J. Craig Venter, the scientist who played a major role in the sequencing of the human genome, has passed away at the age of 79, and the science community is remembering him and his legacy.
Eric Mastrota is a Contributing Editor at The National Digest based in New York. A graduate of SUNY New Paltz, he reports on world news, culture, and lifestyle. You can reach him at eric.mastrota@thenationaldigest.com.
The late Giorgio Armani changed how the world views and experiences luxury. While most known as a designer, Armani’s global property portfolio left behind a worldwide collection of homes in Italy, France, Switzerland, New York, and the Caribbean.
Eric Mastrota is a Contributing Editor at The National Digest based in New York. A graduate of SUNY New Paltz, he reports on world news, culture, and lifestyle. You can reach him at eric.mastrota@thenationaldigest.com.
“Jackson’s voice is now silent, but his example is eternal, and that work is left to us.”
Eric Mastrota is a Contributing Editor at The National Digest based in New York. A graduate of SUNY New Paltz, he reports on world news, culture, and lifestyle. You can reach him at eric.mastrota@thenationaldigest.com.
Black Dandyism has the spotlight for 2025’s Met Gala, which will occur on the first Monday of May, as always. Cultural powerhouses in Hollywood will be co-chairing and leading the sharply tailored style theme into one of fashion’s biggest days.
Janelle Monáe is one of the gala’s committee members. The Grammy-nominated artist is known for embracing the dandy style as her signature fashion sense, and talked about how she’s so proud that this tradition is getting its “long-overdue moment of visibility,” according to AP.
“It’s always important to educate and reeducate to the world as much as we possibly can through art and through our greatness,” said Monáe.
Monáe has previously stated that her signature look was inspired by her family members who proudly embraces dandyism throughout her life, and is looking forward to not only honoring her personal past, but the future of the style as well.
“Dandyism is pretty much a part of my fashion DNA through tailoring and suiting,” Monáe said.
“I’ve honored my ancestors and my family who wore their uniforms, wore their suits to serve our community. It fell right in line with who I am, and the people I want to bring with me that helped build this country.”
As always, the Metropolitan Museum of Art will be unveiling a new costume exhibit that aligns with this year’s theme. The exhibit is entitled “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” and is the museum’s first show centered around Black designers exclusively, and is also the first show in two decades that highlights menswear specifically.
“It’s been a long time coming,” said Kyle Smith, the NFL’s first-ever fashion editor.
“It’s great to see the recognition that Black culture is having or has in fashion for years. It’s been there and very subtle, or just not recognized. I think this year’s theme is long overdue. I’m excited to see everybody’s outfits and how they interact with the idea of Black dandyism,” Smith said.
Co-Chairs for this years Met Gala include Pharrell Williams, Lewis Hamilton, Colman Domingo, A$AP Rocky, and honorary chair LeBron James. Monáe is on the hosting committee with Simone Biles, Spike Lee, Ayo Edebiri, and André 3000.
“I think honoring minorities, honoring Black and brown people in these spaces and outside every day, is important,” said Monáe.
“The ones who have dedicated their lives to this country to serve, build and give us art to sustain us for a lifetime. We should continue to honor them and push forward and stand on their shoulders.”
Black dandyism as a style dates back to the trans-Atlantic slave trade. It presented itself as a means of reclaiming elements of elegance and luxury to fuel empowerment, combat stereotypes, and maintain/honor the legacy of Black people in America.
“We are the walking versions that they imagined,” said El Lewis, an Atlanta-based stylist.
“A lot of these people died not being able to have these realities come to fruition. We have a lot of autonomy to ourselves, and I think that’s what they were probably seeking. They wanted to be able to do anything at any moment at any time. And I think that’s what they get to see us do.”
Eric Mastrota is a Contributing Editor at The National Digest based in New York. A graduate of SUNY New Paltz, he reports on world news, culture, and lifestyle. You can reach him at eric.mastrota@thenationaldigest.com.
