Vaughn Lowery is a native of Detroit and the youngest of five siblings, a graduate of Cornell University's ILR School. Core duties: global diversification strategy, production management, and ecological implementation. The grandson of the late civil rights defender and recipient of the presidential medal of freedom, Joseph Lowery. Lastly, a distinguished member of the Alpha Phi Alphi Fraternity, Incorporated (Alpha Chapter).
‘An extremely talented Renaissance woman and multi-hyphenate making power moves, trailblazing for women within the African diaspora.’ – Vaughn Lowery
Shalèt Monique is a multi-faceted Afro-Cuban actress, stunt-woman, writer, producer, and mental health advocate who is quickly making her mark in the entertainment industry. Known for her ability to infuse truth, depth, and authenticity into every role, Shalèt brings a refreshing energy to the screen. Whether she’s delivering a heartfelt performance or taking on daring physical stunts, she captivates audiences with her undeniable talent and infectious personality.
A rising star, Shalèt has showcased her impressive range in high-profile projects including Tyler Perry’s upcoming Netflix feature Straw, HBO’s We Own This City, BET Her’s The Pink Fight, and Marvel’s Wakanda Forever. Her work off-screen focuses on mental health advocacy, especially for underrepresented communities, and creating meaningful stories through writing and producing.
Last year’s global cinematic cultural sensation, which became the most successful Broadway film adaptation of all time, now reaches its epic, electrifying, emotional conclusion in Wicked: For Good.
Directed once again by award-winning director Jon M. Chu and starring the spectacular returning cast, led by Academy Award nominated superstars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, the final chapter of the untold story of the witches of Oz begins with Elphaba and Glinda estranged and living with the consequences of their choices.
Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), now demonized as The Wicked Witch of the West, lives in exile, hidden within the Ozian forest while continuing her fight for the freedom of Oz’s silenced Animals and desperately trying to expose the truth she knows about The Wizard (Jeff Goldblum).
Glinda, meanwhile, has become the glamorous symbol of Goodness for all of Oz, living at the palace in Emerald City and reveling in the perks of fame and popularity. Under the instruction of Madame Morrible (Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh), Glinda is deployed to serve as an effervescent comfort to Oz, reassuring the masses that all is well under the rule of The Wizard.
As Glinda’s stardom expands and she prepares to marry Prince Fiyero (Olivier award winner and Emmy and SAG nominee Jonathan Bailey) in a spectacular Ozian wedding, she is haunted by her separation from Elphaba. She attempts to broker a conciliation between Elphaba and The Wizard, but those efforts will fail, driving Elphaba and Glinda only further apart. The aftershocks will transform Boq (Tony nominee Ethan Slater) and Fiyero forever, and threaten the safety of Elphaba’s sister, Nessarose (Marissa Bode), when a girl from Kansas comes crashing into all their lives.
As an angry mob rises against the Wicked Witch, Glinda and Elphaba will need to come together one final time. With their singular friendship now the fulcrum of their futures, they will need to truly see each other, with honesty and empathy, if they are to change themselves, and all of Oz, for good.
Wicked: For Good also stars Emmy nominee Bowen Yang and Bronwyn James as Glinda’s fawning assistants, Pfannee and ShenShen and BAFTA and Grammy nominee Sharon D. Clarke (Caroline, or Change) as the voice of Elphaba’s childhood nanny, Dulcibear.
The film is produced by returning Tony and Emmy winning powerhouse Marc Platt p.g.a. and by multiple Tony winner David Stone. The executive producers are Stephen Schwartz, David Nicksay, Jared LeBoff, Winnie Holzman, and Dana Fox. The first film, Wicked, released in November 2024, earned 10 Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, and won the Oscars for Costume Design and Production Design. To date, the film has grossed $750 million worldwide.
Wicked: For Good is based on the generation-defining musical stage play with music and lyrics by legendary Grammy and Oscar winning composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz and book by Winnie Holzman, from the bestselling novel by Gregory Maguire. The screenplay is by Winnie Holzman and Winnie Holzman & Dana Fox. The film score is by John Powell & Stephen Schwartz, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz.
Genre: Musical Event
Cast: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang, Marissa Bode, with Michelle Yeoh and Jeff Goldblum
Director: Jon M. Chu
Screenplay by: Winnie Holzman and Winnie Holzman & Dana Fox
Based on: the musical stage, play with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Winnie Holzman, from the novel by Gregory Maguire
Producers: Marc Platt p.g.a., David Stone
Executive Producers: Stephen Schwartz, David Nicksay, Jared LeBoff, Winnie Holzman, Dana Fox
CHECK OUT ALL THE COVERS FOR MARVEL SWIMSUIT SPECIAL: FRIENDS, FOES & RIVALS #1, WHICH INCLUDES A REDEEM CODE FOR A BONUS MARVEL RIVALS SKIN!
