MODEL LIAM CARTER
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
4. PHOTO ALBUM: DJ JRNY TWIST BIRTHDAY BASH
Peruse our photo album of DJ JRNY’s Birthday Bash at TWIST.
8. OUR COMMUNITY: 17TH LATINOS SALUD GALA
Check out our preview of the 17th Annual Latinos Salud Gala taking place Saturday, March 21st.
10. COVER MODEL: LIAM CARTER
Enjoy our photos of gorgeous model Liam Carter, who was created with AI to test this new technology.
16. OUT & ABOUT: LUZIA CAST MEMBER INTERVIEW
Read of interview of Cirque du Soleil LUZIA cast member Nelson Smyles to learn about this delightful show.
PHOTO BY AI
Cover photo by AI Model: Liam Carter
PUBLISHER’S CORNER ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IS TRANSFORMING OUR LIVES
Artificial intelligence is reshaping our lives by offering vast new opportunities while generating thought-provoking discussions about ethics and its future uses. In healthcare, AI can help doctors diagnose diseases earlier and develop more effective, personalized treatments. In education, it can adapt lessons to individual learning styles, making learning more effective. At work, AI can automate repetitive tasks, allowing people to focus on creativity, strategy, and human connection. AI has the potential to increase efficiency, expand opportunity, and reshape how we live, work, and solve complex global problems.
AI is also rapidly transforming how images and photos are created for print publications, reshaping workflows that have remained largely unchanged for many decades. Traditionally, magazines, newspapers, and marketing materials have relied on commissioned photographers, stock image libraries, or in-house design teams to source photos. AI-powered image generation tools are now introducing a faster, more flexible alternative that I decided to test this month to show our readers what the future may have in store for all of us.
Editors and art directors can now generate custom images in minutes instead of waiting days or weeks for a photoshoot or illustration. This reduces production timelines and delivers cost efficiency at a time when many marketers have reduced their advertising dollars. Professional photographers will always add value and create beautiful work, but AI-generated imagery can lower expenses associated with travel, studio rentals, equipment, and licensing fees.
IA use comes with challenges and concerns related to authenticity, and ethical use that are still evolving. Publications must consider transparency when using AI-generated images, especially in journalism where accuracy, integrity and trust are paramount. Ultimately, artificial intelligence will not replace photographers and designers, but AI will become another powerful tool in our publishers’ work toolkit. By blending human creativity with machine efficiency, print publications can now produce more dynamic, cost-effective, and imaginative visuals than ever before.
In this month’s issue, we bring you a very special model. In Out & About, we preview Cirque du Soleil LUZIA by interviewing cast member Nelson Smyles. For Our Community, we sat down with three members of the Latinos Salud team to learn about their annual Gala in March.
Cheers,
Rafa Carvajal Publisher & Editor in Chief rafa@wiremag.com
Why you need dental insurance in retirement.
Many Americans are fortunate to have dental coverage for their entire working life, through employer-provided benefits. When those benefits end with retirement, paying dental bills out-of-pocket can come as a shock, leading people to put off or even go without care.
Simply put — without dental insurance, there may be an important gap in your healthcare coverage.
When you’re comparing plans ...
Look for coverage that helps pay for major services. Some plans may limit the number of procedures — or pay for preventive care only.
Look for coverage with no deductibles. Some plans may require you to pay hundreds out of pocket before benefits are paid.
Shop for coverage with no annual maximum on cash benefits. Some plans have annual maximums of $1,000.
Medicare doesn’t pay for dental care.1
That’s right. As good as Medicare is, it was never meant to cover everything. That means if you want protection, you need to purchase individual insurance.
Early detection can prevent small problems from becoming expensive ones.
The best way to prevent large dental bills is preventive care. The American Dental Association recommends checkups twice a year.
Previous dental work can wear out.
Even if you’ve had quality dental work in the past, you shouldn’t take your dental health for granted. In fact, your odds of having a dental problem only go up as you age.2
Treatment is expensive — especially the services people over 50 often need.