Actor Michelle Trachtenberg, known for her performances in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Gossip Girl, Harriet the Spy, and more, has died at the age of 39 in New York this week.
Police confirmed Trachtenberg’s death to ABC News and the New York Post this week with no cause of death confirmed. Police stated on Wednesday that the New York Medical Examiner was investigating the cause, however, there was no foul play suspected.
Trachtenberg had recently undergone a liver transplant, and ABC reported that Trachtenberg’s mother found her in a New York apartment.
Trachtenberg was a famous actress who got her start in Hollywood as a child. She’s known for many roles, and got her start as a commercial actor before being featured in Nickelodeon’s show The Adventures of Pete & Pete, and the soap opera All My Children.
Trachtenberg became an iconic figure for children, teens, and adults alike in the early 2000’s and 2010’s, scoring her first lead role in a film in Harriet the Spy, also starring Rosie O’Donnell.
“There was a lot required of me, I’m extremely grateful for the experience,” Trachtenberg said back in 2021 reflecting on how she began filming her first movie on her 10th birthday.
One of her most well-known roles was Dawn Summers in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and remained on the show until it ended three years later.
Co-star Sarah Michelle Gellar honored Trachtenberg on social media on Thursday stating: “Michelle, listen to me. Listen. I love you. I will always love you. The hardest thing in this world, is to live in it. I will be brave. I will live … for you.”
Her other Buffy co-star James Masters told People Magazine: “My heart is heavy today. We have lost a beautiful soul. Michelle was fiercely intelligent, howlingly funny, and a very talented person. She died much too young, and leaves behind scores of people who knew and loved her.”
David Boreanaz, who played Angel, shared: “So very sad … horrible news. RIP and prayers to her and her family.”
Alyson Hannigan, who played Willow, posted: “I am deeply saddened by the news of Michelle’s passing. She brought a loving energy to the set of Buffy.”
Kim Cattrell, Trachtenberg’s co-star in the Disney film Ice Princess, posted “Rest in peace Michelle,” along with a photo from the film’s set of the two of them.
One of Trachtenberg’s most well-known roles was Georgina Sparks on the hit show Gossip Girl. “Georgina is actually my favorite character that I’ve played because she’s such an evil B-I-T-C-H. That was fun,” Trachtenberg said in 2021.
Co-star Blake Lively posted a written memorial to Trachtenberg on Wednesday as well:
“She was electricity. You knew when she entered a room because the vibration changed. Everything she did, she did 200%. She laughed the fullest at someone’s joke, she faced authority head on when she felt something was wrong, she cared deeply about her work, she was proud to be a part of this community and industry as painful as it could be sometimes, she was fiercely loyal to her friends and brave for those she loved, she was big and bold and distinctly herself,” Lively wrote
“The world lost a deeply sensitive and good person in Michelle. May her work and her huge heart be remembered by those who were lucky enough to experience her fire.”
Eric Mastrota is a Contributing Editor at The National Digest based in New York. A graduate of SUNY New Paltz, he reports on world news, culture, and lifestyle. You can reach him at eric.mastrota@thenationaldigest.com.
The multitalented music titan Quincy Jones has unfortunately passed away at the age of 91. Jones has a historic legacy in the music industry. He worked with some of the world’s biggest stars including Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, and countless others.
Arnold Robinson, Jones’ publicist, released a statement saying that the legend died on Sunday night in his home in Bel Air surrounded by his family. Jones was also set to receive an honorary Academy Award later this month, according to the Associated Press.
“Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing,” the family wrote in a statement.
“Although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him.”
Jones was one of the first Black executives to come up in Hollywood, gaining a major music catalog filled with iconic musicians and songs that are still known worldwide today.
Throughout his long career, Jones created relationships with presidents, foreign leaders, Hollywood stars, philanthropists, and of course, musicians. One of his most recognized projects was his overseeing and production of “We Are The World,” which consisted of an all-star cast of singers to perform for charity in 1985; specifically for famine relief in Africa.
