CIVILIAN - v1 i4 - Lesley-Ann Brandt Cover by CIVILIAN

LESLEY-ANN BRANDT JUSTICE JOSLIN MÄDCHEN AMICK NICO TORTORELLA MARISOL NICHOLS

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

INSIDE 10

Infinite Space Between All of the Binaries

The Timeless Trend of the Bum Bag

Her Sound and Beyond

Permission to Dream

Legacy: Stories Continued

I’m Just Going to Be Me

Belize Eazy

Above the Surrounding Terrain

The Necessary Conversation

The Storyteller

The Creative Playfulness of His Own Accord

Born to Perform

The Creative Force of Nolan Gross

The Plaid Truth

Common Denominator Between All Things

102

Bring in the New Era

106

Fight for the Future

110

Fever Taking the Wheel

114

Old Soul Rejuvenates Young Spirit

120

The Modern Entrepreneur

124

Smart Luxury in Central London

126

Dispatch from Mexico: A Heavenly Hideaway in Zihuatanejo

Cover shot by Natalie Walsh (Lesley-Ann Brandt) and Al David (Justice Joslin)

114 64

22 80

102

58 88

120 110

CIVILIAN Publisher

Vanessa Ferrelli

International and Public Affairs Tiffany Shorter

Chief Digital Officer

Director of Technology

Editor-in-Chief

Senior Web Developer

Editorial Assistants

Social Media Manager

Kristina Villarini

Eiko Watanabe

Monica Dias, Leonye McCalla, and Oliva Walker

Creative Director

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

VP, Brand Partnerships Makaila Kay Ho

Event Director Catherine Ho

Media Producer Gavy Contreras

Publicist

Joan Joffa

Staff Writers

Dylan Worcel and Caroline Eddy

Legal Counsel

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

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 Hi, there! First off, thank you so much as always for your time to read CIVILIAN. Now, we are about to welcome the fall season. I was actually wondering whether I should discuss fashion or feast, or something else that can be associated with the season we absolutely love. However, considering a wide range of topics and conversations we cover in this Fall I issue, scratch that – I think I should really use this page to, once again, thank all the talents we have been able to work with thus far for opening up so candidly to us in hopes of reaching so many lives of young people through stories accompanied by incredible photographs. Recently, I went to see an X Ambassadors show in NYC, and the lead singer Sam Nelson Harris (who we featured in our 2019 Summer issue) was encouraging us, the audience, to celebrate our individuality and diversity, and to have such pride in ourselves for who we are. But when he said the band would make sure to continue to offer a safe space for everyone, that actually hit me.

As you can see, we have way too much going on everywhere in society, and sometimes, it’s a massive struggle especially for the youth to maintain a sense of belonging and selfesteem. Technology is so advanced that it’s easy for us to connect online but it would be so heartbreaking to see ourselves disconnected offline. That is why CIVILIAN is a digital and print publication, that is why we are always focused on individuals and their stories, and that is why we would like to be everyone’s ally so that we can take one step together instead of having one person take 1,000 steps on their own. I should probably note that we regularly receive emails and DMs from our readers suggesting who we should feature. They usually get forwarded to me, and I read every single one of them. Thank you so much again for all your tremendous support. Thank you, Eiko Watanabe, Editor-in-Chief

NICO TORTORELLA

Infinite Space

Between All of the Binaries Dylan Worcel

“I want to direct, I want to produce, I want to write, I want to star, I want to sleep. I want to meet incredible people. I want to fall in and out of love. I want to make art. Art has the power to change everything, and as long as I’m creating art, I’ll be creating myself,” says Nico Tortorella. It’s mid-April and still a bit chilly in New York City.

1 0|

C IVIL IA N

M AG AZ I N E

Black tuxedo, DAVID HART. Black mandarin collar shirt, DAVID HART. Patent leather shoes, TO BOOT NEW YORK. Spider lapel pin, TITLE OF WORK. Red pocket square, TITLE OF WORK. Rings, STYLIST’S OWN. Watch, BULOVA.

Motorcycle jacket, KRAMMER & STOUDT. Leopard shirt, JOSEPH ABBOUD. Jeans, MAVI. Rings, STYLIST OWN. Shoes, TO BOOT NEW YORK. Belt, DICKIES (STYLIST’S ASSISTANT’S OWN).

NICO TORTORELLA

orn in Wilmette, Illinois, Tortorella began professional theatre work when they were in seventh grade. They moved to Los Angeles at age 18 to pursue their dreams of becoming an actor. Although now known for portraying heartthrob and tattoo artist Josh on TV Land’s hit series Younger, throughout this journey, they have learned the art of healing and the art of storytelling through playing other people. That in itself has really helped them understand what it means playing their unapologetic and truest version of themself. “As I continue to read scripts and look at different projects, I definitely have a more direct eye on the type of messaging involved in any given script or story. I’m not about to go play a white supremacist or a Nazi or like a murderer right now just because it’s a great role. I don’t need to do that,” they affirm. Becoming an actor has given Tortorella a platform to be an extraordinary activist for the LGBTQ+ community (on May 31, they accepted their role as Los Angeles’ first ambassador for LGBT month, which was June, and May 31 of this year was also dedicated as Nico Tortorella Day). They identify as gender non-conforming and polyamorous pansexual, and in recent years, they have been interested in their own education and educating others, too. They are for all ends of the spectrum and say it is up to us to decide the terminology and language we want to use. We can choose to be labeled or label-free when it comes to sexual orientation and gender identity. “In the fields of social justice, particularly, we have a tendency of getting really caught up in the words we use, like, ‘This word has more weight or more value than another word.’ I’m at a point in my own selfactualization where I’m more interested in how we are feeling rather than how we’re describing who we are,” they share.

Along with their acting career and activism, the 30-year-old creative soul is also an author. Last year, they debuted a 256-page book they wrote in 45 days entitled all of it is you.: poetry. They explore “all of it,” from the smallest cells in our bodies to the outer limits of our universe. “There’s something super esoteric and existential about the poetry, which is beautiful in its own right. It’s a celebration of the singularity of this divine frequency of love that unites us all,” describes Tortorella, who was eventually inspired to write a long-form memoir Space Between: Explorations of Love, Sex, and Fluidity (which will be out on September 17th). It is a narrative and exploration of love, sexuality, gender identity, addiction, and harm reduction as they wanted to create something that could be consumed and understood by the world. “There really is a fast, infinite space between all of the binaries we have set up in this world, whether it’s male and female, gay and straight, Republican or Democrat, progressive or liberal. When we’re hearing stories or telling stories, we have to pick one side or the other most of the time – and that doesn’t have to be the case,” they elaborate. “Things are a lot more multidimensional and dynamic than we’ve all imagined them to be.” Photographer & Videographer: Matthew Borkowski Photographer Assistants: Mike Vitelli & Silas Vassar, III Stylist: Raven Roberts Stylist Assistant: Kamilah Bryan Grooming: Laila Hayani (for Exclusive Artists Management – using Davines) Editor: Eiko Watanabe Editorial Assistants: Leonye McCalla & Olivia Walker Special thanks to Park South Hotel (@parksouthhotelnyc – www.jdvhotels.com/hotels/new-york/nyc/parksouth-hotel) & Sarge’s Delicatessen & Diner (@sargesdeli – sargesdeli.com) & EPK Media (@myepk & @epkmedia epkmedia.com)

CI VI LIAN

MAGAZ INE

|13

Striped blazer, JOSEPH ABBOUD. Striped vest, JOSEPH ABBOUD. Linen pants, JOSEPH ABBOUD. Earring, STYLIST’S OWN. Rings, STYLIST’S OWN.

“Art has the power to change everything, and as long as I’m creating art, I’ll be creating myself.”

FASHION

The Timeless Trend of the

Bum Bag Tara McDonough

FASHION

um bag, belt bag, or waist bag – whatever you call it, it’s not going anywhere. Although the fashion accessory got its start long before modern times, it was made famous in the ’80s as the hottest product on the market. In 1994, it made its runway debut for CHANEL in their signature black quilted design. Now, brands like Louis Vuitton and Burberry are showcasing their own rendition of waist bags. Whether considered street style or couture, waist bags will be a main staple this fall.

