DR. MEHMET OZ AGNEZ MO PIERSON FODÉ CARA SANTANA DINAH JANE
w w w. s t h e n o s . c o m
Cre ati vi t y
t ake s
coura g e.
Live your life in art. Live in Sthenos.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
8
America’s Fever-Pitched Experiment of Cannabis - Are You In?
16 CtheBDBeauty - the Rising Star of Market
42 BDynamic e You - Hollywood’s Most Newcomer 46 Sometimes Solitude is the Best Society*
56 Rumer Willis, the Individual 60 From Humble to Hollywood 28 Screen Time with Ben Barnes: Comic Villain and Gold Digger
32 The Golden Rebirth of Agnez Mo
68 Live to Tell the Story Cover shot by Catherine Asanov (Agnez Mo) and Al David (Pierson Fodé)
76 Fresh Off the Fight
116 Anything is Possible 122 Here Is What Love Can Do 126 Reversing the Equation and Multiplying by Results
80 Former Senator’s Mission to Engage Millennials and Shape the Future
84 Tyler Rich Cements His Place
130 The Sky’s the Limit
90 Beach Culture
138 Punta Aguila # 28
104 Kicking It with Estelle 110 Modern A Fashionista’s Love Affair with Activism
139 Vista Chavón # 7 140 Welcome to Blade
Architecturally Significant
Oceanfront Estate for Uniquely Elite Lifestyles
Ocean Views
Mansion with Extraordinary
98 98 The Journey That Transcends Musical Soul
CIVILIAN
Founder & Publisher Al David
Co-Founder & Chief Marketing Officer Vanessa Ferrelli
Editor-in-Chief Eiko Watanabe
Editorial Assistant Mike Varius
Creative Director Tim Morrison
Art Director Tyon Weekes
Senior Graphic Designer Lester Guidry
Media Producer Wanhi Lee
Fashion Editor Lassalle
Contributing Fashion Editor Ty-Ron Mayes
Politics Editor Matt Anthes
Director of Technology JP Martinez
Senior Web Developer Rebecca Koniahgari
Director of Social Media Ana Callahan
Marketing Director, Brand Placement Makaila Kay Ho
Staff Writers
Monica Dias, Kevin Chau, Sophia Ware, Leonye McCalla, Dylan Worcel, Samantha Orr, and Dhanha Bien-Aime
Legal Counsel
Chris Cardillo, P.C. 9728 3rd Avenue, Suite 308 Brooklyn, NY 11209, T. 646-398-5025
CIVILIAN is owned by myEPK Media, Inc. 257 W 38th St., PH - 17th Fl., New York, NY 10018 info@myepkmedia.com (424) 25-myEPK
The entire contents of CIVILIAN are protected by copyright and may not be reproduced without prior written consent of the publisher. CIVILIAN accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts and/or photographs, and assume no liability for products or services advertised herein. CIVILIAN reserves the right to edit, rewrite, refuse or reuse material, and is not responsible for errors or omissions and may feature same on CivilianMag.com, as well as other mediums for any and all purposes.
A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
EIKO WATANABE
First and foremost, thank you so much for reading this - which means that you have somehow encountered this magazine called CIVILIAN and taken time to flip it through amid your own extremely busy schedule at this time. Thank you. This is a quick letter from me as the editor-in-chief but I wouldn’t want to sound like I managed to put this together on my own at all since that has never been the case. Without those who we feature in this issue, you wouldn’t be reading this right now. Without all the wonderful managers, publicists, photographers, makeup artists, hair stylists, wardrobe stylists, location sponsors, catering sponsors, and their assistants who I have been able to work with, CIVILIAN wouldn’t have even existed. Without the inspiring, passionate, hard-working, big-hearted myEPK Media team that I am very proud to be part of, I would’ve been filled with so much doubt and given up on myself halfway through the process. All the editorial assistants and writers, you have no idea how capable you truly are - you have no freaking idea, thank you so much for always uniting with me and trusting me. My very special thanks go to Al David, Vanessa Ferrelli and JP Martinez, and I would like to close this letter with a quote from my mentor who’s always believed in the power of youth and really fought for world peace in the 20th and 21st centuries: “A great human revolution in just a single individual will help achieve a change in the destiny of a nation, and, further, will enable a change in the destiny of all humankind.” Thank you,
Eiko Watanabe Editor-in-Chief
Jacket, TALENT’S OWN. Shirt, TALENT’S OWN. Pants, TALENT’S OWN. Shoes, TALENT’S OWN. Wedding band, TALENT’S OWN.
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America’s
Fever-Pitched Experiment of Cannabis Are You In? Eiko Watanabe
At the end of a follow-up email from Dr. Mehmet Oz, it reads: “Why would a moral hang-up tie the hands of medicine?” It’s a Thursday morning in late May. In the green room of the TODAY show, Dr. Mehmet Oz (born Mehmet Cengiz Öz), who Oprah Winfrey once referred to as “America’s doctor,” is waiting to go on, scheduled to air live way after 8 a.m. They are planning to tape a segment teaser with him but he still has plenty of time – not to kill but to discuss a cannabis revolution we are currently in.
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e starts off explaining that an FDA panel recently unanimously voted to approve a CBD-based drug for two seizure disorders. “CBD by itself is not addictive. It doesn’t have a THC component which makes pot, actively making you feel high so most people should be comfortable with it, but amazingly, it’s still a problem because it’s tainted by the association with marijuana,” says the 58-year-old New York-based cardiothoracic surgeon. “And, there is a broader, larger topic on THC itself, which I also believe will have benefits but other countries are alerting us, doing the studies we should be doing here because it’s so difficult to study marijuana. It’s still seen as a Schedule I drug that has no clinical benefit. And for that reason, even though you can get special approval to study it, it’s very hard to get funding to study it so we end up saying, ‘We don’t know, we don’t know.’ What’s the reason we don’t know? Because if you don’t let us study it, we can’t know. And, I’ve spoken to the DEA and the FDA, and there’s a lot of mixed emotions. They both agree that it will be studied by doctors; they both recognize that there are historical reasons why the country just has a tough time to say, ‘OK, studying something might be helpful to some even though it could be problematic for others.’” Lately, CBD (cannabidiol) products on the market have been getting so much attention because it’s been considered to offer a range of health benefits, such as effective pain relief, strong anti-seizure properties, anxiety (as well as insomnia) relief, metastasis prevention, and diabetes risk reduction. And, we can say that CBD is valuable in treating such a variety of health conditions. “We are oversimplifying the treatment of pain, especially chronic pain, by using opiates. Opiates don’t work that well for chronic pain. We have understudied other options, including meditation, diet, and exercise, and also over-thecounter medications like non-steroidals, Motrin, which work well for chronic pain but we’ve never studied CBD and marijuana or THC products,” Oz passionately elaborates. “They keep telling me that CBD is a gateway to harsher drugs, marijuana, but might be the opposite and might be a gateway out of addiction by giving you a non-refill, non-physically addictive solution.”
while clarifying, “You should never use a substance just to get through life, CBD pill, marijuana, alcohol, cigarette and anything else.”
On top of that, according to the DEA, there has never been the case of marijuana overdose in human history. Contrary to popular belief (“That is a gateway to harsher drugs and that is addictive. And those aren’t true”), therefore, marijuana is actually a remarkably safe drug. “Even though it’s considered a drug by the FDA because they wanna regulate it and that’s okay, it should be available. So regulate it but make it available so people can use it appropriately and doctors can prescribe it appropriately,” says Oz
(At press time, the DEA placed a marijuana-derived drug in Schedule V of the Controlled Substances Act on September 27. The medication, Epidiolex, contains purified cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive ingredient in cannabis. It was approved as a treatment option for severe forms of epilepsy by the FDA in June. However, the federal government still considers all other cannabis-derived CBD products to be a violation of federal law.)
Although the legality of cannabis has been very uncertain in some states at the moment, Oz is confident that it will become legal everywhere over the next couple of years. “I don’t know if it should be recreationally legal but definitely should be medically legal everywhere. And I think the U.S. government will get behind it, eventually. Law enforcement doesn’t want to decide if the drug is gonna be bad for you. Doctors didn’t decide that. The government is gonna figure that out. They are the only one who’s out. The legislative body has to say, ‘OK, we get it.’ Everyone is saying it, the public are saying it, law enforcements are saying it, doctors are saying it, and nurses are saying it. Everyone realized that marijuana has to be available to be used for medical reasons. Only the federal government has to say that,” explains Oz.
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ithout a moment’s hesitation, he continues regarding the rapidly growing CBD industry, “I already know that large pharmaceutical companies are actively engaged to this so once the U.S. federal government says, ‘OK, medical marijuana is allowed,’ then you are gonna see a lot of big pharmaceutical companies jumping in, but the problem is that foreign companies are ahead of us because they can do the research in Canada, and there’s a publicly traded company in Canada
that does this. There are large rallies in companies that are raising money. I don’t invest and have never gotten high, never done pot or never invested in that area. But there are other people I know who have invested more heavily in these areas, and these companies are non-U.S. companies, and they will dominate the U.S. when it’s legalized.” (At press time, marijuana became legal nationwide in Canada on October 17, 2018 as the Canadian Senate passed Bill C-45, which is officially known as the Cannabis Act, by a vote of 52-29, with two abstentions.)
If you think there’s no light at the end of the cannabis-controversy tunnel, Oz has a suggestion – let’s go back to the prime point where consumers should be protected. “See, part of the problem is that it’s an experiment now. When you buy a CBD product, you have no idea what’s in it. It’s gonna put the ‘unregulated’ because it’s not going through any process so it makes the average American take an unnecessary risk by working around the usual pathways to secure its safety. When you get Motrin, you know what’s in Motrin, you know exactly who made it, where they made it, what dose is – it’s all perfect. We should have the same thing for CBD. Why not? Otherwise, people would do it around the law because there is no legal way of doing it,” he affirms. “For CBD oils, you can buy it everywhere. But the ones from dispensaries have THC in them, and you know what you are getting to a certain
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extent. And, there are terpenes which give a lot of subtlety, and terpenes are completely unregulated so if you get it at a dispensary, they will tell you what terpenes are, but they are not gonna tell you these terpenes are better for creativity or sleep or anxiety or opiate withdrawal. You’re just not gonna hear that. And that’s what we need. The oil or the tablet or chewable or in the joint should come with a label that says here is what it’s good for, and what terpene levels are – there are 300 terpenes, at least. So they have to help the consumers but they don’t know how to do. If I say, ‘Go have a bottle of wine,’ you’d go to a liquor store, they sell wine but you don’t know which wine is good for you.”
Shirt, ETON SHIRTS. Pants, THEORY. Shoes, PRADA. Wedding band, TALENT’S OWN.
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s Oz keeps talking, TODAY’s Hoda Kotb comes in, looking for some pastries to eat. Oz asks his publicist to record the footage for an Instagram Story, gets up, and helps Kotb pick one, sharing the calorie information that scares her – which fills the entire room with laughter. As she exits the room, Craig Melvin comes in, looking for something to eat. Oz, again, gives him a lecture on calories, and ends up recommending a banana or an apple, but Melvin politely declines and asks him if Oz would measure him or he’d measure himself – to prepare for the upcoming segment where Oz is going to explain three simple tests you can do at home to assess your own health: taking your own blood pressure, measuring your waist and checking your ability to identify smells. After Melvin leaves, the show staff comes in and tells Oz that he has to come and do another segment tease in 10 minutes. Oz then asks me if we are good on the cannabis discussion, making sure to get his message across right. Well, so, according to him, the cannabis matter is experimental? “Not experimental – it’s an experiment on America. It’s not gonna be experimental, experimental is, everything is experimental. But it’s an experiment on the U.S. population,” he concludes, heading off to the set with a mission: to provide the best possible care to America. Photographer: Richard Warren Photographer Assistant: Mike Antenucci Fashion Editor: Lassalle (@stylebylassalle & @stevenlassalle_ - www.stevenlassalle.com) Fashion Editor Assistant: Star Campbell (@starcampbellstylist) Men’s Grooming: Naomi Porto Videographer: Ray Antonison
Special thanks to Comprehensive Hospitality Solutions
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- the Rising Star of the Beauty Market Monica Dias
Photographer: Ron Contarsy (for Highmark Studios)
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Anyone who has ever spent five minutes on Instagram has surely noticed that beautiful, glowing skin, and natural, organic beauty products are the world’s new beauty obsessions. Spurned in large part by a demographic shift in the personal-care industry as well as by a rise in demand for organic and natural products, the demand for skin-care and beauty products has soared, and the market has skyrocketed around the world. In fact, in 2015, the global skin-care market was valued at USD 116.3 billion, having generated 12.83 billion dollars in revenue in the United States alone. And there is one particular ingredient that is projected to become the breakout star within this spectacular beauty boom: cannabidiol. Cannabidiol, or CBD, is one of the 400 compounds produced by the cannabis plants, and it is hailed as being one of the most important compounds of the Cannabis sativa plant. For one, CBD is not psychoactive, meaning that unlike the other cannabisderivative substance, tetrahydrocannabinol (“THC”), CBD does not produce euphoric sensations in those who consume it; in other words, CBD does not get you “high.” Because of this, CBD, which is derived from hemp - a strain of cannabis with only small trace amounts of THC - is legal throughout the United States. Second, studies have shown that CBD is thought to have a lot of medical potential, from relieving pain to reducing anxiety and depression. But it is in the
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realm of dermatology that CBD is getting the most attention by showing real promise as a treatment for a wide range of skin conditions. Not only is CBD non-comedogenic and won’t therefore clog pores, it actually prevents excessive lipogenesis, or the excessive production of sebum on your skin, while displaying remarkable anti-inflammatory effects, thereby making it a safe and effective way to treat acne. Furthermore, it might also be a viable treatment for itch and other skin conditions such as pruritus and psoriasis, as well as for swelling, muscle pains and irritations, due to its aforementioned antiinflammatory properties. While the market for CBD products is still very much a niche one, a few personal-care brands have begun to hop on that promising train and have released their own CBD skin-care and beauty lines. In order to ascertain how well the CBD skin-care and beauty market is delivering on its promise of utilizing CBD’s cosmetic potential, I tried out all of the CBD beauty products that I could get my hands on, which amounted to about 20 products from nine different brands. The following is not an exhaustive list of all the CBD skin-care products that are currently on the market, but they are the most readily available, as well as the most Instagram-friendly.