Consider these national average costs of treatment ... $222 for a checkup ... $190 for a filling ... $1,213 for a crown.3 Unexpected bills like this can be a real burden, especially if you’re on a fixed income.
1 “Medicare & You,” Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 2025. 2 “Aging changes in teeth and gums”, medlineplus.gov, 4/17/2022. 3 American Dental Association, Health Policy Institute, 2020 Survey of Dental Fees, Copyright 2020, American Dental Association.
“Absolutely love”
“I absolutely love my dental insurance. My dental office files the claims, leaving me with very little balance to pay.”
Dorothy P., TN
COMMUNITY
By Rafa Carvajal
THE 17TH ANNUAL LATINOS SALUD GALA
The mission of Latinos Salud is ‘to provide client-centered, culturally competent health education and integrated preventive, screening, and linkage services throughout South Florida in order to reduce the burden of communicable diseases and improve health outcomes.’ Latinos Salud four full-time locations maximize its reach throughout South Florida and offer both appointment and walk-in service five days a week in Wilton Manors, North Miami, Miami Beach, and Westchester, as well as mobile outreach and testing to serve thousands of people annually.
Every year, their Gala raises much needed funds. The 17th Annual Latinos Salud Gala will take place Saturday, March 21st 6-10:30 p.m. in the Riverview Ballroom at the Broward Center for Performing Arts (201 SW 5th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale). The VIP Cocktail Hour will start at 5:30 p.m. Guests will enjoy a plated Gala dinner, live music, inspiring performances and open bar. Visit gala.lsalud.org to purchase your tickets ($175 regular, $225 VIP) and support this indispensable community organization.
Rafa Carvajal: Why is the annual Gala so important to fulfill the mission of Latinos Salud?
Dr. Stephen Fallon: Latinos Salud’s signature Gala this month will be a celebration of community resilience and big wins for community health, all expressed through stories, live performances and videos. The Gala provides a portion of the agency’s unrestricted revenues that allow it to adapt quickly to unexpected challenges. Over the past year, the federal government has targeted organizations and clinics that serve LGBT communities, minorities, or immigrants, by stripping grants and closing programs that serve these populations. Latinos Salud prioritizes all these community groups. Despite major funding impacts that shook Latinos Salud, this past year, the non-profit LGBT health center actually increased its services, in every category. More people received HIV tests at Latinos Salud’s four locations, started on PrEP, got their STDs treated, received HIV care, accessed case management, received Pride Scholarships, got health insurance premium payment support, and enjoyed fun Health & Culture social events.
RC: How does the Gala create meaningful connections among guests beyond just networking?
SF: Our seating breaks the silos between supporters and those who provide or receive our services. There’s a good chance that your table will have a couple of Latinos Salud staff, board members, or Pride Scholars joining you.
(Continued on Page 20)
We sat down with Latinos Salud Executive Director Dr. Stephen Fallon, Director of Health Programs Rafaele Narvaez, and Senior Program Manager Johnathan Medina to find out why this annual event is so vital for the fulfillment of their mission.
Photos by J.R. Davis. Provided by Latinos Salud
By Rafa Carvajal
Meet model Liam Carter from New South Wales, Australia, a part-time firefighter and lifeguard.
Rafa Carvajal: If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three things would you bring? Liam Carter: A surfboard, a firestarter, and a ridiculously oversized sunhat. Practical… but make it dramatic.
RC: What’s more intense a bushfire or a first date?
LC: Honestly? First date. At least bushfires don’t judge your outfit.
RC: What’s your go-to karaoke song?
LC: ‘Down Under ’ by Men at Work. It’s basically a public service announcement.
RC: Helmet hair or beach hair?
LC: Beach hair. Helmet hair has commitment issues.
RC: Lifeguard slow-motion run: real or exaggerated?
LC: Oh, it’s real. But only because sand is basically nature’s resistance training.
RC: What’s your most unnecessary but favorite piece of gear?
