CIVILIAN - v1 i5 - Lincoln Younes Cover

RACHEL SKARSTEN LINCOLN YOUNES DAVID JOLLY NAVIA ROBINSON ALEX LANDI

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INSIDE 6

From Island to International

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Honored, Cherished, and Adorned

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Always Forward

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Cool Chic

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Insatiable

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He Steals the Show

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Fair Dinkum

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Something to Be a Part of – Creatively and Morally

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From the Valley to NYC

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Breaking Stereotypes

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Beauty in the Struggle

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Marching On

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Military Mannequin at Attention

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On the Right Side of Wrong

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Because This is What She is All About

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You Light Up My Life

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Bringing Authenticity Back

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Breaking the Fall

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Spin Doctor

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Selling with Meaning

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The Other Nashville

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A Revolutionary Pillar of Beauty and Humanism

Cover shot by Al David (Lincoln Younes) and Catherine Asanov (Rachel Skarsten)

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CIVILIAN Publisher

Vanessa Ferrell

International and Public Affairs Tiffany Shorter

Chief Digital Officer

Director of Technology

Editor-in-Chief

Senior Web Developer

Editorial Assistant

Social Media Manager

Creative Director

VP, Brand Partnerships

Kristina Villarini

Eiko Watanabe

Monica Dias

Tim Morrison

Art Director Tyon Weekes

Fashion Editor Ty-Ron Mayes

Travel Editor

Thomas Wilmer

Politics Editor Matt Anthes

Photo Editor Ron Contarsy

JP Martinez

Rebecca Koniahgari

Tara McDonough

Makaila Kay Ho

Event Director Catherine Ho

Media Producer Gavy Contreras

Publicist

Joan Joffa

Staff Writers

Dylan Worcel and Alain Clerine

Legal Counsel

Jeff Ostrow 1 West Las Olas Blvd., Suite 500 Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301, T. 954-525-4100

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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 Hello!! I hope you are ready to wrap up this year soon – now that we are releasing our Fall II issue and we literally have a few months left in 2019!

With CIVILIAN up and running, this year has been amazing on my end – not only that this publication has grown a bit faster than I initially expected – but also I have been able to understand myself better while working on this. Sometimes, it’s funny how you have to face yourself (mostly, your weaknesses) head-on when racking your brain and trying to support others. At the same time, though, my appreciation has grown as I am learning firsthand the power of unity and mutual trust to make the impossible possible and not give up halfway. That said, I have so many people that I have to deeply thank professionally and personally, and I feel beyond grateful for everything that’s happened so far this year.

In order to set a tone for the entire issue, I was recently encouraged to utilize this EIC-

note page to be a bit more specific on what CIVILIAN is all about, so I would like to cite a quote from my favorite book The New Human Revolution, vol. 5 that I always go back to when I have to remind myself of that: “We never know what will happen and when.

Things won’t always go our way. Our struggles and triumphs are all the more satisfying and exhilarating precisely because they are fought and won amid swirling fog and buffeting storms – and sometimes amid the most adverse circumstances.”

I’m determined to really, really enjoy the rest of this year by exerting myself fully, and I hope you like our Fall II issue and those stories shared by individuals who are already doing so in their daily lives.

Thank you, Eiko Watanabe, Editor-in-Chief

SEAN KINGSTON

From Island to

International Alain Clerine

Let Sean Kingston tell it. He feels he changed the course of music – his contributions to the world of island-pop music in the mid-2000s created a style that many other artists would adopt, a style that has dominated the Billboard charts for the last decade. “I could sing, I could rap, that’s cool, but people are out here doing that, right?

What’s going to make me different? I said, ‘You know what? Let me start adding my Jamaican sound – my reggae vibes – and mixing it with the pop,’” says the 29-yearold musician.

What Kingston feels makes this style unique to him is the fact that it is a product of his Jamaican and American background, which not many artists who utilize that sound can relate to. “I’m really the only person that can go full-Jamaican on a track, and the world can understand it. It’s either [that] you’re too dancehall or you’re too pop – it’s not anybody that can put it in the middle,” he elaborates. This distinction along with his reputable talent and skill as a songwriter has cemented him as one of the all-time greats in the music industry.

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Jacket, OUBLIER. Shirt, OUBLIER. Pants, OUBLIER. Sneakers, TRENDHAUS. Necklace, KYLE CHAN DESIGN. Skull ring, MY TOTEM. Round pinky ring, BULGARI. All other jewelry, TALENT’S OWN.

Jacket, MVP COLLECTIONS. Denim, MVP COLLECTIONS. Shirt, OUBLIER. Sneakers, VERSACE. Round pinky ring, BULGARI. All other jewelry, TALENT’S OWN.

SEAN KINGSTON

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ife wasn’t always so rosy for the multi-platinumselling singer-songwriter.

Born KiSean Paul Anderson, the Miami-bred star spent his adolescent years with his father in Jamaica, in an attempt by his mother to integrate him into the culture and keep him out of trouble. Kingston eventually returned to his birthplace of Miami, Florida, only for his life to be in even more disarray. His mother was imprisoned for tax-related crimes while he was only a young teen at that time. However, it was then that he decided to put all of his energy to his passion for creating and recording music. Grandson of Jamaican record producer Jack Ruby, Kingston had been performing at talent shows as a young child. He was heavily influenced by the music he heard around the house, which consisted of hiphop artists like JAY-Z, The Notorious B.I.G. (which is the first record Kingston ever purchased) and reggae legends including Bob Marley and Buju Banton.

his dreams. He released his music through the social-networking site myspace. Seeing one of his songs gain popularity, Kingston, unsure of his next move, reached out to record producer J.R. Rotem, who took a liking to his music and made him the first signing to his Beluga Heights record label. His self-titled debut album was released in 2007, containing “Beautiful Girls,” which would become his signature song and Number One in 31 countries.

When Kingston set his sights on becoming a recording artist, however, a conflict arose between him and his aunt who he was then staying with. “I wanted to do music so much that I left her house.

She never really kicked me out – I kind of left on my own,” he recalls. From there, he bounced around, sleeping at friends’ houses and even in a two-door Honda Civic for some time, and picking up a grass-cutting job to be able to fund

Photographer: Nelson Blanton (nelsonblanton.com) Stylist: Katelynn Tilley Men’s Grooming: Shiyena Chun Videographer: Mason Kim Editor: Eiko Watanabe

Kingston enjoyed continued success but was forced to take a hiatus when, in May 2011, he suffered a near-fatal accident when the jet ski he was driving collided with a Miami Beach bridge.

“It humbled me,” he shares. “It makes you realize that you can have everything and just lose it right away.”

It’s been over six years since Kingston’s last fulllength project. He is now ready to go back into the mix of things and take ownership of the style that he feels he’s brought into the mainstream. He recently dropped a Caribbean-pop tune “Peace of Mind” featuring Tory Lanez and Davido, and is currently gearing up for his new Made in Jamaica EP release slated for later this year.

Special thanks to The Steady (@thesteadyhostel - www. thesteadyhostel.com) & FOG (@fog_popup - www.fogdining.com) & EPK Media (@myepk & @epkmedia - epkmedia.com)

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“It makes you realize that you can have everything and just lose it right away.”

Honored, Cherished, and Adorned Eric Owes & Tara McDonough

FASHION

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Radiant Cut Yellow Solitaire Diamond Engagement Ring

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In this piece, the two-row band featuring exquisite pavé-set diamonds signifies intimate connection, the classic solitaire diamond setting depicts singular dedication, and the yellow radiant-cut diamond center stone presents enduring wisdom.

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Oval Red Spinel Halo Diamond Engagement Ring Adorn her with the ruby’s most revered cousin as this rare oval-shaped red spinel center stone is elevated by a pavé halo and presented by an unrivaled, delicate pavé diamond band.

Cushion Blue Sapphire Halo Diamond Ring The exceptional blue Ceylon sapphire speaks of all things sacred in this ornate cushion-cut center stone enshrouded by the convergence of a double pavé-set halo and lavish pavé band.

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Heart Shaped Pink Sapphire Halo Diamond Ring Unmatched, loving loyalty. The pink sapphire center stone captures the intersection of mind and heart, encircled by a double halo of pavé diamonds with treasured split shank pavé band.

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Vitale Barberis Canonico 2-Piece Tuxedo Commonwealth Proper The Barberis Canonico family has been weavers and cloth merchants for generations since 1663. With its unrivaled traditions, unique design, and heritage, Vitale Barberis Canonico is now one of the finest mills in the world. In this 2-piece tuxedo design, a traditional look flawlessly meets a grosgrain peak lapel.

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Round Halo Diamond Engagement Ring A sophisticated three-sided, pavé-diamond band with invisible edge reveals the celebrated focus of this round-shaped diamond center stone enveloped by a pavé-set halo: an ever-present announcement of unity.

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Six-Row Diamond Wedding Band Six illustrious rows of striking pavé diamonds dash across this three-sided band with invisible edge. Each adorned surface heralds a lustrous reminder of how past, present and future are intimately woven together.

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Pear Halo Engagement Ring Sophisticated, feminine, and brilliant. This pear-shaped halo engagement ring tastefully elevates the gemstone while a delicate dance of pavé diamonds encircles the centerpiece and band using a beloved symbolic criss-cross pattern, emblematic of exceptional split shank engagement rings.

