive to uplift the community in various ways. But even in that crowded landscape, Dr. Phillips Charities manages to stand out with its staying power, unique background and far-reaching impact. Comprised of two distinct divisions—Dr. Phillips Inc. and The Dr. P. Phillips... Read More
Worthy of Attention
Gabby Goodwin, Oviedo girls swimming A sensational distance swimmer, Goodwin was the 4A state champion in the 500 freestyle last year in a school-record time of 4:50.84 and also placed third in the 200 free. She is committed to Florida State. OFM: Has it sunk in that this is your last year of high school and is it a bittersweet feeling? GG: I kind of feel both ways. High school... Read More
Living in Harmony
On March 11, 2020, Josh Groban was in Orlando, Florida, for a concert at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Looking back, he remembers the performance because of the energetic give-and-take with fans, but also because the world would never be the same afterward. “It was the last show we did before lockdown,” says Groban. “We were feeling the love and wondering... Read More