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did, and honestly, I was quite satisfied with the results. After every use, my normally frizzy and dry curls became visibly silkier and shiner, sometimes to the point that I’d choose to keep my unruly curls instead of reaching for my flat iron. The other product in Hora’s lineup, the exfoliating overnight mask, complements the super-serum quite nicely. Because it has a higher concentration of CBD and other ingredients than the super-serum, it’s suitable to be used up to about four times a week. Indeed, after using it regularly for almost two weeks, I have noticed that my skin has become smoother and less irregular, which leads me to believe that the mask has done its job.
HORA SKIN CARE
If you spend any time on the beauty and skin-care corner of Instagram, chances are that you’ve come across some beauty influencer waxing poetic about a tiny, chic black vial containing a CBD-infused super-serum that is supposed to work magic on your skin. That cute vial is the product of Hora, a new and trendy LA-based beauty company that succeeded in incorporating CBD into essential skin-care products. Besides an array of jade and quartz facial rollers, Hora’s actual skin-care lineup is currently limited, which is understandable for a brand that is barely a year old. Their most popular product is the aforementioned CBD super-serum, which uses eight super ingredients, including vitamins A and C, rosehip oil, argan oil and yes, CBD, to protect, hydrate and regenerate all skin types. It only took me two weeks of daily use for my stress-induced acne to begin rescinding. But for me, the best part about Hora’s super-serum isn’t even what it does to your skin, but to your hair. Hora encourages its customers to apply the super-serum to their hair while it’s wet – which I
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CBD FOR LIFE
Established beauty and wellness brand CBD For Life seems to be focused on the healing and relaxing properties of CBD oils, them being the majority of their lineup. That said, the brand does have a line of
CBD
skin-care and beauty products, including face creams, an eye serum, and a hand and body lotion. First, let’s talk about their CBD face cream, which I used for a few days, and it moisturized my skin way better than my regular moisturizer, especially during the winter. My face remained even and dry-patchfree throughout the entire day without clogging my sensitive pores – even in freezing temperatures. Now, it does leave your face with a shiny sheen for a while (I’d say, for half an hour), but once it seeps into your skin, it does its job very well. Speaking of virtual perfection, CBD For Life really hit the jackpot with their CBD eye serum. Speaking as a college student who has not had a full night’s sleep in three years, and whose dark under-eye bags have become a permanent facial feature, I have to thank the CBD gods and CBD For Life’s R&D department for delivering this eye serum to us perpetually sleepdeprived mortals. I used this serum twice a day, every day, for about a week, and while my under-eye bags haven’t completely disappeared from my face, they are visibly brighter. There are even days when I can afford not to put on concealer! Furthermore, this serum is so liquid and spreadable that even the smallest amount – a quarter of a pea size - will be enough for both eyes, meaning that those 0.5oz will go a long way. Finally, the CBD hand & body massage lotion. It’s a lotion with a pleasant peppermint-y smell – perfectly good and serviceable.
MILK MAKEUP
Next up, here is Milk Makeup’s new Kush mascara, a product of its new CBD-containing (meaning that lashes are nice and soft, not crispy, yay) beauty line. I can confidently say that this mascara is amazing with the perfect amount of wetness – thick, creamy and long-lasting – as it leaves your eyelashes looking long and voluptuous with one quick swipe. It’s a good product to create bold, dramatic looks with, which is why it’s one of my favorites on this list. I mean, who doesn’t love extra volume, curl, and length to eyelashes? My comments about the Kush mascara are totally applicable to Milk’s new Kush fiber brow gel. Make sure you get the right shade that matches with your eyebrows because this product is such a great express brow definer, making every swipe quite generous. With this, you can just discard some brow pomades and gels that get dusty-looking after hours of wear because this product has enough hold to style your brows whatever the way you like.
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warm water and those fragrant bath salts will leave you feeling light and relaxed like you couldn’t believe, and it will relieve all of the aches and sores in your body. I tried out this product after a couple of hours at the gym, and it was amazingly effective at reducing the soreness that you feel after spending half an hour doing squats.
HUMBLE FLOWER CO.
Humble Flower Co., a women-owned and operated wellness brand that specializes in producing CBD wellness and beauty products, wants you to feel comfortable in your bath: They want you to feel as relaxed as you’ve ever been, and they’ve got you covered with their relaxing bath soak. Unlike the other products on this list, the majority of Humble Flower Co.’s CBD products also contain some amounts of THC, the psychoactive compound of the Cannabis genus. This brand focuses on the medical attributes of cannabis, namely its healing and anti-inflammatory properties, and thus its products are geared towards promoting bodily wellness and beauty. The aforementioned relaxing bath soak contains 50mg of CBD and 25mg of THC, and it is intended for medical purposes only. While adding the salts to your bath water won’t alter your state, your body will still be absorbing CBD as well as THC through your pores, which is something to keep in mind if you’re curious. At the same time, this product does exactly what it says on the label: Soaking in a bathtub filled with
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Humble Flower Co. also sells a couple of healing balms: a cannabis-infused muscle balm, which smells of ginger and peppermint, and a cannabis-infused, arnica and clary sage pain-relief balm (both are topical use). These balms also contain small amounts of THC, and they are to be administered locally in sore or inflamed areas in your body. They work quite well too: I rubbed a little bit of the arnica and sage relief balm on a bruise that I had in my underarm, and by the end of the day, it had faded noticeably. I also discovered that they work quite well as impromptu lip balms although I would advise to use them sparingly only because that is not their intended use. For those who do not want to use products that have THC in them, Humble Flower Co. also sells a couple of soothing body lotions that contain only CBD. Perhaps, due to the lack of THC in their formula, the body lotions are slightly less effective than the balms at soothing soreness and pain, but at the same time, they are more pleasant to use on a regular basis. There are two varieties: unscented and scented, with the latter smelling like a pleasant blend of lavender and vanilla, and both varieties feel nice against the skin and provide a decent amount of moisture.
CBD
Lord Jones also did a great job with their CBD edibles, most notably their gumdrops: Their high-CBD allnatural gumdrops are meant for medicinal purposes even though they don’t contain any THC. But that does not mean that they aren’t effective: Pop one or two into your mouth, and within half an hour to an hour, you will begin feeling calmer, more relaxed, and less anxious, but no less alert. They are also quite tasty, possessing a subtle, sweet yet slightly tangy taste.
LORD JONES
Lord Jones’ high-CBD-formula products are mainly for personal wellness as their product lineup mostly consists of CBD tinctures and apparel, as well as CBD edibles. Indeed, they only have one skin-care product in their store, and that is the high-CBD pain & wellness formula body lotion. For instance, Lord Jones’ body lotion works very well as a regular body and hand moisturizer. Formulated with Frescolat, a natural cooling agent, moreover, you feel a cooling sensation exactly where you apply the lotion. Another distinctive feature is its use of whole plant extract. While some CBD-based products are made with CBD isolate, which is easier to obtain and less expensive, Lord Jones uses whole-plant extracts, yielding the “entourage effect,” a phrase coined by researchers upon discovering that CBD and THC (in addition to other compounds in the plant) work better together rather than in isolation. No wonder their users have been vocal in raving about how quickly and effectively the lotion has eased their ailments like arthritis, lupus, fibromyalgia, and migraines.
KHUS+KHUS MODERN HERBAL FUSION
Although very social media-friendly, skin-care/ wellness brand KHUS+KHUS is primarily focused on promoting general body wellness, as evidenced by the body waxes and body serums included in their product lineup. I got my hands on one of those body serums, called Copious, which you are supposed to apply to your
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body in long strokes towards your heart in order to stimulate lymph, at least according to the package. Whether KHUS+KHUS means that it stimulates the production of lymph or the movement of lymph through the lymphatic system is unclear. All in all, it’s a perfectly serviceable product – it does feel quite nice on your skin, and it has a soft, pleasant smell to it. It’s indeed one of their best-selling products flooded with overwhelmingly positive testimonials from their users. (And I am writing another positive one as we speak.) The same can be said about KHUS+KHUS’ Sen face serum, which has a distinctively luxurious feel to it. Like most KHUS+KHUS products, it’s a very Instagram-able product, one that would look adorable in an aesthetic millennial-pink tinted photograph, and will also feel great on your skin.
host of tinctures, capsules, gummies and even vapes, all of which supposedly use CBD’s extensive list of medical benefits to make you feel relaxed and pain-free. One of those products is Remedi Plus soothe CBD topical cream, which utilizes CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties to provide a natural and cooling pain relief. It is a slow-acting product, just like many other products on this list: While the cooling effect is instant upon contact with the skin, the actual pain relief only begins to occur about an hour after application. After that, it’s quite effective – I used it on my left shoulder and my lower back, which have been troublesome areas in my body since high school, and after a while, the pain subsided to the point that I was able to spend a couple of hours sitting on my bed writing this article without much discomfort.
Remedi also sells a topical cream that is specifically designed to help people with recent tattoos deal with the irritated and inflamed skin by using CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties. Now, I do not have any recent tattoos so I couldn’t try this product on myself, but according to people who have tried it on, such as King Moses OG, a caregiver in L.A. and Cannabis Cup-winning grower, tattoo aficionado and brand owner of AfterTatt CBD, it not only helps with the inflammation that naturally occurs whenever one gets a new tattoo, but it also helps heal the tattoo itself without damaging the skin or the ink. It smells pleasantly, too, which is a bonus in my opinion.
REMEDI
Remedi does not sell face creams or face serums like a typical beauty company. Instead, it sells a series of topical lotions containing CBD, along with a whole
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If you don’t have tattoos but are still plagued by muscle pains, wounds, or skin irritations, then you can also use their healing-blend topical cream, which uses CBD and magnesium, in addition to other powerful ingredients, to treat your ailments. It is faster-acting and effective, too.
ORIGINS
While the growing CBD skin-care market is mostly dominated by small brands, there are some larger, more established skin-care companies that have taken notice of the new CBD trend. Such is the case of Origins, a well-known beauty brand, founded by the Estée Lauder Companies in 1990, that markets itself as the provider of natural, sustainable and organic beauty products. They have recently released their own CBD-adjacent product: a plastic tube called Hello, Calm filled with an avocado-green paste – a relaxing and hydrating face mask that supposedly contains not CBD, but Cannabis sativa seed oil rich in omega acids and anti-irritants. It is a product that is supposed to hydrate, relax, and soothe your skin, leaving you looking and feeling refreshed. If you want to feel like your face just had its own relaxing spa day, then Origins’ Hello Calm mask is for you. It’s more practical than the average mask: You only have to keep it on your face for 10 minutes instead of the typical 20, and wash it off. Your face will feel so hydrated and smooth.
NAMAH
And finally, we have our last brand and our last product: Namah’s green-tea face cleanser. Unlike any other face cleanser I’ve used, it does not produce much foam, but it still did a good job washing away impurities and vestiges of makeup from my face, leaving my skin feeling clean and refreshed. I can’t speak about its long-term effects on the skin, given that the sample that I was given only lasted for a couple of uses, but I would wager that its contents will promote control of sebum production and help with inflammation caused by acne or other skin problems. It is the product to look out for.
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TRULY NATURAL Millions of people have discovered the benefits of CBD-infused products for improving health and wellness.
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Ben Barnes
Comic Villain and Gold Digger Samantha Orr
Originating from Wimbledon, London, Ben Barnes’ first experience in the fine arts began at an all-boys school where he developed an undeniable passion for drama and music that, over time, sprouted into a successful acting career. You know him as Prince Caspian in The Chronicles of Narnia, or as Logan Delos from the exceedingly successful HBO series Westworld. Among many other roles, Barnes certainly has made his mark on both big and small screens alike.
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Tan-and-cream jacket, A.TIZIANO. Black shirt, PUBLISH BRAND. Grey denim, SLATE DENIM. Boots, PUBLISH BRAND X THE NORTH FACE “EARTH’S CORE”.
Black sweater, MITCHELL EVAN. Polka-dot pants, PUBLISH BRAND. Shoes, PUBLISH BRAND X THE NORTH FACE “EARTH’S CORE”. Pyrite wrap bracelet, AMBER THAYER.
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BEN BARNES
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n his most recent work, Barnes personifies the antagonistic Marvel character, Billy Russo, also known as the villainous Jigsaw, in the Netflix series The Punisher. Barnes enjoys the dimensions of complexity when playing a supervillain especially through his character’s physical and mental metamorphosis. “Billy Russo is not a character like the Joker where everyone already has an idea of what he should be. So, I felt quite free to really develop who he is,” explains Barnes. “In the first season, he is somewhat of a d*ck. He’s this Burberry, three-piece-suit-wearing character who cares about money, hair products, and reviews he would get in the bedroom. But at the end of the first season, his face gets destroyed. I get to start fresh with his character – like a rebirth.” As in any comic-to-screen debut, original hard-copy fans will sometimes dispute the digital presentation of a story and characters. However, the 37-year-old actor attributes the overwhelmingly positive reviews from both fans and critics to his commitment to maintaining his character’s integrity to be consistent with the comic books. “What I like about what Netflix has done with the Marvel show is, they really did their best to draw the characters off the pages of the comic books and put them on the screen as real as they can be without upsetting the comic-book fans,” he affirms. In addition to working with Netflix, Barnes has also returned to the U.K. to film the highly anticipated drama, Gold Digger. “It’s amazing to be back in England! I hadn’t been able to
film back home in like ten years! It’s really great because I get to use my own accent again on a set, which actually felt a bit awkward at first, but it’s interesting to go and play a character where I can use more of myself and my own attributes,” shares Barnes who is playing Benjamin Golding, a thirtysomething-year-old copywriter who falls into a relationship with an older woman, Julia Day (Julia Ormond). Throughout the series, Golding’s true intentions are questioned as their steamy romance progresses despite a considerable age difference. Barnes says he has enjoyed his role in a series that depicts a romantic relationship in such a different light. “What I really love about Gold Digger is that it is an older woman and a younger man, and in cinema and TV, that’s something we only get to see the other way around. For example, in action films, we sometimes see an older man with a beautiful and much younger woman, and nobody even bats an eye at that relationship,” he says of the social importance of the BBC One drama on how it opposes ageism in the media. “It’s always good to show things from a different angle and perspective. Just like a lot of good stories in life, Gold Digger throws a mirror up to humanity. When the viewers are watching, there will be judgments made about my character and his intentions. The audience really becomes part of it. It poses interesting questions that are absolutely worthwhile.”