FASHION

Belt Bag - Coach Coach can be defined by their free-spirited, all-American attitude, and of course, it’s synonymous with effortless NYC style. This brand is constantly approaching luxury style with a modern vision, nailing both classic and innovative designs. Their most recent creation is their street-ready Belt Bag. The ultra-convenient bag provides organization while remaining hands-free with zip closure, fabric lining, outside zip pocket, and an adjustable strap. It’s available in four colors: gunmetal/red apple, black/gold, chalk/gold and bright cherry/gold. Crafted in polished pebble leather, wear it cinched at the waist or over the shoulder, or draped cross-body for a versatile look.

New Wave Bumbag

– Louis Vuitton

The French fashion house – known for their excellent craftsmanship and signature LV monogram – never plays it safe by sticking to the same old tricks. The much soughtafter brand is constantly creating new and awe-worthy accessories. Their New Wave Bumbag is no different, combining both the contemporary of the zip pull marked by “Vuitton” in colored letters and the vintage of the gold LV letters adorning the front for a nod to the brand’s heritage. The Bumbag is crafted with quilted calf leather, microfiber lining and gold-colored hardware. The adjustable strap and light weight provide comfortable cross-body and waist carry.

Medium Monogram Stripe E-canvas Bum Bag – Burberry The iconic Burberry check was introduced as a lining for their revolutionary rainwear (trench coat) in the 1920s, but today, it is predominant in the brand. Most people can quickly spot a Burberry product just from the classic design. Burberry showcases this timeless print and goes above and beyond with their reimagined, ’90s reminiscent e-canvas. Their Medium Monogram Stripe E-canvas Bum Bag is made in Italy, mainly from renewable sources. This bag is lined with 100% cotton, finished with Italian-tanned leather trims and brandished with handpainted edges. This beautiful design has more to offer than just its pretty face: Concealed zip closure, exterior and interior pockets and an adjustable clip belt keep all of your belongings secure and organized.

CI VI LIAN

MAGAZ INE

|19

FASHION

Discovery Bumbag – Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton has never catered to just one gender and has been producing luxury items for all kinds for over a century. LV ensures that men can get in on this new trend with the Discovery Bumbag crafted from the Monogram Eclipse coated canvas. The monogram design takes center stage here in the body-friendly shape. This piece boasts cowhide leather trim, textile lining, black-color hardware, and outside front and back pockets. With its adjustable belt and zip closure system, this bag can be worn around the waist or over the shoulder, or slung across the chest, providing constant access to your phone, cards, and keys.

Men’s Kypipouch Loubiballage Graphic Logo Travel Toiletry Case – Christian Louboutin The go-to shoe source for high-end celebrities has topped the Luxury Brand Status Index for three years, being declared the most prestigious women’s shoes. Despite its reputation as the leading name in luxury footwear, Christian Louboutin’s talents extend far beyond. Hopping on the waist-bag trend, Louboutin introduces their Men’s Kypipouch Loubiballage Graphic Logo Travel Toiletry Case. The vanity case is made in Italy with nylon and calf-leather materials embellished with allover graphic logo print and an engraved logo plaque on the front. Two-way zip-around top closure and a flat leather top handle allow for easy accessibility and travel.

Photographer: Jeffrey Apoian (@jeffreyapoian) Photographer Assistant: Dennis Mo (@systemaphoto)

20|

C IVIL IAN

M AG A Z I N E

Top, ANNE FONTAINE. Dress, J.ING. Earrings, A LITTLE TOO MUCH. Bracelet, CARTIER (TALENT’S OWN).

JORDYN JONES

Her Sound and Beyond Caroline Eddy

In the midst of releasing two singles (“think about u” and “cut 'em off”), finalizing her forthcoming EP, and planning a potential tour, Jordyn Jones, 19, still continues to evolve beyond categories. As someone who “started dancing right out of the womb,” Jones’ small-farm-town childhood in Michigan consisted of a daily routine: school, dance, eat, sleep, repeat. “I always remember staying so late at the studio so I could keep dancing, knowing I should be doing homework or sleeping,” she recalls. After a brief stint in baton twirling and gymnastics, she began dance classes and found her true calling. “Dancing is honestly my happy place,” she says. “No matter where I am or what my day was like, dancing can always make me forget about everything.”

CI VI LIAN

MAGAZ INE

|2 3

JORDYN JONES

hrough videos of her dancing, posted by her family on YouTube, Jones found herself cast for season one of Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition, a realitycompetition series that featured dancers vying for the top spot and a scholarship to a prestigious dance school. While on set, Jones began to notice her number of fans growing. “I was fortunate enough to build a following that would continue to grow with me,” she says, adding that, competition aside, Jones’ honesty and openness have drawn people to her pages (“What you see online is exactly who I am in real life”). Furthermore, Jones aims to use her online presence to spread awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, also mentioning the passing of her maternal grandmother from a combination of both. She is particularly passionate about the Alzheimer’s Association and has participated in the Fortnite Celebrity Pro-Am, a video game tournament that pairs professional gamers and celebrities together in support of charities (the Alzheimer’s Association was her chosen charity).

24|

C IVIL IAN

M AG AZ I N E

Additionally, music is now the main focus of Jones’ life in Los Angeles; since 2015’s “I’m Dappin,” her sound has undergone a change. She’s worked to narrow her sound to fit her personality in order to connect more deeply with her own music coming from her own heart. “When I was putting out covers, there wasn’t that connection that I have now. I look forward to developing that sound even further as I grow daily,” she affirms. With every new endeavor, Jones is very much open to new connections and new experiences. She wants to continue collaborating with musicians and recording artists, viewing those moments as unique opportunities to connect, learn, and grow as an artist herself. “I’m hoping to continue to put out music others can relate to, and I hope that through my lyrics, I can help people through my own personal experiences,” she shares. “I’m looking to just keep being the best version of myself that I can be.” Photographer & Videographer: Paul Brickman Stylist: Marni Seabright Hair: Hailey Adickes Makeup: Natalie Ventola (for Opus Beauty – using Pacifica Beauty) Editor: Eiko Watanabe Special thanks to Shakey’s Pizza Parlor (@shakeysusa www.shakeys.com) & EPK Media (@myepk & @epkmedia epkmedia.com)

Top, J.ING. Shorts, J.ING. Necklace, LOUELLA. Earrings, LIVEN CO. Heels, SHOEDAZZLE. Bracelet, CARTIER (TALENT’S OWN).

LESLEY-ANN BRANDT

Permission to Dream Caroline Eddy

Growing up in South Africa, Lesley-Ann Brandt remembers her life revolving around school, sports, family, and friends. “I wasn’t a child who was like, ‘Oh, I want to do this, I want to do that when I’m older.’ Maybe I hadn’t given myself permission to dream in that way,” recalls the 37-year-old actress. She was an “animated” child, always participating in school plays and singing in choir, but never quite fitting in – even with her family, which has brought Brandt close to her younger cousin who is training to be a pilot (“We’re similar in that we didn’t fit into those normal boxes”).

26|

C IVIL IAN

M AG AZ I N E

Knit sweater, SOYER. Knit skirt, SOYER. Diamond earrings, DIAMOND FOUNDRY.

LESLEY-ANN BRANDT

randt found a community after the family moved to New Zealand, where a local casting director “helped me get my sh*t together and take [acting] seriously.” Once introduced to acting as a profession, she felt she had found her people for the first time, a group of like-minded people who understood her sense of humor and need to be creative. Brandt’s animation and enthusiasm for the arts in school soon paid off. She landed a role in the STARZ series Spartacus: Blood and Sand. She remembers the show as “progressive,” a “violent and bloody period piece” that felt more like filming a movie than a television show. Her time with the show was also a “learning experience” integral to her ability to navigate being on a large set, understanding the politics of the acting business, and simply what being a woman on set entails. In 2016, Brandt accepted her most well-known role: Mazikeen, demon, confidante, and now bounty hunter, on Lucifer, which will be returning for a fifth season. Mazikeen – “Maze” for short – is a force to be reckoned with. “Maze breaks boundaries,” she says. “She wears what she wants, she talks the way she talks, and does it with a smile on her face and an unapologetic attitude.” She notes that it’s exciting to play a character who is free of the “chains” and expectations women wear, a character free to discover her humanity in her own way – with signature loyalty, ferocity, and protectiveness. “It allows the writers to push boundaries and write lines that wouldn’t have been acceptable on a more conservative network,” says Brandt of the show’s new home Netflix. Moreover, she never realized how much of an impact Mazikeen would have on the LGBTQ+ community, and she still feels there is much more the show could do. “When you have policy and legislation attacking the rights of the community and their ability to just be in a