The legendary Marvel Swimsuit Special returns on July 9 in MARVEL SWIMSUIT SPECIAL: FRIENDS, FOES & RIVALS #1!
In addition to stunning pinups of your favorite heroes soaking up the sun, the one-shot will debut designs for upcoming Marvel Rivals costumes and a digital redeem code to unlock “The Unlimited Thing” skin in the game!
The Marvel Swimsuit Special, the iconic annual one-shot that featured breathtaking artwork of Marvel characters in beach attire and swimwear, makes its long-demanded return this July in MARVEL SWIMSUIT SPECIAL: FRIENDS, FOES & RIVALS #1! The one-shot will have an overarching story written by Tim Seeley and Tony Fleecs and drawn by superstar artist Nick Bradshaw that stars Earth’s Mightiest fashion designer, Janet Van Dyne, aka the Wasp along with unforgettable, instantly-iconic imagery from top artists including Mirka Andolfo, Mahmud Asrar, Joshua Cassara, Nic Klein, Aaron Kuder, Ron Lim, David Marquez, Marguerite Sauvage, Luciano Vecchio, and Ryusei Yamada. Plus, the issue will spotlight designs for new costumes coming soon to the Marvel Rivals, the mega popular multiplayer video game from Marvel Games and NetEase Games, and come with a bonus digital redeem code for “The Unlimited Thing” skin to use in the game!
Roxxon Comics is at it again when they release their own UNAUTHORIZED SWIMSUIT SPECIAL!
Wasp is on the case and seizes the opportunity for Marvel’s heroes to do their OWN swimwear fashion shoot all over the world! But fear not, True Believers, we know what you’re REALLY here for! This super-sized special features splash page after splash page of gorgeous art, but with a story so you can pretend you’re “reading it for the articles”…
Check out all the covers including pieces by Adam Hughes, Mark Brooks, Taurin Clarke, Russell Dauterman, Terry Dodson, Pablo Villalobos, and Lucas Werneck, and preorder MARVEL SWIMSUIT SPECIAL: FRIENDS, FOES & RIVALS #1 at your local comic shop today! For more information, visit Marvel.com.
UNCLE SCROOGE: EARTH’S MIGHTIEST DUCK DELIVERS THE MOST EPIC ADVENTURE IN DUCK HISTORY
Alongside a lineup of superstar artists, writer Jason Aaron returns with an all-new UNCLE SCROOGE comic series
Scrooge McDuck is starring in all-new adventures from Marvel Comics! Following last year’s acclaimed Uncle Scrooge & the Infinity Dime one-shot, the first-ever Uncle Scrooge Marvel comic, the legendary adventurer is back to take things to the level with a solo four issue limited series this August—UNCLE SCROOGE: EARTH’S MIGHTIEST DUCK!
Announced last week at D23.com, Uncle Scrooge & the Infinity Dime scribe and superstar Marvel writer Jason Aaron returns to craft another fantastic Uncle Scrooge saga that expertly blends the wonderful world of Uncle Scrooge with epic Marvel Comics super hero storytelling. Aaron will be joined by an extravagance of all-star artists, including Giuseppe Camuncoli, Mahmud Asrar, and Ciro Cangialosi. UNCLE SCROOGE: EARTH’S MIGHTIEST DUCK kicks off in August, and today, fans can behold the covers for the first two issues. The covers see how some of industry’s biggest talents—from Gabriele Dell’Otto to Mark Brooks—bring this beloved comic book icon to life Marvel style!
In UNCLE SCROOGE: EARTH’S MIGHTIEST DUCK, the planet has been conquered by alien invaders known as the Connoisseurs, nefarious hoarders of the rarest antiquities from throughout the cosmos. As they tear the Earth apart, pillaging its fabled treasures, only the world’s greatest adventurer can possibly stop them. But Scrooge McDuck is facing a battle unlike any he’s ever fought, trapped inside his own mind, fighting to preserve his most precious memories.
“Scrooge McDuck is one of the greatest heroes in the history of comics, bar none,” Aaron said. “It was a thrill to get to write him in the pages of Uncle Scrooge & the Infinity Dime, as we took him on a journey across the multiverse. With this new series, I knew we’d have to go bigger, not just by incorporating more Marvel artists into the mix, but by sending Scrooge on the most epic story of his career, as he fights to save the one thing more precious to him than gold or any exotic treasure: his own memories of a life of adventure.”