“If an album doesn’t do well, everyone says ‘it was the producers fault’; so if it does well, it should be your ‘fault,’ too,” Jones said in an interview with the Library of Congress in 2016.
“The tracks don’t just all of a sudden appear. The producer has to have the skill, experience and ability to guide the vision to completion.”
Throughout his career, Jones has earned 28 Grammys, 2 honorary Academy awards, an Emmy, a France’s Legion d’Honneur, the Rudolph Valentino Award from the Republic of Italy, and a Kennedy Center tribute. Within his biography, his list of official accomplishments goes on for 18 pages.
Jones was born in 1933 in Chicago, where he grew up surrounded by violence, until music saved him. When he was 10, his father moved to Washington, and the local recreation center became a haven for him. One day he encountered a piano.
“I went up there, paused, stared, and then tinkled on it for a moment. That’s where I began to find peace. I was 11. I knew this was it for me. Forever,” he wrote in his autobiography.
He eventually gained a scholarship for the Berklee College of Music in Boston, but dropped out when he got the opportunity to tour as a freelance composer, conductor, and producer. During this time he became acquainted with Ray Charles, and backed Billie Holiday.
He became a pioneer for Black people in the music industry by becoming the vice president of Mercury Records in the 1960’s, and in 1971 he became the first Black musical director for the Academy Awards. He went on to produce “The Color Purple,” for which he received 11 Oscar nominations in 1986.
He went on to create Quincy Jones Entertainment, which sold for $270 million in 1999.
“My philosophy as a businessman has always come from the same roots as my personal credo: take talented people on their own terms and treat them fairly and with respect, no matter who they are or where they come from,” Jones wrote.
Jones had seven kids, one of which is actress Rashida Jones, as well as daughters Jolie Jones Levine, Rachel Jones, Martina Jones, Kidada Jones and Kenya Kinski-Jones; son Quincy Jones III; brother Richard Jones and sisters Theresa Frank and Margie Jay.
Eric Mastrota is a Contributing Editor at The National Digest based in New York. A graduate of SUNY New Paltz, he reports on world news, culture, and lifestyle. You can reach him at eric.mastrota@thenationaldigest.com.
Last week, individuals all over the world were shocked to learn of the death of former One Direction member and super star Liam Payne, who passed away after falling from the balcony of the third-floor hotel room in Buenos Aires. For the past week, fans have been grieving and gathering together to honor Payne’s legacy.
Eric Mastrota is a Contributing Editor at The National Digest based in New York. A graduate of SUNY New Paltz, he reports on world news, culture, and lifestyle. You can reach him at eric.mastrota@thenationaldigest.com.
Richard Simmons has long been known as television’s hyperactive fitness expert who had a passion for making exercise and maintaining a healthy diet fun. Simmons unfortunately passed away this past weekend after turning 76 last week, and the world has been honoring his legacy ever since the news broke.
Eric Mastrota is a Contributing Editor at The National Digest based in New York. A graduate of SUNY New Paltz, he reports on world news, culture, and lifestyle. You can reach him at eric.mastrota@thenationaldigest.com.
Bette Nash has become an icon in the world of air travel. She holds the Guinness World Record for being the longest-serving flight attendant in the world. She unfortunately recently passed away at the age of 88, but her legacy will live on among her peers, and in the world of aviation.
Eric Mastrota is a Contributing Editor at The National Digest based in New York. A graduate of SUNY New Paltz, he reports on world news, culture, and lifestyle. You can reach him at eric.mastrota@thenationaldigest.com.
French Designer Pierre Cardin threw European fashion for a loop in the 1960’s and 70’s by introducing his futuristic and modern looks to the runway.
Eric Mastrota is a Contributing Editor at The National Digest based in New York. A graduate of SUNY New Paltz, he reports on world news, culture, and lifestyle. You can reach him at eric.mastrota@thenationaldigest.com.