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Markos Papadatos spoke with 10-year-old Greek-American singer Maria Tagaris. She sat down and chatted about her love for performing, and singing “Athina Mou” for Greek pop superstar Konstantinos Argiros, and it went viral. Margaret Mead once said: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; it’s the only thing that ever has.” This quote applies to Maria Tagaris. On performing for Konstantinos Argiros at the Holy Resurrection Greek Orthodox Church in Brookville, Maria shared, “That felt really amazing! I really couldn’t believe that I was standing next to Konstantinos singing.” Maria is drawn to Argiros’ music to several reasons. “I love his voice. I love his style and I really like his dances,” she said. Maria went on to list “Athina Mou” and “KABANES” as her two personal favorite songs of his. Speaking of Konstantinos Argiros, she listed him as her dream duet choice in music. “Konstantinos was probably one of the first singers who introduced me to music,” she said. Not only was her vocal performance well-received, her video went viral, touching Greeks and fans all over the globe. Regarding her future plans, Maria shared, “I will probably try to become a professional singer and follow my dreams in music.” Maria admitted that it “feels really good” to be a part of the Greek-American community in the United States. “I think without Greek music, I wouldn’t be here doing this,” she noted. Maria defined the word success as follows: “Success means accomplishing a goal and moving on with my life and being proud of myself.” She opened up about her Greek heritage. “My father is from Peloponnese, which is from my Papou’s side. Then, my yiayia is from Athens, and my mom is Bulgarian.” For her new fans and supporters, Maria expressed, “I would like to say thank you for supporting me. I hope one day I get to become a huge star, and I hope you guys are still watching me sing. Thank you!” To learn more about Greek-American singer Maria Tagaris, follow her on Instagram. Review of her performance 10-year-old Greek-American singer Maria Tagaris recently performed for Greek pop superstar Konstantinos Argiros at the Holy Resurrection Greek Orthodox Church in Brookville on Long Island. She left everyone in total awe of her talent. This event was a part of Argiros’ pop-up events in New York, which were in support of his latest studio album “KABANES.” Maria sang a few verses of his signature song “Athina Mou” a cappella, and in doing so, she was able to blow everyone away, including Konstantinos Argiros himself, the fans at the actual event, this journalist, and the viewers who were tuning in from home (because the video clip has gone viral, and rightfully so. Maria Tagaris absolutely stole the spotlight with her incredible singing performance for Konstantinos Argiros. She sang in Greek, which is impressive in and of itself, and she maintained great control over her crisp, crystalline voice. She brought so much passion and emotion to Argiros’ signature song, and it was neat to hear it sung from a young female perspective. Maria did not appear nervous at all, and she was completely in her element. Despite being in the presence of a Greek pop mega-star (such as Argiros), she held her own with confidence and grace as she displayed her immense talent and powerful vocal range. This was such a heartwarming moment where Maria Tagaris was able to put smiles on people’s faces and leave everybody in goosebumps. In this day and age, smiles, levity, and positivity are desperately needed. Overall, the people might have gone to the Holy Resurrection Greek Orthodox Church as fans of Konstantinos Argiros, but they also left as fans of Maria Tagaris as well. “Thank you everyone. This was an amazing experience for me,” Maria Tagaris exclaimed in a post on social media. Hopefully, this is a harbinger of more great things to come from Maria Tagaris in the future. Her future in the music and entertainment industry ought to be bright and promising because she has the natural talent, warmth and charisma to make it big. Maria proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that she is a rising star to watch, and her captivating vocal performance left everyone wanting to hear more. Her performance at the Holy Resurrection Greek Orthodox Church garnered two giant thumbs up. She deserves to become the next Areti Ketime in music, and she should be commended for making all us Greek-Americans proud of our heritage.

Marrakech does something to light that cameras love. With over 300 days of annual sunshine, step outside at golden hour anywhere in the medina - a doorway, a rooftop terrace, the tiled courtyard of a riad - and you are looking at a photograph. That is not a coincidence. It is geography, eleven centuries of history, and a particular quality of North African sun that cinematographers return to constantly. The Marrakech Film Commission was created to make sure they keep coming back. We are not a tourism board. We are a production-focused organization that exists to solve problems before they become problems-permits in place before the location scout has finished the first walk-through, access to sites that would normally take months of negotiation delivered in days, a crew base that has worked with studios from Warner Bros. to Netflix and knows the difference between a first-unit camera truck and a second-unit one. What we offer Hollywood is range without compromise. Within an hour of the city, a production company has access to the ancient medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is still breathing-the pre-Saharan desert, the Atlas Mountains, palm-lined valleys, and a fully modern infrastructure. Just down the road lies Ouarzazate, known as the "Hollywood of Africa," which houses the largest film studio complex in the world. Reliable studio facilities, well-maintained roads, and an international airport with direct connections to Los Angeles, London, and Paris mean most productions shooting in Marrakech never need to move their base. The financial case is equally serious. Morocco’s incentive program returns an uncapped 30% cash rebate on qualifying local expenditure for productions that spend at least $1 million and shoot for 18 days. Not a tax credit buried in paperwork, but a genuine rebate that changes what a budget can accomplish. The Commission works directly with each production to structure their spend and ensure they get the highest return. But ask any producer who has shot here what they remember, and they will not start with the rebate. They will tell you about the morning light on the Koutoubia Minaret. The quiet of a riad courtyard at five in the morning before the city wakes up. An extras call for two hundred people that produced two hundred people who showed up, in costume, on time. The kind of production experience that does not happen everywhere. Marrakech has already served as the backdrop for films and series that between them have grossed billions at the global box office. Whether it is Tom Cruise racing motorcycles in Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation, the intense combat of John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum, the mind-bending dreamscapes of Inception, or sweeping historical epics like Gladiator and Game of Thrones, they all came to Morocco. No other place on earth offers this combination of visual scale, cultural depth, and professional reliability. We are proud of that history. We are more interested in what we have not yet made. The Marrakech Film Commission website