Photographer & Videographer: Nelson Blanton (nelsonblanton.com) Stylist: Andrew Philip Nguyen Men’s Grooming: Phoebe Dawson Editor: Eiko Watanabe Special thanks to Amber Thayer (@amberthayer - www.amberthayer.com) & The Henry (@thehenryrestaurant - www.thehenryrestaurant.com)
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Agnez Mo The Golden Rebirth. Leonye McCalla
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Sheer sequin romper, MIMI TRAN DESIGN. Green coat, FARAH AL MESBAH. Heels, KAMICA HAMPTON. Gold earrings, TOPSHOP. Ring, BENITEZ JEWELRY.
AGNEZ MO
Watch out world because Agnez Mo is coming. The singersongwriter and actress from Indonesia has a story to tell and a message she hopes will inspire the world. Her story starts off fairly humbly as Agnes Monica Muljoto was born in Jakarta, Indonesia, to athletic parents. Her parents, Ricky and Jenny, would’ve loved to get her involved in sports but entertainment was more of her thing. They’d bring her along with them to sports complexes but Agnes would end up singing and dancing around the room. Once they got the hint, they enrolled her in after-school programs for singing and dancing. Eventually, the young Agnez Mo entered a talent search competition and her career took off from there.
F
rom that point on, Mo began working in the entertainment industry (as Agnes Monica). She started recording music, including a few children’s albums and starred in soap operas. The transition from child star into adulthood seemed to happen naturally for Mo, and it’s probably due to her positive and upbeat nature. When Mo set her sights on the international music scene, things also happened rather organically. Music producer Timbaland had been watching her on YouTube. In 2011, he invited her to Miami to begin working on some music. That collaboration resulted in “Coke Bottle,” a high-energy tune featuring T.I. Mo shares how meticulous Timbaland was during the entire production, and also admits his attention to detail made her feel less self-conscious about her own dedication to perfecting her music. See, Agnez Mo does it all: In addition to writing, singing, and producing her own music, she’s also heavily involved in the video production process.
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fter moving to L.A., she had to almost start over from scratch. Despite being a major star in her native Indonesia and winning critical acclaim and awards (including 18 AMIs: Anugerah Musik Indonesia, Indonesian version of Grammy), L.A. was a different beast. But, the change gave Mo time to reflect and really hone her craft. At this point, she became more involved with her music. She believes that collaborators need to have the “same core function” and they need to have the “same energy, chemistry and vibe” for the music to really connect. Some of her favorite collaborators are her close friends like Jim Beanz.
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O
ne of her newest collaborators, Chris Brown, shares the same vision. The two met the way many people do nowadays, through social media, and hit it off. According to Mo, Brown found her on
Instagram, and after talking, they realized they knew the same people and followed each other. The two then met up for a studio session where they played music for each other. Mo let Brown hear some of the stuff she was working on, and he let her hear some of his new music. The two decided to work on some songs together, and their studio sessions turned into “On Purpose” and “Overdose.” True to form, Mo came up with a video treatment for the “Overdose” record and shared it with Brown, who happened to really like it. The video tells the story of two lovers who seemingly are from different worlds, but fate brings them together. It’s a quite powerful video filled with crisp cinematography and eye-catching visuals: a common theme in Mo’s videos. Despite dating rumors, by the way, Mo and Brown are just friends that make great music together. In fact, friendship seems to be a major theme in Mo’s work life. Her new label, 300 Entertainment, courted her by taking a personal, intimate approach to the partnership. She says that label execs took the time to reach out to her directly. They wanted to know who she is as a person and an artist. That type of attention means a lot to Mo who describes herself as a “big family-oriented person.” (As a matter of fact, we thanked her for doing this interview and photo shoot literally right after she returned to L.A. from Indonesia, and she responded: “Thank you very much for such an extraordinary collaboration with all of you, thank you also for the support for me, I love all of you.”)
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She affirms that, for one to be successful, it’s “not about what you say yes to, but what you say no to.” She had received many offers from other big-time labels but 300 Entertainment felt like the best fit. She also knows that many artists don’t have the balls to say no to a giant label but that’s just another way Mo sets herself apart from the rest. Staying true to herself has always been Mo’s main priority. If she just wanted fame, she says, she would’ve stayed in her native Indonesia. Mo wants more than that. Oftentimes, she thinks about her legacy more than her paycheck. She wants to inspire everyone, young and old. She knows that, for many people, having big dreams feels like a luxury while nowadays, especially, many people are just trying to survive but she knows her life mission is to stoke the fire that lives in everyone. Her management has received emails from people who have admitted to being inspired by Mo and her journey. So Agnez Mo is holding on. She wants to show everyone that their dreams are legit: “Dream, believe, make it happen.”
Photographer & Videographer: Catherine Asanov (@catherineasanov) Stylist: Andrew Philip Nguyen Hair: Matilde Campos Makeup: Dillon Peña (for TheOnly.Agency - using NARS Cosmetics) Editor: Eiko Watanabe Special thanks to Media Pollution (@mediapollution - www.mediapollution.tv) & Backyard Bowls (@backyardbowls - www.backyardbowls.com)
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Black beaded crop top, THAI NGUYEN ATELIER. Wide-leg pants, SILVANA TEDESCO. Earrings, BENITEZ JEWELRY. Heels, KAMICA HAMPTON.
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AIDAN ALEXANDER
BeYou
Hollywood’s Most Dynamic Newcomer Samantha Orr
Upcoming music sensation and social-media personality Aidan Alexander is a creative force to be reckoned with. His reach translates into a variety of film, music, and social-media content. Alexander’s recent work includes an acting role in Red Wing starring opposite Golden Globe nominee, Bill Paxton, as well as in A Cowgirl’s Story (alongside Bailee Madison and Pat Boone). In addition to the screen, he recently released singles “I Don’t Love You,” “Yours,” and “Melancholia.” Since childhood, music has always played a central role in his life. “Music was a big part of my upbringing. I was always listening to and singing songs,” he says. As a melodious visionary with a refined taste in music, Alexander enjoys a variety of musical genres and artists. His own sound can be described as moody electro-pop with enunciated, whimsical vocals. His lyrics expose the vulnerabilities of wrestling with conflicting emotions. “It’s super-funny because the type of music that I listen to is totally different from the music I create,” he shares. “I love jazz and classical [music]. I am a big Billie Holiday, Fleetwood Mac, and Frank Sinatra fan. Sinatra’s ‘Moon River’ is one of my personal favorites.”
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Suit, ARMANI. Shirt, VERSACE. Shoes, PRADA. Ring, TALENT’S OWN.
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Coat, THEORY. Sweater, SAINT LAURENT. Pants, 7 FOR ALL MANKIND. Shoes, PRADA. Watch, CARL JHONES. Ring, TALENT’S OWN.
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AIDAN ALEXANDER
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he 18-year-old Boise native may be a fresh face in the music and film industries (according to his mother, there is a 20-year-old actor named Aidan Alexander in the U.K.,
and Google keeps mixing them up), but he is considered one of Twitter’s top-engaged accounts nationwide. His intentional use of social media is a prime example of how talent can be amplified through current advancements in technology and communication with social-media platforms. As an artist with a significant online following, he utilizes Twitter to express his social conscience on current issues like gender equality. “My parents are separated so I lived with my mom,” says Alexander. “I was always surrounded by strong women. Advocacy for gender equality was always so important to me.” Not only does he use his voice to call out the discrepancies in gender discrimination, but he also expresses the importance of support for the LGBTQA community, accepting all races, genders, and sexualities (he tweeted in 2017: “love is love!! i date girls but who says in 10 years i won’t meet a supa cool guy & b like oh hey!! stop labeling urself”). “Even though I grew up in Idaho, I come from a very liberal family. It’s always been, ‘Do what you want, love who you want,’” affirms Alexander who currently resides in Los Angeles.
Moreover, Alexander has worked with the internationally recognized non-profit organization, DoSomething.org, to stand up to bullying – partially because his own social-media following can create trolls. He recognizes that although he has a thick skin, any individual being harassed in any way shouldn’t tolerate that. “Bullying is an epidemic. If you’re being bullied, talk to an adult. Please reach out,” he asserts. “Know who you are and love yourself. Just understand that form of treatment reflects on them and not you.” That being said, Alexander’s social voice and artistic talents in the studio and screen motivate him to follow his dreams to further grow and advance. “I want to continue what I’m doing. I do what I love; I make music that I enjoy making. I like to be creative and not just do what others say I must do,” he candidly says of his goal. “It would be a dream to work with Meryl Streep. That’s been a goal since I was five!”
Photographer: Tim Francis (www.timfrancisphoto.com) Fashion Editor: Lassalle (@stylebylassalle & @stevenlassalle_ - www.stevenlassalle.com) Men’s Grooming: Marc Cornwall Videographer: Ray Antonison Editor: Eiko Watanabe
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Sometimes
Solitude is the best society
*
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Jacket: G-Star RAW Jeans: Goodfellow & Co™
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Checked trench coat, ROBERT GRAHAM. Jeans, GOODFELLOW & CO™.
Jacket, G-STAR RAW. Jeans, GOODFELLOW & CO™.
Suit, ZARA. Turtleneck sweater, POLO RALPH LAUREN.
Photographer: aldavidphoto Model: Josh Yarr Stylist: David K.
*“Solitude sometimes is best society.” by John Milton
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Tank, STYLISTS’ OWN. Dress, DROME. Blazer, THE KOOPLES. Rings, ERINESS.
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Rumer Willis The Individual Monica Dias
The eldest child of actor Bruce Willis and his ex-wife, actress Demi Moore, Rumer Willis has had a spotlight shining upon her ever since she was born. Indeed, that spotlight has only grown with her, especially as she follows in her parents’ footsteps and navigates the world of show business. Having first debuted on the big screen at age 7 alongside her mother, Demi Moore, in the film Now and Then (1995), she has since then appeared on Broadway as Roxie Hart in Chicago, played Juliet and Mia in Love Actually Live, and has been involved in a number of movies and TV shows, most notably season 20 of Dancing with the Stars, which she won, and FOX’s hit drama Empire, where she played singer Tory Ash as a series regular. An actress, a dancer, and a talented singer in the vein of the late Amy Winehouse, she’s a verifiable triple threat, a charismatic performer who is as comfortable on stage as she is in front of a camera.
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RUMER WILLIS
owever, growing up in the spotlight isn’t easy for a child. Despite her parents’ high profile and her privileged upbringing, according to Willis, she was a target of persistent bullying as a child, a situation which had a long-lasting negative impact on her early life. Of course, over the course of her career and her life, the 30-year-old actress has learned to adapt to the intense and inescapable scrutiny that comes with being a celebrity in the public eye, particularly in the age of social media, where access to people’s lives has never been easier and where everyone’s comments and opinions, no matter how innocuous or vile, are only a click away. Her circumstances and her past experiences as a victim of bullying, though, enabled her to develop a thicker skin over time, and to “hold value for yourself.” Adds Willis, “It’s really difficult to have any sort of happiness in your life if you base the value that you hold for yourself on other people’s opinions. To me, you have to hold value for yourself regardless of what anyone else has to say. That’s one of the most important things you can do.” However, despite her confident demeanor, her success and her strength of character, it’s evident that the abuse that Willis suffered as a child left deep scars in her – the kind that sometimes may never fully heal. That said, her personal experience with abuse has contributed to the development of her social consciousness, to a sensitivity for the struggle of the innocent and the vulnerable. In her Instagram profile, Rumer Willis lists herself as an activist, among other things, and a quick scroll down her page reveals post after post in support of a number of current social movements, including #MeToo and TIME’S UP, gun control, environmentalism, and animal rights. She has supported the Art of Elysium, an arts organization that aims to bring about social change by supporting artists that provide their services to
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those in need, and is looking to come up with a more concrete campaign that she could possibly work on with them. With countless fans and a wide range of connections in the entertainment industry, she has a larger platform than most, on which she can and does advocate for social and political causes that she deems important. The fact that she is willing to speak out in support for the causes that she believes in on social media – whether it be gun control, Planned Parenthood, or supporting Idaho Democrat Paulette Jordan’s gubernatorial bid – means that those causes reach a marginally wider audience, some of which might not have come across those causes otherwise. Here comes the question, though: Do celebrities and public figures have a moral obligation to use their large platforms to advocate for social reforms and to speak up in support of what they believe? To Willis, that would be an unfair imposition on people. “I don’t think anyone should ever feel pressure or obligation,” she says. “Because when it becomes work, people tend to maybe shy away from it. I think it’s really individual. I think that if it’s something that’s important to you and that if it’s something that you want to talk about and you support, then you should. I would never tell someone, ‘Oh, you have to do this,’ or ‘You should do this,’ but I think it’s great when people do, but I would never tell people to do it.”
Photographer: Seung Lee (www.kokumastudio.com) Photographer Assistant: Andy Kim Stylists: Brit + Kara ELKIN (for Starworks Artists) Hair: Anthony Holguin Makeup: Amy Oresman Videographer: Wanhi Lee Editor: Eiko Watanabe Special thanks to Amber Thayer (@amberthayer - www.amberthayer.com) & The Henry (@thehenryrestaurant - www.thehenryrestaurant.com)
Top, CAMILLA AND MARC. Pants, CAMILLA AND MARC. Coat, STORETS. Rings, ERINESS.
