Picture of Layla Handy

Layla Handy

Bio: Layla is an intern at NYCTastemakers and a current college freshman majoring in English. She has a strong passion for writing and enjoys reading in her free time. Layla also values spending quality time with her family.
Music

Grammy Recap

Last night saw many things to kick off the beginning of February, from dazzling looks to much-deserved wins for celebrities in the music genre.  Whether you like the fast-paced rapping of Bad Bunny to the slow and sensual lyrics of the one and only Sabrina Carpenter, there was something for everyone at ...

Read More
Movies

Michael B. Jordan Snubbed

Sparking recent controversy over the 31st Critics’ Choice Awards, fans are outraged that Michael B Jordan was not awarded Best Actor.  Nominated for the film, “Sinners” (2025), where Jordan played dual roles of the characters, Smoke and Stack, many fans and critics alike cite that Jordan’s performances have redefined the ...

Read More
Politics

Wait…You Can Just Give Away Your Nobel Peace Prize?

On Jan. 15, 2026, opposition leader of Venezuela, María Corina Machado, met with President Donald Trump at the White House with the purpose of discussing the future of Venezuela.  Following the recent removal of Nicolás Maduro, the deposed leader of Venezuela by the United States military, current opposition leader, María ...

Read More
Music

Fans Outraged Over Ticket Prices

Just last week on Jan. 22, 2026, Harry Styles announced that he would be going on tour across popular cities around the world.  Announcing tour stops in Amsterdam, New York City, London, and Melbourne, Styles intends to bring the fans together for his “Together, Together” tour later this year on ...

Read More
Sports

Are Sports Too Intense?

One of the staples in American culture is the admiration for sports.  Whether if someone is cheering on the players for their favorite team or screaming at the referee for a bad call, the average American engages in sports one way or another.  The Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bulls, ...

Read More
TV

Is Cable Better Than Streaming?

Growing to popularity in the mid-2000’s, streaming services were created to remedy the problems and drawbacks of cable television.  Unburdened by commercials, limited variety, and weekly installments of television shows, streaming presented so many options that could never be offered by cable television.  However, in the present day of 2026, could cable ...

Read More
Fashion

 Fashion: Expression or Social Status?

In the past, fashion was seen as a personal choice.  Depending on what one wore, you could tell if they were happy, sad, excited, or shy.  Back then, clothes were more than something we simply wore. They were statements.  They were expressions. And most importantly, they were an extension of ...

Read More
Movies

We Bury The Dead: The Movie Dead On Arrival

Released on Jan. 2, 2026, the film “We Bury The Dead” made its way to theaters with high anticipation and excitement from me.  Noticing how the film earned an impressive score of 86 percent by Rotten Tomatoes, I was looking forward to seeing the film to begin the new year.  However, to say that I was disappointed ...

Read More
Music

Does Hamilton Have The Best Music?

Hear ye!  Hear ye!  Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, please gather around, for there has been an announcement by order of…. Well, me.  After careful consideration and much thought, I have come to the conclusion that Hamilton perhaps has the best soundtrack ever composed for a musical.  No scratch ...

Read More
Sports

Greatest of All Time: Carlos Beltrán

Baseball Halll of Fame welcomes one of its newest members, Carlos Beltrán, this week in sports!  Officially inducted in his fourth year of eligibility, Beltrán was selected for the formal induction ceremony on Tuesday, Jan 20, 2026, with an overwhelming number of votes.     In the Baseballs Writers’ Association of America, Beltrán’s name for the ...

Read More
Politics

You Have Been Served

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, a total of six Minnesota government officials have been served with grand jury subpoenas this week.  Occurring on Tuesday, 20. Jan. 2026, six government officials of Minnesota have formally been served grand jury subpoenas concerning the federal immigration of ICE officials.    According to ...

Read More
Fashion

Valentino Garavani Passes Away

Famed and beloved designer Valentino Garavani suddenly passed away at the age of 93.  Respected and renowned for his elegant and sleek evening gowns, Italian designer Valentino Garavani has fashioned a name for himself in the industry for his innovative designs that highlight and celebrate a feminine style.  Particularly recognized for his “Valentino red” gowns, ...

Read More

Hey! Are you enjoying NYCTastemakers? Make sure to join our mailing list for NYCTM and never miss the chance to read all of our articles!