Check out the covers for the first two issues of UNCLE SCROOGE: EARTH’S MIGHTIEST DUCK and preorder the series at your local comic shop today!
Just days after releasing “Soleao,” his collaboration with Quevedo, Myke Towers, premieres the official music video today, filmed in Puerto Rico, and available now on his YouTube channel starting at 2PM (EST). The release follows the track’s debut at #7 on Spotify’s Top Songs Debut Global chart, underscoring the momentum of this new chapter in his career.
Directed by David Camarero, the video brings the song’s energy out to the open sea. Shot in Fajardo, near the island of Palomino, the piece follows Myke and Quevedo joined by two women, enjoying a day under the sun, the breeze, and the natural rhythm of the Caribbean. It’s not about excess — it’s about presence: capturing what life in the Caribbean truly feels like from the inside, without embellishment or explanation.
The creative direction was led by Vampire Studio, under the vision of Pol Gago Guilera, with executive production by Vampire Films. The result is a visual piece that aligns seamlessly with the artistic and narrative direction of Towers’ current phase.
Avoiding the usual visual clichés, the video opts for a clean, stripped-down aesthetic that focuses on the movement of the sea and the natural chemistry between its characters. “Soleao” plays out like a warm afternoon that extends effortlessly, with the ocean as its constant backdrop and the music as its throughline.
The camera glides through waves, sun-kissed skin, and shared glances to portray a Caribbean that doesn’t need embellishment — it simply lives. This video adds a new layer to the visual universe Myke has been building around his upcoming project — one that, although still unnamed, is already taking shape through a clear, intentional narrative.
“Soleao” is now available on all digital platforms. The video premieres today at 2PM (EST) on Myke’s official YouTube channel.
Spring Recital this weekend offers families a chance to see the innovative music curriculum in action
A groundbreaking early childhood music education program is gaining momentum in New York City and is preparing for national expansion. The Musicolor Method, created by educator, composer, and former MTV-Asia VJ Andrew Ingkavet, is transforming the way children as young as four learn music. In the process, it is equipping them with confidence, focus, and emotional resilience that extend far beyond the piano bench.
The Musicolor Method is not a typical music program. Rather than starting with traditional black-and-white sheet music, which often overwhelms young learners, the method introduces a color-based system that allows even preliterate children to understand, play, and enjoy music from day one. The visually engaging approach has proven to be especially effective for neurodivergent learners and those with special needs, creating an inclusive and empowering educational experience for all. By blending creativity, structured play, and design thinking, Musicolor makes the abstract concepts of music tangible, joyful, and fun.
What started in Andrew’s Brooklyn living room as an attempt to teach his preschool-aged son music has grown into a thriving business serving over 120 students through Musicolor Method of Park Slope. The school employs more than 20 instructors and has helped hundreds of children build not only musical ability, but also the foundational skills critical to early childhood development. Many families have been with the program for more than a decade, enrolling multiple children and remaining loyal due to the program’s measurable impact on their kids’ confidence and growth. After years of refining the curriculum, teacher training, and digital systems, Andrew is in the process of preparing to roll out the program nationally through licensing and partnership opportunities.
“My goal wasn’t to start a music school or launch a curriculum—it was just to help my son,” says Ingkavet. “But what I quickly realized was that most music education systems weren’t designed for children under the age of seven. The methods were backwards—too rigid, too abstract, and deeply discouraging for young minds. Musicolor Method is about flipping that model. We meet children where they are and give them the tools to express themselves, enjoy learning, and build life skills while they do it.”
This weekend, families will have the chance to see the method in action during the Musicolor Method of Park Slope’s annual Spring Recital, which will take place on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at the PS 321 Lower School Auditorium on President Street between 6th and 7th Avenues in Brooklyn. Recitals will be held at 10:00 AM, 12:00 Noon, and 3:00 PM, and will feature students as young as four performing on piano, guitar, violin, and more. For many children, this is their very first recital—and for parents, a moving reminder of how far their child has come, both musically and personally. “Our recitals aren’t about perfection or technical mastery,” adds Ingkavet. “They’re a celebration of growth, confidence, and the joy of learning. It’s incredible to see a four-year-old stand in front of a crowd and perform. That takes courage, and that’s what we nurture here.” With interest growing rapidly beyond New York City, and a scalable system already in place, Musicolor Method is poised to expand to new markets later this year.