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ALLEN LEECH
From
Humble to Hollywood Mike Varius
If you ask the average child what they want to become when they get older, you’re almost certain to gather outlandish answers covering every career sector from astronauts to movie stars. If you go one step further and ask the average adult if they’ve achieved their childhood dream, be prepared to receive many “no’s.” However, for Allen Leech, the answer has been and will always be, “Yes!” Leech is probably most known as Tom Branson on the award-winning series from Julian Fellowes, Downton Abbey, which ran for six seasons on PBS and ITV, and earned three Golden Globe Awards, 15 Primetime Emmys, and a BAFTA Special Award and 69 Emmy nominations, making it the most-nominated non-U.S. series in Emmy history. (Its movie will premiere in September.) In particular, his prominent role has garnered 3 Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series while his latest role as Freddie Mercury’s personal manager Paul Prenter in Golden Globe-winning Bohemian Rhapsody has accumulated major buzz from critics. Despite the awards and success, Leech’s claim to fame began on a much smaller stage many years ago.
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orn and raised in Dublin, Ireland, Leech notes his hometown as “an amazing place to grow up,” due to the strong community and family bonds present during his upbringing. “You can’t walk down the street in Dublin without bumping into someone you know or a family member you know,” the 37-yearold actor says. “There was a strong community element that was incomparable.” This element clearly persisted in the form of a very supportive English teacher, who saw talent in Leech and pushed him toward extracurriculars within the arts. Leech’s induction into the performing arts began in elementary school where he earned the role of the Cowardly Lion in a school production of The Wizard of Oz. “That was the first place I fell in love with acting,” Leech recalls. One night after performing, Leech met an actor who told him he did exactly what Leech was doing, only professionally, and that same night, something ignited within the young Leech. “I couldn’t believe that someone said they actually did that as a career, and it’s been stuck with me since I was 11.” At that moment, Leech knew he’d want to pursue a career in dramatic arts, and his passion in acting was instilled. Since gracing the Dublin stage as the Cowardly Lion more than 25 years ago, Leech has gone on to perform far more eclectic roles, including his role in the Freddie Mercury biopic Bohemian Rhapsody. Moreover, while he’s played a number of divergent characters in the past, Leech describes his preparation for this role as “a huge challenge.” Adds Leech, “[Paul Prenter] did do bad things. He sold the story of Freddie Mercury having AIDS to the press just after he got fired but it’s very rare that someone is all bad.” In
efforts of executing the role to the best of his ability, Leech was forced to comprehensively explore Prenter’s life. “You sort of have to get in the psyche of the person and try to understand why they did the things that they did, and that in itself was a challenge,” Leech expresses. Although digging deep into Prenter’s life was a bit tough for him, diving into the music and history of Queen was a far easier task, especially since he grew up listening to the band. “I grew up on family road trips. My dad was obsessed with Queen so when we would drive, all that played was essentially Mercury,” he says. “I even knew all the early stuff.” When asked about the legacy left behind by Queen and Mercury, Leech was particularly inspired at the band’s versatility. “If you look at the progression of Queen, it’s simply amazing,” Leech points out. “They never stuck with one musical genre. I think what [Freddy Mercury] essentially left us was the ability to constantly adapt and change, and that’s something I try to do at all times.” Adaptability and change are surely two words that apply to Leech, who revealed that one of his next roles might be behind the camera. Directing has always been an interest for Leech but lately, it has become more of a goal. “The more I’ve been on set, the more I’ve witnessed more directors, and it’s become something I’m very interested in possibly doing one day,” shares Leech. “I think you’ll actually become a better actor if you understand directing, and the same goes for directing if you’ve acted before.”
Photographer & Videographer: Indy Sagoo Stylist: Michael Miller Men’s Grooming: John Christopher Editor: Eiko Watanabe Special thanks to K+K Hotel George Kensington (@kkhotelgeorge www.kkhotels.com/en/london/hotel-george) & KiCK Global (@kick.global - kick-global.com)
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PETER FACINELLI
Live to Tell the Story Eiko Watanabe
“There’s so much little time in the day, and every day, you get older, and there’s so much I wanna accomplish before my life is over,” says Peter Facinelli, who made his directorial debut on Breaking & Exiting released literally the day before. It’s a Saturday late afternoon in mid-August. He just flew into New York City in the midst of the movie promo cycle, and looks a bit exhausted since his flight got delayed. “Film and television are a director’s medium because as an actor, you come in and do your part and you give it over to the director, and as a writer, you give it over to the director so it’s really the director’s vision, and the director is telling the story, visually. I’ve been acting for almost 25 years now and I’ve given my work over to other people, so I know how hard that is to trust the director. Sometimes, it works out, and sometimes it doesn’t, but it’s not in your control so I wanted to be able to have the control over telling the story visually myself,” he comments on the new role as a director. “I had 3 female producers, 2 women that were producers Martine [Melloul] and Cecile [Cubilo], and then Jordan Hinson who wrote the script was also one of the producers. I felt very comfortable and felt at home being around them because it reminded me of having 3 sisters,” says Facinelli, who grew up in Ozone Park, Queens, which was, according to him, “an interesting neighborhood because it was very Italian-American but also had Hispanic mixtures, as well. My 3 best friends were Cuban. It was like West Side Story that they kind of beat the crap out of each other but I was friends with both sides. And, my 4th best friend was Puerto Rican.” (Facinelli is first-generation American, having a dual citizenship and 2 passports: “I grew a little mustache and put my hair back for my Italian passport so it’s been fun.”)
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Burgundy suede jacket, KRAMMER & STOUDT. Navy and black striped velvet shirt, KRAMMER & STOUDT. Slacks, KRAMMER & STOUDT. Wingtip ankle boots, FLORSHEIM SHOES.
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lthough you may see him pop up everywhere (e.g., border-crossing drug-trade thriller Running with the Devil, indie comedy The Wilde Wedding, awardwinning indie director Chris Sivertson’s Heartthrob,
Timothy Woodward Jr.’s 1920’s mobster pic Gangster Land, Michael Caton-Jones’ thriller Asher, NBC’s drama American Odyssey, Showtime’s hit dramedy Nurse Jackie, CBS’s S.W.A.T.), born to Italianimmigrant parents, it took a while for Facinelli to pursue an acting career – believe it or not. “Telling my parents I wanted to be an actor was like telling them I was gonna go to Mars, asking to be the first astronaut to go to Mars. I was just a kid from Queens that nobody in Queens was an actor that I knew. And, I was also very shy when I was younger, very painfully shy, actually. It was very nerve-racking being around people but I found acting to be something that helped me to get over my shyness because if I could play a character, nobody was looking at me so I found freedom in that. And when my parents said what I wanted to be, I said an actor and they laughed, so next time they said what I wanted to be, I said a lawyer and the family was impressed so I went to St. John’s University and I studied pre-law, and then I took an acting 101 class and I quite enjoyed it so I transferred to NYU and I studied theatre there, and my parents said, ‘Why do you wanna study theatre?’ And I said, ‘Because I’m shy so I need acting classes to speak in front of the jury,’” he shares with a laugh. “But they
didn’t know any better because they were both from Italy so they didn’t know that you didn’t need acting classes to be a lawyer. So I ended up studying acting at NYU, and I got my first job before I even graduated and then I just kept working after.” Facinelli started the production company A7SLE Films in 2010 – originally named Facinelli Films. “I just changed the name maybe a year or two after I formed my company. I just didn’t want it to feel like a vanity company so I thought, rather than having my name in the company, I’d rather have a name for the company,” he explains. “I worked in a grocery store when I was younger, and I worked in aisle 7 so I wanted to be able to remember my roots as a hard worker then, and I’d like to consider myself a hard worker now.” “I love storytelling, so for me, when I am an actor, I tell the story through a character. And when I write, I create the story. When I direct, I get to tell that story in a visual medium. When I produce, I get to bring people together to help create the story but all of it is a form of storytelling. I just love stories. When I was a kid, my dad used to tell me bedtime stories. Every time he finished the story, he said, ‘You liked that story?’ And I said, ‘That was the best story I’ve ever heard.’ So I just grew up loving stories, and now I am very fortunate that I get to tell the stories and I get to do it through different mediums so I don’t think I’ll ever give up acting, I don’t think I’ll ever give up writing. I don’t think I’ll ever give up producing,” he confidently shares. “There are some things that I produce that I don’t act in. But if there’s one I direct that I feel like maybe there’s a role in it that I could help the project with, then I would do it. It really is a matter of what’s best for that project, not what’s best for me.”
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n a side note, in addition to his own upbringing, Facinelli is a father of 3 daughters. So I ask for his thoughts on the “zero tolerance” immigration policy. “I don’t think parents should ever be separated from their children for any reason, especially since right now I’ve heard that they are having a hard time putting them back together. Children should never be penalized for anything, you know. And, losing one’s parents can be the hardest thing for a child, I mean, I don’t know how you, or why or, I don’t understand why that would happen. I really don’t,” he answers, unconsciously changing the topic to gender-equality issues. “In the house I grew up in, there were a lot of females because I had my mom, my grandmother, and my 3 sisters. My dad worked 6 days a week so I saw him once a week, pretty much. So now, I’m in a house full of women again because I have 3 daughters. But you know, I have a lot of love and respect for women. And, growing up with 3 sisters, I saw how powerful women are.” Only because he gets very passionate, I ask him to further elaborate. “I have 3 daughters and I want them to live in a world where it’s equal. I don’t ever look down upon a woman because I was raised by women so I’ve always seen them as equal and even stronger and smarter in some cases. In the world itself and Hollywood, there is inequality that has happened in the past, and that needs to get changed. I was watching a documentary called Women in Film, and I didn’t realize women were a lot more prevalent in the silent-film era. They had a lot more female writers, a lot more female directors. A lot of men were off at war so women were the ones actually making movies. And then, somehow the shift changed and erased the history of those women. I’m glad to see that it’s starting to become more equal. I think there’s still a ways to go but because I have 3 daughters, I want that, you know,” he continues, somehow getting back on topic and chuckling. “I’d like to see more women in power in the government, too. I’d like to see a female president. We’ve had men running things for way too long. Females are mothers, they take care of things, and men don’t have the pain tolerance that women have. You can take down a man with just a swift kick between their legs whereas a woman is passing like something the size of a small watermelon through her legs. The pain level and tolerance are a lot different. Look, I’d like to see a future where there’s a female president. The Earth needs a mother right now to take care of it because we are destroying it.”
Photographer: Ron Contarsy (for Highmark Studios) Contributing Fashion Editor: Ty-Ron Mayes Men’s Grooming: Anthony Isambert (using Stila Cosmetics & Bed Head by TIGI) Videographer: Sarkis Delimelkon Editorial Assistant: Mike Varius Special thanks to Comprehensive Hospitality Solutions
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Fresh Off the Fight Eiko Watanabe
All hats, FLAMEKEEPERS HAT CLUB. Vintage Mongolian fur shrug, BLUMARINE (STYLIST’S OWN). Black knit wool dress, HELMUT LANG.
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MARGARET CHO
“I
t’s going great. It’s really extensive. I’ve gone to Europe, Asia, all over, and it’s incredible. I tour a lot, I mean, it’s a very big part of my life, and I am always on the road. And, it’s going really well,” says five-time Grammy and Emmy nominee Margaret Cho of her Fresh Off the Bloat tour. It’s a humid Saturday afternoon in late July; she’s in New York City, filming for HBO’s High Maintenance. Contrary to what you may think of her as a household name, she is quite soft-spoken and mellow even when a project is not a completely smooth sail, like Highland, an hour-long dramedy about a pot dispensary starring Margaret Cho as a version of herself. The series was initially going to be on Amazon Video upon its announcement in 2015, and then it was decided in 2017 that TNT was going to release it. “And now we’ve moved again so we will see where it’s gonna go,” she laughs. “It’s such a long process to put together a show. It’s been in development for a long time. We’ve moved a few times to different networks but we are just waiting to see. It’s just a long, long process.” Born in 1968, Margaret Cho grew up in San Francisco. “The tech boom hadn’t happened yet so it was really a different city. It was still very freaky and weird.” says Cho. “But I’m glad that I’m coming from there. It’s a nice place to grow up.” Her upbringing was definitely a “schizophrenic” one, though, as she considers it “a very multicultural kind of experience,” and her traditionally Korean, Christian parents owned a gay bookstore. “All of the things that I experienced were really strange just because San Francisco is just kind of a weird place. It’s a freaky place, it’s very independent, very artistic, very spirited. And it was hard because the whole AIDS crisis happened, and that was really an awful thing to grow up through, and we lost a lot of people – that was really terrible, but you know, I think that it was a really amazing time in history and I’m glad that I got to grow up there,” she adds. She began writing jokes at 14, and professionally performing two years later. Soon after starting her stand-up career, Cho eventually secured a coveted spot as an opening act for Jerry Seinfeld. She moved to Los Angeles in the early ’90s, and performed over 300 shows within two years. Additionally, Arsenio Hall introduced her to late-night audiences,
and Bob Hope put her on a prime-time special. Throughout her career – her ground-breaking yet short-lived ABC sitcom All-American Girl (1994), off-Broadway one-woman show as well as bestselling book and feature film of the same name I’m The One That I Want, a 37-city national tour and its feature film Notorious C.H.O., Grammynominated Revolution, The Sensuous Woman featuring vaudevillian burlesque and comedy, VH1 reality-sitcom The Cho Show, Beautiful as part of the 30th annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, her rainbow flapper dress on the 11th season of Dancing with the Stars, self-released, Grammy-nominated Cho Dependent, her Emmynominated Kim Jong-il impression on 30 Rock, #BeRobin campaign, 2015’s psyCHO, American Myth (the follow-up to Cho Dependent) containing tracks like “Fat Pussy” and “I Wanna Kill My Rapist,” her co-host gig on E!’s Fashion Police, to name but a few – she’s been frank, fearless and outspoken. But again, in person, she’s very, very quiet, polite and sweet. At the end of the day, according to Cho, what makes a person unique is “identity, it’s how you approach your art, your point of view, but there’s a lot of different ways to identify – especially in the gay community, there’s a lot of different ways to identify and kind of relay to the rest of the world.”
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MARGARET CHO
(At press time, Cho was honored by the Ruth Ellis Center with the Legacy Award at its annual VOICES Gala on September 27 – as an individual who embodies “the spirit, grace and generosity of the nonprofit organization’s namesake, an African-American lesbian who opened her home and heart to members of the LGBTQ community in Detroit as early as the 1930’s.”)