LC: Mirrored sunglasses. Zero tactical advantage. Maximum attitude.
RC: If you weren’t a firefighter or lifeguard, what would you be?
LC: Probably a wildlife documentary host. ‘Crikey, look at this majestic creature…’
RC: Sunrise surf or sunset bonfire?
LC: Sunrise surf. Bonfires are great, but dawn feels like you’ve unlocked a secret level.
RC: What’s your biggest weakness?
LC: Baby kangaroos. Absolutely no tactical defense against a joey.
RC: Describe your life in three words. LC: Salty. Smoky. Grateful.
Publisher’s Note: I created Liam using Artificial Intelligence. Liam is not an actual person, but his AI generated photos, persona, and interview seem real. AI even created an entire biography of Liam for me. Artificial Intelligence is here to stay, but how will we use it, and how will it impact our lives in the future? Time will tell… remember that widespread public use of the Internet began in the mid-1990s and now we cannot live without it.
By Rafa Carvajal
A CAST MEMBER PREVIEW OF LUZIA BY CIRQUE DU SOLEIL
Cirque du Soleil’s visually stunning show LUZIA is at Gulfstream Park until April 25. LUZIA takes you on a journey through light, rain, culture, and magic by inviting you into an imaginary Mexico. You will be immersed in a surreal world where tradition meets modernity and the boundaries of reality swim freely between dreams. We interviewed LUZIA Hoop Diver and Clown Understudy Nelson Smyles to preview the show for you.
Rafa Carvajal: Briefly describe LUZIA for our readers. Nelson Smyles: LUZIA is Cirque du Soleil’s incredible interpretation of Mexican history culture and mythology, all represented by acrobatics in the big top.
RC: LUZIA celebrates the spirit and culture of Mexico. How does performing in this show allow you to connect with its themes on a personal level?
NS: Being a part of LUZIA and being a representative for Mexican culture is an incredible opportunity for me, especially since touring Mexico back in 2018. I really recognized all of the themes and elements of Mexican culture that we have on our stage in everyday Mexico, so it ’s incredible to be able to give a realistic interpretation of Mexican culture to the people that watch LUZIA.
RC: LUZIA is known for incorporating water as a live stage element, which is something unique in Cirque productions. How does performing with water change the technical or physical demands of the performances?
NS: Having water on LUZIA is an incredible opportunity in terms of character work. The clown has a fantastic scene where the water starts to become alive and actually interact with the clown. Instead of just being there for the spectacle, it actually becomes a part of the show, which is an awesome thing to be able to integrate into live performance.
RC: Miami is a city with deep Latin American and Caribbean cultural roots. How do you think audiences here will connect with LUZIA’s aesthetic and storytelling?
NS: LUZIA is a fantastic cultural experience. And for people to understand what it is that ’s happening in the show in the forefront, I think it will be a very, very enjoyable experience for everyone coming to watch the show here in Miami.
RC: What is the most challenging moment in your act, and how did you prepare yourself to master it?
NS: I think the most challenging part of my performance on the show as the hummingbird hoop diver is maybe the adding the treadmills that we use to elevate the acrobatics as well as the rotating stage. It is something that adds to the spectacle of LUZIA and lets the acrobats do all sorts of different tumble passes that aren’t necessarily available without those two apparatus, but initially are a little bit of a challenge to get used to. However, we rehearse so much, and we practice all together and now it ’s just second nature.
RC: Cirque performers often blend athleticism with theatrical expression. How do you balance technical precision with emotional storytelling in your performance?
NS: The hummingbirds in Mexican culture represent the fallen warrior, so if a warrior falls in battle they ’re said to come back as hummingbirds. Our representation as the hoop diving team
Photo by Matt Beard. Provided by Cirque du Soleil
Photo by Anne Colliard. Provided by Cirque du Soleil
Photo by Anne Colliard. Provided by Cirque du Soleil
are nine warriors, so it ’s an element of excitement and connection and just like raw energy that we bring to the stage which actually almost helps with the acrobatics because we’re so hyped that it actually helps us get a bit higher than we maybe normally would.