Musicolor Method is a pioneering music education program designed to make learning music more intuitive, accessible, and engaging for young children. Unlike traditional methods, Musicolor Method uses a color-based notation system that allows children to play music even before they can read. This innovative approach is particularly effective for preliterate children, neurodivergent learners, and those with special needs, ensuring that every child—regardless of ability—can experience the joy and benefits of music.
By integrating structured learning with creativity and play, Musicolor Method helps children develop essential life skills such as focus, confidence, and resilience—what it calls “superpowers through music.” Their mission is to make music education an empowering experience that nurtures every child’s potential.
Power in Presence is Forged Through the New Effortless Elegance Collection by Vivienne Charles
Imagine a striking and sculptural suite of jewels that redefines modern adornment for women who lead with clarity, confidence, and an unwavering sense of self. Rooted in movement and intention, the jewelry is a study in connection between form and feeling between ambition and artistry, between who we are and how we choose to show up in the world. Crafted in satin and polished sterling silver, with thoughtfully placed accents of gleaming yellow gold and pavé set black diamonds, the Effortless Elegance Collection by Vivienne Charles is a tactile celebration of power made personal. Each link is shaped to reflect the rhythm of a life lived with purpose. Links is for women who walk into the room already knowing what they bring to the table.
The collection is composed of three distinct link designs, braided, flat, and circular, each with its own architectural silhouette and emotional register. The braided series begins with the Woven Confidence Bracelet, an elegant piece in satin finished sterling silver. Its braids are designed to carry stories: the quiet triumphs, the daily negotiations, the effortless command of a woman who sets the tone. Whether paired with a classic trench or layered over a cashmere sleeve, the bracelet is a power move in polished form. Its counterpart, the Woven Confidence Necklace, mirrors that strength while introducing a subtle gold link as an intentional accent that catches light the same way she catches the attention of a room. She fastens it without a second thought, knowing it is as much a part of her morning routine as her espresso and her morning affirmations.
The flat link designs offer a grounded edge, defined by geometry and clarity. The In Tune Bracelet is a symphony of line and power. It sits snugly on the wrist, unbothered by distraction or trend. With each step she takes through the city, between conference calls, boardroom entrances, and early morning walks through Bryant Park, this bracelet is her silent witness, matching her pace, reinforcing her presence. The In Tune Necklace, composed of sleek sterling silver links, makes a statement through weight, balance, and intention. Two polished links punctuate its surface, like commas in a sentence that says, “I have already made my decision.” Adding dimension and contrast, the In Tune Gold and Silver Necklace pairs polished sterling silver with two vibrant gold links. It is a piece that speaks in dual materials and metaphors. She does not have to choose between softness and strength, between warmth and coolness. She wears both. Every element in the necklace is deliberate, just as every choice she makes is rooted in vision. In a further evolution of this silhouette, the In Tune Pavéd Necklace introduces a link adorned with black diamonds, grounding the piece in mysterious luxury and quiet magnetism. The diamonds do not clamor for attention. They shimmer as she turns her head and continues with her day, reminding the room that not all sparkle is loud.
Completing the Effortless Elegance Collection is the circle link design, which explores the symbolism of unity, continuity, and completeness. The Balanced Aspirations Necklace is composed of large circular links in polished, hammered, and satin finished sterling silver. This textural interplay reflects the many facets of the woman who wears it. One day she is closing deals in a tailored suit, the next she is leading a community fundraiser in her favorite linen wrap dress. Regardless of the setting, this necklace holds space for her full complexity. A second version features a single circle partially pavé set with black diamonds in a yin-yang motif. Intentional contrast brings a new layer of depth and symbolism to the piece, balancing light with shadow, strength with serenity. It is a quiet nod to the duality carried within, the interplay of softer moments and most commanding ones.
The Effortless Elegance Collection is about intention. Every clasp, every connection, every finish has been refined to honor the rhythm of modern womanhood. These pieces are made to be lived in. They are made for movement. They celebrate women who trust their instincts, carry themselves with authority, and choose their jewelry the way they choose their words with care, clarity, and conviction. “With the collection, I wanted to explore how jewelry is a partner in the daily expression of strength and elegance,” says Elisa Gilbert, of Vivienne Charles. “Each piece is literal and symbolic, representing connection, choice, and the moments we decide to show up for ourselves. These jewels are for the women who do not need permission to shine. They know exactly who they are.”
The Effortless Elegance Collection is now available online and through select luxury retailers. For more information, visit www.viviennecharles.com.