Photography: Kane Skennar Markos Papadatos interviewed Australian actor Daniel MacPherson about starring in the movie “Beast,” and working with Luke Hemsworth and Oscar winner Russell Crowe (“Gladiator”). On starring in “Beast,” he shared, “It was an experience I will never forget. It was one of the most intense and challenging but also rewarding and exciting roles of my career.” “I had to act like Russell Crowe, I had to fight like Conor McGregor, and I had to look something like Chris Hemsworth with my shirt off,” he admitted. “Maybe not as big as Thor, but I had to get in pretty good shape.” “So, this role challenged every part of my tool set, but you don’t get stories and you don’t get scripts like this… and you don’t get Russell Crowe coming along saying, ‘hey, I’ll do this movie with you’ very often in your career,” he explained. “So, it was this perfect storm of opportunity and excitement,” he said. “You want to go and make it for the MMA fans, because you can’t lie to them. Everyone is an expert.” “Everyone sees MMA fights 24/7 in this day and age. So, you’ve got to appease those people and impress them, and if you can do that, then maybe everyone else will be impressed,” he elaborated. On playing Patton James, MacPherson said, “I loved his moral core and his heart. He was so committed to his wife and his family.” “I loved that he was a family man, and I loved that he was a man fighting for his purpose and his identity, and to reclaim his purpose and his identity again,” he noted. “I think that I have a lot of buddies in the sports, entertainment, and military worlds, who finished that time of their lives and really struggled to find purpose, identity, and intention moving forward,” he explained. “So, those were things that I really loved anchoring from a performance point of view. Then, if you can get that stuff right… every punch, every kick, every elbow just means a little bit more,” he added. Photography: Kane Skennar On the lessons learned from the “Beast” screenplay, he reflected, “The screenplay taught me about not being afraid to back yourself and fight for what you believe in when you really know deep down that it’s inside you.” “Patton knew that he had unfinished business,” he said. “Patton knew he had to go against the wishes of his wife and the people that loved him to go and prove something to himself and to those around him… that was going to pretty much save his life.” “I reckon that somehow resonated pretty strongly with me,” he admitted. On working with Russell Crowe and Luke Hemsworth, MacPherson said, “Thankfully, I can call those guys two of my best friends. They are great people. Luke and I started working together 25 years ago on a soap opera in Australia. It was our first job together. We’ve been great mates ever since.” “We started on ‘Neighbors’ together and we’ve made plenty of movies together and we will continue to do so in the future,” he noted. “Being on set with Luke was like hanging out with your buddy all day. The acting with him is easy.” “That’s the same with Russell Crowe,” he admitted. “This was my third film with Russell. Now, I’ve worked with him as a co-star and as a director.” “This time, it was extraordinarily satisfying to flex my acting muscles and go toe-to-toe with one of the all-time greats (Russell Crowe) over some really fantastic writing,” he elaborated. “David Frigerio and Russell Crowe co-wrote this script and we got to go head-to-head on some really chunky dialogue, and I will never forget that,” he added. On the title of the current chapter of his life, MacPherson revealed, “It’s Daniel MacPherson 3.0.” “It’s pretty much starting right now,” he admitted. “It’s an incredible time right now. I’m a big fan of reinvention. There’s a great Bukowski poem called ‘No Leaders Please,’ which is one of my favorites, which says, invent yourself and then reinvent yourself.” “That’s one of the things I love about life. It’s the renaissance of Daniel MacPherson. It’s an exciting time to have been acting for 27 years and still feel like I’m at the very beginning now and in a new phase,” he explained. Photography: Kane Skennar If he were to have any superpower, it would be “a generosity of heart and spirit,” as well as “to help people.” Regarding his definition of success, MacPherson said, “If I can just keep working on things that I love with people that I love… and get to take my son on set with me, then that’s the balance.” For fans and viewers, MacPherson stated, “We hope that you come in and you leave surprised. This is as much a story about family. It’s as much a story about fatherhood, marriage, identity and purpose as it is about fighting.” “I hope we surprise people,” he admitted. “I hope you wake up thinking about it and inspired in your own life for days to come after seeing it.” “When Bren Foster and I started training and choreographing the final fights, we looked at each other and said, ‘We want to make the most intense and realistic MMA fight that has ever been seen on screen and in cinema’,” he elaborated. “By the time that we get to that ending, our director Tyler Atkins, has infused the film with so much heart that not only was the fighting intense (and we hope incredible), but the meaning and the reason behind it was pretty extraordinary as well,” he elaborated. “So, hopefully, it’s one of those fight films that you wake up thinking about the next day, and for days after,” he concluded. To learn more about Australian actor Daniel MacPherson, follow him on Instagram.

In the demanding spaces of film and fashion, raw talent is only half the equation. The other half is an invisible, magnetic quality - a specific energy that a person brings into a room before they even speak. For actress and model Carlie Osborne, this presence is her calling card. She possesses a natural, confident drive wrapped in a warmth that makes her an immediate favorite among directors, photographers, and fellow cast members alike. Finding a continuous creative rhythm with a director is a rare gift in the cinematic arts. Osborne has found exactly that with writer and director Michael Head. Their working relationship recently reached new heights in the feature film Jackie the Stripper. Stepping into the shoes of the character Claire, Osborne held her own alongside a highly recognizable cast. Sharing scenes with names like Charlotte Kirk, Patsy Kensit, Kimberley Wyatt, and Katie Price can be a daunting prospect for any rising talent. Yet, Osborne approached the set not just with rigorous professionalism, but with a genuine appreciation for the privilege of working with such experienced peers. This high-profile feature is part of a much broader artistic footprint. Osborne also appears in two other Michael Head films: Bermondsey Tales and Meeting Across the River. Directors do not invite actors back unless they deliver on screen, and her return engagements demonstrate an absolute reliability. Each new script and character has deepened her devotion to the craft, providing her with the practical, hands-on experience that no classroom can teach. People often view acting and modeling as parallel tracks, but for Osborne, they feed directly into one another. Modeling requires an acute physical awareness - knowing how to capture the light and how to communicate a feeling with a simple shift in posture. Acting provides the emotional depth that turns a beautiful frame into a compelling story. What many might not realize about Osborne is how deliberately she merges these disciplines. Her confident exterior is backed by an intense work ethic. She views her career not merely as a job, but as a lifelong dedication to storytelling. Her presence on a set is frequently described as uplifting; she brings a lightness and joy that directly counteracts the heavy pressure of strict filming schedules. The future looks exceedingly bright for this London native. With a rapidly growing resume and an unshakeable belief in her art, Carlie Osborne is steadily building a name for herself in both film and fashion. She embraces every new opportunity with open arms and a clear vision. In an industry that often tests the spirit, Osborne’s radiant optimism might just be her greatest asset, ensuring that her journey on screen will be one to watch for years to come.