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Emerald Cut Diamond Engagement Ring A bold, confident declaration. This 6-carat emerald-cut diamond center stone is presented by a classic pavé-set halo, accented with a 3-row pavé band gracefully waving its sparkling magic throughout.

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Snake Eyes Bowtie Commonwealth Proper Resembling the skin of a snake, this unique bow tie adds the right amount of class and a pop of individuality. It is a subtle design that pairs well with the traditional look of a tuxedo, but would truly bring any ensemble to life.

FASHION

Photographer: Phillip Silverstein

Special thanks to Nathan Alan Jewelers (@nathanalanjewelers -

Models: Jordan Rich & Mike Scocozza

www.nathanalanjewelers.com) & South Coast Plaza

Stylist & Creative Director: Eric Owes

(@southcoastplaza - www.southcoastplaza.com)

Hair, Makeup & Men’s Grooming: Kayle Williams

Top, TEATUM JONES. Skirt, EI8HTDREAMS. Earrings, LES NÉRÉIDES. Heels, CHARLES DAVID.

NAVIA ROBINSON

Always

Forward

Gavy Contreras

Disney Channel’s That’s So Raven shot Raven-Symoné to teen stardom in the early 2000s, and now the show has a new spin-off Raven’s Home. The show, currently in its third season, features a new, fresh cast in addition to some friendly faces from the original series. One of the new members is the young actress, Navia Robinson, who stars as Nia Baxter-Carter, Raven’s intelligent, socially-conscious, non-psychic daughter.

As a matter of fact, Robinson has been working in the business since a very young age and is no stranger to being on hit TV shows. Others might know her from her stint on the Gabrielle Union BET show Being Mary Jane and the Netflix series Free Rein. “I was always really passionate about acting. When I told my parents about it, they were skeptical because I was so young, but I kept going on about it so they finally put me in [acting] classes and allowed me to pursue it,” says the 14-year-old actress who first became interested in acting when she was 5.

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NAVIA ROBINSON

hanks to Robinson’s two out of four brothers, she watched That’s So Raven growing up, which made her booking of the role “so exciting. You’re always psyching yourself up for a ‘no,’ so ‘yes’ is always the unexpected answer. I was so shocked and filled with gratitude.” Robinson even finds herself sharing many characteristic traits with Nia. “We’re so similar in so many ways. We’re really independent, into the environment, and share an interest in activism,” she adds.

With her newfound fame, many young kids now look up to Robinson and see her as a role model, a fact she is very aware of and welcomes with open arms. “It’s really surprising to me.

It means a lot, and it’s definitely humbled me,” she shares.

“It keeps me passionate about being a good person and passionate about spreading awareness of different topics.

Being a role model is what makes me a better person.”

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uch like her character Nia, she is aware of the injustices happening globally and thinks it’s important to bring them to light. “More than anything, I care about people and care about the rights being given to them, instead of being taken away from them,” says Robinson who is also eager about human rights. “It’s something I’ve talked to my parents about and something I’ve been involved in since I was very young and made aware [of].”

In addition to being a vocal activist and talented actress, Robinson is also a gifted singer. She is currently working on music with a few undisclosed franchises and is pursuing music for herself personally. Since she began acting full-time at a young age, music was mostly put on the back burner. “I’ve always written [songs] but never took the time to polish my writing and develop music from there,” she says. “Acting was always my primary focus. It still is, but now I’m able to balance my life better and am able to incorporate other passions of mine and spend more time on it.”

Coat, A LINE CALLED K. Dress, THAI NGUYEN ATELIER. Skirt, TEATUM JONES. Earrings, LES NÉRÉIDES. Rings, LES NÉRÉIDES. Shoes, COMME DES GARÇONS X CONVERSE (TALENT’S OWN).

Top, A LINE CALLED K. Shorts, BRONX AND BANCO. Heels, BADGLEY MISCHKA. Scarf, SERPENTI. Earrings, LES NÉRÉIDES. Bracelets, LES NÉRÉIDES. Rings, LES NÉRÉIDES.

Robinson hopes to move into feature films and continue with projects she is impassioned about. The budding star also wants to continue bettering herself as a person “so that 10 years from now, I can look back and see how far I’ve come personally, and how far I’ve come with my patience and kindness. Just make sure you are always progressing and being the best version of yourself.”

Photographer & Videographer: Catherine Asanov (@catherineasanov) Stylist: Andrew Philip Nguyen Hair: Berenz C. Makeup: Paul Blanch Editor: Eiko Watanabe Special thanks to Diablo Restaurant + Cantina (@diablotacola - www.diablotacos.com) & EPK Media (@myepk & @epkmedia - epkmedia.com)

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Dress, THAI NGUYEN ATELIER. Skirt, TEATUM JONES. Earrings, LES NÉRÉIDES. Rings, LES NÉRÉIDES. Shoes, COMME DES GARÇONS X CONVERSE (TALENT’S OWN).

“It keeps me passionate about being a good person and passionate about spreading awareness of different topics. Being a role model is what makes me a better person.”

RACHEL SKARSTEN

Cool

CHIC Dylan Worcel

Rachel Skarsten had the ideal childhood being immersed in the multicultural city of northern Toronto. While her mother Mary Aileen grew up in India and her father Stan Skarsten was raised in Norway, she and her brother Jonathan are first-generation Canadian. She kick-started her artistic journey as a dancer at the Royal Academy of Dance for 12 years. She even delved into sports and excelled at competitive hockey.

She then moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting; she began landing roles on television and in film. When she turned 18, she decided to move back to Canada to finish high school and pursue an undergraduate degree in English literature and classical studies at Queen’s University. Although Skarsten felt it was detrimental to leave the entertainment industry for 4 years, she was able to figure out who she was and make mistakes while not being under the microscope of Hollywood. “A lot of the girls and guys I worked with weren’t given the opportunity to just be a child. I saw a lot of them struggle. Going to university was that safe space where I was surrounded by peers that were my own age and we were kind of all doing it together. I think I kind of came out of that with a much stronger resolve,” she says.

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Rachel Skarsten

RACHEL SKARSTEN

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ife after college was a challenge for the aspiring actress. She moved back to Los Angeles and thought Hollywood would embrace her with open arms – but it was the exact opposite. “I must have really wanted to do this because I was literally living in my car at one point. I was babysitting like it was the career of the century, cleaning houses, and doing all this crazy stuff in service of this dream. It gave me ownership over that dream. I actually am so grateful for that,” the 34-year-old actress recalls.

Fast-forward to 2019, Skarsten is starring alongside Ruby Rose in the trailblazing CW series Batwoman, which has garnered a lot of attention for being the first live-action superhero series to have an LGBTQ lead. She is portraying the villainous Alice, and feels at home to be part of a show in the DC Universe.

“I’ve definitely had to spend more time with Alice in preparation because she was all over the place. Within a full paragraph of dialogue, she’ll be quoting Alice in Wonderland, and then she will be throwing someone off a building. She’s crazy – but also with this undertone of real humanity,” she describes.

In addition, Skarsten is an avid animal lover. As a kid, her mother fostered dogs which inspired her as an adult to

do the same. She has partnered with the Labelle Foundation which rescues abandoned, stray, and special-needs animals. “The first three dogs I adopted were senior citizens. When you adopt a senior dog, you know that you’re not going to have them for as long, but it’s sort of this responsibility that you take on to give them the very best, golden years possible,” she explains.

Along with her animal activism, Skarsten is a passionate environmentalist: She became an ambassador for SeaLegacy, whose mission is to create healthy and abundant oceans. It has been a dream come true for her to work alongside co-founder Paul Nicklen, and this opportunity also led her to a project with Lonely Whale. Both of these organizations try to make change happen with government and legislation.

“I’ve been given this amazing platform to really get other people excited about things and using their voice to implement change. I think it’s also really wonderful on a micro level to teach change because sometimes, it can get discouraging when you’re doing it on such a large stage,” says Skarsten, who hopes to continue this work along with creating art and starting a company that will make vegan, plastic-free jackets.

Photographer: Catherine Asanov (@catherineasanov) Stylist: Neal St Onge Hair: Anthony Holguin Makeup: Amy Strozzi Videographer: Mason Kim Editor: Eiko Watanabe Special thanks to Diablo Restaurant + Cantina (@diablotacola - www.diablotacos.com) & EPK Media (@myepk & @epkmedia - epkmedia.com)

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Blazer, ISABEL MARANT. Pants, SAINT LAURENT. Chain, VINTAGE (STYLIST’S OWN). Shoes, ARMANI. Hoop earrings, JENNY BIRD.

Gold trench, VINTAGE. Fringe dress, NORMA KAMALI. Shoes, NAKED WOLFE. Ribbed trousers, LINE & DOT. Earrings, JENNY BIRD.

“I’ve been given this amazing platform to really get other people excited about things and using their voice to implement change.”

Suit, MATTARAZI UOMO. Top, VINTAGE. Belt, CALVIN KLEIN. Shoes, TED BAKER.

Insatiable.

ALEX LANDI

Alain Clerine

No matter what your life plans are, sometimes, a sudden passion emerges out of nowhere – changing your plans tremendously. For instance, Alex Landi, a New York City native of Korean and Italian descent, grew up thinking he’d become a professional tennis player, but after attending a few Broadway shows with his parents, he began to consider a career in entertainment. He was gradually introduced to acting while double-majoring in finance and economics at the University of Delaware. He already had friends in the business who pushed him to eventually make the leap. “I just made a complete [180-degree] turn and went to the Lee Strasberg [Theatre & Film Institute] – and here we are now,” he says.