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ack in 2016, Cho checked into rehab after her friends staged an intervention, which followed an onstage meltdown where her audience walked out on her during a performance at the Stress Factory Comedy Club in New Brunswick, New Jersey. She was unusually quiet until getting back on track with the Fresh Off the Bloat tour. “I’m really grateful to be where I am today. I am just naturally kind of a fighter. I’ve always wanted to succeed, and I think it’s just about choosing to live as opposed to falling into thought patterns and addiction and negativity. It’s better to just embrace life,” she says as the conversation turns to the difference between suffering and struggling. “Well, everybody has to struggle, but suffering is kind of optional, whether or not you feel pain over it. That’s really more of a choice – you can either choose to suffer, or you can choose to learn from it and just keep going,” she warmly smiles.
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I ask her, then, if there’s anything that’s currently bothering her most. Cho thinks for a while, begins to answer, then pauses. “Oh, I think, Trump?” In a nutshell, here’s her solid opinion on President Donald Trump: “It’s such a terrible situation, and it’s just gotten worse and worse and worse. Just when you think you can’t get it any worse, it manages to get worse. It’s really disgusting.” When asked to be a bit more specific, she elaborates, “Like, separating immigrants. Separating the families, separating children from their parents, and everything that has to do with that, and selling us out to Russia. But just the fact that he is the leader of the free world – it’s a nightmare.” She emphasizes that, moreover, it’s important for all of us to be “aware of what’s happening, just being conscious of it” largely thanks to social media since “we are accessing the news and events more readily and instantly than ever. And that’s incredible.” As Cho has just turned 50 (“50 is a milestone”), she continues to fight the good fight, staying healthy, happy, and focused. “It’s all about having a voice, having a point of view, maintaining that, and also having a sense of humor about it,” she confidently states. We wrap up early because she has plans tonight: going to see Beautiful: The Carole King Musical by herself and enjoy life to the fullest.
Photographer: Ezequiel De La Rosa Contributing Fashion Editor: Ty-Ron Mayes Hair & Makeup: Jacqueline Morgan (using Kevyn Aucoin) Videographers: Donovan Gomez & Joseph Santos Social Media Manager: Dessiré Villeda-Zoll Editorial Assistant: Mike Varius
Off-the-shoulder mini dress with belt, HAUTE ROGUE. Sequin leggings, CUSTO BARCELONA. Shoes, STUART WEITZMAN. Black fedora, FLAMEKEEPERS HAT CLUB.
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Future Shaping
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DR. TOM COBURN
“What’s important is that we continue the legacy of the founders, which is that we each have freedom not because our government gives us freedom but because we have freedom in our own right. The founders set up a system that would protect that freedom, and out of that freedom, came this great economic engine and this great progress. So, the legacy should be about restoring the legacy of the founders, which is economic freedom. It’s not about me, it’s about the future of our kids and grandkids,” says Dr. Thomas Allen Coburn, 70 – who loves country music that tells stories (of real life with a little bit of a kick) and says what makes him smile is “home” – as he is on a huge mission: to construct a new phase of America for a new age and a new generation.
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ack in 1994, the American political landscape was quite different. Forty years of House of Representatives control by the Democrats had just come to an end during President Clinton’s midterm elections. The Republican Revolution was upon us. After the dust settled, the Republicans had a net gain of 54 seats in the House and 8 in the Senate. A national campaign approach, new policies and a unified agenda in the form of the Contract with America set the tone for the sweeping victory in November.
One event, in particular, foreshadowed the results to come - incumbent Congressman Mike Synar was narrowly defeated in the Democratic primary for Oklahoma’s 2nd District months before that fateful November. A retired high-school principal, Virgil Cooper, spent less than $20,000 and won by only 2,609 out of 92,987 votes cast. This set up a showdown between two political novices: Democrat Virgil Cooper vs. Republican Dr. Tom Coburn.
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new face with fresh ideas and a pledge to serve no more than three consecutive terms ultimately propelled Coburn to 52%-48% victory. He was motivated due to the fact that he thought citizens, not politicians, should have an effect on government as partisan politics had become commonplace. A man of his word, Coburn upheld his campaign pledge and did not seek re-election in 2000. Yet, in 2004, he won election to the Senate, and after a successful re-election bid in 2010, pledged not to seek a third term. Feeling that the Senate was becoming too partisan and it inhibited him from truly representing the great people of Oklahoma effectively, he resigned in 2014. While in Congress, Coburn had firm beliefs and often challenged the Republican leadership, claiming they were abandoning the conservative roadmap established within the Contract with America. He believed that it was that framework which enabled Republicans to take control and that any move to the political center could be interpreted as a bait-andswitch. Coburn stuck to his belief of keeping his word throughout his time in service, often ruffling feathers along the way. Throughout his career as a public servant, he practiced political integrity but saw through ideological differences. He understood the importance of bipartisanship and collaborating across party lines regardless of one’s political stance. He worked closely with then-Democrat Senator Joe Lieberman on a bipartisan program to fix Medicare and Social Security but Majority Leader Harry Reid wouldn’t entertain it due to concerns regarding how it may impact the power structure in the next election cycle. In addition to Senator Lieberman, Coburn maintained many friendships across the aisle including Barack
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Obama. Speaking about his friendship with Obama in 2011, he stated, “I love the man. I think he’s a neat man. I don’t want him to be president, but I still love him. He is our president. He’s my president. And I disagree with him adamantly on 95% of the issues, but that doesn’t mean I can’t have a great relationship. And that’s a model people ought to follow.” It was this approach that Coburn embraced while in Congress and that he continues to take in his postSenate life. He has made it his life mission to fully support the millennial generation, as idealists, in order to focus on fixing the problems of the past. He has placed an emphasis on restoring accountability and educating millennials about the national debt with a specific focus on fixing the mess the baby boomers created. “I know I’m pushing a big rock uphill, I did it all the time in the Senate but it doesn’t matter. It needs to be pushed,” says Coburn of his approach with millennials. In looking to restore accountability, Coburn established a non-profit entitled Pursuit, whose core belief is that the older generation owes a financially stable future to our children and grandchildren. The underpinnings of Pursuit include economic freedom, limited government, and virtue. That being said, Coburn maintains a strong desire to educate the masses and communicate how the debt will impact future generations while pointing out that the United States is currently ranked 17th in the world to both start and expand a business but for over 200 years, the United States was ranked number one in this area. According to him, the debt is impacting millennials dramatically and will limit their future. “Is it virtuous for my generation to take money we know will have to be paid back by our children and grandkids? I reject that! I think that’s morally wrong,” he says. “I think it’s a form of theft, and what we’re saying is we know you’re going to have a lower standard of living, 1/3 of what we have today. And it is because we won’t do the hard work of limiting government, sacrificing ourselves personally, or at least have politicians do the jobs they were sent to Washington to do.”
Along with Pursuit, Coburn is focused on a set of common values that should unite all of us here in America. While he understands not everyone agrees on every issue, he believes we can unify around some basic principles that will help usher in a new era of hope. He aims to shift the dialogue and have young Americans lead the discussion on issues that affect our generation. “The polarization of our politics is dividing us along lines that leave millions of young Americans with nowhere to turn. 71 percent of millennials believe that neither party represents them. Both parties have placed our nation on an unsustainable fiscal course, and one generation of Americans is about to leave the next generation with an unbearable financial burden,” Shirt, CALVIN KLEIN. Jeans, RALPH LAUREN. Boots, TALENT’S OWN.
Photographer: Udo Spreitzenbarth Photographer Assistant: Carolin Hohberg Fashion Editor: Lassalle (@stylebylassalle & @stevenlassalle_ - www.stevenlassalle.com) Fashion Editor Assistant: Elizabeth Seifert (@lizseifert) Men’s Grooming: Marc Cornwall Men’s Grooming Assistant: Nina Bellord Videographer: Ray Antonison Editor: Eiko Watanabe
Coburn explains. “The national debt is more than $20 trillion, with unfunded liabilities exceeding $100 trillion. Report after report warns of wasteful spending and unsustainable deficits, yet year after year, nothing is done to address them. If this continues, millennials and Generation Z will spend their peak earning years paying for the excesses and promises they had no knowledge of or say in.” Data is key to his outreach strategy, and he’s focused on getting out his message with impactful information that will drive interest in Pursuit. “Here’s a number that should scare most millennials. If you take the infinity debt of Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and apply it as unfunded liabilities along with the debt we have now, that reaches over $145 trillion,” he elaborates. “Divide that over the next 75 years by 85 million millennials and you come up to nearly $20 thousand per year per millennial.” As he continues to engage with millennials and amplifies the important message about the debt and accountability, he will reach his target audience and (unwillingly) turn into an influencer on this trending issue. Putting politics aside, he aims to build a platform to educate the public and provide for a better future. By supporting millennials to stand up at this crucial juncture, he will have a lasting impact on future generations – and his legacy will define itself.
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Tyler Rich Cements His Place Dylan Worcel
A boy with a big heart from Northern California had a dream of becoming a country singer. He cemented his place in Nashville, standing on the same stage as country legends before him at the Grand Ole Opry. It was a monumental moment in his life, stepping into that iconic circle on that stage. Tyler Rich grew up in Yuba City, California, near Sacramento. He and his peers had to do their best to stay out of trouble and find things to do for fun. One might even find their friends hanging out at the local Carl’s Jr. (Fun fact: It was one of two that were open 24 hours in the country.) “Everywhere we went, it was always the same people so it always felt like a really small town, but very farm-heavy, very nothing-to-doheavy,” Rich recalls.
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e grew up listening to all kinds of different music. He explored his eclectic taste and would describe himself as having “musical ADD.” Continues Rich, “I had so many influences that really helped me kind of craft my crazy brain into an actual brand of something that I believe is unique and cool that I can bring to the table.” He was always flipping through albums and fell in love with so many genres of music, including Garth Brooks, Keith Urban, Tim McGraw, and Shania Twain, while he was obsessed with watching Michael Jackson’s music videos and had a new-found love for Usher and Boyz II Men. “As my age progressed, it changed a lot. When I first started playing guitar at the end of junior high, I got into a lot of rock, stuff like blink-182, Green Day, Korn and Metallica. Pretty much anything I could turn my guitar up really loud to,” shares Rich, who was in many different bands in his early 20s. He then went back to school and graduated from California State University, Sacramento with a degree in economics. Shortly after, he made the big move to Los Angeles and gave music one last shot. “I was going to do it solo or kind of on my terms, my pace. I was really just wanting something that was real, organic, genuine and storytelling,” he candidly reveals. “Before even thinking of what genre, I just really stripped back to me and my guitar, and I just started writing a bunch of songs.” While listening to all of the songs he created, a realization hit him hard: “‘Man, all these songs are about where I grew up, my ex-girlfriend that broke my heart, and going out and partying with my friends.’ I was like, ‘This was all country music, really.’” Although Rich moved from his small town to L.A. to pursue his music career, it was challenging for him because he needed to find a producer that wanted to embark on a country project but many of them were not very familiar with country music. However, he eventually found those who believed in him. “They
listened to songs, and they were like, ‘Dude, this is amazing. This is your path, and this is what you’re supposed to be doing.’ It was cool because we just kind of went out on a whim and recorded a few songs. I released one on YouTube and Spotify,” Rich says. His music started to tread through the California markets. He was playing shows acoustically which resulted in his shows growing and tickets selling. Within a six-month period, his life began to change drastically, and he made the move to Nashville. “I signed with Big Machine Label Group. I signed with my specific label, the Valory Music Co. in January of 2017,” he tells me. “We spent a year building and creating before putting out the single at the beginning of 2018.” He ended up writing 100 songs within that year and tried to figure out exactly what his brand was going to be, and it was hard choosing which songs he wanted to pitch to the label. He was waiting to find that “oh-sh*t song.” Adds Rich, “There were so many meetings and opinions that’d go into what songs you should record and what songs you shouldn’t. You get one breakup song, one love song, one comeback song, one party song, and one song about loss. You can’t repeat a bunch of themes so you have to pick your favorites from each theme.” Gradually, he and his producers decided they wanted to record a song called “The Difference.” A week after the song was recorded, his entire team was so excited. They knew this would be chosen as the first single. It was that “oh-sh*t song” he had been searching for. “The Difference” is this feel-good love song on his self-titled EP Tyler Rich, which explores a lot of different elements. He pays homage to one of his biggest influences, Michael Jackson. (Rich’s rendition of “Billie Jean” is an exclusive song on the EP through Amazon.) “Adrenaline” is a song that holds a special place in his heart as the first song he wrote for his fiancée Sabina Gadecki. “It’s basically about finding love again in general and how when you go through something terrible, you know, you still believe in love. One moment, one kiss, and one day can just kickstart your heart again, like adrenaline, and get you breathing again,” he describes of the tune.
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ich and Gadecki got engaged in Jamaica in the summer of 2017. It was a nerve-wracking process for him trying to coordinate a proposal in another country. Upon their arrival at the resort, Rich told Gadecki that they were going to get a ton of upgrades at the hotel for the whole weekend. They planned to have lunch overlooking the ocean at their cabana but then Rich told Gadecki (who is very smart by nature to figure things out easily) that he did not even want to go to the lunch saying, “I’m so tired of these upgrades. I just want to hang out at the beach.” Gadecki had to talk Rich into going to the “planned lunch,” which was actually part of the proposal plan on his end. “I hired a local reggae musician. I wanted him to sing our song ‘Yellow’ by Coldplay to us while we were eating. She figures everything out so I hired him to play for an hour walking around the resort and look like he was playing for tips. Sabina saw him walking around and playing, and I was thinking, ‘I don’t have somebody to film and tape [us]. I’m basically a dead man walking so I need to hire a film crew, as well,’” Rich elaborates. Rich ended up having this film crew walk around for an hour because he did not want Gadecki to suspect a thing. The hotel also had to gather guests to be part of the proposal (they were asked to be extras in a film). The local reggae musician was playing a Bob Marley song and Rich asked if there were any other songs he could perform and if he knew Coldplay. “Sabina hits me. She’s like, ‘Babe, he does not know Coldplay. What do you mean he might know Coldplay?’ He then just starts playing this guitar riff. It’s like, in this super-beautiful reggae version of the song, and she looks at me and she goes, ‘How did he know how to play our song?’” he further explains, adding that Gadecki began to bawl her eyes out because she knew at that moment what was about to happen. She, of course, said yes. Rich does not remember popping the question, as a matter of fact, because he blacked out completely. They would love to have a family one day. The wedding is currently the first priority on their agenda, and Rich is leaving all of that up to Gadecki. He wants her to do her thing when it comes to the invitations, ceremony, and everything else that comes with planning a wedding. “In five years, we’ll be married and have at least one little kid running around. There’s a whole new type of balance right there. I just hope I’m doing the same thing – but with a hell of a lot more fans and a hell of a lot more fun,” Rich grins.