28|

C IVIL IAN

M AG AZ I N E

relationship with the person they love, I do feel like Hollywood and our show [have] a responsibility to pick these relationships and the way they inform the wider audience,” she affirms. “No one’s going away, this isn’t something you can just cure. This is who they are, this is who they love, and it’s not hurting you so what does it matter?” While it likely isn’t easy for a modern woman to relate to a demon bounty hunter, Brandt says Mazikeen has come to feel like “a second skin” to her, a connection she was afraid of losing after becoming a mother in 2017. The character’s protective nature is something Brandt sees in herself. It shows not only in her love and care for her young son, but in how she supports perfect strangers. In the wake of the Trump administration’s 2018 “zero tolerance” immigration policy, Brandt was shocked and distraught by the news. She saw herself in the parents at the border. “There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for my son. I would cross the border. I would flee if it would be safer,” she says. The idea of inaction didn’t sit well with her – neither did that helpless feeling – so she decided to auction off a selection of props from Lucifer over her Twitter account. Over two days, the prop sale made 50,000 dollars, which humbled and excited Brandt. The money went in support of two organizations: RAICES that assists families at the U.S.-Mexico border, and Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) that works with migrant children arriving in the United States. “Really, it was coming from a place of being a mom,” she insists, adding that she was raised to help everyone in need and it remains a goal in her life. Photographer & Videographer: Natalie Walsh Stylist: Ami Lasser Hair: Matilde Campos (using IGK Hair & Oribe) Makeup: Carlene K Editor: Eiko Watanabe Special thanks to FD Photo Studio (@fdphotostudio www.fdphotostudio.com) & BAOHAUS (@baohausnyc - www.baohausnyc.com) & EPK Media (@myepk & @epkmedia - epkmedia.com)

Cashmere sweater, GENTRYPORTOFINO. Pants, THEORY. Shoes, MANOLO BLAHNIK. Diamond earrings, DIAMOND FOUNDRY.

Top, THEORY. Pants, THEORY. Slingbacks, MANOLO BLAHNIK. Diamond earrings, DIAMOND FOUNDRY.

Trench coat, CO. Pumps, ALESSANDRO DELL'ACQUA. Diamond earrings, DIAMOND FOUNDRY.

“She wears what she wants, she talks the way she talks, and does it with a smile on her face and an unapologetic attitude.”

JAMES PAXTON

Legacy: Stories

Continued

Olivia Walker

“My dad was my best friend. I would go to him on advice for anything,” says James Paxton, following in his father Bill Paxton’s footsteps. The 25-year-old actor grew up in a “small hippie town,” known as Ojai, California, where “everyone knows each other.” It was under the California sun where he was introduced to film by none other than his father. He was exposed to filmmaking and production while admiring his traveling father’s projects and the creative atmosphere – it is how he was able to discover a true passion for acting and storytelling.

Overcoat, TOMMY HILFIGER. Turtleneck sweater, ZARA.

“You need to trust that if you have done the work and you are prepared, you just rock out. Don’t let anyone discourage you and tell you, ‘You can’t do it,’ or ‘You aren’t enough.’”

Sweater, HUGO BOSS.

White shirt, CALVIN KLEIN. Pants, PAUL SMITH. Tie, PIERRE CARDIN.

JAMES PAXTON

axton completed high school and moved to New York City where he studied journalism in college since he wanted to tell stories and travel by becoming a reporter. However, prior to graduating, he was hospitalized and had to take a leave of absence. Eventually, his time spent home recovering provided him the opportunity to re-evaluate his direction. “The more I stayed, the more I realized I wasn’t going back,” he recalls. His father then suggested that he should move to Los Angeles. There, he began working on the sets of various productions, including Nightcrawler starring Jake Gyllenhaal, and was reminded of his passion after a new kind of exposure to a world in which he grew up loving. He finally decided (and wanted) to become an actor in order to bring stories to life. He went to his father for guidance, and was told that if this was something he really wanted, he needed to throw himself “100% into the craft.” He was introduced to his dad’s lifelong acting coach Vincent Chase and started to take acting classes. After getting an agent and manager, he started landing supporting roles. And, moreover, after what seemed like a thousand auditions in the field of “a war of attrition,” he booked what he says is his biggest project to date: Lukas Waldenbeck on Eyewitness. This was simply “a dream come true” to Paxton, who

3 8|

C IVIL IA N

M AG A Z I N E

has since worked on other various projects, such as Alien’s 40th-anniversary short films and the vampire film Bit. Paxton admits that acting isn’t easy and can certainly be challenging but says, “You need to trust that if you have done the work and you are prepared, you just rock out. Don’t let anyone discourage you and tell you, ‘You can’t do it,’ or ‘You aren’t enough.’ There is no point in that kind of thinking.” His dad was hard on Paxton in many respects but he “was giving me all these insights that took decades in the business to learn.” His father tragically passed away in 2017 but Paxton does not let this discourage himself. Rather, he feels “very connected to him doing this.” Paxton hopes to one day have more control over the entire project, referring to directing as the ultimate goal for his career. “I’m learning while I am earning,” he elaborates. “Every time I am on set, I always pay attention to other people on set and how everyone works together. Right now, it’s just one project at a time, but I’m not going to stop anytime soon. I am never going to quit!”

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

Sweater, DEUS EX MACHINA.

JONATHAN BENNETT

I’m Just Going to Be Me Dylan Worcel

“Stop trying to fit in all the other boxes people think you are. You’re just you, and you are enough,” says Rossford native Jonathan Bennett, whose first big break was on the ABC soap opera All My Children. Best known for his role as Aaron Samuels in the cult-classic Mean Girls, he believes that the film has done so well over time because it authentically depicted what high school was actually like. He is proud to be part of this pop-culture phenomenon that has given many of us nostalgia, laughs, and iconic one-liners we still quote to this day. “Everyone has such fond memories and such fun feelings when they think of the movie because they identify with one or more of the characters in there,” the 38-year-old actor reflects. “It’s relatable no matter how old you are or where you’re from.”

4 0|

C IVIL IA N

M AG AZ I N E

Sweater, CAPTURE THE THRONE CLOTHING. Jacket, WHICHKIM. Pants, OREN KASH. Bracelet, SENHOA.

Shirt, OREN KASH. Jacket, EMBELLISH NYC. Sunglasses, DUALENS. Bracelet, SENHOA.

JONATHAN BENNETT

n the midst of finding success as an actor, Bennett did not come out publicly as a gay man until years after his Mean Girls days although he had known he was gay since he was 5. His partner Jaymes Vaughan has been his biggest supporter. Bennett came out publicly in 2017 by sharing a photo of Vaughan and himself on Instagram. He did have apprehension coming out publicly at first, but felt it was time to let the world know. “Everyone has a different path. There definitely was pressure and fear as a human being in Hollywood,” he says. “At one point, I realized, ‘I don’t care anymore. I’m just going to be me, and if it works, great, and if it doesn’t work, well, that’s too bad.’” Bennett is not trying to be everyone’s role model. He chooses to live his life on his own terms, and it brings him joy if his journey inspires others. He recently had an encounter with a young girl who was an employee at the hotel he was staying at in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. She was nervous to meet him and was tense every time he came around. He decided to pull her aside and ask her if everything was okay, and she told him, “I’m the biggest fan of Mean Girls. My girlfriend and I dressed up as Regina and Cady for Halloween. When I saw you come out publicly, that gave me the courage to say, ‘Screw it. I want to come out

too.’” Bennett also adds that that was when she “told her whole family she was a lesbian.” As far as his career goes, Bennett has starred alongside Hilary Duff in the horror-thriller, The Haunting of Sharon Tate, based on the brutal murders conducted by Charles Manson and the Manson Family in 1969. It was a thrill for Bennett to portray a real-life person and tell this story from the side of the victims instead of glorifying Manson himself. Believe it or not, shooting the murder scenes was not difficult to get into for Bennett. “When you’re standing at the top of the mountain in that house, and there’s someone who is stabbing you seven or eight times and there's blood and screaming, your adrenaline takes over, and it just really puts you in that space,” shares Bennett, who hopes to continue acting – and also to open a gym someday. He would like to travel to different college campuses as well so that he can speak about and pass on the knowledge he has learned in his life to young people. Photographer & Videographer: Sandra Selva Stylist: Andrew Philip Nguyen Men’s Grooming: Amber Amos (for TheOnly.Agency using Milk Makeup, Dr. Barbara Sturm, Noorface SKIN GLASS & Oribe) Editor: Eiko Watanabe Special thanks to Hotel Erwin (@hotelerwin - hotelerwin.com) & EPK Media (@myepk & @epkmedia - epkmedia.com)

CI VI LIAN

MAGAZ INE

|43

Belize Eazy Photographed by

River Jordan

Swim trunk, RALPH LAUREN.