In an exclusive conversation hosted by co-founder Ariel Lavi, Compulsion stars Anna-Maria Sieklucka and Charlotte Kirk open up about the psychological weight of their characters, the transition from stage to screen, and the deeply human need for connection that drives their craft. Anna-Maria Sieklucka In the British film Compulsion, your character Evie carries a deep emotional past. Do you build a character like this from the inside out through psychology, or from the outside in using posture and physical movement? "I always start from the inside," she answers without hesitation. "Before I think about how a character walks or moves, I need to understand who they are." For Sieklucka, the physical manifestation of a role is secondary to its psychological core. "I ask myself how their past shaped the person they’ve become and what emotional scars they’re carrying. Once I have that, everything physical follows naturally." You are now working across both Polish and English-language productions. Does acting in a second language change how you access a character's emotions, or do you find that the emotional core remains exactly the same regardless of the vocabulary? "It definitely does. Since English isn’t my first language, it has a completely different rhythm and melody," she explains. "I’m also very aware of my accent; I never want the way I speak to feel forced or unnatural." Yet, the foundation remains untouched. "But emotionally, nothing changes. The emotional truth is exactly the same." She leans forward, elaborating on the cognitive shift required. "What does change is the way I think. When I speak English, my thoughts are structured differently because the language itself works differently. That naturally influences the way I express emotions and ideas." With your podcast, P.S. I LOVE YOU, you are the one asking the questions and guiding the conversation. What has stepping into the role of an interviewer taught you about human connection? "Hosting my podcast has taught me that everyone carries invisible layers shaped by their own life experiences," Sieklucka reflects, her tone shifting to one of quiet observation. "We all move through the world with patterns we’ve learned along the way. That’s why I’ve become much more careful about any judgments - you never really know what someone has been through or what emotional weight they’re carrying." Leaning into the thought, she adds, "I truly believe empathy is the foundation of every meaningful relationship." You have experienced massive international fame, yet you continue to work deeply in local Polish theater. Why is it so necessary for you to keep one foot firmly planted in your home country's artistic community? Her answer is immediate and grounded. "Because I honestly believe every actor should experience theatre. There’s no better place to develop your craft. On stage, you’re standing in front of a live audience - you can’t hide behind editing or multiple takes. If something isn’t truthful, people feel it instantly." The stage, she explains, is an ongoing education. "You spend weeks building a character while also learning how to move and breathe as part of an ensemble. Every performance is different because everything happens in real time. And when something unexpected happens - like someone forgetting a line - you simply have to stay present, trust your instincts, and keep going." That livewire energy is essential to her work. "That’s where spontaneity is born. I’m incredibly grateful that my career allows me to move between theatre, television and film, because each of them has taught me something different." How has the success of 365 Days affected your personality? "365 Days is one of the experiences that helped shape the woman I am today," she says, reflecting on the global phenomenon that launched her career. "I’ve grown so much since then - not just as an actress, but as a woman. Today I know who I am, what I stand for, and what I want from both my career and my life." Looking back at the milestone, she maintains a deep appreciation for the journey. "I’ll always be grateful for that chapter. It was my first real experience on a film set, and creating Laura is something I’ll always carry within me." Charlotte Kirk You co-wrote Compulsion before playing Diana. How does building a character from a blank page change your emotional approach on set, and is it harder to let her go at the end of the day? "Because I helped shape Diana from the ground up, on set it felt like peeling back layers rather than inventing them," Kirk reveals, leaning into the depth of the creative process. "That closeness is powerful, but it also means she can linger." To detach from the psychological weight of the role, she relies on the mundane. "To wind down, I’d do something very ordinary," she adds. "Shower, change clothes, call a friend—something to return to myself." Diana hides her true ambition behind an alluring persona to win Evie over. As an actress, how do you find the authentic emotional core in a character who is actively wearing a mask? "Diana is a very complex character, and one of the things I loved about playing her was that she’s always revealing different sides of herself," Kirk observes. Pushing back slightly on the premise, she clarifies her method. "As an actor, I don’t really think in terms of a character wearing a mask. I try to understand what they’re protecting and why. Usually, there’s something vulnerable underneath." For this particular role, the focus was deeply internal. "For Diana, it was important to focus on her emotional needs, her desires, and what she’s searching for. Once you connect to that human truth, the character feels authentic, regardless of how much of themselves they’re choosing to reveal." She pauses, offering a knowing smile. "What I will say about this film is no one is who they seem to be." The film's tension relies on the intense bond between Diana and Evie. How did you and Anna-Maria Sieklucka build the trust necessary to make such a high-stakes relationship feel real? "Anna-Maria was wonderful to work with," Kirk shares warmly. "We spent a lot of time talking through the characters and their relationship before filming, which helped create a genuine level of trust between us." That off-screen grounding was essential for the on-screen stakes. "The story only works if the audience believes the connection between Diana and Evie, so we focused on building that foundation first," she explains. "Once that trust existed off camera, it allowed us to take bigger emotional risks on camera. We both understood that the relationship had to feel authentic, even when the story takes darker and more unpredictable turns." Shooting in Malta provided a distinct sense of isolation. How did the physical environment and the classic thriller atmosphere influence your internal process and physical tension? "Malta was an incredible location because it offered both beauty and a sense of isolation," Kirk notes, reflecting on the striking Mediterranean backdrop. "The contrast between the stunning scenery and the psychological tension of the story created a very unsettling atmosphere, which was perfect for the film." The setting became a quiet co-star, shaping her physical performance. "The environment naturally influenced my performance because Diana is constantly navigating uncertainty and emotional pressure," she adds. "Being surrounded by unfamiliar landscapes and spending long days immersed in that suspenseful world helped maintain a level of tension that felt very organic rather than forced." Behind Diana's survival instincts is a deeply human desperation. In the quiet moments before the plot spirals, what emotional anchors did you hold onto to keep her grounded for the audience? "For me, it was Diana’s longing for connection," Kirk says, her tone softening as she considers the character's hidden fragility. "Beneath her strength and determination, there’s someone who wants to be seen, understood, and ultimately find a place where she belongs." Those emotional anchors were vital during the production's quieter beats. "Those were the emotions I kept coming back to in the quieter moments," she continues. "No matter what choices she makes throughout the story, I always tried to hold onto that very human need for connection, because that’s what makes her relatable and keeps her grounded for the audience."