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T Top, DOLCE & GABBANA.

he career choice, however, came with trials and tribulations. Landi acted in student films and shorts with friends. He worked part-time jobs and used the money to put together a presentable reel. “Everyone only sees the tip of the iceberg. No one sees what really goes into it,” he elaborates. “I was rejected so many times. A lot of these things were no pay.

It was just constant grinding.”

Nevertheless, for Landi, choosing the acting career “was all or nothing for me. There was no option for me not to make it [even] if that took me ten years or twenty years.” Fortunately, it didn’t take that long for him to get his big break. He did a self-tape audition for the popular ABC drama Grey’s Anatomy. The producers liked him, and he was asked to come to Los Angeles for a callback – and soon after, he officially landed the role.

Portraying orthopedic surgery fellow Dr. Nico Kim, who is the series’ first gay male surgeon of Asian descent, Landi has since taken the show to a whole new level by helping break down LGBTQ and Asian stereotypes.

Landi is also playing the role of Henry Lee in Season 2 of the Netflix comedy-drama Insatiable.

Given his mixed heritage, he values variety in his roles. “I feel like I should be open to the Caucasian roles just as I am to the Asian roles.

I can go out for the Asian role. I can also go out for the Caucasian role. It works out,” adds Landi who hopes to one day be a part of an action movie, preferably playing a villain. (He cites Keanu Reeves as one of his favorite actors and is an avid fan of the Matrix movies.)

Photographer: Paul Brickman Photographer Assistant: Mark Arroyo Stylist: Bailee Edgington Men’s Grooming: Vivianne Raudsepp (for Opus Beauty - using Oribe) Videographer: Sandra Selva Editor: Eiko Watanabe Special thanks to EPK Media (@myepk & @epkmedia - epkmedia.com)

Top, VCALVIN KLEIN. Jacket, MATTARAZI UOMO. Pants, MATTARAZI UOMO. Shoes, DOLCE & GABBANA.

Show

He Steals the

MATT RIFE

Earlier this year, 24-year-old comedian Matt Rife was accustomed to traveling the country on a Greyhound bus to get to and from his gigs. Now, he has found himself flying on private jets as the opening act for his longtime idol and mentor Dane Cook on his Tell It Like It

Is tour. “It’s crazy how it goes full-spectrum,” he says. “And within 9 years, the same person who

Tara McDonough

I saw performing, as well as tens of thousands of people, is now a very good friend of mine.”

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Suit, SANDRO PARIS. Shirt, SANDRO PARIS. Tie, STYLIST’S OWN.

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MATT RIFE

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hile crowds of people watch Rife perform on tour, fans at home may have seen his stand-up on NBC’s Bring the Funny as the comedy competition showcases 40 different comedians, each aiming to get the biggest laughs out of the judges, including Chrissy Teigen, Kenan Thompson, and Jeff Foxworthy. His time in the competition was unlike any of his past experiences. As his first nationally televised stand-up appearance, he’s felt much more pressure on set. The judge he was most nervous to perform in front of was Foxworthy (“He was one of my first experiences with standup. His approval means probably the most to me”).

Growing up in Ohio, Rife was influenced by his parents’ love for comedy, one of their favorites being the Blue Collar Comedy Tour. Rife didn’t quite understand the jokes at 9 years old but he grew to see the genius behind the troupe’s routines.

It wasn’t until Rife was around 14 that it truly clicked: Stand-up was something he wanted to try. Just a year later, he was performing his own routines. While most comedy clubs are for adults age 21 and up, his local club, the Columbus Funny Bone, took a chance on him, and he was able to participate in open mics once a week.

Rife went on to perform at world-renowned comedy clubs on visits to L.A., most notably the Laugh Factory. Rife was one of the youngest

comedians to perform there and eventually became a regular. Not long after making the move to L.A., Rife worked with both Disney XD and MTV, two wildly different networks. “Disney gave me a chance to be in front of the camera and on set with little pressure,” he shares. “It was a gentle kind of ease into acting.” As for MTV’s Wild 'N Out, he says that it was fantastic exposure and perfect for what he needed at the time. When it comes to his sets, furthermore, Rife would describe them as charmingly naïve, poking fun at the fact that he doesn’t really understand a lot of what goes on in the world. “I really don’t know what people are hearing when I talk,” he jokes.

Although Rife is much younger compared to some of his fellow comedians, his view of comedy in the digital age is beyond his years. Despite the popularity of Internet comedy, he has never been driven to create much online content because the comedy being cut up into short intervals and posted on social media is, he says, a totally different art form.

As he’s currently working on developing his own show, he affirms that his primary goal is to be on screen. “It’ll give me a chance to showcase all of my talents outside of stand-up – so that’s the dream right now,” says Rife, whose love for standup will, of course, never fade.

Photographer: Paul Brickman Stylist: Jennifer Austin Men’s Grooming: Michelle Harvey (for Opus Beauty using Drunk Elephant & Oribe) Videographer: Mason Kim Editor: Eiko Watanabe Special thanks to Demitasse (@cafe_demitasse cafedemitasse.com) & EPK Media (@myepk & @epkmedia - epkmedia.com)

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LINCOLN YOUNES

Fair

Dinkum Monica Dias

For Lincoln Younes, acting is more than a profession: It’s a never-ending learning exercise in developing and forging human connections, and he, therefore, carries on with gusto in one of the world’s most competitive and unforgiving industries.

The son of a journalist single mother, Younes, along with his younger brother, spent a significant amount of his childhood on the move, chasing stories and reporting gigs for various Australian newspapers. Now, 27 years old and one of Australia’s leading young actors, Lincoln Younes’ life has yet to settle down into a boring routine.

“I got very used to change and to adapting,” he says. “I’m quite malleable to given situations, which helps with what I do.” That said, though, his core values do not change that easily – especially when his goal is “to pursue what scares me. Because when you’re scared, you’re uncomfortable, and when you’re uncomfortable, you’re growing. If there’s something that I’m fearful of, then there’s something to be done with it.”

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LINCOLN YOUNES

ere comes the question: Was Lincoln Younes, an actor with over a decade of experience, afraid of acting when he first started out?

“Yes,” he responds. “I was an extremely shy kid, so acting was not the most obvious foray into a career for me.”

LINCOLN YOUNES

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n the one hand, his connection to the entertainment industry was established fairly early in his life: As a teenager, he wrote film reviews for The Advertiser, one of the newspapers that his mother used to work for.

Indeed, it was during that time that he discovered his interest in acting. “I thought I was going to be a journalist,” Younes recalls. “But it was seeing how film affected me that consolidated the fact that I wanted to be an actor.” On the other hand, his entrance into show business wasn’t exactly conventional: He got cast in a production of Peter Pan that was set to be performed in Japan by exaggerating his acting qualifications. “I had never sung or danced or acted before,” he adds. “But I was learning Japanese at the time, and I always wanted to go to Japan, so I kind of said I could do all of those things while planning to learn them once I got there. Then, I fell in love with the feeling of performing. In a way, it was a way of escaping from my shyness. It was also a way to build confidence and explore who I was.”

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Younes has since enjoyed a successful career as a TV and film actor, appearing in the popular Australian TV series, Tangle and Home and Away, and in the American drama series, Grand Hotel. And in the spirit of constantly pursuing what scares him, Younes has even made an effort to branch out of TV and movie acting and into the theatre. “There’s no safety net! It’s live,” he says. “There’s no certainty in theatre, which is one of the reasons [why] I loved it, but it was also incredibly terrifying.”

Whether he is performing on set or in front of a live audience in a cramped theatre, however, the main draw of acting remains unchanged for Younes. “The wonderful thing about acting is the exploration of other people’s lives through experiencing it in an intensified period of time,” he describes. “People are what interests me the most. Things like empathy and compassion, and the psychology behind actions – that was always what I found the most interesting.

With acting, you can experience many lives in one life, and have this very magnified experience of what it would be like to be in someone else’s shoes.”

Photographer, Stylist, Men’s Grooming & Videographer: Al David Editor: Eiko Watanabe Special thanks to EPK Media (@myepk & @epkmedia - epkmedia.com)

DEVIN DRUID

Something to Be a Part of – Creatively and Morally Alain Clerine

“As a young kid, I didn’t know entirely what it meant to be a great actor or what it meant to inspire someone. I definitely had inspirations – not necessarily actors [but] my mom,” Devin Druid, 21, explains of his early influences. Raised by a single mother along with his four siblings in Virginia, his interest in performing arts was stimulated by his “artistic” family as well as his elementary-school music teacher. “She was just great at recognizing a love for performance and music, and trying to grow it,” he recalls. “She really did that for me.” Although he enjoyed performing, it was his younger brother Aidan Fiske who had already made up his mind to be an actor and started auditioning for roles as early as 9 years old. Druid, coming off surgery and wanting to get out of the house, would accompany his brother. “I just thought it was so cool what he was doing, and I wanted to give it a shot, and some years later, I’m here,” he says.

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ruid’s career jump-started when he and his brother were cast to star in a student film by former NYU student and director J. Casey Modderno.

“That kind of got me the boost I needed to audition for higher-tier projects,” says Druid, who would later land guest roles on several television series before getting the role that would make him the star he is today. Druid was impressed and “overwhelmed” at the amount of talent that was attached to Netflix original series 13 Reasons Why, from show-runner Brian Yorkey to executive producer Selena Gomez (“I knew it was something I wanted to be a part of – creatively and morally”).