Shirt, PERRY ELLIS. Pants, ALLSAINTS.

Turtleneck sweater, J.CREW.

Pullover sweater, SELECTED HOMME.

Shirt, ZARA.

Swim trunk, LACOSTE.

Wrap, 1 WORLD SARONGS.

Charcoal grey cashmere sweater, ARMANI. Wool pants, ARMANI.

JUSTICE JOSLIN

Above the Surrounding

Terrain

Dylan Worcel

Born in Nashville, Tennessee, Justice Joslin spent most of his days immersed in nature. He was an avid explorer and found himself always curious about what else could possibly be out there – over that next hill or mountain.

With his two brothers and parents, Joslin moved frequently to different parts of Tennessee, which helped him enjoy the flow of allowing life to present itself to him. He was never afraid of the unknown and was willing to tackle new experiences. He attended Wofford College to play football and study business economics. College was a stepping stone for him to continue to play football; he soon had the opportunity to play football in Germany. “Germany was a breath of fresh air and just kind of playing the sport for fun. Most of the guys over there played it like it was a hobby. We ended up going 18-and-0. It was like a fairy tale to end my career on a perfect season,” he reflects.

CI VI LIAN

MAGAZ INE

|5 5

JUSTICE JOSLIN

ventually moving back to the United States, Joslin started auditioning and landing small gigs as a model. Although he wasn’t sure about the idea of becoming a model for a moment, he gradually began to trust the process. Little did he know that he would go on to star in Giorgio Armani’s Frames of Life campaign. Always giving more than what people expect from him and constantly developing his career, he has worked on taking constructive criticism like a pro. “Why would I want to react off of someone feeling a certain way? That’s their space even if they’re coming to me with a certain emotion that may be intense. That has nothing to do with me. That has everything to do with them,” he shares. When channeling his creativity in a new way, he has explored the world of acting. He says he loves looking into someone’s eyes, truly listening, and reacting to them; it is not about looking for the next thing he is going to say or the next line (“It’s all about you, and how you are in that moment and how free you can be in a moment. There’s so much you can learn if you allow yourself to”).

5 6|

C IVIL IA N

M AG AZ I N E

Furthermore, Joslin is a talented musician. He plays keyboard, guitar, bass, and drums, and created a self-made analog record in a space called The Skipper Room. He is also in an L.A.-based bluesrock trio The Things; he and the other members of the group (Lukas Neufeld and Matty Moose) all live together on Joslin’s property. “I think, as human evolution goes, we’ve been born of storytellers. I think it’s time to return to our state of peace, our state of freedom, our state of love as a whole. I know a lot of people who are looking at life after this life as the place that’s going to be exciting, potentially. I’m more concerned about now,” says Joslin, adding that he would love to live in a world where people can do what they truly love to do and that his story is more about the creators and the artists who need to have a space in order to make art and music. That being said, he wants to have a property where artists can live, hone in on their talents, and do what they love. Photographer: River Jordan Photographer Assistant: Kurt Jordan Stylist: Al David Set Design: Johnny Goss Photographer (for cover), Stylist & Men’s Grooming: Al David Special thanks to EPK Media (@myepk & @epkmedia - epkmedia.com)

Jacket, SHADES OF GREY BY MICAH COHEN.

Jumpsuit, KELLY SHIN. Shoes, CHARLES DAVID. Bracelets, SILVANA K DESIGNS. Earrings, SILVANA K DESIGNS. Ring, TALENT’S OWN.

MÄDCHEN AMICK

The Necessary

Conversation Gavy Contreras

Actress, director and producer Mädchen Amick has been gracing your TV sets for the past 30 years. You might know her as the intense mama bear Alice Cooper on the hit show Riverdale or as the young troubled waitress Shelly Johnson in the ‘90s cult-classic show Twin Peaks. Amick was destined to be in the arts, growing up with a musician father; she “grew up around the stage, and grew the love of music and performing.” After taking a theater class in high school, she fell in love with theater and acting, and “a light bulb went off like, ‘This is what I want to do.’” Despite all of the success in her career, Amick’s most rewarding job is being the mother of two children, Mina and Sylvester. Like all families, they’ve had their own fair share of hardships and triumphs. In 2011, her son was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and it was “something that was hard on the family.” The journey of her son’s mental health made Amick realize, however, that this topic wasn’t discussed enough. “We didn’t know where to go, what to do. There was no support system, and it just angered me so I said, ‘I’m going to change this,’” she recalls. The lack of conversation inspired this fierce mother to share her family’s story in an effort to erase the negative stigma attached to mental disorders. “Instead of putting people into a category and into a box and thinking, ‘They’re just weird,’ we should take the time to learn about it,” she affirms.

CI VI LIAN

MAGAZ INE

|5 9

MÄDCHEN AMICK

lthough, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, 1 in 5 adults is living with a mental illness in the U.S., approximately 46.6 million in 2017, there hasn’t been enough dialogue about it, and Amick was clueless about the facts of her son’s diagnosis at first. Due to the lack of education, Amick was once one of those individuals who believed in the negative stigma associated with mental illness. “[The diagnosis] was a moment of complete shock. When I heard ‘bipolar,’ it felt like a death sentence for my son,” she shares. “After educating myself on it, I found out it was completely manageable, and you can live successful and happy lives with this diagnosis.”

Coat, DINT. Earrings, IRIS TRENDS. Cuff, IRIS TRENDS. Heels, CHARLES DAVID. Ring, TALENT’S OWN.

MÄDCHEN AMICK

fter the shock of her son’s diagnosis wore off, it became a “tool for him and the family to use” – to help them understand him and work better as a family. “If we hadn’t found out his diagnosis, it would’ve been a lifetime of misunderstanding his moods,” she adds. “It made him understand himself and become his own best version.” Amick wants to start implementing health reform so people with mental illness can get the help they need. “Instead of demonizing these people, we should really understand and have sympathy and empathy for them. People just want to ignore it, sweep it under the rug, and put it away,” says Amick, hoping to uplift families around the world and let them know they are not alone. “They can get through this, and there is a positive outcome. It doesn’t have to be a desperate situation. It can actually become a really beautiful journey.” Photographer & Videographer: Catherine Asanov (@catherineasanov) Stylist: Andrew Philip Nguyen Hair: Ericka Verrett Makeup: Andre Sarmiento Editor: Eiko Watanabe Special thanks to Diablo Restaurant + Cantina (@diablotacola - www.diablotacos.com) & EPK Media (@myepk & @epkmedia - epkmedia.com)

6 2|

C IVIL IAN

M AG AZ I N E

Corset, ELISABETTA FRANCHI. Pants, KARIGAM. Earrings, KAMONI COLLECTION.

MARIE AVGEROPOULOS

The

Storyteller Caroline Eddy

“I’m only willing to take on stories that are authentic, that can touch people. Whether it’s comedy or something that will bring people to tears. That’s why I’m a storyteller,” says Marie Avgeropoulos who actually didn’t set out to be an actress or an activist; she set out to tell stories. Through that singular goal, the 33-year-old Canadian has found herself on television and movie screens, producing a documentary, and aiding young girls in India. Avgeropoulos grew up in Thunder Bay, a city resting on the Canadian shore of Lake Superior. A self-described “wild child,” she remembers happily living “like most children” – one day at a time without much thought on the future. Through camping, hunting, fishing, and family barbecues at a lake house, Avgeropoulos fostered a great love and appreciation for the outdoors that have stayed with her. From time to time, she might be found snowboarding the mountains around her Vancouver home or joining her girlfriends for trips to Burchell Lake (“the Burchell Babes”).