RC: What has been the most rewarding part of bringing LUZIA to different cities?
NS: I was able to perform the show for my grandmother in Sydney which was probably one of the most important parts of my life as an acrobat with Cirque du Soleil.
RC: For someone attending LUZIA in Miami for the first time, what moment in the show should they absolutely not miss and why?
NS: It would be impossible to just pick one moment in LUZIA that you absolutely have to see. So much of the show is so incredible and if I was coming to the show I wouldn’t want to miss anything. I think my favorite act would have to be the first time you see the water in the show during the trapeze act. It ’ s an incredibly emotional moment and something that all audience members should look forward to.
RC: Cirque du Soleil feels like a global family. What’s something audiences don’t see about the bond between performers backstage?
NS: My favorite part about being on tour with Cirque du Soleil is that I get to share my on-stage experience and my backstage experience with all of these incredible people that have a common goal and such a drive to get better and make the show better. It ’s such an inspiring place to be, so I think one of the things that people will notice when they watch LUZIA is how connected we look is actually how connected we are backstage.
RC: Is there anything else you would like to share with Wire Magazine readers?
NS: We’re so excited to be here in South Florida and we can’t wait to see you all come to the show. Make sure you get your tickets before we finish up on April 25th!
Photo by Matt Beard. Provided by Cirque du Soleil
RC: What makes this event different from other galas or fundraising events for our community in South Florida?
SF: Clients and members will share powerful stories that reveal the inspiring impact the agency has had in their lives. Amazing musical performances by Stefano May accompanied by Hued Songs will wow the audience. And we will reveal a game-changing surprise for our 2026 programs.
RC: For someone considering attending for the first time, what would you say to encourage them to join?
SF: To welcome all who want to attend, Latinos Salud has continued its ‘no-inflation’ ticket pricing: for the seventh year in a row, the agency has not increased its Gala ticket prices! Personalizing the experience, guests who purchase tickets before March 5th, can pre-select from up to five delicious dinner options (three options for regular ticket holders).
RC: Are there any special honorees, speakers, or performances this year that will resonate particularly strongly with guests?
Rafaele Narvaez: Our galas focus on the community. Rather than awarding politicians or spending extravagantly to bring in performers who often know little of the mission, our speakers and performers are all of the community we serve.
RC: What opportunities will guests have during the event to directly connect with the mission and impact of Latinos Salud?
RN: The Gala program will illustrate our community health mission in every presentation, video, or song. Latinos Salud does not embed marketing speeches or videos from sponsors, or politicians. Guests will hear and see the community members actually benefiting from programs. Even the songs performed were selected to spotlight the mission and services.
RC: What kind of experience do you want guests to walk away with at the end of the evening?
Johnathan Medina: I promise that guests will leave feeling empowered and connected. Latinos Salud’s galas differ from most in the diversity of community members who attend, with a wide range of ages and guests coming from both Broward and Miami Dade. You’re sure to see old friends and also meet new people at this event.
Photo by Steven Shires. Provided by Latinos Salud
Here, COURAGE LEADS THE WAY.
At Jackson Heart Institute, the most complex cardiac care begins with courage—and is defined by deep expertise.
Courage takes many forms. For some, courage is committing to the climb, knowing there’s no easy way back. For us, it’s taking on the cases others turn away—severe heart failure, complex aortic disease, repeat surgeries, and multi-organ transplant patients—when the stakes are highest and the path forward is anything but simple. That courage shows up in every decision, every collaboration, and every moment of care.
Across Jackson Health System, our cardiac specialists work as one, pairing bold clinical judgment with advanced expertise and deep compassion. Recognized among the nation’s top cardiac surgery programs with the highest rating from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, our outcomes reflect one simple truth: for the most complex hearts, courage doesn’t hesitate—it leads the way.
Visit MiamiHeartLeader.org or call 305-585-4564 to make your appointment today.