Originally auditioning for Clay Jensen, Yorkey saw Druid as a perfect fit for the role of Tyler Down, a socially-awkward photography enthusiast who had a crush on Hannah Baker. In preparation for the role, Druid would research book reports done on the novel that the series is based on to gain different interpretations and perspectives on the character.

“As an actor, I think one of the greatest tools you can

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have is empathy and the ability to empathize with each other,” he elaborates. “So even if you haven’t been in the situation, the ability to kind of put yourself in their shoes and uncover your similarities and differences with a character, that’s kind of been my mentality for every role I’ve come across.”

With the success of a series that has focused on so many controversial topics – including mental health, suicide, depression, violence, bullying, sexuality, drug use, trauma, PTSD, sexual assault, abortion, and immigration – Druid wants to continue doing what he feels is important work. “Hopefully, work keeps coming, work that poses interesting questions, requires people to think about how they approach those questions, and helps people,” he shares.

Photographer: Chris Constantine Stylist: Savannah Avant Stylist Assistant: Taryn McKeen Men’s Grooming: Emily Sims Videographer: Lottie Johnston Editor: Eiko Watanabe Special thanks to Music City Hotel (@musiccityhotel & @musiccityhf - musiccityhotel.org) & EPK Media (@myepk & @epkmedia - epkmedia.com)

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EMILY OSMENT

From the Valley to NYC Tara McDonough

Although Emily Osment, 27, is no stranger to traveling for her career, her recent long-term move to NYC is a first. After filming the pilot season of FOX’s new show,

Almost Family, in March, Osment had to quickly make arrangements to trade her peaceful home in the Valley of Southern California, for the busy streets of NYC. “That’s why we do this thing,” says Osment. “I love that kind of lifestyle where you just never know [from] week to week what you’re going to be doing.”

The Los Angeles native plans on making a new life for herself on the East Coast for what could be up to seven years, depending on the response to her new show. She’ll miss the solidarity in having distance between her work and home life, but her excitement for her new role as Roxy Doyle and her music project, Bluebiird, makes it all worth it.

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EMILY OSMENT

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sment instantly fell in love with the storyline of Almost Family and felt so passionate about bringing the pilot to life that it sent her to the ER for heart palpitations (“When life hits you, it hits you hard”). Having to wait to hear back on the project and whether or not she would be uprooting her life in L.A. gave her little control in the situation.

While she feels just as strongly about working on Bluebiird, the difference is that she is the one calling the shots. Every lyric comes right from her and the vocals on the first four songs she released were even recorded in her bedroom in California.

With this project, she was able to create her own work before allowing others to chime in. Every song has a unique sound and was created in-house with people she trusted and believed in. When comparing the project to her younger pop past, Osment says it differs greatly. While at times overwhelming, her biggest takeaway from working at such a young age was the strong work ethic it instilled in her. Feeling the demand to be on time, have her lines memorized, and get homework done was something Osment was very appreciative of. She began working in the entertainment industry not too long after her older brother Haley Joel Osment launched his career, and cites her parents for their continued desire to learn.

“Even when we were working – me on Hannah

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Montana and Haley on Broadway – I was in high school and he was at NYU,” she recalls. “Everything tied back to our education.”

Now able to fully focus on her new life in New York City and her complex role in the largely femalecentered Almost Family, Osment looks forward to addressing real-life issues that her character faces, specifically the treatment of girls in the gymnastics community. The plot concentrates on the biological children of a fertility doctor who used his own means to impregnate countless women. Learning the truth about their family 30-odd years later leaves them feeling lost and desperate for answers.

In addition, with the debut EP When I Loved You, Osment hopes to fund her own North American tour for Bluebiird; pursuing her musical career with Bluebiird is something she does entirely for herself. “I love this,” she shares. “I remember the joy of playing live, and I want that again.” Hearing from fans that her music brings them peace, no matter what age or demographic, pushes Osment to go even further with her dreams.

Photographer & Videographer: Cécile Boko Stylist: Jessica Armstrong Hair: Carina Tafulu (using Enzo Milano & Oribe) Makeup: Lysette Castellanos Editor: Eiko Watanabe Special thanks to Hollywood Hotel (@hollywoodhotel - www.thehollywoodhotel.com) & Shakey’s Pizza Parlor (@shakeysusa - www.shakeys.com) & EPK Media (@myepk & @epkmedia - epkmedia.com)

ROSS BUTLER

Breaking

Stereotypes Alain Clerine

“I just want to start to represent a non-stereotypical Asian actor in this industry. I’m not trying to be a kung fu master, I want to be a non-character actor,” says Ross Butler, 29, whose objective – to open up more diverse Hollywood roles for Asian actors – may not come as a surprise to most people but if you had asked Butler a decade ago what his future would entail, you would’ve gotten a completely different answer.

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ailing from a family that prioritized education, the Singapore-born actor attended Ohio State University, studying biomolecular and chemical engineering. He dropped out after one year due to his

unhappiness and lack of passion for the path he was on. He then went back home to Virginia, still feeling “unmotivated” and “uninspired,” and eventually decided to move to Los Angeles. “I didn’t really like the environment I was growing up in. I just didn’t really see any opportunity there to explore life. I felt like I couldn’t really branch out and really find what I was interested in,” he recalls. Butler had traveled to L.A. on several occasions for SAT prep; enamored by the culture, he decided that he was going to make it in this city. “I was just drawn to the creativity and the entertainment industry,” he shares. “It was literally a decision I made on a Tuesday and moved there on Friday.”

Gifted an acting class by a friend for his 21st birthday, Butler embarked on his journey and has not looked back since. “I’ve always been a performer whether I’ve known it or not. Even if it was [done] academically, I’ve always taken the performance route,” he says. He eventually landed a number of roles on prominent television series and made-for-TV movies like Teen Wolf and Teen

Beach 2, before being cast as Reggie Mantle on The CW’s Riverdale. Despite his budding success, however, Butler was at a crossroads: He was now a series regular on Riverdale and had also landed the role of Zach Dempsey, the kind-hearted but sometimes-misguided jock, on the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why – but couldn’t be a regular on both shows. He ultimately chose the latter (“That was just mainly because I connected with my character on [13 Reasons Why] a lot”).

While Butler continues to expand his repertoire as an actor (he was cast in DC’s superhero spectacle Shazam!, and is set to reprise his role in the sequel), he also spends his free time volunteering at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Venice in Southern California to inspire the next generation of young creatives who may not yet see themselves in that light. “For me, one of my missions is to be more involved in cultivating creativity in the youth because I feel like the public-school system doesn’t do that as well as it should. Also, on a smaller scale, I think people who are creative are happier,” he affirms.

Photographer: Chris Constantine Stylist: Savannah Avant Stylist Assistant: Anna Lee Men’s Grooming: Emily Sims Videographer: Lottie Johnston Editor: Eiko Watanabe Special thanks to Music City Hotel (@musiccityhotel & @musiccityhf musiccityhotel.org) & EPK Media (@myepk & @epkmedia - epkmedia.com)

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KIIARA

Beauty in the

Struggle Tara McDonough

Kiara Saulters, known by her stage name Kiiara, often feels the need to pinch herself due to the huge success she’s had in just the past few years.

A certain memory comes rushing back to her when she least expects it. “I had rehearsals a couple months ago, and when I got there, I looked around and realized it was the same room I rehearsed ‘Heavy’ in [with Linkin Park],” she shares. “It’s certain moments like that that bring me back.”

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Dress, STELLO.

KIIARA

ow, Kiiara is gearing up for the release of her full-length debut and can’t wait to show the world what she’s been working on. As seen in her recent music video for “Open My Mouth,” Kiiara has grown and is introducing us to her artistic growth. As opposed to her last low kii savage, Kiiara’s new album was crafted with multiple different writers and producers, creating a new sound for the 24-year-old singer (“There’s so much growth sonically”). She also looks forward to performing live again and sharing her feelings with fans, both new and old. While Kiiara gets antsy when not on stage, it was not always so easy for her to put herself and her feelings out into the world.

KIIARA

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rowing up in Illinois, Kiiara always knew that she wanted to be a singer. Singing was – and still is – very therapeutic for her but sharing her talent with the world was entirely another thing. She experienced a lot of self-doubt, thinking that she couldn’t write her own music because she didn’t know how. However, with tons of practice, patience, and trial and error as well as the support of friends and fellow writers, her hit tune “Gold” began being played on radio stations across the country.

Being still very much an introvert, Kiiara says it’s nearly impossible to try and change herself but she worked hard to figure out what made her comfortable and pushed herself to move forward in her career. Now, she feels at home whether she’s writing or on stage performing. “You learn who you are, and that’s what I’ve noticed happening over the years,” she opens up. “It’s amazing.” The opportunities she’s been given have made all of her hardships worth it. To this day, she still cannot wrap her head around the fact that she was chosen to work with her longtime idols Linkin Park during such an impactful time in their career (2017’s “Heavy” was the band’s last single to be released during Chester Bennington’s

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lifetime before his suicide in July of that year). She practically gets dizzy trying to make sense of it all – even years later. “I’ve learned so much from them. They’re like my brothers,” she says.