Photography: Sean Smith Markos Papadatos interviewed Emmy winner Darin Brooks about his return to the soap opera “The Bold and The Beautiful” on CBS. Academy Award winner Brendan Fraser once said: “I know how wanting this profession can make people become. It can really change your brain chemistry, turn you into a different person that you maybe weren’t anticipating. I wanted to make sure I had a strong sense of identity. That always came from feeling comfortable in my own skin - the way I felt as a kid, going somewhere new all the time.” This quote applies to Emmy award-winning actor Darin Brooks. Returning to ‘The Bold and The Beautiful’ On his return to “The Bold and The Beautiful” on CBS, he exclaimed, “Honestly, it’s amazing! It feels like coming back home again. ‘The Bold and The Beautiful’ is definitely a place that is very near and dear to my heart.” “I’ve been on the show for 10 years and then, I was off for a couple of years, and now I am back,” he said. “Denise Richards is back on there too as Shauna Fulton, and now we have Crew Morrow, who plays my younger brother, the youngest Spencer, and we’ve got a nice thing going on.” “I am just thrilled to be back, and I am really excited to come back and play Wyatt and see what’s in store,” he said. “I love reuniting with Don Diamont as my on-screen father, and with Scott Clifton, who plays Liam, my older brother.” Photography: Sean Smith Speaking of Diamont and Clifton, he complimented both actors for making him break character the most on set. “We have a great time together,” Brooks admitted. When asked what he is exited the most about Wyatt’s return, Brooks said, “I don’t know. I’m excited to just stir the pot a little bit. It seems like there are a lot of happy couples on the show, and you can’t be happy for very long on a soap opera. You need to have some drama, so who knows? I think Wyatt has a lot of possibilities, especially in regard of who he can start messing with. I think there are a lot of ways the writers can go with him.” Brooks poked fun at his on-screen brother Will (played by Crew Morrow) now living in his beach house. “My brother Will now has my damn beach house… I need to get that thing back,” Brooks said with a sweet laugh. “It’s funny because Flo is out of the picture but her mother, Shauna, is back on the show too, so she has to stir the pot too.” Darin Brooks on Denise Richards Speaking of Denise Richards, Brooks praised her for being “the best.” “I love working with her,” he said. “We go back to ‘Blue Mountain State.’ I remember when she first started on ‘The Bold and The Beautiful.’ On her first day, she looked at me with terrifying eyes when she realized how many pages of script it involves, and told me that she didn’t think she can do this. I told her that it may seem like a lot but once she got into the groove of things, 80 pages a day becomes second nature. It’s all about taking things one page at a time.” “Fast forward to now, Denise love doing soap operas… she tells me she ‘loves it here’ and that she wants ‘to stay here forever’,” he added. Photography: Gilles Toucas 2026 ‘Father’s Day’ This weekend, Brooks is excited to celebrate “Father’s Day” with his two daughters. “Being a father means everything to me. This is my weekend with the girls, and I cannot wait to do something fun with them,” he said. ‘Samantha’s Friends’ On September 12 and 13th, he is looking forward to being a part of “Samantha’s Friends” fundraiser in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, which will have a “Wizarding World of Harry Potter” theme to it. “I did ‘Samantha’s Friends’ over a decade ago when I was on ‘Days of Our Lives.’ It has been a long time, but I love what they do and what they stand for. As of now, I have tentatively told them ‘yes.’ I’m definitely going to try to go out there to Florida and help them out with that,” he said. Jessie Godderz collaboration When asked if he would ever collaborate with daytime alum Jessie Godderz (Mr. PEC-Tacular) in any capacity (who is a huge fan of Brooks’ work), Brooks remarked, “I love Jessie! He is so great and such a big supporter of my work. It would be fun to do ‘American Gladiators’ with him.” “I used to watch the original ‘American Gladiators’ show in the ‘90s when I was younger. It would be fun to go on there with Jessie, even though I would probably get my butt kicked,” Brooks said with a sweet laugh. Message for his fans For his loyal fans on “The Bold and The Beautiful,” Brooks said, “Thank you so much for watching us day in and day out. You keep me employed. As long as you are watching, having fun and being entertained, then, we are doing our job.” “That’s what I love the most: putting smiles on people’s faces and making them cry. We appreciate you and we love you,” he expressed, effusively. To learn more about esteemed actor Darin Brooks, follow him on X (formerly known as Twitter) and on Instagram.