CI VI LIAN

MAGAZ INE

|65

MARIE AVGEROPOULOS

urthermore, storytelling touches every part of Avgeropoulos’ career, a deliberate decision on her part. Following a three-month backpacking trip in Europe, she enrolled in a broadcast journalism program. It was there she developed a thick skin and

“[got] used to hearing the word ‘no,’” – two lessons she eventually carried into her acting work. What she couldn’t handle was, however, the idea of bringing only bad news to viewers every day. She wanted to choose the stories she worked so hard to tell, to give voice to narratives that needed it. So, she switched to acting. Avgeropoulos sees her acting roles as an indulgent therapy. By putting characters on, walking in their shoes, and speaking in their voice, she can tell a wide range of stories and truths to her audience. She is especially grateful for Octavia Blake, her character on The CW’s post-apocalyptic sci-fi series The 100, who frequently changes on the show and challenges Avgeropoulos as an actress. She says The 100 is a show about “making bad decisions and how they redeem themselves,” and its success lies in its relatable themes of love, loss, survival, and redemption. Her latest creative endeavor focuses on giving a voice to those who need it most. A friend introduced Avgeropoulos to Food For Life Vrindavan, an organization working to educate, empower, and

6 6|

C IVIL IAN

M AG A Z I N E

serve the Vrindavan area of India. For more than 25 years, FFLV has provided free education, meals, skill training, and medical services to young women and girls. Avgeropoulos’ first visit was a difficult one. “I cried and cried and cried,” she says of visiting one of FFLV’s schools. Her crying ended when the school’s principal “grabbed [her] by the shoulders,” telling her the students would wonder why she was crying around them. She says the more she visits, the more she’s convinced she’s serving a purpose in Vrindavan, and that there is plenty more opportunity to aid the community. Moreover, Without Exception Films has been featuring FFLV’s and Vrindavan’s story through “short and sweet” #SheMustCount documentaries available on social media. The short films, soon to be compiled into a longer documentary, are intended to “show people where their money is going and how they can help.” Avgeropoulos is “not a fan of the whole celebrity thing,” but sees her fame as a platform to bring more light into a world that seems increasingly dark with emotional hardship and barriers to moving forward: “Don’t look backwards because that’s not the way you’re headed.” Photographer & Videographer: Natalie Walsh Stylist: Katelynn Tilley Hair: Michael Dueñas Makeup: Sarah Benjamin-Hall (for MCH) Manicurist: Nettie Davis Editor: Eiko Watanabe Special thanks to FD Photo Studio (@fdphotostudio www.fdphotostudio.com) & Shakey’s Pizza Parlor (@shakeysusa - www.shakeys.com) & EPK Media (@myepk & @epkmedia - epkmedia.com)

Dress, ELISABETTA FRANCHI. Earring, IRIS TRENDS.

M AT T I A R E G O N A SCH I

G O D S A N D M O N S T E R S . C O M

P E R S O N A L

M A N A G E M E N T

A G E N C Y

FKJ

The Creative Playfulness of His Own Accord Monica Dias

Once a staple of the late 1990s European nightclub scene, French house music, which was popularized by the likes of Daft Punk and Bob Sinclar, lost much of its traction in the mid-2000s as musical trends and tastes changed. But now, after a decade of being virtually absent from the music charts, this style of house is once again turning heads and capturing the attention of both music lovers and partygoers all over the world. And at the center of this musical revival is this 28-year-old artist known as French Kiwi Juice, or FKJ for short.

7 0|

C IVIL IA N

M AG AZ I N E

Jacket, HUGO. Polo, HUGO. Pants, HUGO. Shoes, HUGO. Socks, TALENT’S OWN.

Beanie, BEECHFIELD (TALENT’S OWN). Jacket, MITCHELL EVAN. T-shirt, HIRO CLARK. Pants, HUGO. Shoes, AXEL ARIGATO. Socks, TALENT’S OWN.

FKJ

KJ – real name, Vincent Fenton – has been one of the pioneers of the new French house movement, thereby cementing himself as an artist to look out for. Born and raised in the city of Tours, in central France, Fenton’s first real experience with music was him playing around with the plastic keyboard that his sister had gotten for Christmas. He then went on to mess around with the guitar, his first real instrument, which eventually inspired him to fully learn how to play not only it, but also a handful of other instruments, such as the piano, the saxophone, the synthesizer and the drum machine – all without the guidance of a music teacher. By his late teens, he was already a proficient autodidactic multi-instrumentalist who composed his own songs and uploaded them on SoundCloud – even though he didn’t know how to read music. But what distinguishes him from other artists is not the fact that he is self-taught, or his ability to play different instruments and compose engaging melodies without using a music sheet, but rather his approach to learning how to play those instruments, and how to make music without adhering to external pressures or expectations beyond his own desire to explore and entertain himself. “I was doing what I wanted. I only did the playful things, not the boring things,” he says. “The key really is the playfulness.”

FKJ

lthough he never thought that he would have a career as a musician – he actually studied sound engineering and cinema in Paris and pursued music on the side “for my own pleasure” – he soon got involved in the Parisian club scene as a DJ. “I thought to myself, ‘I can share my music,’ and soon it became full-time,” recalls Fenton, who managed to not only launch his undoubtedly successful career, but also contribute to the reemergence of French house music, thanks in no small part to the complex and dynamic nature of his musical arrangements. “My music is kind of like a melting pot,” he says, having been greatly inspired by the old jazz, blues and rock records that he grew up listening to. But despite his contributions to the so-called new French house genre, he never set out to make music in that category. “It’s just what people call it, I never said I was going to fit into that box. I’m just doing whatever fits my mood,” he affirms. And as his

7 4|

C IVIL IA N

M AG AZ I N E

mood seems to be ever-evolving, he also ventures into genres like neo-soul, nu jazz and electronic. Indeed, his self-titled debut album French Kiwi Juice is almost entirely neo-soul. Probably because of his independent streak, his wish to do music the way that he wants and he himself finds personally pleasurable and fulfilling, fame and success have not erased Fenton’s desire to keep improving his art on his own terms. “It’s really not about the fame because I’m not looking for that,” he shares. “I’m already happy professionally. Now what I want to do is to learn more, learn for myself. I don’t want to stagnate – I want to keep pushing.” Photographer: Adam Rowell Stylist: Amy Davis Men’s Grooming: Kimm DiCato Videographer: Aaron Martin Editor: Eiko Watanabe Special thanks to MishMash (@mishmashsd www.mishmashsd.com) & Matti D (@mattidstyle www.mattidstyle.com) & HUGO (@hugo_official www.hugoboss.com) & EPK Media (@myepk & @epkmedia - epkmedia.com)

Scarf, CHAN LUU. Suit jacket, HUGO. Shirt, HUGO. Sneakers, AXEL ARIGATO. Socks, TALENT’S OWN.

Top, THE CAUSE COLLECTION. Pants, THE CAUSE COLLECTION. Forever ring, A LITTLE TOO MUCH. Constellation ring, RELLERY. Bracelets, MAISON MIRU. Earrings, A LITTLE TOO MUCH.

SARAH JEFFERY

Born to

Perform Monica Dias

“Being an actor is not easy, but dancing has a shorter career span. Once your body starts aging, to grow older, it starts to become a little hard to continue that profession. And where I’m from, it’s a little harder to book jobs as a dancer – then acting started to feel like the right choice,” says Sarah Jeffery. Originally from Vancouver, British Columbia, she has been performing for most of her life: She started appearing in musicals and stage productions as a dancer when she was three years old, and continued on that path throughout her childhood and teenage years, participating in dance competitions and training in the dancing program at her high school. But despite her extensive dance background and her evident love for the art, Jeffery has probably been best known for her acting gigs, particularly for her tenure in FOX’s sci-fi drama series, Wayward Pines, and her starring role in The CW’s 2018 reboot of the 1998 series, Charmed.

CI VI LIAN

MAGAZ INE

|77

Sweater, SHOW ME YOUR MUMU. Dress, SILK LAUNDRY. Butterfly ring, A LITTLE TOO MUCH. Bronze ring, SILVANA K DESIGNS. Earrings, A LITTLE TOO MUCH.