The collaboration not only fulfilled a dream of hers, but also opened her up to speaking more about mental health issues. This is something that is still relatively new to Kiiara as her own mental health was something she didn’t discuss often. It’s never easy dealing with the emotions that arise from speaking on triggering events but Kiiara finds that the result outweighs the struggle.

Kiiara aims to continue the conversation on mental health and let others know that they are not alone, hoping that her music can help others with whatever they’re dealing with. “Sharing my music, seeing reactions, and being able to share moments [are] an incredible feeling. Nothing really compares to that,” she affirms, referring to the fact that her music could affect her listeners in the same way as it helps Kiiara in her own life.

Photographer: Natalie Walsh Stylist: Marni Seabright Hair: Miles Jeffries Makeup: Rob Scheppy Videographer: Mason Kim Editor: Eiko Watanabe Special thanks to PMK•BNC (@pmk_bnc www.pmkbnc.com) & Benny’s Tacos & Chicken Rotisserie (@bennystacos - bennystacos.com) & EPK Media (@myepk & @epkmedia - epkmedia.com)

“Sharing my music, seeing reactions, and being able to share moments [are] an incredible feeling. Nothing really compares to that.”

CAMERON KASKY

Marching

On Tara McDonough

It’s almost noon in New York City. Cameron Kasky, 18, comes in, wearing a Columbia University sweatshirt that he bought the previous day. He has a lot on his mind, detailing every single item – the college hoodie was a bit expensive for him, he would return to Florida very soon but then would come back here in 2 weeks, he loves old-school music (as opposed to trendy pop music we were just listening to while waiting for his arrival), and on top of that, he would have to see if he could make his 3 p.m. Viacom meeting after our shoot. It’s a sunny day in early July.

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Polo, H&M. Pants, ZARA. Socks, UNIQLO. Shoes, ZARA.

CAMERON KASKY

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n February 15, 2018, Kasky, along with fellow Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School students, worked toward impacting the conversation surrounding their school’s recent shooting. This was far from being the first of its kind, and the events that would follow were expected – countless news crews would appear in Parkland, Florida, documenting the grieving process of those affected. This was not what Kasky and his friends wanted the public to focus on. “We tried to get people from all sides of the political and ideological spectrum to say, you know, ‘We can make a change here, no matter what it is,’” says Kasky. At such a crucial point in time, just 24 hours after the traumatic experience, the young survivors wanted to take control of their own narrative. They had a message to spread: Events like this should never happen again.

Kasky then co-founded the March for Our Lives movement, organized a march in Washington, D.C., traveled across the country, and left the MFOL – all in just the span of seven months.

His decision to leave the movement came at a stage where he was overwhelmed by its velocity and all of the different directions it was heading in. During the rapid spread of the March for Our Lives movement, the students’ message was reaching far and wide, and with that, their influence skyrocketed. However, their emotions were still raw and their words were occasionally driven by pain and anger. After being forced into adult situations and learning very adult lessons,

Kasky wanted to slow down. He had his whole life in front of him, but already a few regrets under his belt. “I’m really grateful that I have the opportunity to have a future where I get to learn from all this,” he shares, adding that he had a lot less respect for those who disagreed with him back then – thinking that they were worse people because of it. He knew his intentions were good; this led him to believe that his perspective was the only one that was right – but that changed after the March for Our Lives embarked on their first national tour. Kasky was able to see firsthand how diverse the United States truly is. Most importantly, he learned that it isn’t about whether or not people agree on specific issues, but it’s about being open-minded enough to understand another person and where they’re coming from (“I think true enlightenment comes from realizing the fact that you don’t know half as much as you think you do”). Kasky – who cares deeply about the issues he speaks out on – now believes that focusing on the similarities between oneself and an opposing group can be the key to making change possible.

Regarding his college years, Kasky considers studying management. He remains passionate about the process of building up an organization and watching it grow. But, he is ultimately keeping his options open. “Maybe I’ll go to college and say, ‘It’s not for me,’ and end up going into work to gain experience,” says Kasky as he looks forward to expanding his knowledge and then taking it from there.

Photographer, Stylist & Men’s Grooming: Mark Arroyo Photographer Assistant: Matthew Sinnaeve Editor: Eiko Watanabe Special thanks to The Grey Dog (@thegreydognyc www.thegreydog.com) & EPK Media (@myepk & @epkmedia - epkmedia.com)

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Attention

Military Mannequin

At

Photographed by

Contarsy+Karecha (for Highmark Studios)

Shot at

WINDOW FRANCE NYC Showroom

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Photographers: Contarsy+Karecha (for Highmark Studios) Photographers Assistants: Sarkis Delimelkon & Elena Thomopoulou Model: Iliana Ruiz (for New Icon Model Management) Stylist: Jonzu Jones Makeup: Gabriel Cruz Hair: Shalom Sharon Special thanks to WINDOW FRANCE (@windowfrance - www.windowfrance.com) & Foto Care (@fotocarenyc - fotocare.com) & Fred Blake (@fredatfotocare)

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DAVID JOLLY

On the Right Side of Wrong Matt Anthes

On December 8, 2015, then-Congressman David Jolly took to the House floor and called on candidate Donald Trump to withdraw from the race for the presidency; 24 hours earlier, the Republican presidential candidate had called for a “total and complete shutdown” of Muslims entering the United States. What made Jolly’s speech in the House chamber “remarkable” in the eyes of one Capitol Hill reporter wasn’t his prose, but his party affiliation: Jolly was a Republican. And over the course of the political rise and Trump’s presidency, Jolly’s stand remains the only time a sitting Republican member of Congress has used the House chamber to rise and denounce Trump and demand his ouster from politics.

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or regular viewers of MSNBC and other news shows, Jolly’s opposition to President Trump is well known. He appears almost daily as a political contributor on NBCUniversal’s signature news network, his opinions have appeared in the pages of the Washington Post, TIME, and USA TODAY, and he’s mixed it up with the likes of Bill Maher and Larry King.

While his opinions are highly followed today, however, his tenure in Congress was brief, thanks to gerrymandering that redrew a highly competitive congressional district that both Democrat Barack Obama and Republican Jolly each managed to win twice and crafted a new district that Obama had won by about 11 points.

No longer a winnable district for a Republican, Jolly spent his last year in Congress – widely considered the most vulnerable incumbent.

However, that didn’t mute his penchant for bold – sometimes brash – moves necessary to force the arc of politics and policy toward more independent thought and urgent action. As Norah O'Donnell opined during a 60 Minutes profile of Jolly and his legislation to ban members of Congress from directly soliciting campaign contributions, the 43-year-old congressman was engaged in either a “courageous act” or “political suicide.”

Moreover, Jolly spent a night on the House floor working with his Democratic colleagues engaged in a sit-in to protest Republican inaction on guns following the murder of 49 people at the

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Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida. Jolly forged a solution among colleagues that led him to the front page of the New York Daily News (CNN’s Alisyn Camerota even commented, “Congressman Jolly, you’re making too much sense”).

In addition, Jolly urged his Republican colleagues to accept the science of climate change so that they could credibly speak to conservative policy prescriptions regarding rising sea levels, and alternative and renewable energies. He pushed his party to embrace marriage equality, sought to ban offshore oil drilling, and became the only Republican to co-sponsor universal gun background checks – and coverage of his aggressive campaign finance proposals wasn’t limited to just 60 Minutes. It landed him at the National Press Club, was the subject of a glowing Washington Post editorial, and even convinced famed Washington Post columnist Dana Milbank to scribe, “Jolly tells the truth.”

Upon exiting Congress in 2017, another columnist even added, “Farewell to the one congressman willing to compromise.” For those who knew Jolly then, and particularly those who also knew his predecessor and mentor, none of this was a surprise; he worked under the longest-serving Republican in the history of the Congress, Representative C.W. “Bill” Young, who held Jolly’s seat for 43 years prior to Jolly’s election. Jolly bore witness to the axiom Young often joked about as he fondly recalls Young saying, “When I was elected in 1970, I was considered a rightwing conservative, but today I’m considered a squishy moderate. Funny thing is, I haven’t changed at all.”

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DAVID JOLLY

oung passed away in office, with Jolly at the side of the congressman and his family. Five months later, Jolly would enter the Congress as Young’s successor, walking into the very office space he had stepped into to interview for a junior staff position with Young 19 years earlier. Between a special election, party primaries, and general elections, Jolly faced six elections in three years, before succumbing to the reality of his newly-drawn district in November 2016. But the question is: Did his floor statement in 2015 impact the results in November 2016? “I really don’t know,” says Jolly. “I said what needed to be said by a Republican, and I owed it to my constituents to be honest and straightforward, and let them know I wouldn’t support Trump. I wasn’t thinking politically. I was thinking as an American. I’m glad I did it, and I would do it again.”

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DAVID JOLLY

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olly officially left the Republican Party in the fall of 2018, explaining that his beef was with more than Trump – it was really with the whole GOP, which, as Jolly stated, had finally succumbed to its darkest elements. “My leaving the party is thus a personal rejection of Donald Trump, but it is also a rejection of today’s GOP orthodoxy,” explains Jolly who, at the same time, took a shot at the raw partisanship in America he believes has to change. “Though parties have their important and proper roles, we know that George Washington warned against their contribution to factions, and two centuries later, Barack Obama was still warning of the din of partisanship.” Those who knew former congressman Young claim that Jolly is carrying on his legacy – and that he learned the importance of being his own man from his former mentor. While some point to Jolly acting on his personal faith convictions, others suggest that it is simply raw political talent.