About Vivienne Charles
Nestled in a Balinese tea house atelier in Tuxedo Park, New York, Vivienne Charles was founded by designer Elisa Gilbert, whose lineage spans four generations of artisans. At her father’s jeweler’s bench, Elisa transforms raw metal into sculptural fine jewelry. Each piece is a wearable story that blends engineering precision with artistic whimsy. At Vivienne Charles, heritage is not a relic of the past but the foundation for something daringly fresh. Each jewel is a conversation starter designed to become a modern heirloom, an intimate keepsake that connects, carrying whispers of history and the promise of stories yet to unfold. www.viviennecharles.com
La Liste – the global authority behind the “Top 1,000” Restaurants reveals its anticipated hotel ranking, spotlighting the most exceptional stays around the world.
This year, 10 standout properties share the top honour with an elite score of 99.5:
La Liste’s ranking is powered by a unique, transparent algorithm that aggregates hundreds of guidebooks, trusted media titles, and online guest reviews to deliver a true global consensus.
The 2025 edition also honours trailblazers redefining luxury travel, with Special Awards in six categories: Sustainability, Innovation, Style and Design, Heart and Soul, Hotel Openings of the Year (emerging destinations), and Hidden Gems.
GT2 Stradale is a leading name at the event dedicated to automotive excellence
Maserati is ready to return to the spotlight at the Motor Valley Fest, an iconic open-air event and tribute to the excellence of the Land of Motors in Emilia-Romagna, due to bring to life the city of Modena from 5 to 8 June.In a symbolic year when the brand is celebrating its iconic logo, Maserati is once again emphasising its link with its home city for over 80 years.
After recently announcing the return of production of the GranTurismo and GranCabrio to the Modena plant on Viale Ciro Menotti (thus soon to become a luxury hub in the production of super sports cars), Maserati is opening the doors of the production site to welcome enthusiasts from all over the world and invade the city with a programme packed with experiences to combine heritage, innovation and the most beautiful cars in the range.The festival is an opportunity to admire the new GT2 Stradale in Powder Nude livery, on show in the main display in Piazza Roma. In the meantime, the nearby Motor1 stand is a GranCabrio Folgore, the 100% electric convertible with 800V technology by Maserati, in the Orange Devil body colour. Both super sports cars are symbols of the House of the Trident’s “made in Modena;” indeed, the GT2 Stradale, together with the MC20 and MC20 Cielo, is produced in the city’s historic plant, whereas production of the GranCabrio – together with its sibling the GranTurismo – will move here starting from Q4 2025.
The site on Viale Ciro Menotti is the beating heart of the brand. Therefore, during the festival, we will be opening the doors of the Showroom to the public for events and special promotions at the Maserati Store and Factory Tours.
Visits on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 June can be booked between 10:00 and 19:00 (reservations via the https://maseratifactorytour.modenatur.it/ website), for a journey through the brand’s past and future.
The weekend is also dedicated to two special events with the passing of the convoy for the 4th Moto & Supercars Motor Valley Fest, and the parade entitled “Mini vs Abarth: the challenge taken back up at the Motor Valley Fest.”
There will also be an opportunity to dip a toe in the past at the Classics Pavilion in the Giardini Ducali, where vintage cars will be paying homage to the tradition and artisanship that made the car manufacturer a global icon.
Maserati’s participation in the Motor Valley Fest thus marks another stage in the celebrations of the Year of the Trident, the anniversary of the logo designed 100 years ago and a symbol of the brand’s excellence around the world. A journey that will lead the brand to the celebrations of a century in racing in just under a year. In 1926, the Maserati Tipo 26 – the first car in history to bear the famous emblem on the bonnet – took part in and won (in its class) the Targa Florio with Alfieri Maserati at the wheel.
Larger-Than-Life Sculptures by Mr. Flower Fantastic to Debut in Oklahoma City and Indianapolis at Games 1 & 3
Fans Invited to Honor Their Teams and ‘Give Them Their Flowers’ in a One-of-a-Kind NBA Finals Experience
WHAT:
ESPN is bringing the energy of the NBA Finals to life with Blooming Into Greatness—a bold, immersive fan experience debuting during Game 1 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, and Game 3 in Indianapolis at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Towering floral sculptures of team logos and NBA Finals imagery will bring the experience to life, welcoming fans in for photos and to “give their team their flowers,” as they place floral blossoms onto the team logo to help complete the art installations. Created by renowned floral artist and sculptor, Mr. Flower Fantastic, the captivating experience, serves as a living tribute to the greatness happening on the court during the NBA Finals.
You can watch the entirety of the NBA Finals on ABC, beginning Thursday, June 5. You can find more information about ESPN’s 2025 NBA Finals coverage here.