Photographer & Videographer: Austin Lord Stylist: Twila Trahan (for AMAX Agency) Men’s Grooming: Alicia Marie Campbell (for AMAX Agency - using Triumph & Disaster) Editor: Eiko Watanabe Special thanks to to L3 Entertainment (@l3_entertainment - l3entertainment.biz) & Vui’s Kitchen - fresh Vietnamese (@vuiskitchen - www.vuiskitchen.com)
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JESS GLYNNE
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ne thing about singer-songwriter Jess Glynne is that her vocals are undeniable, and her music has been able to transcend genres, which is sometimes hard to do. She’s worked with electronic bands like Clean Bandit, hip-hop artists like Macklemore, and R&B singer PARTYNEXTDOOR. This versatility has helped her tremendously and is largely the reason why she has so many Number One hits (she holds the record as the only female solo singer with the most Number One singles on the British charts). However, surprisingly, she shares that she doesn’t “really think about it too much,” adding that she doesn’t write songs to be Number One, but instead, she focuses on writing great music that she loves. On another note, Glynne can’t really listen to too many other artists, either, while focusing on her own music. But she has enjoyed Eminem’s new records and Kanye West’s music. She also likes to listen to H.E.R., an R&B newcomer who also boasts powerhouse vocals. As for general inspirations, she enjoys other neo-soul artists like Musiq Soulchild and Erykah Badu. While she’s been very busy for over three years traveling the world performing all over Europe and in other countries, her to-do list includes this goal: crossing over to the U.S. (Glynne checked Coachella off her bucket list in 2015.) Regardless, the 29-year-old artist has been making waves in the U.K. for some time now. Back in 2014, she was featured on “Rather Be,” a poppy-electronic tune that gains some depth with her soulful voice (the song won a Grammy for Best Dance Recording). It’s no surprise that Glynne credits Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston as some of her biggest inspirations. She realized she had a voice at age “7-ish,” which is pretty young for anyone to realize the impact of their voice, but she knew her skills would lead her on the right path.
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efore venturing on her present career path, though, Glynne had a series of odd jobs that didn’t quite work out the way she hoped. She worked at PPL, a licensing agency, for a while before they terminated her for taking too many bathroom trips. Now, she is making her own music as a recording artist with Atlantic Records. She released her first studio album in 2015. The album, aptly titled I Cry When I Laugh, featured a mix of pop, rock, and soulful tunes that translate to music lovers in all genres. Her debut album has spent an astounding 148 weeks on the British charts, debuting at Number One. The album went on to sell 12 million singles and garner nominations from the BRIT Awards, MTV EMAs, and MOBO Awards. On her new album Always In Between, Glynne incorporates more of her life story into her music with the help of some of her team. For this album, she decided to travel to the English countryside for a week and work with some musicians that inspired her. She believes the process was very “natural and organic” which led to some “nice, creative, good music.” However, the entire process wasn’t always so smooth. When she went into the studio in 2017 to start working on her sophomore album, she felt the process was “imbalanced” as she says that she made some “amazing songs but they weren’t quite right.” Some of the imbalance was probably due to the fact that she was working “with different people every day,” which may have caused a bit of dysfunction. Therefore, she decided to take things into her own hands and gather up a group of people she really connected with in order to create a record she felt comfortable with. She believes the process brought the best out of her as an artist, which was an “amazing experience.” It’s also worth mentioning that when she looks at the current world situation, things are “a bit weird, and pretty sh*tty things are going on” at the moment but she believes that we all need to keep doing what’s right and focus on the positive things in life. That said, the first single off the album, “I’ll Be There,” is actually the last song she wrote for the album – a heartfelt tune that champions love, support and comfort.
Photographer: Bella Kotak Photographer Assistant: Indy Sagoo Stylist: Avigail Collins Stylist Assistant: Fliss Rudd Hair: Beth Kucic Makeup: Jo Frost Videographer: Wayne Lennon Editor: Eiko Watanabe Special thanks to Abbey Road Studios (@abbeyroadstudios - www.abbeyroad.com)
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Denim outfit, WALK OF SHAME. Clear blue shoes, EGO SHOES.
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ESTELLE
Kicking it with
Estelle Eiko Watanabe
What did you think of Estelle when you first heard “American Boy”? Elegant, flawless, smooth, and glossy? You are right to some extent but she’s more of a big sister (that’s got your back) who you just want to hang out and laugh with. Estelle (full name Estelle Fanta Swaray) – daughter of a Senegalese mother and a Grenadian father – grew up with 8 siblings (“They are my friends all the time, they love me, they are here, they look out for me. They are like my biggest advocates, and my biggest haters”) in West London. Her parents were “teenagers when they first moved. My mom was 12, and my dad was 15,” and they eventually met, had children, broke up, and found each other again – 20 years later. “Crazy, but it’s also meant to be. It’s a great energy, moment, vibe, and story, and just an affirmation that when we are supposed to be with somebody, however crazyseparated you are, you’ll find your way back, if you want to. My mom is happy, and I love how my parents are,” shares Estelle.
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ust like her parents, Estelle, too, loves changes in life – she used to live in Brooklyn but now she resides in L.A. – as she declares, “I am a self…uh, what’s the word? I am a self-inflicted, military brat.” (She laughs and quickly adds: “No, I’m joking.”) I tell her I haven’t moved for the past 8 years because I don’t like changes. “Oh, God. Oh, no?” she pauses, later adding, “I’m all about the changes. I’m moving my energy, and I’m moving my spirit. And there’ve been times where I’m just like, ‘I’m so tired of moving, but I have to get out of here.’ When I first came here, I had a studio apartment. The older I got, the more music I got, and the bigger I got, I needed a bigger space. I’m grateful that I moved to L.A. because that’s kind of where everything else in my career has expanded and grown,” she grins. That being said, her fifth studio album Lovers Rock is a full-length reggae album (“It’s just close to my roots to talk about and be about this time around”) that she worked on for 3 years – having tunes like “Love Likes Ours (feat. Tarrus Riley),” “Better,” “Sweetly,” and “So Easy (feat. Luke James).” In case you hesitantly wonder if literally everything is just all about reggae without pop music or R&B songs on this album, her answer is very simple: “Yeah, pretty much! Why don’t you listen to reggae and dance all the time?” Interestingly enough, the year of 2018 also marks the 10th anniversary of her blockbuster album, Shine (“Uhhuh,” she nods). “I feel so good that I can be here with this whole new album. 10 years later, people still care. That’s real life because people have the attention span of a freaking fruit fly, or of the lifespan of a fruit fly,” she exclaims, snapping her fingers impatiently. “You know, they want you to cut things out immediately. I’m just grateful to still be here.” Back then, “American Boy” (featuring Kanye West) won a 2009 Grammy for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration, and achieved an RIAA double-platinum certification. She then released the follow-up All of Me in 2012, and the single “Thank You” received a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Performance (“I was going through a breakup, and I was hurt. I was more emotional and hurt than I was angry. You know, I was very sad,” she says of the song, though). 2015’s True Romance yielded the smash “Conqueror.”
Guest-starring as Delphine in a popular episode of Empire, she joined Jussie Smollett for a duet of the tune, as well. Throughout the career, she’s been singing about love – and not-so-great relationships. “Well, this is why I write songs. But also, there’s always a way around it – to get to the other side of it. You have to go through it, you have to go around it, and you have to get rid of it, but the way exists, and you will be OK,” the 38-year-old singersongwriter elaborates. “I write songs, or I sing songs that help you find a way out. They are always like, ‘This was sh*t, still sh*t, but it will be alright’” – she warmly laughs – “you’ll be fine, we’ll figure, this is how we do this. I’ve always figured the way out.” In the midst of going through a tough situation, just like everyone else, she would question and victimize herself, but then she usually reevaluates and shifts her mindset. “‘Alright, this is for me. What am I supposed to learn here? This is not happening to me more than this is happening for me.’ It hurts, it’s crazy to stay in the moment,” contends Estelle. “But then, you’d find out you’re here for a reason. So, ‘I hate you right now, but I’ll be alright! I’m gonna figure out what this means for me.’ That’s kind of the space that I stay in.” Additionally, Estelle’s dedication to growth and evolution has been fully applied to her All of Me Foundation, which “is based on helping young people in minorities to see other experiences and opportunities. One of the things we did was to take a group of kids to Senegal, and that was pretty amazing.” In her daily life, furthermore, she is “trying to do my good deeds whenever I have the option, and I am trying to be empathetic enough because that’s what’s missing when everyone has distinctive opinions.” “I’m fighting for the right to be as natural as you wanna be, whoever you are, wherever you are, to consistently grow,” she says. The clock hits 6:15 p.m. in New York City (she stays here for a week, preparing for the Lovers Rock promo cycle) – but her day isn’t over yet. Photographer: Udo Spreitzenbarth Photographer Assistant: Carolin Hohberg Fashion Editor: Lassalle (@stylebylassalle & @stevenlassalle_ - www.stevenlassalle.com) Fashion Editor Assistants: Huberta Marie (@huberta.marie) & Elizabeth Seifert (@lizseifert) Hair: Dailey Greene Makeup: Fatimot Isadare (using MAKE UP FOR EVER) Videographer: Jeremy Aiken Social Media Manager: Dessiré Villeda-Zoll Editorial Assistant: Mike Varius Special thanks to fresh&co (@freshandconyc - www.freshandco.com)
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Suit, WALTER BAKER. Shoes, CHARLOTTE OLYMPIA (TALENT’S OWN). Choker necklace, ELA RAE. Necklace, MOON & MEADOW. Bracelets, ALEXIS BITTAR.
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A R elax ing and Peaceful O asis in th e Hear t o f Vibrant Central Lo n d on The K+K Hotel George Kensington offers a convenient central location for you to explore the ever-changing and inspiring city, before enjoying a quiet night’s sleep in one of our elegant and comfortable rooms.
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A b b e y R o a d S t u d i o s | 3 A b b e y R o a d | L o n d o n | N W 8 9 AY | U K | + 4 4 ( 0 ) 2 0 7 2 6 6 7 0 0 0
Blazer, VICTORIA HAYES COLLECTION. Black diamond hoops, NORMAN SILVERMAN DIAMONDS. Rings, MELINDA MARIA JEWELRY & GRAZIELA GEMS. Wedding band, TALENT’S OWN.
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A
Fashionista’s
Love
Leonye McCalla
Affair with
Modern Activism Sophia Ware
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Top, AUGUST GETTY ATELIER. Pants, ATELIER LE LIS BY HELO ROCHA. Earrings, VITA FEDE. Wedding band, TALENT’S OWN.
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“When I see something that I feel isn’t right, I say something about it,” says Cara Santana – fashion icon, actress and political activist – who is devoted to both making herself heard and starting conversations to bring awareness to social-justice issues.
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t’s early September, and Santana has just returned from the Venice Film Festival. Always gracious, she
gushes about her favorite designer Giorgio Armani, who dressed her in Venice. “I wore two gowns, and it was such a dream come true. Mr. Armani is an exceptional designer. When I think of red carpet or evening wear, I would have to say Giorgio Armani,” shares Santana, whose everyday wardrobe is filled with clothes from streetwear designers such as Alexander Wang, Proenza Schouler, Derek Lam, and Phillip Lim. We casually transition to chatting about her daily beauty routine, which is just as low maintenance as she is (“I am a less-is-more type of person”). Her favorite beauty products include Smith’s Rosebud Salve by the Rosebud Perfume Company (“It’s a one-stop shop for my cuticles, hands and lips”), Laura Mercier’s Tinted Moisturizer, Glossier’s Boy Brow, and Miss Dior Eau de Parfum by Dior. With almost a million followers on Instagram that all started from her fashion blog, I ask Santana how she began to share her political views and become a prominent human-rights activist on social media. “Growing up on the border of El Paso, Texas and having the parents that I have,” she shares, smiling. “My father worked in juvenile detention for 35 years, and my mother is an attorney who was very involved in social causes. I was raised feeling very comfortable being able to express myself and my views.” Then, I mention the backlash that she occasionally receives for sharing her opinion. “Of course, I’ll post something and lose followers or see a big drop in engagement. I get a lot of criticism because people don’t want to hear a young girl in entertainment speak about politics or social justice or civil rights. They think that I don’t know what I’m talking about,” she further elaborates. “I run my social media with the idea in mind that it is a way to communicate with people who are interested in me and who I am. I love fashion and beauty and travel, but I don’t think style and substance are mutually exclusive.” Santana continues to start conversations about all of her many interests in hopes of encouraging others to speak out and providing them another unique frame of looking at contemporary world problems as we dive into a
conversation about equality for women in Hollywood, especially in light of #MeToo. “I have so much respect and admiration for the strength and fortitude for the women who came forward and spoke about their experiences,” she says, making sure that she speaks highly not just of the famous women who are able to voice their opinions, but also of all of the nameless women who continually work behind the scenes to provide for the families and are unable to voice their concerns out of fear of repercussions. “It’s not just our industry. Women are continually subjected to social inequalities, sexual misconduct, and pay inequality,” she pauses for a moment to consider, then says, “It is so important for us to blow the whistle and bring awareness that this is not only happening in our industry, but any industry where we have duality of men and women.” Santana stresses the need to have allies from both genders in order to create an environment where victims feel comfortable coming forward. “This isn’t a men-versus-women thing. This is strictly about protecting our women and educating our men,” she acknowledges, adding that there have been numerous positive changes in the entertainment industry, but in order to see a permanent difference, we must keep the conversation going.