On another note, Jolly is a popular figure on social media – among Democrats and Republicans alike – garnering follows, likes, comments, and shares.

As of press time, he boasts an impressive 6.79 engagement rate on Twitter. When compared to Donald Trump’s 0.16 and Joe Biden’s 0.20, it’s easy to see the influence he wields. It’s important to note, also, that an engagement rate between 0.33% and 1% is considered to be very high, according to HYPR. Over the past six months, Jolly’s Twitter following has grown by over 41,000 followers, and his total sits at a robust 127,000 today. Over the past year, furthermore, he’s had 1.5 million mentions with a positive impact rating (PIR) of 70%. Jolly doesn’t follow the party line, and that has led to his organic rise as a political influencer by speaking his mind and shepherding opinions people want to hear.

Jolly’s decision to step away from the Republican Party was an easy one. Today, he is comfortable with his decision, realizing that he must be his own

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man to be comfortable in his own skin. “Laura and I call it the sleep-well-at-night test. We may get some calls right, but we’re done wasting time following a party for the sake of a party. We want to do what’s right, be confident in spirit, and set a good example for our new daughter. That’s the only thing that matters right now,” he adds. “The question for each of us is, ‘What emerges from this most consequential political moment?’ It is as much a calling as it is a question. For me, I look forward to a renewed faith in both our country and our political system as a member of a coalition of those not affiliated with any major party and willing to work constructively with thought leaders on either side of the political spectrum.”

Therefore, Act II for David Jolly has been a fulfilling one and one that has taken on a life of its own as a social influencer. He feels that his role is to shine light on the intersection of politics, current events, and history – that we learn from past mistakes and can prevent history from repeating itself by spotting trends and understanding historical facts.

With his current social-media popularity – and cult-like following amongst MSNBC viewers – it’s undeniable that there is a place for Jolly in the political arena. That question looms large for Jolly, as well as for many of his followers and former constituents. Will Act III for David Jolly be a return to public office? “I don’t know what the future holds. I’ve had talks about a statewide run in 2022, or in joining a Democratic administration in 2021. But my future may instead be in TV. It’s not something I worry about. What I know is that, for Laura and I, we’re in the right place for right now,” he shares. “I may have lost my office, but I haven’t lost my voice. Nor do I ever intend to.”

Photographer: Mark Arroyo Photographer Assistant: Kyle Dunn Stylist: Dolly Pratt Stylist Assistant: Jenna Crawford Men’s Grooming: Vassilis Kokkinidis (vassiliskokkinidis.com) Media Producer: John Cruz Editor: Eiko Watanabe Special thanks to Resca (@rescanyc - rescanyc.com) & EPK Media (@myepk & @epkmedia - epkmedia.com)

CAMILLE KOSTEK

Because This is What She is All About Monica Dias

“We are surrounded by marketing and advertising, by billboards and commercials and magazines, so even if you’re not trying to look [like], or you don’t even think you want to be a model, it’s still a little appealing,” says Camille Kostek, 27, of our modern society where we are constantly being bombarded by images of the stylized faces and perfectly toned bodies. However, it can be hard for young people, particularly for young girls, to grow up in a world where one’s physical attractiveness is socially and culturally prized – especially when one’s appearance does not match the dominant beauty standard. Kostek, though undeniably beautiful and graceful, is still intimately familiar with the pressure to abide by it. “Since a young age, and especially during my teenage years as I was growing into a young woman, and looking in the mirror and caring about how I looked [while] going to school, I would judge myself a lot. I would see my body changing, and when I would see these supermodels or billboards with ads, I would notice that everyone had really smoothed-out skin, and everything was just so very symmetrical. And I would be like, ‘I have hips, and I have thighs, I have curves and I have freckles.’ I wasn’t seeing myself portrayed as much as I would see a very industry-standard model,” she recalls. “I admired them, but I was also a realist. I didn’t really see girls like myself.”

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Fabianne drop earrings, NINA SHOES.Watch, SALVATORE FERRAGAMO. Pants, MAVI. Bandeau, STYLIST’S OWN.

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Chunky knit turtleneck, SUNSPEL. Earrings, STYLIST’S OWN.

CAMILLE KOSTEK

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rowing up, Kostek would occasionally see ad campaigns that featured women that looked more like her, but it wasn’t until she stumbled upon Sports Illustrated Swimsuit – and saw that the brand often hired models that didn’t conform to the industry standard – that her interest in modeling became an actual goal. “I was very biased towards the women and the advertisements and the brands that I could see myself in,” she says. She spent her college years sticking to the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit website, checking out their casting schedule, and learning about their audition process (“I always said, ‘One day, I want to be in that casting room, doing casting videos for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit. I feel like I can be who I am right now, and not have to change a thing about my body in order to be accepted by that iconic brand’”).

In 2017, she finally got her chance to audition in an open casting call for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit. Although Kostek had gained oncamera experience as a model, a professional cheerleader for the New England Patriots, and a TV host, she was one of the rare models who were not represented by any agency. Because her measurements were larger than those of the industry standards, she “could not get signed to a modeling agency.” Despite this disadvantage and the pressure to change her body to fit the

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industry’s beauty standard, though, her passion and her hard work paid off. She ended up being scouted by Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, and furthermore, she was also the Sports Illustrated Swim Search winner a year later. More recently, Kostek landed the 2019 cover alongside USWNT striker Alex Morgan and her longtime idol Tyra Banks. “Truly staying on the path and owning everything that you are [have] gotten me to everything that I have now,” she describes. “And that’s going against the stigma of my body, of my measurements, of my age. So for me, this cover meant so much more to me – being a monumental time of victory for my life.”

Besides modeling, Kostek is also experimenting with acting, and especially with public speaking as she has started a series of university lectures aimed at college-aged girls. “I want to speak with people about being self-made, about my journey to self-love, and about being an advocate for selfacceptance. There’s nothing more fulfilling in life than helping change somebody’s life for the better.

That’s really what keeps me going,” she affirms.

Photographer: Udo Spreitzenbarth Photographer Assistant: Zara Kurba Stylist: Raven Roberts Stylist Assistant: Ana Scheidlinger Hair: Naomi Porto Makeup: Marc Cornwall Videographer: Jesse Ovalles Media Producer: John Cruz Editor: Eiko Watanabe Special thanks to Concorde Hotel New York (@concordehotelnyc - www.concordehotelnewyork.com) & EPK Media (@myepk & @epkmedia - epkmedia.com)

Tank top, SUNSPEL. Jeans, MAVI. Earrings, STYLIST’S OWN.

w w w. b i l l y r e i d . c o m

AMANDA BOOTH

You Light Up

Life

My Gavy Contreras

You might have seen Amanda Booth on television shows like Hot in Cleveland and

Community. She’s also been featured on the cover of Vogue and in ad campaigns for Lancôme, Target, and True Religion – to name a few. Born in Watertown, New York (her family traveled a lot but they usually ended up in Pennsylvania), she “grew up wanting to model.” She was so determined to get on the path that she shared her own modeling photos online. “I’m pretty sure 99 percent of the things they were asking for on the website were not legitimate,” she says, jokingly. Nevertheless, she persevered and constantly emailed agencies until she was finally signed (“Not an easy start for sure, but I’m still here somehow”).

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Black slip dress, TAGS - TIMELESS APPAREL GETAWAY STYLE. Black wrap shawl, TAGS - TIMELESS APPAREL GETAWAY STYLE. Diamond bracelet, GIVENCHY. Beret, DI MODA ATELIER.

AMANDA BOOTH

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n addition to Booth’s modeling career, she is also known through her social-media advocacy. This fierce 33-year-old mother is working hard to represent the Down syndrome community. Just 5 years ago, she found out that her newborn son Micah had Down syndrome, and since then, she hasn’t stopped working with the community and connecting with other families like hers. “[The diagnosis] was very shocking. I was young, and statistically, it wasn’t a very common thing to have.

I had never met anyone with Down syndrome. I just had no idea what it meant or what life would look like,” she recalls. However, mostly because of social media and “the ability of using it as a tool for understanding and meeting other families whose lives looked like ours,” she was able to see firsthand adults and kids with Down syndrome that were thriving and just doing day-to-day things. “You can build a community and support system through the help of social media. All of our fears quickly vanished after exploring the diagnosis more,” says Booth.

Booth wants to let the world know that people with this diagnosis aren’t alike and that we must get to know them as people and learn their strengths and weaknesses – rather than just focusing on their

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diagnosis. “Emotionally, they are people first, and the condition is second,” she adds. Her honest and intimate posts on social media serve as inspiration and encouragement to other parents who share similar experiences raising their kids with Down syndrome. Her advice is to make sure you have an amazing support system. “When you have people to talk to and understand you, I think it’s really the key to [getting] through parenting, no matter what your child is like or going through,” she says.

Micah and his story – showing that he is so much more than his diagnosis – have garnered a large public following. At just 11 months old, he followed in his mother’s footsteps and signed a contract with an agency to model. “He just naturally gravitates towards the atmosphere and really enjoys it,” describes Booth. “It’s pretty cool. People are giving him attention and applauding him, and there are strobing lights. It’s such a wonderful experience to him, and he just lights up like a Christmas tree.”

