Hometown Heroine
Growing up in Orlando, Ashley Eckstein attended Dr. Phillips Elementary School, Southwest Middle School and Dr. Phillips High School. The talented performer has since gone on to star in numerous films and television shows. Eckstein is best known for voicing the role of Ahsoka Tano throughout the Star Wars franchise, beginning with Star Wars: The Clone Wars in 2008. In addition... Read More
Trailblazer
Tim McGraw is a damn fine American—humble, heartfelt and wholly unafraid of a hard day’s work. This Louisiana native grew up writing poetry and riding rodeo, two seemingly disparate experiences that helped shape him into one of America’s brightest stars in music, TV and film. It is quite fitting that renowned screenwriter Taylor Sheridan asked this living embodiment of the... Read More
A Captivating Collaboration
After Cirque du Soleil’s long-running hit show La Nouba closed at the end of 2017, Orlando audiences eagerly awaited the company’s next production. A dream collaboration was soon formed between Cirque and Disney in the form of Drawn to Life. The highly anticipated show was primed to debut in the spring of 2020 but was shut down just days shy of opening due to the pandemic. Nearly... Read More
All Hail the Queen
When socialite Jackie Siegel and her billionaire husband, Westgate Resorts founder David Siegel, began work on their dream home, they certainly didn’t envision the project taking over 20 years to complete. The house gained great notoriety worldwide following the 2012 documentary The Queen of Versailles. Currently, Siegel and her family can be seen on Queen of Versailles Reigns... Read More
A Rising Star
At just 17 years old, Central Florida’s own Logan Allen already has quite an impressive acting résumé. From television to the big screen, Allen has worked alongside some of the industry’s best. Yet, with the support of his loving family, he remains humble and level-headed. The up-and-coming actor currently stars on the hit Netflix show Sweet Magnolias and will soon appear... Read More
The Taste of Success
When asked if he embraces being labeled as a “celebrity chef,” Robert Irvine is very diplomatic in his response, saying that while it’s not exactly how he chooses to introduce himself, he also doesn’t reject the term. But, while he may be one of Food Network’s most familiar faces, he’s quick to point out there’s plenty of other ways to describe himself. “The way... Read More
His Best Shot
After an incredibly successful debut album, Mercury Lane, singer Jimmie Allen’s career continues to soar. His first single, “Best Shot,” landed in the top spot on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. Shortly thereafter, his second single, “Make Me Want To,” was equally as successful, making Allen the first Black artist to launch a country career with two consecutive... Read More
Living the Impossible Dream
At 53, crooked-nosed Texan Owen Wilson is at the height of his powers. He recently stepped foot into his first major TV project in the form of Marvel’s Loki, having enjoyed a therapeutic break from the hard-and-fast mechanics of the movie industry. Yet, at the same time, he flirted not just in the Disney+ premium series of the year, but also in The French Dispatch and Bliss. And... Read More
Animated Conversation
Yeardley Smith knew early on that her distinctive voice—some might say “high pitched”—could stand in her way as an actor of stage and screen. Although she got this reminder all too often throughout her formative years, she stayed her course. “Who cares what the naysayers think,” says Smith, the French-born, Emmy-winning actor best known as the voice of Lisa Simpson from... Read More
Culinary Collaboration
Last year, a trio of culinary friends joined forces on Foodtastic, a food art competition television program, hosted by Emmy Award-winning actress Keke Palmer, in which skilled chefs and pastry artists create incredible, larger-than-life sculptures made entirely of various ingredients. Together, culinary artist Victor Dagatan, pastry sous chef Joanna Kaskiw and lead pastry chef... Read More
A Familiar Voice
For nearly three decades, renowned Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli has captivated audiences with his soothing yet powerful voice. Throughout his illustrious career, Bocelli has earned six Grammy Award nominations as well as six Latin Grammy Award nods and has sold over 90 million records worldwide. A man of deep compassion, he founded the Andrea Bocelli Foundation (ABF) in 2011, with... Read More
Peak Performers
These seven impressive high school athletes are ready for the spotlight this winter. Plus, take a look at Dariq Whitehead, Montverde Academy boys basketball A senior guard, Whitehead was a key piece of a team that went 24-1 and was crowned the GEICO national champion last year. One of the top recruits in the country because of his elite play on both ends of the floor, the New Jersey... Read More
A Masterpiece in the Making
This past February, the Orlando Museum of Art (OMA) announced Aaron De Groft, Ph.D., as its new director and CEO. An expert in the field, De Groft previously served as the deputy director and chief curator of the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. More recently, he was the director and CEO of the Muscarelle Museum of Art at his alma mater, the College of William & Mary,... Read More
Walt Disney World’s Newest Ambassadors
A new crest honoring the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort adorns Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The crest completes the castle’s royal, EARidescent makeover, joining gold bunting, sparkling embellishments and other new enhancements leading up to “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” beginning Oct. 1, 2021. (Kent Phillips, photographer) The... Read More
Back on Top
Ben Affleck looks tired. And a little fed up. Usually in a relaxed manner, he’s tense when we meet. And slightly anxious. Today, his gatekeepers are ardently keen to keep idle chat to a minimum, yet his slightly somber expression disguises someone actually emerging from the darkness with considerable optimism. After a bitterly difficult stretch in his personal life, he has... Read More
Their Time to Shine
This high school sports season promises to be more exciting than ever, and these seven student-athletes are likely to be leading the way in their respective sports. DeMario Tolan, Dr. Phillips football A senior transfer from Tohopakaliga, this athletic and instinctual linebacker can make plays all over the field. He hopes to lead his new team to a state championship before continuing... Read More
Wayne’s Way
From comedy to acting, singing, dancing and hosting game shows, Wayne Brady has proven he can do it all. Brady has been entertaining audiences for over three decades with no plans of stopping anytime soon. The multi-Emmy winner and Grammy-nominated Brady grew up in Tangelo Park and is a graduate of Dr. Phillips High School. As a youngster, Brady worked as a performer at both Walt... Read More
Sibling Revelry
As far as we know, there is no official title for “world’s most athletic family,” but the Kordas would have to be in the running if there were. They are not the first nor the most famous family with multiple generations or siblings reaching the professional ranks, to be sure. But unlike, say, the Mannings in football, the Williams sisters in tennis or the Currys in basketball,... Read More
True to Life
Photo by Casey Curry/Invision/AP/Shutterstock When Kate Winslet first considered playing a detective in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, she knew the role would pose more than a few potential stumbling blocks. To start, she would need to learn how to speak “Delco,” a peculiar accent native to the suburban Philadelphia county. She would also have to go makeup free, walk with a... Read More
Prime Performer
From life on Broadway to her iconic performance as the voice of Elsa in Frozen, Idina Menzel has always looked for the next challenge in her career and the multi-talented performer has checked off plenty of boxes along the way. After bursting onto the scene as Maureen in the original cast of Rent, Menzel has gone on to give several memorable stage performances, including a star... Read More
The Man of the Hour
Blake Shelton talks new music, The Voice, getting engaged during the pandemic and why the party never stops at his new Orlando restaurant. The pandemic may have brought the world around Blake Shelton to a screeching halt, but the country superstar and television personality has still found plenty of ways to occupy his time over the course of the past year. This month, he’s returning... Read More