SARAH JEFFERY

er pivoting from dancing to acting was unexpected. “I didn’t even know that I wanted to be an actress before my first project,” the 23-year-old actress says. “It was more like something

that I was more curious about and thought, ‘Maybe, I could make some money doing it and pay for school.’ Then, I got my first project, and I loved it. It made sense to me. I’ve always been a performer, and I could see a more fruitful career in acting.” Jeffery has not left the world of dance entirely, however, as she still participates in competitions with her dance crew Body. In addition, Jeffery can also carry a tune, which has led some to call her a triple-threat performer. And while she has taken a few acting classes since she began her career, much of her knowledge comes from her experience on set, where she has been coached by the likes of the illustrious Thandie Newton. Beyond her performance background, furthermore, Jeffery’s mixed heritage including African-American, English and indigenous Canadian also sets her apart from many of her colleagues. “The thing with being biracial the way I am, at least for me, is that I can look very ethnically ambiguous,” she explains, referring to her Charmed character Maggie Vera who is

African-American and Latina. “It is interesting to sort of navigate which parts I work for and which parts I am not white enough for or black enough for. So there’s definitely a sort of – it sounds odd to say – focus on my ethnicity. For me, I do know what it is to live the biracial experience, and I’m doing my best to shed light on that – I know what it’s like to live in a world where you’re a minority. I just want to do justice by the character, and I’m definitely aware when I am stepping into a culture that’s not necessarily mine.” When asked about progress in achieving diversity in the entertainment industry, she candidly answers: “It’s a tough industry but if you want to tell stories and say something important, go for it – because we definitely need that.” Photographer & Videographer: Cécile Boko Stylist: Bailee Edgington Hair & Makeup: Natalie Malchev Editor: Eiko Watanabe Special thanks to Tuck Hotel (@tuck.hotel www.tuckhotel.com) & La Monarca Bakery (@lamonarcabakery www.lamonarcabakery.com) & EPK Media (@myepk & @epkmedia - epkmedia.com)

CI VI LIAN

MAGAZ INE

|79

NOLAN GROSS

The Creative Force of

Nolan Gross Gavy Contreras

From finishing high school one year early to directing a Nike commercial, Nolan Gross is proving himself as a force to be reckoned with. At age 16, Gross has accomplished so much and has proved to be so much more than just a child star.

8 0|

C IVIL IA N

M AG AZ I N E

Shirt, KENNETH COLE. Earrings, TALENT’S OWN.

Turtleneck sweater, CALVIN KLEIN. Pants, CLUB MONACO. Shoes, G-STAR RAW. Earrings, TALENT’S OWN.

NOLAN GROSS

is interest in acting started at the age of 7 after watching the Disney Channel show Shake It Up. “I really wanted to be like one of the actors on the show because it was so different from any other Disney show, with the dancing and all the other components,” he says. After taking some acting classes and getting a manager and agent, Gross started his journey on becoming a working actor. He soon started to book roles on major TV shows such as American Horror Story and major motion pictures including Noah (2014). However, Gross doesn’t solely want to focus on acting – instead, he is honing his other creative and artistic elements. “I would want to be remembered for my creativity, not just one project or one thing I’ve done,” he describes. Apart from acting, his other artistic passions include directing and producing. After joining Adolescent – a media company that works with young creatives in developing them as directors – he was able to submit a proposal to Nike. “It was such a sweet experience to see what goes into making a project and producing it because I’m not usually behind the camera. I haven’t really seen that side very much, and it was a good learning lesson and makes me respect the person behind the camera even more,” Gross shares. “The Nike commercial kind of sums up my creativity and my direction.”

made the choice to take the California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE) – an early, high school-exit exam – in order for himself to be able to pursue multiple projects. “There was always school, auditions and things I wanted to do with friends. But now I graduated high school early, and I found a better balance with doing what I want and pursuing the things I want,” he says. In addition to acting, directing and producing, Gross is starting to dip his toes into the music scene. “I’ve always loved music and have an ear for music, I’d say. It’s just something I’ve always wanted to do. There’s a magnet on my fridge I made when I was seven that says, ‘When I grow up, I want to be a ______’ and I wrote ‘rock star,’” he adds. Describing his sound as “melodic rap,” he recently connected with some of his father’s friends, where they worked up some beats and wrote songs together. “We made this track that just really hit home for all of us,” he says. Gross prides himself on being as innovative as possible and is always looking for ways to improve himself. From his fashion and style to his acting, he’s willing to find new ways for advancement: “[I want to] grow friendships and relationships with people in my life, learning more and always keeping my head and options open to learn more. To always have an open mind.” Photographer, Stylist & Men’s Grooming: Al David Special thanks to EPK Media (@myepk & @epkmedia - epkmedia.com)

As this young star is so passionate about his artistic expression and being a visionary, he

CI VI LIAN

MAGAZ INE

|83

“I’ve always loved music and have an ear for music, I’d say. It’s just something I’ve always wanted to do. ”

Coat, CLUB MONACO. Earrings, TALENT’S OWN.

Ron Contarsy Photographed by

(for Highmark Studios)

Bracelet, MARIELLA PILATO JEWELRY AT DREEMS. Shoes, LAURENCE & CHICO.

Sequin dress, ARTHUR ARBESSER. Plaid dress, AMBRE ATELIER. Handbag, PHIALEBEL. Earrings, SIMON ALCANTARA. Coat, CATOU. Ring, JILL.HERLANDS AT DREEMS.

The

PLAID Truth

Earrings, SIMON ALCANTARA. Necklace, SIMON ALCANTARA. Blue-jean lumberjack shirt, DOPE TAVIO FOR PATRICIA FIELD ARTFASHION. Crystal-beaded pants, BYRON LARS BEAUTY MARK. Gloves, WING & WEFT GLOVES. Shoes, EMME CADEAU AT FLYING SOLO NYC.

Earrings, SIMON ALCANTARA. Dress, NOON BY NOOR. Jacket, K_Y_R_A_F_E_N_G_. Scarf, STYLIST’S OWN. Katie shoes, RITCH ERANI NYFC.Gloves, WING & WEFT GLOVES. Handbag, BAKARI.

Earrings, SIMON ALCANTARA. Top, NICOLE MILLER. Beaded top, LAURENCE & CHICO. Shorts, CAMOUFLAGED AT FLYING SOLO NYC. Jacket, CHAENEWYORK AT FLYING SOLO NYC. Shoes, VIVIENNE HU. Gloves, WING & WEFT GLOVES. Hosiery, STYLIST OWN. Mac pack bordeaux bag, PIPER & SKYE.

Earrings, SIMON ALCANTARA. Top, TALABAYA AT DREEMS. Jacket, VIDEMUS OMNIA AT DREEMS. Casablanca shoes, RITCH ERANI NYFC.

Earrings, SIMON ALCANTARA. Necklace, SIMON ALCANTARA. Top, EVANGELISTA AT FLYING SOLO NYC. Black corset belt, BYRON LARS BEAUTY MARK. Jacket, VIVIENNE HU. Pants, NICOLE MILLER. Mack shoes, FRANCO SARTO. Gloves, WING & WEFT GLOVES.

Earrings, SIMON ALCANTARA. Necklace, SIMON ALCANTARA. Amy top, CHELSEA AND WALKER. Jacket, CHAENEWYORK AT FLYING SOLO NYC. Scarf, STYLIST’S OWN.

Pants, LAURENCE & CHICO. Shoes, LAURENCE & CHICO. Gloves, WING & WEFT GLOVES.

Photographer: Ron Contarsy (for Highmark Studios) Model: Nohemi Hermosillo (for New Icon Model Management) Stylist: Alison Hernon (@718blonde – for Agency Gerard Artists) Stylist Assistant: Ayoka Lucas (@ayokalu) Stylist Intern: Raenita Robinson (@theraeality) Hair & Makeup: Vassilis Kokkinidis (vassiliskokkinidis.com – using Shu Uemura Art of Hair, T3 Micro and Eleni & Chris)

Earrings, SIMON ALCANTARA. Sideline top, ANNE FONTAINE. Corset, ALEXANDRA FUKS AT DREEMS. Skirt, VICTORIA HAYES COLLECTION. Shoes, COUGAR SHOES. Gloves, WING & WEFT GLOVES. Hosiery, STYLIST OWN.

Shirt, REUBEN AVENUE. Jeans, PRPS. Fanny pack, COACH. Watch, BRADFORD WATCH COMPANY. Shoes, ON. Socks, ON.

TYLER HENRY

Common Denominator Between All

Things Dylan Worcel

At the tender age of ten, a young boy’s life changed forever. He had a premonition of his grandmother’s passing, which was the first indicator that he had a vulnerability or connection to the spirit world. He found the courage to tell his mother what he experienced.

Tyler Henry (born Tyler Henry Koelewyn) grew up in Hanford, California, a small rural city near Fresno. At 19, he landed a hit television show on E!,

Hollywood Medium with Tyler Henry, and became the go-to clairvoyant for celebrities. His parents have been such a strong support system, but his father grew up very conservative and religious. Henry felt his gift was from God but did not know if his father would see it that way. “My dad ended up being incredibly supportive. I demonstrated my ability for him on a yearbook he had,” he recalls. “I identified some classmates of his that had died from that yearbook. That was really kind of our first breakthrough moment where he finally got an understanding of how I could do what I do.”