Photographer: Paul Brickman Photographer Assistant: Tom Lucein Stylist: Eric Owes Hair & Makeup: Diane Dusting Videographer: Mark Arroyo Editor: Eiko Watanabe Special thanks to Cafe 86 (@cafe_86 - www.cafe-86.com) & EPK Media (@myepk & @epkmedia epkmedia.com)

Pink sheer top, JONATHAN SIMKHAI.White pantaloni svasati, BALMAIN. Earrings, LESILVESTONE.

MADDIE POPPE

Bringing

Authenticity Back

Tara McDonough

After winning Season 16 of American Idol, fans might assume that Maddie Poppe was more than ready to take on the music industry. She’d been working with the cast and crew for months while filming, making relationships that would last long after the finale. But, what Poppe came to discover was that the industry wasn’t very similar to her experience on the show. “The music industry isn’t as nurturing as those people,” she says. “We weren’t just contestants to them – we were a family.” As the very first winner of Idol’s ABC reboot, Poppe was urged to let Season 17 winner Laine Hardy know what he would be in for (“If someone would have sat me down and given me bullet points on the next few months, I think I might’ve said I couldn’t do it and gone home”). Poppe took it day by day and learned how to handle herself in the entertainment business on her own, promoting the release of Whirlwind. The independence and confidence she’d gained on Idol is clearly translated through her songwriting and refusal to be anyone other than herself.

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Dress, MICHAEL COSTELLO. Earrings, JENNY BIRD. Necklace, JENNY BIRD. Pants, LINE & DOT. Shoes, NAKED WOLFE. Chain, GLASS CLOTHING.

MADDIE POPPE

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rowing up in Iowa as the daughter of a musician, Poppe began singing and playing the guitar at a young age. Her big inspiration was – and still

is – Kelly Clarkson, who won the very first season of Idol. Poppe vividly remembers voting every week and contemplating what the reality-show experience must be like, never once thinking that she would have the chance to find out for herself.

It wasn’t until after American Idol that all of the massive changes in her life hit her. Before being thrown into writers’ rooms with people who were essentially strangers, Poppe was accustomed to writing music alone in her room whenever an idea came to her. Now, working with a record label, writing sessions are scheduled for her and at least a song a day should be written. “You get to know people so quickly when you’re writing a song with them,” Poppe describes. “By the end of the session, it feels like you’ve known each other for years.”

Although Poppe currently travels often, usually to L.A., all of her belongings remain at her parents’ house in Iowa. While on the road, Poppe not only thinks of friends and family, but her entire home state. “I always want to do as much as I can for

Iowa because they’ve supported me so much – before, during and after the show,” she says. Earlier this year, Poppe was able to give back by working with Gilda’s Club Quad Cities in Davenport, Iowa, a non-profit ensuring that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action, and sustained by community. The performance she put on for the organization remains close to her heart as she believes that everyone should give back to their community as much as they possibly can.

Moving forward, Poppe aims to be transparent and real with her fans. She wants to remain true to herself and her beliefs, never settling or making decisions based on what others want. “I guess I should have a better dream, like winning a Grammy or something, but I think happiness is more important,” she affirms. “You could win a thousand Grammys, but if you’re crying yourself to sleep every night, that’s not happiness.”

Photographer & Videographer: Catherine Asanov (@catherineasanov) Stylist: Neal St Onge Stylist Assistant: Cecilia Ortega Hair & Makeup: Diane Dusting Editor: Eiko Watanabe Special thanks to Demitasse (@cafe_demitasse - cafedemitasse.com) & EPK Media (@myepk & @epkmedia - epkmedia.com)

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Breaking the Fall Photographed by

Al David

Grey topcoat, CLUB MONACO. Grey pants, VERSACE. Belt, VINTAGE.

White sweater, CLUB MONACO.

Plum cashmere pullover, CLUB MONACO. Athletic pants, CLUB MONACO.

Grey cashmere cardigan, CLUB MONACO.

Stylist & Men’s Grooming AL DAVID / Model WALKER BLANCO

NINA KRAVIZ

Doctor

Spin

Monica Dias

Life is unpredictable. We go through life assuming that we’re walking down a linear path toward some perceived goal, only for life to suddenly take us for a loop, and we find ourselves on a totally different journey. Nina Kraviz is perhaps better acquainted with life’s inherent unpredictability than most. She was once working as a dentist at a war veterans’ hospital in Moscow. Now, the Irkutsk native is internationally recognized as one of the world’s top DJs. Though an undeniably dramatic career change, Kraviz’s foray into the music industry did not come out of the blue.

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Blouse, FEI FEI CICADA. Rings, TALENT’S OWN.

NINA KRAVIZ

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rowing up in Siberia, Kraviz developed her taste in music by listening to radio broadcasts and opening a window to many different musical worlds, including electronic music. Later, while working in Moscow, she spent her weekdays caring for teeth, but her weekend nights holding a residency at one of the city’s best-known nightclubs, hosting visiting electronic artists from around the world and freelancing as a music journalist. That said, however, her established affinity for music and her passion for DJ’ing did not make the career transition any less drastic or challenging as she recalls, “It was very hard to quit my love of dentistry.”

Since then, she has cemented her status as an unforgettable presence in the field of electronic dance music. In addition to her albums Nina Kraviz (2012) and Nina Kraviz presents MASSEDUCTION Rewired (soon to be released), she has started her own record labels: трип (which means “trip” and is celebrating 5 years) and Galaxiid. Moreover, she has contributed to the legendary DJ-KiCKS and fabric series (released in 2015 and 2016, respectively), and has also played every notable music festival, such as Primavera Sound, Tomorrowland, DEMF, and Coachella. “The fact that you literally can do whatever you want with a very minimum setup and are limited only by your imagination – you can record the entire song with just a kick drum in different modifications, if you really feel like. You can go full-on John Cage vibe and make music outside of principles of harmony. You can even play with time like Pauline Oliveros did.

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NINA KRAVIZ

You can put people in a trance by playing a repetitive fast-paced rhythm,” says Kraviz of her attraction to electronic music. “I was never solely interested in electronic music. In fact, this separation seems a little forced to me. It’s blurred.

From a very early age, I have been exposed to all sorts of music. I noticed that Led Zeppelin can sound pretty electronic with all the delays and reverbs they put the guitars through. Coming back to the music I am mostly known for – I am sure that the bridge from Donna Summer to techno is very short.”

In the past decade or so, Kraviz has risen to become one of the most respected figures in the industry, thanks in large part to her incredible and irrefutable talent. However, talent is not always enough to succeed in the music business. “There are two things that made my current professional life possible: discipline and responsibility,” she explains. “You can be the most creative person on Earth but when the next plane is in 2 hours, it’s early morning, and you just finished playing a long set, there must be something that makes you want to keep going. For me, it’s this sense that the people are waiting for me – like in the dental clinic – they need me, and I just can’t let them down.”

It’s far from a settled 9-to-5 lifestyle, something she relishes. “My most creative hours are at night.

When everyone is asleep, I can look for my muse better. If the flow is there, I can make music all night long, continue into the morning, and finish in the afternoon recording something if it’s going really strong,” she adds.

Now, she is looking forward to her next album.

“Hopefully, the biggest turning point in my career is yet to come,” affirms Kraviz, who has no plans to slow down anytime soon but will continue to dazzle us for years to come.

Photographer & Videographer: Indy Sagoo Stylist: Emma Lightbown Hair & Makeup: Ruth Warrior Editor: Eiko Watanabe Special thanks to The Standard, London (@thestandardlondon - www.standardhotels.com/london/properties/london) & EPK Media (@myepk & @epkmedia epkmedia.com)

Dress, ANONYME DESIGNERS. Boots, UNDERGROUND. Rings, TALENT’S OWN.

Sweater, GIVENCHY. Watch, AUDEMARS PIGUET (TALENT’S OWN). Wedding band, TALENT’S OWN. Bracelets, TALENT’S OWN.

RYAN SERHANT

Selling with

Meaning Monica Dias

Most people do not dream of becoming real-estate agents. Sometimes, they stumble into that role by accident. And other times, something in them just clicks, and they develop a love for the game. That’s how Ryan Serhant, a former soapopera actor, got started in the business. “I got into the business because I was living in New York after college. I came to the city to be an actor, I ran out of money and college savings, and I didn’t want to get a ‘survival job,’ so I had a friend that told me, ‘Get your real-estate license. It’s great, and the market is amazing.’ I got [it] because I didn’t know what else to do and I figured I could maybe rent an apartment a month and pay for the majority of my bills,” recalls Serhant, who is now one of the most successful real-estate brokers in the country.

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RYAN SERHANT

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n an unlikely twist of fate, Serhant began his career as a real-estate broker on September 15th, 2008 – the day that Lehman Brothers, the fourth-largest investment bank in the United States back then, filed for bankruptcy, therefore kickstarting the 2008 financial crisis. However, his newfound career was not derailed by the global financial meltdown. “It was a really tough time for people who had been in the business already,” he shares. “I was an out-of-work actor with no money getting into this business with no notion of what to expect at all. So I didn’t lose any money when Lehman Brothers filed for bankruptcy because I had none. Everyone was just having a really hard time. I just thought that real estate was the hardest thing ever. It was actually a pretty good time to get started because I learned the business as the market was slowly coming back to life.”

Serhant started working on his own at what was then a relatively small brokerage – without a team or a mentor to guide him in his first foray into a rapidly-imploding market, and without wealthy clients to lean on; however, he refused to limit himself in a niche. “I had to teach myself,” he says.