For many women, the golf course is more than a place for sport; it is a space for connection, travel, and creating memories. Yet, for years, the apparel available has often felt restrictive, leaning heavily into tradition rather than modern style. Alex and Teresa Vidger, the mother-daughter co-founders behind the lifestyle brand Live Kolibri, recognized this gap. Drawing from their own family history on the greens, they are launching LIVE golf, a collection designed to bring confidence, femininity, and high fashion to women's activewear. A Modern Take on a Family Tradition Growing up, the Vidger family spent countless mornings together at early tee times, traveling to various courses, and enjoying friendly competition. Golf was central to their bond. As they built Live Kolibri into a recognized name on runways from Miami Swim Week to New York and Los Angeles, they realized their next step was bringing their fashion sensibility back to the sport they loved. As a family-owned and women-owned business, Alex and Teresa function as best friends and creative partners. Their shared vision gave life to LIVE golf—a brand built to celebrate living life fully and making meaningful memories. A Collection Built for Movement The new collection immediately stands out from traditional options. LIVE golf offers chic, matching activewear sets featuring skirts and tanks, alongside lightweight zip-up jackets and stylish visors. Every piece is crafted from breathable, lightweight fabrics designed for comfort without sacrificing aesthetics. With fun colors, original prints, and flattering silhouettes, the clothing moves beautifully from the fairway to a post-game lunch or a weekend getaway. It is a fresh approach to resort and golf fashion that prioritizes both form and function. Culture, Community, and Sustainability To capture the bold, fun energy of the brand, LIVE golf enlisted television personality Kendra Wilkinson as the lead face of their launch campaign. Her confident, active lifestyle perfectly reflects the spirit of the collection. Joining her are models and personalities from popular reality series, including Temptation Island, adding to the modern, culture-driven identity of the brand. Live Kolibri already carries a strong reputation, having been featured in Forbes Magazine and stocked in boutique hotels internationally. They have also presented at major fashion events across Dallas and San Diego. As they introduce LIVE golf, their commitment to thoughtful design remains central. Sustainability is a significant focus, with the brand prioritizing responsible production practices and high-quality materials meant for longevity rather than fast fashion. For Alex and Teresa, the long-term vision is clear. They want to see LIVE golf in select pro shops, country clubs, and luxury resorts around the world, building a community of women who value wellness, travel, and style. They are not just creating apparel; they are inspiring women to step onto the course with confidence and unapologetic style. Discover the Collection, Visit www.livegolfs.com to explore the new LIVE golf line, and www.livekolibri.com to see more from Live Kolibri. Join the community and follow the journey on Instagram at @live.kolibri and TikTok at live_kolibi.

From creating viral comedy content and movie parodies online to managing international tours for one of the greatest icons in music history. This is the extraordinary journey of Ludovico Aldasio, the Italian professional who today works as Head of Communications and Tour Manager for Gloria Gaynor, the legendary voice behind I Will Survive, one of the most iconic songs ever recorded. Aldasio’s role goes far beyond the traditional responsibilities of a tour manager. He works on the global communication strategy surrounding Gloria Gaynor’s brand, developing digital campaigns and social media strategies designed to strengthen the connection with longtime fans while introducing the legendary artist to new generations around the world. At the same time, as Tour Manager, Aldasio plays a key role in coordinating international performances, working alongside promoters, organizers, and industry professionals to bring Gloria Gaynor’s to audiences across different countries. Among the most significant recent success are Gloria Gaynor’s Italian shows in Milan on June bringing the Queen of Dance Music back to Italy for two special events. These performances are part of an international journey that has taken the legendary artist across countries including Spain, France, Morocco, the US, and the UK. Behind this international career is a story that began far away from traditional entertainment management. Before entering the world of artist relations and global communication, Ludovico Aldasio built his name through social media, first with comedy videos and later with movie parody content that gained international attention and reached millions of viewers. His creativity, unique style, and ability to connect with audiences online opened unexpected doors. One of the turning points in his career came when Academy Award-winning actor Jamie Foxx discovered his work, followed him on social media, and personally reached out to him from the United States. That moment became an important step toward a new chapter, introducing Aldasio to an American entertainment environment full of opportunities and international connections. After living between the United States and the United Kingdom, Aldasio continued developing his expertise in communication, branding, and entertainment. Today, based in Italy while maintaining a global professional network, he works with major international projects, including his role as Artist PR Manager for Warner in the United States, while also managing communications for various companies, artists, and organizations. “Working with Gloria Gaynor is an incredible privilege,” says Ludovico Aldasio. “Being the Tour Manager of an artist who has shaped the history of worldwide music is something truly unique. Gloria became a legend in a time when TikTok, Instagram, and social media did not exist. Her success was built on pure talent, dedication, determination, and an authentic connection with people. Even today, after turning 80, her energy, discipline, and passion remain extraordinary. She continues to inspire everyone around her.” The legacy of I Will Survive continues to cross generations, making Gloria Gaynor not only a symbol of disco music but a true global cultural icon. Her ability to remain relevant decades after her first success is a testament to her artistry, resilience, and vision. Today, Aldasio’s mission is to help preserve that legacy while creating new opportunities for the future. Through communication strategies, digital storytelling, and international tour management, he contributes to bringing Gloria Gaynor’s music and message to audiences worldwide. The journey is far from over. While the summer tour approaches its final dates, preparations are already underway for the upcoming winter tour, alongside new musical projects that will introduce another chapter in Gloria Gaynor’s extraordinary career. For Ludovico Aldasio, this represents another milestone in a path built on creativity, international vision, and the ability to transform opportunities into achievements. From viral videos on social media to standing beside one of the greatest legends in music history, his story reflects how innovation, passion, and determination can open the doors to the global entertainment industry.