CI VI LIAN

MAGAZ INE

|99

TYLER HENRY

lairvoyance is the primary facet of his ability along with medical intuition, both of which, he says, are two distinct practices, but require him to connect with his deeper intuition. These various facets of his ability have evolved in strength over time. “A medium is really just an individual who has the ability to connect to individuals who have passed away, whereas the medical intuitive can get intuitive feelings about what’s going on with a living person, their well-being, and their health,” he explains, adding that his sixth sense uses the other five senses to communicate messages during a reading. He might get a smell, hear a noise, see something, or might physically feel something as if it corresponds with how someone died. He is ultimately attributing words to what he is feeling and seeing. “I just kind of get inundated with impressions. I basically have to be so intimate with myself to really notice any changes that go on – not only in my mind but in my body so information can be delivered,” he elaborates. It is gratifying for Henry to have a gift that is helping others heal and improve their lives; his goal is to maintain the integrity of messages and not skew it with his own emotions or feelings. He wants to give people something they can take

1 0 0|

C IVIL IA N

M AG AZ I N E

home with themselves and use throughout their lives. “Sometimes, people need to hear difficult news to be able to make a better change in their [lives]. I do find that, sometimes, I have to deliver health information or information about a person’s relationship they might not want to hear, but they need to hear it,” says Henry, who also published a memoir in 2016 – Between Two Worlds: Lessons from the Other Side. Although he claims to not fully understand the afterlife or the other side, he believes there is more to reality than what we can see. He says there is some kind of multidimensional element to what he does and has tried to ask spirits if they can explain where exactly they are. “How it gets explained to me from their perspective and where they are, it would be like trying to explain arithmetic to a cockroach. If you were trying to explain math to a bug, the bug does not have the cognitive reasoning to be able to understand that,” he describes. “We think of ourselves as the top of the food chain intellectually, but I think, from a universal perspective, the universe is so vast and large. I think consciousness can be even more evolved than our current state.” Photographer & Videographer: Natalie Walsh Stylist: Andrew Philip Nguyen Men’s Grooming: Benjamin Terry Editor: Eiko Watanabe Special thanks to FD Photo Studio (@fdphotostudio www.fdphotostudio.com) & Shakey’s Pizza Parlor (@shakeysusa - www.shakeys.com) & EPK Media (@myepk & @epkmedia - epkmedia.com)

Long sleeve, KARSAN CLOTHING. Jacket, RAGA MAN. Jeans, PRPS. Bandana, STYLIST’S OWN. Socks, ON.

ELIZABETH HENSTRIDGE

Bringing in the

New Era Tara McDonough

At the end of 2011, Elizabeth Henstridge flew across the pond from Sheffield, England, hoping to find stardom in Hollywood – just two weeks before pilot season began. It wasn’t long before she was cast as Jemma Simmons in the first live-action creation of Marvel’s fictional espionage, special law-enforcement, and counterterrorism agency. Her family and friends back home had a feeling that she’d be in America for a while. “You don’t realize what the biggest day of your life is when you’re living it,” says the now 31-year-old series regular on ABC’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

1 0 2|

C IVIL IA N

M AG AZ I N E

Dress, MASAKÏ MATSUKA. Coat, VANNZILL. Earrings, SENHOA. Rings, TOPSHOP. Heels, CHARLES DAVID.

Shirt, DINT. Top worn over, ATELIER PATTY ANG. Skirt, CHARLES & RON. Earrings, IRIS TRENDS. Ring, JOIA ACCESSORY. Heels, CHARLES DAVID.

ELIZABETH HENSTRIDGE

he Marvel Universe is practically exploding: Near the end of April 2019, Avengers: Endgame reached the biggest opening weekend of all time and is currently the fastest film to ever cross the $1 billion mark worldwide. For Henstridge, this is an extremely exciting time to be part of the Marvel Universe. Now that a new era is beginning, she is looking forward to seeing how these iconic storylines and characters will reinvent themselves. Specifically, she looks forward to fan reactions of upcoming scenes between her and her on-screen husband Iain De Caestecker, who plays Leo Fitz. It’s always a high point in the season for her when things are going well between the series’ favorite couple.

“Smile for Science,” with proceeds benefiting the organization’s cause. In just two weeks, 700 items were sold, providing treatment for 38 children. She was also able to experience the work of Smile Train first-hand in Mexico while visiting the highly-trained surgeons and the families that they were helping. “They have people that care after the surgery as well and give advice,” she shares. “They don’t just go in and do a surgery and are never seen again.” While her limited run of merchandise has sold out, those wishing to support the mission of Smile Train can donate directly on their website. Henstridge remains involved and hopes to visit another one of their hospitals in the upcoming year.

Henstridge also adds that bringing Simmons to life is a dream come true – being able to work with a character for 10 months out of the year is all she ever wanted to do. In the midst of working on its seventh season, she has learned a lot from the past seven years on the popular ABC show, especially from the character she plays as she is constantly aiming to emulate Simmons’ confidence, lack of apologizing, and quick thinking in any situation.

In her personal life, Henstridge trusts that what is meant to be will be. While the newly-engaged actress plans her wedding, she simply wishes for the continued health and happiness of her friends and family. “I think that’s all you can ever hope for,” she says.

In 2016, Henstridge decided to use her platform as Jemma Simmons to advocate for Smile Train, an international charity with a sustainable approach to providing free operations for children with cleft lips and palates. She created an exclusive T-shirt with her character’s image that reads

When looking to the future, Henstridge plans on continuing to work as hard as she can at bringing strong and complex characters to life, not just in front of the screen, but behind it, as well. She has recently become interested in directing and being able to present aspects of a story in new ways.

Photographer & Videographer: Natalie Walsh Stylist: Andrew Philip Nguyen Hair & Makeup: Kerrie Urban Editor: Eiko Watanabe Special thanks to Sheraton Los Angeles San Gabriel (@sheratonsangabriel www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/lgbfp-sheraton-los-angeles-sangabriel/) & EPK Media (@myepk & @epkmedia - epkmedia.com)

CI VI LIAN

MAGAZ INE

|10 5

Dress, GRETEL Z. Shoes, CHARLES DAVID. Earrings, A LITTLE TOO MUCH. Ring, LOUELLA.

MARISOL NICHOLS

Future Fight for the

Gavy Contreras

“I grew a tough outer shell. When I did auditions and heard a ‘no’ a thousand times, I was like, ‘Whatever, f**k you,’” says Marisol Nichols. From a rebellious childhood involving drugs and running away from home numerous times, to a successful acting career of over 20 years, Nichols proves to be capable of beating the odds. “I had no goals, no direction, and had no idea what I was going to do with my life,” the Riverdale actress recalls. “[Acting] saved me.” After a bad breakup, a 19-year-old Nichols found herself auditioning for a play, and with no real acting experience, she expected to be cast as an extra. Much to her amazement, she ended up cast as the lead role and her journey as an actress began from there. “It was one of those things that kind of came naturally,” she says.

While Nichols has found a successful career in acting, there is something else even bigger she is most passionate about – vigorously fighting to end human trafficking. After hearing horrific stories of children in brothels and child sex slavery, Nichols was in shock. “It takes the mind a while to comprehend something so evil,” she claims.