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s for the ongoing immigration crisis and what we all can do to help children reunite with their families, Santana urges us all to be more conscious, stressing the importance of reaching out to your local senator with your concerns, especially if they tend to vote Conservative. We should take it upon ourselves to learn more about this crisis as she affirms, “There is so much misinformation out right now about the immigration crisis and who we are really taking into our country and who we are deporting. There are facts that are being held up as true but aren’t factual at all, and it starts with bringing awareness to these.” She then instantaneously brings up other ways that everyone can help. “There are so many great organizations that are working to aid families that have been separated and refugees that are living in the United States,” says Santana who has visited multiple refugee shelters. “They are filled with people from all over the world who are either waiting for amnesty to be granted or to be deported home. They are living on donations. They need food, they need clothing, they need water. They are trying to help people who are trying to get citizenship, and they don’t have the resources or money because they are coming from circumstances that are so dangerous and coming from countries that are so poor,” she describes. According to her, awareness is key in solving any major human-rights crisis, and it all begins in our immediate environment, at home, school, work, and community. “Even if you don’t have
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any money to donate but people in your network do, you can post it on your Facebook or Instagram or Twitter. You can get the word out,” she says. When it comes to her acting career, too, she carefully chooses roles because of the team she would be working with and the message that each project delivers to its audience. Over the summer, for instance, she shot the lead role in Be the Light with Malcolm Goodwin. The film follows her character Celina’s return to her hometown to take care of her estranged father when she finds out that he is dying from cancer. “I’m really excited for people to see this project. It’s a film about redemption and about family. It’s very socially topical and aware, and I’m really proud to be a part of it,” she says of the film. Santana will also star in The Detective, which tells the true story of an LAPD officer who was raping and murdering young women in the East Hollywood area until a young woman caught on to his atrocious actions (“It was a great film to be a part of. It was a thriller”). She also expresses her enjoyment of working with actress Chelsea Ricketts as she always credits those who have been a part of her team.
Photographer: Seung Lee (www.kokumastudio.com) Photographer Assistant: Mason Kim Stylist: Maeve Reilly Stylist Assistant: Alexandra Grandquist Hair: Justine Marjan Hair Assistant: Hayley Heckmann Makeup: Dillon Peña (for TheOnly.Agency - using Benefit Cosmetics) Videographer: Andy Kim Editor: Eiko Watanabe Special thanks to Amber Thayer (@amberthayer - www.amberthayer.com) & The Henry (@thehenryrestaurant - www.thehenryrestaurant.com)
Fur jacket, SALLY LAPOINTE. Tee, WILFRED. Jeans, RE/DONE. Earrings, FOR LOVE & LEMONS. Rings, MELINDA MARIA JEWELRY & GRAZIELA GEMS. Wedding band, TALENT’S OWN.
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Possible
Eiko Watanabe
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Sheer turtleneck, DANIELLE GUIZIO. Silk camisole, ANINE BING. Tuxedo skinny pants, BANANA REPUBLIC. Shoes, CAPE ROBBIN (TALENT’S OWN). Earrings, VINCE CAMUTO.
Anything is
DINAH JANE
“You’ve got to fight for something because if you are not, you are not really living at all. It is hard, and I think that’s just you being positive to yourself and keeping yourself sane. You have to keep yourself healthy – mentally. And I think it’s just encouraging yourself, reading some quotes that uplift you, uh, positive music, I feel like every morning, I just wake up, and classical music starts my day off right and lets me know that I’m going to win this day over,” says Dinah Jane Hansen, 21, who’s staying in New York City to attend editorial meetings and 2018’s VMAs at Radio City Music Hall in a few days. It’s a humid, rainy Friday night in mid-August.
“I
’m like the first of my culture, of my people, to step up to the plate and roll with the big dogs, and I first found it a little challenging just because coming from a humble beginning, we are not used to seeing our people stepping into the limelight, and when they saw me coming up, they didn’t like that I was becoming this Americanized Polynesian girl,” Hansen candidly shares. “Being that I’m American, I was like, ‘This is what I was raised into. This is what I love listening to.’ Sometimes, I feel like I am Hannah Montana – at home, I’m just one little girl and I’m nothing, and here, I’m on the road in a fast-paced lifestyle, which I enjoy. Sometimes, I get confused by it because when I’m home, people are shocked that I’m doing these things any normal person would do, helping out with a wedding, going around, and helping them cook, and they literally kick me out of the kitchen, ‘No, no, no, get out.’ I’m like, ‘What? I’m no one when I’m home. I love feeling normal sometimes, and having a balance.’”
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ansen was born and raised in Santa Ana, California, growing up in a 4-bedroom-house along with 23 other people. “We made rooms so we would go to the living room, and my grandpa would build a room in the living room, like you would build extra rooms, and then it became 7 to 8 rooms. There was never a dull moment in my house,” she recalls. “So when I started getting on the road at 15 years old, and having to travel and going to hotel rooms, it was so quiet, it was too quiet for me to even sleep at night.” The eldest of 20 grandchildren, she is of Polynesian, Tongan, Samoan, Danish and Fijian descent. She’s been to Denmark but hoping to visit Fiji and Samoa to know where her bloodstream stems from. “I would try to speak Tongan but I only understand it more than I can speak it. My grandparents were trying to speak Tongan to me and make me speak it back, and being that we’re here in America, my mom stopped them from doing that. She was like, ‘She’s in America. She doesn’t have to learn all that.’ So, my mom stopped me from learning,” Hansen laughs. “When I’m here, when people compliment me and tell me that, ‘Oh, my God, you’re a dope artist,’ or ‘You’re a great singer and vocalist,’ I get shy because I’m not used to it. At home, I don’t know, we’re not used to complimenting each other? Because of the humility. Humility is a very strong thing, and very Polynesian. You don’t act like you are higher than anybody.” I ask her if they don’t praise others even when there’s a good reason to do so. “Not really. We do it in a weird way, like, ‘Ah, your music is cool,’ but they don’t treat you like you are up there – if that makes sense. They always keep you grounded. So with that, amongst other artists, when they compliment me, and I’m just like, ‘Huh? You think so?’ – it’s hard, so I always brush it off. I just laugh and make them laugh. I try to make them laugh to get away from the conversation, get away from the topic,” she answers. In fact, I am hesitant now to tell her how great her solo debut “Bottled Up” sounded after listening to it literally a few minutes before this interview, so I simply tell her the fact that I just listened to it, and she immediately gets excited, “Oh, did you? Woo!”
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Jacket, ARMANI. Jumpsuit , GUESS. Bracelets, KATE SPADE NEW YORK.
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he’s been best known as a member of Fifth Harmony – having released platinum songs like “BO$$,” “Sledgehammer,” “Worth It,” “Work from Home,” and “All in My Head (Flex)” – that originally started out on The X Factor in 2012 when Simon Cowell formed a group consisted of five individual contestants: Ally Brooke Hernandez, Camila Cabello, Normani Hamilton, Dinah Jane Hansen and Lauren Jauregui. The girl group released 2 albums Reflection (2015) and 7/27 (2016) until Cabello left the group at the end of 2016, and then self-titled studio album in 2017 before deciding to take an indefinite hiatus to pursue solo projects in early 2018. “I was the youngest one in Fifth Harmony, and I’ve seen them all embody who they are as women right now. And it took me a while to step back and define who I was as a person. And I think, being among so many other women, I was always confused of what I liked and what I wanted. I was like, ‘Wait, I need to sit back and figure out what’s right here,’” says Hansen, putting her right hand over her heart. “Bottled Up,” according to her, goes with her personality as a young woman who’s “very chill and laid-back. I’m not the type to be like, ‘Oh, my gosh, let’s go turn it up, go get stupid, and go to the club and sh*t.’ I’m just like, ‘Hey, I’m here to kick it with everybody.’” In addition to Hansen’s savvy and ambition, her genuine passion is purely contagious – and I also get excited, and we laugh.
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“You see what I mean there? It’s just fun, and I think everyone can relate to it because I am sure when anyone bottles up their feelings, they turn to drinking and smoking, and that’s their way of getting them out,” she describes. “As of right now, I’m fighting for my own independence. I’m stepping into my own womanhood. And I am fighting for just love. I’m fighting for my people, just giving them the recognition that there’s so much talent in our community. I want to, one day, do something where they can step up to the plate and not be afraid of doing the impossible because it isn’t impossible for someone that comes from a small tiny dot on the map to even be traveling the whole world and getting platinum plaques and selling out shows,” says Hansen. “And, I just wanna keep fighting for my legacy and continue to dominate and continue to write my story and share with people that anything is possible, you’ve just got to believe in yourself and fight the demons – your own demons, little monsters in our heads. It’s beaten me up since when I was 15, and now I’m 21, I feel like a majority of them are vanished. A lot of them are gone because I make sure that they disappear.”
Photographer & Videographer: Richard Warren Photographer Assistant: Janine Ciccone Fashion Editor: Lassalle (@stylebylassalle & @stevenlassalle_ - www.stevenlassalle.com) Fashion Editor Assistant: Huberta Marie (@huberta.marie) Hair: Anthony Isambert Makeup: Marc Cornwall Special thanks to Comprehensive Hospitality Solutions
Blouse, BCBGMAXAZRIA. Pants, J BRAND. Shoes, JIMMY CHOO. Earrings, VINCE CAMUTO.
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HALEY REINHART
Love Here is what
Can do
Kevin Chau
With songs like “Last Kiss Goodbye,” “Don’t Know How To Love You,” and Vicetone’s “Something Strange,” vocal powerhouse Haley Reinhart might seem like someone that is nothing like the average person: Top 3 on American Idol, platinum certification, and a strong social-media following – but under all those countless accolades and achievements is actually just a vibrant young woman from Chicago that loves to sing and dance. 28-year-old Haley Elizabeth Reinhart was born in Wheeling, Illinois, a small suburb of Chicago with a population of about 40,000. Ever since she was a kid, Reinhart has aspired to be a musician. From singing harmonies with her parents to watching them play in their band, she would cry at concerts because she pictured herself up on that stage. She knew what she wanted from a young age, and worked long and hard towards that goal.
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HALEY REINHART
he first step she took towards that goal was with her parents. Singing along with her parents on stage at the age of three started her journey. Afterwards, writing poetry and studying jazz in college were her next steps. Along the road, many similar steps were taken, but perhaps the biggest leap forward was her performance in the tenth season of American Idol. Placing third, Reinhart gained national recognition and signed a recording deal shortly after. She released her debut album Listen Up! a year later. Now, six years after her first album, Reinhart boasts an impressive resume: a platinum certification for her cover of Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” voice actor and co-star of Netflix original series F Is for Family, an impressive social-media following of nearly a million people, and more than one million monthly listeners on Spotify. In case you think you can’t personally relate to Reinhart at all, though, here is the thing: Some people don’t even know how to do their laundry at 28. All the jokes aside, Haley Reinhart has her own hobbies, favorite holiday, and childhood memories – just like you. One of her hobbies is science and astrology. A frequent customer of her local bookshop, Psychic Eye, she likes to read books and learn more about astrology. Interested in rocks that hold energy, she doesn’t let things take over in life but tries to understand what those things mean. She is attracted to amber, which, according to her, “is the color of energy,” and is good for creativity, passion, and maintaining a Zen state of mind. Along with crystals, she is also interested in astrology readings. Taking each reading with a grain of salt, the main takeaway is to look for your own interpretation within the reading. Reinhart also likes to travel. Among the many places on her list, Brazil and Argentina make the top. “I grew up in Chicago with a really big Latino population so the language and music have always been enticing to me,” she says. One of the favorite places she has been to is Bali (she actually wants to go back there for her honeymoon).
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On another note, she likes to socialize too. “I like to meet up with my friends and go out dancing, lay out in the sun doing nothing, yoga, and definitely shopping. Shopping should definitely be higher up on that list,” she shares. Her most memorable childhood memory is the same block party she went to every 4th of July. “The streets were blocked off, my parents’ band would be playing, and kids you would only see once a year were having balloon fights,” she recalls, adding that it was a simpler time where all she had to worry about was who to throw a balloon at next and which firework to focus on. She then mentions Christmas – in a time of freezing temperatures and snowfall, it’s always heartwarming and comforting to go back home to family and unwind. “My boyfriend’s family is also from Chicago so it’s a great time to be able to see everybody at once,” says Reinhart. “Going back home and seeing the snow, it helps me think about everything I’m grateful for.” We also discuss gifts because Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without gifts. One of the best gifts she has given to someone is a stove for her parents; one of the best gifts she has received is a record player from her boyfriend. She further elaborates that it’s not always about the creativity or price or magnitude of the gift but it’s about the little things, and it’s about paying attention – and that’s what makes a great gift. In the future, Reinhart wants to have a family: one boy and one girl. She wants to have a place to live in Europe. And, she wants to go back in time and give her younger self some advice: Everything is temporary, any hardships are not forever, and people can always change for the better. “I’m a very rooted person with a lot of love to give to the world. I always stay true to myself, I’m strong-willed, I know what I want, and I want the best out of myself and for people,” she candidly says. “I want to help bring that out of them while simultaneously staying true to myself. It’s all I’m about. But, at the same time, I’m also pretty wacky. I do a lot of funny voices, and I just like to be super-goofy. Life is much too short not to laugh a lot.” Photographer: Seung Lee (www.kokumastudio.com) Photographer Assistants: Andy Kim & Mason Kim Stylist: Marc Littlejohn (@marcalittlejohn - for Ken Barboza Associates Inc.) Hair: Iggy Rosales Makeup: Dillon Peña (for TheOnly.Agency - using Milk Makeup) Videographer: Wanhi Lee Editor: Eiko Watanabe Special thanks to Amber Thayer (@amberthayer - www.amberthayer.com) & The Henry (@thehenryrestaurant - www.thehenryrestaurant.com)
Striped top, EVA FRANCO. Shoes, JF LONDON. Earrings, AMBER THAYER. Gloves, AMBER THAYER (DESIGNER’S OWN). Necklace, TALENT’S OWN.