The Miss England Grand Final is officially returning to Athena Leicester on Tuesday 17th November 2026, marking an exciting homecoming after a 14-year absence. The decision follows the incredible success of Leicester performing arts student Grace Richardson, who captured both the prestigious Miss England Talent Award and the Miss England 2025 title in November 2025. Now preparing to represent England at the 75th Miss World in Vietnam, Grace will return to the city where her journey comes full circle as she crowns her successor. Athena has a proud place in Miss England history, having previously hosted the national final in 2006, 2007 and 2012. Since then the final has been held across England at Venues in Torquay, Southport , Birmingham , Newcastle and for the past two years Wolverhampton. This November, Grace will hand over her crown in spectacular style. Living out her dream of becoming a West End performer, she will appear alongside talented performers from the Ann Oliver School of Dance. To celebrate the return of the Miss England Final to Leicester, a special photoshoot with Anfice Photography was organised by Angie Beasley, Director of Miss England since 2002, during the West End Day Party at the Athena. Grace, dressed as a glamorous showgirl, was warmly welcomed onto the stage by the event's DJ and introduced Grace to the audience who wished her well in Miss World and post for a group photo ! "Grace received a wonderful reception from everyone at the West End Day Party event, her real dream is to perform on the West End stage ," said Angie Beasley. "She met two talented West End singers, Emily Olive Boyd and James Richard Turner at the event who wished Grace every success at the 75th Miss World in Vietnam. We are delighted to be returning to Athena after all these years." Grace will sing live at the Grand Final and dance alongside some of her fellow performing arts students making the evening a true celebration of talent, entertainment and Beauty with a Purpose , the ethos of the competition. Grace said “"I couldn't be more excited to be crowning my successor in Leicester! It means so much to bring the Miss England Grand Final back here after 14 years and to celebrate everything this incredible city has to offer. As a Musical Theatre performer who has grown up in Leicester, I'm especially proud that we'll also be showcasing some of the amazing students from The Ann Oliver Stage School. It's going to be a truly special night, and I can't wait to share it with everyone.". The Miss England 2026 Grand Final promises to be a spectacular red carpet event and one not to be missed. Booking tickets early is advisable and tickets can be purchased on this link - VIP TABLES with reception drink and dinner is limited https://buytickets.at/missenglandlimited/2237502

Photography: Daniele Longobardi Giuliano Squitieri turned a personal vision into reality by founding the Outdoor Film Festival in his hometown of San Valentino Torio. Rather than building his platform in an established cinematic capital, he chose to bring an international network directly to the community that shaped him. Over the past three years, the festival has grown into a space where global stars and local youth connect on the exact same level. Here, Squitieri shares his personal journey of building the event, navigating structural growth, and maintaining a strict focus on authentic human connection. Choosing to bring your international network back to San Valentino Torio instead of a massive cinematic capital was a deeply personal move. What specific emotional pull drew you home to launch the Outdoor Film Festival? "Coming back to San Valentino Torio was never a 'strategic choice' in the traditional sense - it was emotional before it was anything else," he explains. "There's a strong pull that comes from places that shaped you before you even understood what ambition was. I didn't want to build the Outdoor Film Festival in a place where cinema already dominates every corner of life. I wanted to build it where it felt almost impossible, but exactly for that reason, meaningful." He reflects further, "San Valentino Torio is home. It's identity, memory, and responsibility all at once. I felt the need to give something back to the place that gave me my first sense of community and imagination. Bringing an international network here wasn't about relocation - it was about translation: turning everything I had seen and learned abroad into something that could belong here." Observing a generation of young people feeling disconnected gave you the spark to build this platform. How has seeing them find community over the last three years validated that initial leap of faith? "What I've seen over these three years is that the feeling of disconnection was never the real story - lack of spaces was," he observes. "Young people don't lack ideas, energy, or ambition. They lack places where those things can actually meet other people and become something collective." He adds, "Watching them come to the Outdoor Film Festival and slowly shift from being spectators to being part of a community has been the clearest validation of the original intuition. It confirmed that the leap of faith wasn't about cinema at all - it was about belonging. And when you see people who felt invisible start recognizing themselves in a shared space, you understand that the project is doing exactly what it was meant to do." Welcoming global stars to a quiet town completely changes the local energy. What exactly goes through your mind when you stand on that hometown red carpet and witness this intersection of worlds? "Seeing the place where I grew up as a child suddenly become a stage for some of the most recognized names in the world is something that still feels almost unreal," he admits. "It's not pride in a loud sense - it's a very quiet shock. I remember what that town used to feel like, how small the world seemed back then, and then I look at it now and see cameras, artists, international guests walking the same streets." "In that moment, I don't think about cinema or success," he notes. "I think about time. And about how something so ordinary in my memory has become a place where different worlds now meet." Crafting an annual event out of a raw idea requires incredible mental endurance. What was the absolute hardest personal hurdle you had to get past during your first year? "The hardest hurdle wasn't operational - it was internal," he shares. "In the first year, there is a constant tension between what you clearly see in your mind and what doesn't yet exist in reality. You're asking people to believe in something they cannot touch, in a place that isn't used to thinking on that scale. And at times, that gap becomes mentally exhausting." He recalls, "The real challenge was staying steady when everything around you suggests it might be easier to scale down, to make it 'more realistic.' I had to learn not to confuse early resistance with failure. What I had to overcome was the instinct to protect myself from disappointment - and instead keep building as if the idea was already real, even when nothing around me confirmed it yet." Overcoming unpredictable setbacks is a constant reality when running a major event. Looking back at the last three years, which specific challenge forced you to find a completely new approach? "One challenge that really forced a complete change of approach was the moment we realized that growth itself could become a risk," he explains. "In the second year, the scale of attention and expectations started increasing faster than the structure behind the festival. What worked when it was small - relationships, intuition, informal coordination - was no longer enough. A single delay or misalignment could affect the entire ecosystem." "That forced me to shift from building like a founder to thinking like an operator: more systems, more delegation, and more trust in people who could take ownership of entire pieces of the project," he points out. "It wasn't a creative challenge - it was a structural one. And it changed how I lead everything today." Human connection is clearly the core focus of your vision. How do you intentionally shape the atmosphere so the festival feels like a close