“My first clients were pregnant women I met in line at Starbucks, and [I] tried to get them to rent a bigger apartment because I thought their family needed more space. I would meet people on the street. Those were my first clients, and I had to work my way up.”

Now, almost a decade later, Serhant runs The Serhant Team, one of the most successful and highest-ranked real-estate groups in the country, but he’s best known for starring in Bravo’s television series Million Dollar Listing New York, and its spin-off, Sell It Like Serhant, and for being the author of last year’s best-selling book Sell It Like

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Serhant: How to Sell More, Earn More, and Become the Ultimate Sales Machine. “Hard work triumphs all,” says Serhant, who is an avid supporter of many charities, too, such as Project Sunshine, a non-profit that meets the psychosocial and developmental needs of pediatric patients and families living with all medical challenges. “You have to have empathy.

You have to be able to empathize with your clients in the good and the bad. Good salespeople are able to delve into the details of emotion. And you need enthusiasm. You must. It’s a really hard business, it’s a rewarding business, and you must be enthusiastic when you wake up every day. It’s rewarding to do deals. It’s rewarding to know that the time and effort you put in will directly influence the outcome of your life, income-wise and happiness-wise.”

Additionally, he is ready to impart his wisdom and knowledge to a new generation of would-be brokers with his online class. “It’s really just how I taught myself how to sell, and the fact that everybody can teach themselves how to sell if they want to,” adds Serhant. “If you don’t want to, then you’re not going to be able to do it, but if you want to, it’s 100% possible. Anybody can be a salesperson.”

Photographers: Jamie & Grayson Hoffman Stylist: Lassalle (@stylebylassalle & @stevenlassalle_ www.stevenlassalle.com) Stylist Assistants: Beatrice Figueroa (@beatricefigueroa) & Ike Essilfie-Obeng (@iii.gov.x.c.i) Men’s Grooming: Amanda Wilson (for Opus Beauty using Drunk Elephant & Oribe) Videographer: Jesse Ovalles Videographer Assistant: Adam Brett Schnee Editor: Eiko Watanabe Special thanks to Irving Farm New York (@irvingfarm irvingfarm.com) & EPK Media (@myepk & @epkmedia epkmedia.com)

Jacket, OVADIA. Black tee, BARNEYS NEW YORK. Jeans, KSUBI. Shoes, HARRIS. Watch, AUDEMARS PIGUET (TALENT’S OWN). Wedding band, TALENT’S OWN. Bracelets, TALENT’S OWN.

The

Other

Nashville Thomas Wilmer

Nashville, Tennessee, has been the mothership of American music for more than a century.

It is laden with world-class attractions like the Smithsonian-esque Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the legendary Ryman Auditorium, and the Grand Ole Opry. Today, Nashville is rocking with more than 3,000 newcomers settling in every month. The trendy honky-tonk bar scene is party central with the same freneticism of the Vegas Strip. Nashville has also become America’s number-one bachelorette-party destination so it’s common to encounter pedal pubs careening down the street with a boatload of cowboy-booted and sash-bedecked partying bachelorettes.

TRAVEL

owever, there’s another, kickedback Nashville that cruises along relatively under the radar. Just across the Cumberland River is East Nashville where history abounds with to-die-for early 20th-century bungalows and classy Victorians.

Urban Cowboy (the owners operate a sister property in Brooklyn) proudly touts a trendy bar/ eatery, a popular outdoor patio, and eight in-demand B&B suites in the repurposed elegant Victorian style. The nearby Lipstick Lounge, catering to the LGBTQ community, welcomes everyone to enjoy karaoke and live music performances.

TRAVEL

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ow about spending the night in a church – actually a repurposed church reinvented as The Russell that has 23 rooms adorned with pews as headboards and stained glass windows. The bonus of a stay is that The Russell donates a percentage of their income to local non-profits; an average weekend stay generates 16 nights in a bed, 100 free showers and 30 free meals.

Neighborhood-serving ma-and-pa businesses rule in East Nashville, and their community pride is palpable. For example, the annual Tomato Art Fest held in early August commences with a grand parade where people in tomato suits and kids wrapped in red and green abound – the catch of the parade is that there are no spectators as everyone is in the parade.

On the fringe of East Nashville is Five Points Pizza where they craft killer treats, and for weekend night owls, they remain open until 3 a.m. Shelby Ave. Bicycle Co. repairs bikes, and maintains a rental fleet for explorations of the neighborhoods and guided rides – in addition to bike sales. A cool centerpiece of the community is the nearly 1,000-acre Shelby Bottoms Greenway and Natural Area with 10 miles of paved and unpaved trails for hiking and biking.

The park skirts the Cumberland River’s shoreline where River Queen Voyages takes people out on kayak adventures, providing a unique perspective of downtown Nashville.

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Franklin, Tennessee, is paradoxically an integral part of Nashville’s music scene but distinctively different even though it’s only 16 miles away. The dominant allure is Franklin’s embedded history, from oh-mygosh antebellum mansions and downtown brick structures to its role as the locale of one of the Civil War’s last battles – a deadly urban skirmish fought throughout the heart of town.

Just like downtown Nashville, Franklin not only thrums with more than 30 live music venues, but is also home to some of America’s most legendary musicians. The impetus for the lyrics in Brad Paisley’s hit tune “Heaven South” is all about Franklin, and the music video was filmed in downtown. Thomas Rhett’s “Star of the Show” is about downtown Franklin’s live music venue Puckett’s of Leiper’s Fork where grocery items surround the diners and backdrop the stage. Even Lady Antebellum has an intimate connection with Franklin: The town’s antebellum homes spurred the naming of the band.

Local resident Matthew Maxey says it’s not uncommon to find a Grammy-winning musician sitting in for a set or two at Puckett’s. Maxey also notes that local residents, such as Justin Timberlake, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban, are so integrated into Franklin’s fabric that locals basically ignore them, but are quick to run interference for the stars when visitors get too close to them.

For more details, visit: @visitfranklintn – visitfranklin.com Photographers: Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp, Steve Lowry (for Ryman Archives), Ben Fitchett & Chris Hollo

PETER LINDBERGH

A Revolutionary Pillar of Beauty and

Humanism

Tara McDonough

In today’s world of Photoshop and fillers, it isn’t easy to see people for who they truly are. A majority of the media seen by consumers has been retouched almost beyond recognition, and the human body’s natural form has become a rare sighting. Late fashion photographer Peter Lindbergh didn’t accept this. Lindbergh paved his own way, going against modern media’s perfectionism for over four decades, and showing the world that we are all simply human beings.

Lindbergh had a way about him that made his people feel comfortable revealing themselves to the world. His subjects were nearly transparent, letting emotion take center stage, as opposed to perfect hair and makeup. His focus was on developing a timeless and humanistic romanticism in his work, most recognizable by his monochromatic portraits. In 2016, he told CNN, “The first rule of beauty is truth.”

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Heidi Mount, Paris, 2008 © Peter Lindbergh Courtesy of Peter Lindbergh, Paris

PETER LINDBERGH

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orn Peter Brodbeck in 1944, Lindbergh grew up in Germany and began his artistic journey at the Berlin Academy of Fine Arts before moving on to studying free painting at the College of Art in Krefeld. He began focusing on photography a few years later and moved to Paris in 1978 to pursue his new career. Lindbergh joined the U.S. Vogue team in the mid-1980s, shooting Anna Wintour’s first cover in 1988. Two years after his cover with U.S. Vogue, Lindbergh propelled the careers of Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, and Cindy Crawford when shooting for British Vogue’s cover in 1990.

Lindbergh’s reputation was then anchored in the rise of the supermodel forever. Lindbergh has been considered a pioneer in photography for his take on realism and his redefinition of beauty standards.

Despite being a fashion photographer of campaigns for Dior, Prada, Armani, and more, Lindbergh paid more attention to the soul and personality of his models than their clothing. He’s quoted on

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his website saying, “If you take out the fashion and artifice, you can then see the real person.”

Lindbergh was one of the first photographers to include a narrative in his fashion series, bringing a new vision of art and fashion.

In 2016, he shot his third Pirelli tire company calendar, showing movie stars, such as Nicole Kidman and Charlotte Rampling, all devoid of makeup. His most recent high-profile project was 15 monochrome portraits for the September issue of British Vogue. The spread featured subjects including Greta Thunberg, Jane Fonda, and Adut Akech. He worked closely with Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex who guest-edited the issue. In the May 2016 issue of Artforum, Lindbergh declared, “A fashion photographer should contribute to defining the image of the contemporary woman or man in their time, to reflect a certain social or human reality.” That was just what he did. His work appears in the permanent collections of fine-art museums around the world including the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the Centre Pompidou in Paris, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

Kate Moss, Paris, 2014 © Peter Lindbergh Courtesy of Peter Lindbergh, Paris

Angela Lindvall & Chris Dye, Warner Bros. Studios, Burbank, California, 2004 © Peter Lindbergh Courtesy of Peter Lindbergh, Paris

“It should be a duty for every photographer working today to use his creativity and influence to free women and everyone from the terror of youth and perfection.”

- Peter Lindbergh

Peter Lindbergh on set with Christy Turlington, Tatjana Patitz, Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford & Linda Evangelista, New York, 1990 © Jim Rakete Courtesy of Peter Lindbergh, Paris

Peter Lindbergh, 2016 © Stefan Rappo Courtesy of Peter Lindbergh, Paris

Peter Lindbergh, Thank you.

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