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Suit, HUGO BOSS. Shirt, VERSACE. Tie, BURBERRY. Watch, ROLEX. Shoes, TALENT’S OWN.
Suit, HUGO BOSS. Shirt, VERSACE. Tie, BURBERRY. Watch, ROLEX. Shoes, TALENT’S OWN.
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SCOTT STEVENS
Reversing the Equation and Multiplying by Results Marcus Meade
“I
think I was probably 10 years old when I started my first business – selling candies to kids in school,” says Scott Stevens. Since then, Stevens has made the big move from candy to technology and consumer with the launch of his global investment firm, Grays Peak Capital, in 2014. With over 20 years of experience in the global investment sector, his devotion to educating and his entrepreneurial spirit have propelled him further into the world of investment.
Stevens grew up in the ever-evolving New York City, which he notes as a key factor in his early development. “The pace of growing up here is pretty fast so a lot of people grow up quicker than they expect but I enjoyed it,” recalls Stevens. This rapid maturity along with his passion for entrepreneurship steered him further down a path towards a career in business; however, it was not always clear what area he would focus on. “I was always interested in business. I was always evaluating different industries and companies but I wasn’t sure which area of business would best fit me,” explains Stevens. Upon launching Grays Peak Capital, Stevens’ early concentrations focused on the public markets. Although there have been a number of evolutions since, Stevens reflects on his early decisions for the firm: “When we first started, we were focused on one area,” he reveals. “Since then, we came to the conclusion that there were significant opportunities in the private market. The stock market has become tax-inefficient for most of wealthy individuals and family offices so we formed our private-equity division in early 2018 and capitalized on the demand for that asset class.”
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nother major adjustment for Grays Peak Capital has been in their hiring process. “The mistake that’s always hard to navigate is hiring,” he says. “We spend a lot more time making sure we know people before we hire them and making sure their values and character fit with our culture.” Stevens describes the culture at Grays Peak Capital as “a culture of entrepreneurship.” He elaborates more on the company’s values, adding, “Our culture reflects people who can analyze problems differently and come up with creative solutions and structure. People who can adapt and change over cycles are the people who best fit within our culture.” As the son of a doctor, Stevens quickly noticed how much of a necessity medicine was at an early age. “My father was a medical doctor so early on I saw a need for medical and pharmaceutical products,” he explains. “I became very interested and began investing in many companies that were trying to create organic and homeopathic products.” One of the questions which he constantly finds himself asking is, “How can we find other ways to help people?” This desire to aid along with his interest in organic products has manifested into an interest in the CBD industry for Stevens. As an investor in the CBD industry, Stevens notes his biggest challenge as “educating people about what the product actually is.” He further reveals, “A lot of people question what it can be used for and where it is from. The challenge we’ve faced is figuring out how CBD fits into the longer-term global healthcare system and how to integrate it into what could
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potentially be over-the-counter drugs.” To combat this challenge, he makes it a priority to invest in developing premium products to help not just people but also animals. Adds Stevens, “One thing we try to do is to create very high-quality products at good price points. We’re very excited about our pet line, which helps dogs, cats, and even horses with multiple ailments.” While Stevens plays a role in CBD investment, it isn’t his concentration. “CBD is one part of our portfolio but it isn’t our primary focus,” he describes. “Our goal has always been about partnering with great brands; this just happens to be one of the areas which combine technology and disruption in the pharmaceutical and consumer space.” Though Stevens and Grays Peak Capital have their hands on CBD investments, their team has made investments in McMurray Stern (storage and shelving), Jason Markk (consumer products), JUUL (consumer), DSTLD (retail/apparel), Chef’s Cut Real Jerky (consumer), Goldstar (ticketing), Winc (beverages and spirits), etc. As he continues to thrive in the global investment industry, his next assignment might be a bit more difficult – getting some rest. “A personal goal, I’m trying to work slightly less than I am now, and just to relax and enjoy some free time,” says Stevens.
Photographer: Tim Francis (www.timfrancisphoto.com) Fashion Editor: Lassalle (@stylebylassalle & @stevenlassalle_ - www.stevenlassalle.com) Men’s Grooming: Marc Cornwall Videographer: Ray Antonison
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PIERSON FODÉ
Sky’s The
Dhanha Bien-Aime
the limit
Although currently living in Los Angeles, the Emmy-nominated actor Pierson Fodé’s early years are best summed up in Moses Lake, Washington (where his family raised cattle), as this small town prepared him for a world of imagination and creativity (“I felt connected with the world of film even though I was disconnected on a farm”). Inspired by legendary actors, such as Denzel Washington and Charlie Chaplin, and influenced by movies like Star Wars and Rocky, Fodé enjoyed cinema and longed to create his own films. At the age of 13, he founded Pierced Productions and created his own film content. When Fodé turned 18, he moved to Los Angeles to further pursue his dreams upon getting the opportunity to shoot an Abercrombie & Fitch campaign. Although he was “functionally homeless” and struggled to get his career off the ground, slowly but surely, he started getting roles on Nickelodeon’s iCarly and Disney Channel’s Jessie, and then landed the significant role of Thomas Forrester on the CBS drama series, The Bold and the Beautiful.
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Black turtleneck, ZARA.
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t’s worth noting that the 27-year-old fresh star is not only multifaceted (he loves extreme sports and practices taekwondo, kickboxing, jiu-jitsu, boxing, and cinematic martial arts), but has also taken a humanitarian role: He has worked with Convoy of Hope – their mission is to empower others to live independent lives free from poverty, disease and hunger – to aid Hurricane Harvey survivors and with Saving Innocence that helps child victims of sex trafficking heal and stabilize their lives. While continuously working on a television show and movie, in order to bring his creative vision to life, he has utilized the impact of social media where it “gives independent filmmakers and creators an opportunity to connect.” With the emergence of film content being created with web series and streaming content, he hopes to write screenplays and produce more content with his new production company. Moreover, in the future, he wants to create a venture capitalist group that supports “future inventors, filmmakers, and artists.” When asked for what else in the works, Fodé declines to unveil details on his upcoming projects due to an NDA but instead encourages us to follow him on Instagram.
Photographer: aldavidphoto Stylist: Linwood Editor: Eiko Watanabe
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PIERSON FODÉ
Shirt, KENNETH COLE. Tie, KENNETH COLE.
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Leather jacket, DIESEL. Jeans, DIESEL. Underwear, LACOSTE.
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Coat, HARRISON DAVIS.
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Off-The-Grid? LET THESE PROPERTIES INSPIRE YOU TO INVEST IN SOME OF THE WORLD’S MOST EXOTIC ISLANDS.
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TRAVEL
Punta Aguila # 28 Architecturally Significant Oceanfront Estate for Uniquely Elite Lifestyles Inspired by the curves of the sea and the warm breezes of the Caribbean, this modern interpretation of a villa in the tropics by Spanish architect Joaquín Torres offers such a one-of-a-kind design, reinforcing the image and precise personality of this villa along with the purity of these elements and the clean lines. You’d naturally embrace the fresh and light ambiance while feeling the cool ocean vibe caressing the “wave” ceilings. Near La Romana, along the Dominican Republic’s southeastern shore, you can enjoy the sun while in the stunning infinity-edge pool or the oceanside Jacuzzi. Whether you sink your feet into your very own private beach or dive into the sea from the villa’s private dock, the minimalist landscaping complements the white sand that slides towards the aqua blue of the sea. The spectacular residence features a high-end Italian Arclinea kitchen designed by Antonio Citterio, numerous open-air terraces,
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and 6 gorgeous bedrooms. Situated on an impressive 6,906 SM/74,332 SF home-site and boasting over 1,875 SM/20,184 SF of construction, all the qualities delicately integrate and create an extraordinary ocean-view experience, filled with sensation. As we sense time slipping away and the dawn approaching, romantic nights lit by stars and candlelight quickly add an elegant touch to your lifestyle. For more details, visit Sergio Llach Sotheby’s International Realty: @ sergiollachsir – www.slsothebysrealty.com DISCLAIMER: The materials and information provided are for information purposes only and shall not be construed as an offer to purchase in violation of the law of any jurisdiction. No offer may be accepted prior to the issuance of the final Sergio Llach and / Dominican Republic Sotheby’s International Realty (collectively SLSIR). Obtain all relevant documents, disclaimers, and covenants, and read them before signing anything. Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC makes no guarantees with respect to this content. The depictions herein may reflect building, amenities and improvements some or all of which may be conceptual only, and subject to change without notice.
TRAVEL
Vista Chavón # 7 Mansion with Extraordinary Ocean Views
Nestled in the resort Casa de Campo, on the southeastern shore of the Dominican Republic, and situated on a unique 4,960 SM/53,389 SF home-site, this extraordinary peninsula-style property – featuring 10 bedrooms within an exciting 1,205 SM/12,971 SF of top-quality construction in addition to outdoor areas – overlooks the turquoise-blue Caribbean Sea, the breathtaking Chavón River, and Pete Dye’s 27-hole Dye Fore golf course. Besides those views of the Casa de Campo Marina, Isla Catalina, Bayahibe and Isla Saona, you’d be convinced that this location is considered one of the most privileged places in the Caribbean.
and elegance are simply eye-opening when you take in the panoramic tri-natural views of the river, ocean and landscape: the abundant magnificence of Villa El Palmar.
With exceptional quality and meticulous details, the magnificent Vista Chavón 7 is naturally decorated by countless palm trees and endless vistas of refreshing greens, whites and blues – you can’t find a more exclusive ocean-view location than this.
For more details, visit Sergio Llach Sotheby’s International Realty: @ sergiollachsir – www.slsothebysrealty.com
Designed by the highly-acclaimed Dominican architect Simón López Morales and built to perfection by Guillermo Strofer and company, private yet phenomenal luxury
Professionally styled by interior designer Maria Elmufdi, the property features spacious living rooms, double-height ceilings with lots of natural light, distinctive furnishings, and stunning décor. You can’t be happier with a fully-equipped kitchen, enormous infinity-edge pool, huge gazebo with outdoor BBQ area, and football-field-sized backyard for personal use.
DISCLAIMER: The materials and information provided are for information purposes only and shall not be construed as an offer to purchase in violation of the law of any jurisdiction. No offer may be accepted prior to the issuance of the final Sergio Llach and / Dominican Republic Sotheby’s International Realty (collectively SLSIR). Obtain all relevant documents, disclaimers, and covenants, and read them before signing anything. Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC makes no guarantees with respect to this content. The depictions herein may reflect building, amenities and improvements some or all of which may be conceptual only, and subject to change without notice. CI VI LIAN
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Welcome to
Blade
Often called the “Uber of helicopters,” BLADE is bringing precision and style back to aviation where every flight is an unforgettable experience – with a touch of an app. Founded in New York in 2014, they also serve Los Angeles, taking customers to weekend getaways like Santa Barbara, Palms Springs, and San Diego. You can book a flight (helicopters, seaplanes, and jets across the world or simply across town) in seconds and on your own terms – with by-the-seat flights in the Northeast and California, and chartered or crowdsourced flights available anywhere. While you can look for flights to top destinations and regional travel experiences, if you have a specific destination in mind, you may want to charter a private flight or crowdsource a flight to make seats available across the BLADE network. Prior to takeoff, you can fully enjoy drinks and refreshments at one of the BLADE Lounge locations in New York, Miami, and Los Angeles, or arrive early to sip rosé in BLADE’s iconic sippy cup and take in the lounge vibes.
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t the beginning of this past summer, the company has launched BLADE-GX, a membership program that gives reduced-cost flights for the rest of the year to the Hamptons, Nantucket, and Newport, marketing to millennials, offering 18- to 27-year-olds $150 off any seat on any flight except airport transfers. This is one of their most successful programs yet, specifically for New Yorkers under the age of 28. Think Soho House millennial membership, but for travel. They are gearing for the upcoming parties exclusive to these users, such as a party at an art gallery in Nantucket, a cocktail party at a rooftop bar in NYC, and a Montauk Club night-out event. This younger demo of New Yorkers is loving BLADE-GX and the community that they are now a part of. Working with sponsors like Casa Dragones Tequila, VieVité, and Porsche, BLADE has offered a tequila tasting, a one-day driving experience, and movie screenings.
Photographer: Asia Lee
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BLADE
O T H E R
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P R O G R A M S
1) Burning Man - While not specific to New York, a lot of their fliers to Burning Man are New Yorkers. For their second year in a row, BLADE is flying between Reno and the playa at Burning Man. It’s a luxe flight experience, and definitely the most efficient way to fly out to the desert round trip. Burning Man takes place the last week in August. It’s been a real game changer for Burning Man attendees. 2) Summer Camp - All New York parents can agree that the trek up to and down from Northeast summer camps is one of the most taxing drives of the year. Parents are dealing with cars filled with melted chocolate care packages, vehicle failures, sweltering heat, etc. To meet the needs of these traveling parents, BLADE is arranging flights to summer camps in Maine, upstate New York, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Vermont. 3) Concerts - They’ve partnered with Live Nation on VIP packages for New Yorkers to attend concerts (e.g., Demi Lovato, the Chainsmokers, Phish, Kevin Hart) in New Jersey. The two event series are concerts at BB&T Pavilion and the Atlantic City BeachFest. BLADE fliers can book a private round-trip helicopter charter and be flown
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out from Manhattan for a day of VIP treatment and musical performances by today’s top artists. BLADE handles all of the logistics and makes concert attendance as frictionless as possible. 4) Montauk Sky - As you noted, the landmark return of this iconic Montauk-based aviation brand was an important summer announcement. BLADE arranges Montauk Sky flights between Teterboro and Montauk all summer long. Flight prices are significantly lower than BLADE’s standard Hamptons routes so they are attracting a new audience of people looking to spend weekends with small but meaningful surprises, such as lobster rolls upon arrival and donuts upon departure. 5) Nantucket Monday Flights - Another recent exciting announcement of theirs include Monday morning flights from Nantucket to New York, allowing fliers to make every weekend a three-day weekend. They fly passengers back in time for their Monday morning meetings, so it’s been a popular option for busy working New Yorkers who want to spend weekends in New England. For more details, visit: @flyblade – blade.flyblade.com
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