gathering rather than a standard industry mixer? "For me, human connection is the most important thing," he emphasizes. "Big stars can come, and of course that's powerful, but what really matters to me are the young people who show up, take part, and sometimes leave with something that actually changes how they see themselves and their future. That's the real impact." He continues, "At the Outdoor Film Festival, I don't separate people into 'important guests' and 'audience.' I deliberately put everyone on the same level. An international guest and a student sitting in the crowd are part of the same space, the same conversation, the same energy. Because if there's hierarchy, you lose the point. The moment someone feels 'less important' in that space, the festival stops being what it's meant to be." Emerging creators now look at what you built as a direct guide. When they ask how to find a unique creative voice, what core truth do you share? "I always tell them this: I don't believe I've done anything 'special' in the sense of being out of reach," he states. "If I've managed to build what I've built, coming from a small town and starting with just an idea, then there's nothing that makes it impossible for anyone else to do something meaningful in their own way." "So I say it very clearly to young people: if I got here, you can do anything," he encourages. "The only real difference is whether you decide to start and keep going when it's still uncertain, uncomfortable, and invisible to others. And your voice - your real creative voice - comes out exactly in that process." Looking toward future editions, you have successfully connected your local community to global cinema. What is the single most important feeling you want every single guest to take home with them? "The single most important feeling I want every guest to take home is hope - and the sense that they can dare more than they thought possible," he says. "Not just inspiration in a vague sense, but real confidence: the idea that change is within reach, that their voice matters, and that this world is not something to observe from a distance, but something they can actively shape." He concludes, "If someone leaves the festival with more courage than when they arrived - with a bit more trust in themselves - then everything we built has meaning." Outdoor Film Festival website

Photography: Candace Ghai Markos Papadatos interviewed Katerina Papacostas about starring in the musical “Chess” on Broadway, where she is a part of the ensemble and she understudies Lea Michele, who plays Florence Vassy. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt once said: “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” This quote applies to Katerina Papacostas. How has your experience been in “Chess”? My experience in Chess has been a profound, once-in-a-lifetime, once-in-a-career gift. To get to dance in this ensemble performing the legendary Lorin Latarro’s dance arrangements, and to step in and play one of the greatest female leads ever written, with epic music that has been beloved for forty years and has this incredible cult following, and to do it at the hands of this insane creative team with Michael Mayer, Benny and Bjorn from ABBA, Danny Strong... it’s truly surreal. The show also allows me to use every single tool in my toolbox. As a dancer, I’m operating at the highest level. As a singer, I get to employ every corner of my voice, from my classical opera training to a pop rock chest belt at the top of my range. To do all this in service of a female character who is both brilliant and messy, powerful and vulnerable, fierce and imperfect, and is also the center of the story is just a rare and precious opportunity that I don’t take for granted. It’s been a dream come true in every single way. What do you love most about understudying Lea Michele? It’s hard to say what I love most because there are so many things. As a leader of our cast, she is so grounded and generous, incredibly consistent and reliable at the helm, both in her performance and in her steadfast encouragement and faith in our piece and in us as a team. She never takes for granted the work of the ensemble, which does not go unnoticed. To have someone in that position acknowledge your contribution as an ensemble member means so much. When I went on for the first time, she sent me a beautiful bouquet of flowers and a really lovely note of encouragement. And then to watch her as a producer and as a leading lady help craft this character, making sure she is honest and grounded and real while still being strong and vulnerable, it’s been a privilege to witness. It’s her kindness, her intellect, her talent, and her leadership that make it such a pleasure to witness and work with her. Can you tell us about Broadway Bakes and Broadway Cares? Broadway Bakes is a beautiful effort by the amazing cookie company Schmackery’s, the official cookie of Broadway, to help raise money for Broadway Cares. This is an extraordinary organization that provides housing, financial support, healthcare access, advocacy, and a host of other incredible resources for our artistic community, both in New York and around the country. Broadway Bakes is a fundraiser where Broadway actors get to come work behind the counter and bring a little insanity and levity, offering selfies and chitchat to any and all patrons and fans who want to come hang out, buy some cookies, and donate to a fantastic cause. What motivates you each day as a performer? There are so many things that motivate me. There is the higher calling, the sense that we need to keep telling stories to mine the depths of the human experience and make sense of the silly, the absurd, the euphoria, and the profound grief. Not to be too existential, but art is a critical part of a functioning society, so I feel honored to participate in a small way in making that happen. Tapping back into childhood dreams and letting that desire keep me going is a huge factor. There are also the experiences from each role I’ve been fortunate to play helping remind me of how much I love getting to tell stories for a living and the richness of the community it brings. Eventually, you need to keep working. I was able to step away for a while and work full time as a software engineer, and I loved that work deeply but it just didn’t quite fill me all the way up. So you always have that little itch as an artist, that need to stimulate your curious mind, to tell a story and to use all of your faculties at once to do it. It’s a combination of all these things, and on the days when I can’t motivate myself and none of those work, I’m so lucky to have a massive army of friends and family at my back. This incredible community helps carry me forward and encourage me to keep going. What do your plans for the future include? There are a few different layers to my plans for the future. On the artistic side, I’d love to play more roles in New York, on tour, and on Broadway, and to do more TV and film. I also want to write more and continue developing work both on stage and screen. I really want to find a way to give back more consistently and regularly to our community. I’m not entirely sure yet what that looks like, but I’m hoping to find a way to meld my seven years of experience working in tech as a software engineer with my twenty years of performing experience into something I can genuinely offer back. I’ve taught in many different capacities and I’d love to do more of that. Creating opportunities for other artists I know and love to perform and share their work is also a priority. So it’s really some combination of service, community development, creating new work, and performing more roles both on stage and on screen while somehow still finding a work-life balance. How does it feel to be an artist in the digital age? It feels both liberating and extremely pressure-filled. The digital age gives us so many ways to produce our own work, present it, and demonstrate what we do to a wide audience. At the same time, there’s enormous pressure to create content, to be clickable, to go viral, and adhere to current trends. And I do worry sometimes that AI, TikTok, and social media in general have pulled us all toward the same, or very similar, taste levels, to one universal aesthetic. It doesn’t always reward newness, or keeping things strange and fresh. Even though there are beautiful breakout moments, the platforms can also be a strong deterrent against anything truly different, because there is such a dominant common look and feel in art, tone, comedy, and perspective. Finding that balance is the best way to participate as an artist. Come to the conversation with your digital tools, but come to it with a very strong opinion of your own. Whenever that balance tips too far in one direction, make sure you take time away so you can get back in touch with yourself as a person and as an artist. Just don’t become such a recluse that you reject all of the amazing opportunities it affords. What is your advice for young and aspiring performers? My advice is twofold. First, never stop learning, both as a technician and as a human being. Find ways to reflect on your own personal experience and how it makes you a special artist. Whenever the business starts to feel desperate, whenever it starts to feel like you’re not being seen, make sure you’re taking the time to see yourself. Because at the end of the day, you are the only one who can give yourself that high five. When you come back to your relationship with your own work, when you make sure that you like what you’re doing, that you think what you’re doing is funny and smart and good, the rest will fall into place. Second, find your people. Find your fellow creatives, and never stop looking for them. Find the ones who keep their feet on the ground and help keep yours there too, who don’t let the competitive nature of this business chip away at your humanity or your friendships. Don’t be afraid to offer compliments. Don’t be afraid to collaborate. Those relationships are what make this whole thing worth it. Your creative community is never, ever to be taken for granted or underestimated. Can you tell us about your Greek heritage? My dad was born in Greece in a little village about five and a half hours northwest of Athens called Arahova, not to be confused with the more famous Arahova known for its feta cheese. This is the much smaller version: Arahova Nafpaktias. He came to the States when he was nine or ten, and most of his siblings have since moved back. Growing up, I went to Greece every other summer. My mother is not Greek, she’s from Yonkers, New York, but she learned the language and reads and writes it, and she is considered an honorary Greek. My Greek heritage is incredibly important to me and a big part of my identity. I feel so lucky to have grown up with a rich sense of culture, a deep history, and a connection to the arts and theater - thank you, Thespis. It is a through line in my sense of self, in my creative work, and in my understanding of what it means to build community and family. It lives in my relationship to food, in how much I love cooking, and in how sacred I believe it is to commune, period. That is such a core tenet of Greek culture, and it’s been one of the most beautiful pieces of muscle memory my parents instilled in me by example. It has served me both in and out of my work in the arts. What does the word success mean to you? Success is such a complicated and sometimes daunting word, and honestly my definition changes daily. Sometimes success feels like a specific job I’m waiting to book, a callback I’m hoping for, or a specific award I someday hope to accept, and may or may not have practiced an acceptance speech for in the mirror. Just kidding. But ultimately, when success feels like a fully embodied experience, when I am doing work that I’m proud of, with people I care about and have the opportunity to show care for, and we get to share that work with those we love and respect both in our lives and in the industry, that’s when it feels real. When I’m able to maintain a rich life outside of my professional work and still show up for the people I care about beyond my professional existence, that is true success to me. This business will lure you into chasing the brass ring. When you come back down to your own opinion of your work, of yourself, and of the life you’re living as a whole, when all of those things feel full of kindness and community and creative stimulation, that is the true marker of success for me. To learn more about actress and singer Katerina Papacostas, follow her on Instagram and visit her official website.

Photography: Bastek Czernek Actress, screenwriter, and producer Charlotte Kirk has been keeping busy. Known for her starring roles in Compulsion, Duchess, and Exit Protocol, Kirk sat down to discuss her new movie Jackie the Stripper, her growing acting career, and the joys of new motherhood. Born in Kent, England, Kirk’s passion for acting began at age 11 after watching Gone with the Wind. After cutting her teeth in theatre and attending the prestigious Italia Conti School of Acting in London, she landed her breakout role in the 2015 sci-fi thriller Vice opposite Bruce Willis. Today, between acting, writing, and producing, she remains a strong advocate for animal rights. Taking on 'Jackie the Stripper' Kirk’s latest project, Jackie the Stripper, is a female-led grindhouse comedy action thriller. The plot follows Jackie and a band of vigilante assassins seeking revenge against an evil, male-dominated court, leading to deadly and hilarious consequences. "It was so much fun, and it’s not what you think it is," Kirk shared. "A lot of people think it’s about Jackie playing a stripper, but it isn’t. It’s basically a group of women who are in disguise as strippers to revenge their demons and their enemies, essentially." Working with director Michael Head again, whom she praised for his sarcastic British comedy style, Kirk noted the film’s self-awareness. "It doesn’t take itself too seriously. It knows what it is. I’m really excited. It’s coming out in theaters in the U.S. next month, and we are having the premiere here in July. It’s a very different project for me." The Joys of Motherhood Off-screen, Kirk recently welcomed her baby boy, Hunter. "Hunter is gorgeous. I love him more and more each day," she smiled. "It’s a blessing. It’s a whole new world. He is my first and he is staring at me right now like 'What’s going on, mommy?' With babies, you never know what to expect. There isn’t a guidebook to help you. You learn as you go, take things day by day, and you enjoy each day." Upcoming Horror and Romance Projects Fans can look forward to seeing Kirk in a variety of upcoming films. In the supernatural horror The Possession at Gladstone Manor, she stars alongside genre legends Lin Shaye, Jesse Metcalfe, and Barbara Crampton. "That was an awesome experience," she said. "I played the edgy, gothy girlfriend. That was a lot of fun, and I cannot wait to see the finished product." Stepping away from action and horror, Kirk is taking on romance in Don’t Forget Me Tomorrow opposite Britton Webb. "I wanted to do something different. I found this book and I fell in love with it," she explained. She is also preparing for a holiday release with Mistletoe & Wine starring Jason Isaacs. "Basically, the whole movie is improv; no scripts," she admitted. "Jason is such an amazing actor. You never knew what you were going to get each day." Future Plans and a Message to Fans Looking ahead, Kirk is gearing up to shoot Spiral Down this September, a thriller penned by Neil Marshall that she describes as "Seven meets Silence of the Lambs." To her dedicated followers, Kirk shared a message of gratitude: "I hope they are enjoying the different roles that I’m playing. I would like to know what they want to see from me next. As a creative myself, I love trying out different genres and playing different characters. In particular, my horror fans are so dedicated. Making a horror movie is just the funnest experience." As for Jackie the Stripper, she promises an entertaining ride. "This movie is like a popcorn film. It’s fun and I hope the fans get lots of laughs from it. I hope they get that escapism for an hour and a half where they just laugh and get absorbed into these insane, wild, eccentric characters." To keep up with Charlotte Kirk's latest projects, follow her on Instagram, IMDb.