CI VI LIAN

MAGAZ INE

|10 7

MARISOL NICHOLS

fter continuously researching and meeting with different organizations, she decided to start her own foundation, Foundation

for a Slavery Free World, to aid in eradicating this modern-day injustice. Through this foundation, Nichols was able to meet with different people in law enforcement, and jumped at the opportunity to go undercover to catch pedophiles (“Absolutely do I want to use my acting skills to do this”). After completing self-defense training with Navy SEALs and the vice squad, Nichols dove deep into the undercover work and became hooked. “I love it. I’m addicted to it. I wanted to quit acting and become a detective,” shares Nichols, who was also recognized a few years ago by Barack Obama with the distinguished President’s Volunteer Service Award. “Kids are astonishing beings. These kids went through the worst of the worst, and some of them still had smiles on their faces. They would follow me and the other adults around, and all they wanted so badly was to just be held,” she adds, referring to her Haiti trip to

1 0 8|

C IVIL IAN

M AG A Z I N E

visit an orphanage that was populated by children who had been saved from human trafficking. Nichols has her own 10-year-old daughter and constantly worries for her. “You can’t do this work and not ask yourself a million questions,” she says. As a parent, she feels it is a responsibility and duty to educate yourself and your children in ways they can understand. In an effort to reach a larger audience and enlighten others on this issue, she has been producing a documentary series for the past year that includes footage of undercover operations from different countries. “I want to show the world what is going on,” she says. “Children are our future. We have to demand that this changes. We have to stop this, and we have to stop it now.” Photographer & Videographer: Natalie Walsh Stylist: Bailee Edgington Hair: Gui Schoedler (for Exclusive Artists Management using KEVIN.MURPHY) Makeup: Crystal Tran (for Exclusive Artists Management using tarte cosmetics) Editor: Eiko Watanabe

Special thanks to Luxe City Center Hotel (@luxecitycenter - luxecitycenter.com) & EPK Media (@myepk & @epkmedia - epkmedia.com)

Black swim trunk, DEANJEANUS. Jewelry, TALENT’S OWN. Top, GRETEL Z. Pants, GRETEL Z. Shoes, MICHELE LOPRIORE. Hoop earrings, LILOU. Stud earrings, MAISON MIRU. Ring, LILOU.

JOHNNY ORLANDO

Fever Taking the

Wheel Dylan Worcel

I had the opportunity to speak to Johnny Orlando last year. At the time, he was collaborating with a bunch of writers and producers. He now says there is no way to describe the feeling of seeing the music he has poured his heart into on Spotify and other streaming platforms. “There’s just so much stuff that has happened that I’m so grateful for,” he reflects. At 8 years old, Orlando got his start covering pop songs on YouTube. 8 years later, he has a devoted fan base across the world. Earlier this year, he released Teenage Fever. The EP showcases a mature pop sound mixed with R&B and hip-hop elements. (His older sister Darian Orlando co-writes most of his songs.) His single “Last Summer” had been released and was then re-released on Teenage Fever. “It's so weird because I remember creating each song and making little tweaks that would make the song’s sound so different,” he says.

1 1 0|

C IVIL IAN

M AG A Z I N E

Sweater, TIGER OF SWEDEN. Jacket, TIGER OF SWEDEN. Pants, TIGER OF SWEDEN. Shoes, REEBOK (AVAILABLE AT LA MAISON SIMONS). Belt, SANTA BARBARA POLO & RACQUET CLUB (PHOTOGRAPHER’S OWN). Ring, TALENT’S OWN.

JOHNNY ORLANDO

“

aste My Time” tells how people don’t want

their time wasted unless it’s being wasted by someone special. Orlando describes in the song that he enjoys this person wasting his time. “Everybody has that one guilty pleasure. It’s like, you know you shouldn’t, but you do it anyway because it’s fun. That’s just kind of what the song is about and embracing that,” he says of the message of the song that has resonated with his fans and has become their favorite. With the EP’s release, Orlando embarked on the Teenage Fever Tour this past spring. “Being on tour has allowed me to see so many things, meet people, perform, but also experience different places around the world. It’s a whole experience and all the things touring comes with. That is really what makes it awesome. Social media is a really good tool to have because I can see all of the things I have experienced so far in my career,” he explains of the opportunity to be immersed

1 1 2|

C IVIL IAN

M AG A Z I N E

in different cultures on the road. Although social media has ultimately become a way for him to interact with his fans and share his life with them, he thinks that “it’s really easy to get sucked up into the whole social-media way of life. Eventually, those problems become bigger than any other problems in your life. My dad and my sister make sure I don’t really get to that point. They always give me some perspective once in a while.” In fact, together with his younger sister Lauren Orlando, he has teamed up with The Cybersmile Foundation, affirming that we should be able to enjoy the digitally-connected world without the fear of being bullied, abused, or threatened. As Orlando tells me that he wants to keep making art and music, he is excited to learn, grow, and look toward his future, spreading joy, love and kindness online and through his work. Photographer: Jeff Hui Stylist: Aliecia Brissett Stylist Assistant: Tomomi Nakano Men’s Grooming: Jenna Burrell Editor: Eiko Watanabe Special thanks to Koryo Samgyetang (@koryo_samgyetang - koryorestaurant.ca) & EPK Media (@myepk & @epkmedia - epkmedia.com)

Jacket, AMI (AVAILABLE AT LA MAISON SIMONS). Shirt, TIGER OF SWEDEN. Pants, TIGER OF SWEDEN. Shoes, REEBOK (AVAILABLE AT LA MAISON SIMONS). Belt, SANTA BARBARA POLO & RACQUET CLUB (PHOTOGRAPHER’S OWN). Rings, TALENT’S OWN.

ELI BROWN

Old Soul Rejuvenates

Young Spirit Gavy Contreras

When Freeform’s massive-hit show Pretty Little Liars came to an end in 2017, millions of hearts around the world broke. However, now two years later, fans were finally able to see its spin-off, Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists, with new storylines and faces. One of these fresh new faces was Eli Brown from Eugene, Oregon.

After catching the acting bug in high school, Brown did theater acting for years. His very first audition was for The Perfectionists, making this his first time ever in the spotlight, a fact that “terrifies” him. “The idea of not being able to go pick up milk without multiple [people] deciding [if] they have to say hi [to me], is what terrifies me,” the 19-year-old newcomer says. “I’m just another person trying to go about their day.” Since Brown’s hometown in Oregon is “a tight community, and everybody knows everybody,” he hasn’t had to deal with mobbing crowds or people knowing his name, much unlike his famous co-stars such as Janel Parrish and Sofia Carson. “They gave me advice [on] how to deal with the madness of being on a wildly famous show, and how to deal with the sometimes overwhelming aspects of fame, work and people wanting things from you,” shares Brown, who is keen on “staying grounded, humble, and expressing humility.”

1 1 4|

C IVIL IA N

M AG AZ I N E

Shirt, KENNETH COLE. Pants, DIESEL.

Jacket, TOMMY HILFIGER.

ELI BROWN

rown even gave up his smartphone for an outdated flip phone “to stay away from the madness of social media” as his

Instagram and Twitter blew up seemingly overnight – and the flip phone was a way for him to escape the frenzy that would come along with it. He uses his iPad for social media activity, allowing him the option to “take a breather from it all, whereas with a smartphone, you’re constantly tuning into all these [social forums].” Indeed, Brown is passionate about wanting people to go out and live life, something that a smartphone doesn’t really allow. “I just feel like nowadays you can literally do anything from your room – order any dish, watch any movie, learn any fact, and you’re not really living. It’s taking the life out of life if you’re doing everything from your phone in your room. You’re not actually going out and learning these things. You’re not doing anything because it’s right in front of you, and that’s not the life I want to live,” he affirms.

While he doesn’t necessarily like the idea of a smartphone and social media, he doesn’t think it should be completely erased. “It’s a very cool thing that allows you to connect with new people, reconnect with old friends, and see what your current friends are up to,” he explains. Nonetheless, Brown himself found it difficult to find a healthy balance of using a smartphone and going out and living life. He is now adamant that what comes along with these social apps is “an endless vacuous cycle” of scrolling through feeds with “nothing new happening and nothing really important.” This rising actor – whose co-stars describe as being an old soul – plans to stick with his antiquated flip phone and hopes his future involves more acting gigs and a fuller embrace of life. He wants to experience everything life has to offer: “travel, try stuff, do stuff, be bigger.” Photographer, Stylist & Men’s Grooming: Al David Special thanks to EPK Media (@myepk & @epkmedia - epkmedia.com)

CI VI LIAN

MAGAZ INE

|117

“I just feel like nowadays you can literally do anything from your room – order any dish, watch any movie, learn any fact, and you’re not really living.”

Turtleneck, CALVIN KLEIN.

Oversized slouchy knitted jumper, MCQ ALEXANDER MCQUEEN. Mesh star trousers, ROBERTA EINER. Leather heels, DORATEYMUR. Jewelry, SWEET PEA FINE JEWELLERY.

XENIA TCHOUMI

The Modern

Entrepreneur Monica Dias

Swiss-Italian fashion influencer (with Russian origins), public speaker and entrepreneur, Xenia Tchoumi has had multiple opportunities to settle into a relatively safe and distinguished career – she was (and still is) a regular contributing writer for a number of Swiss business magazines, and she has hosted her own TV show about successful Italian business. She was even given the opportunity to work full-time for J.P. Morgan. However, despite her college degree in economics and her obvious interest in business and finance, she chose not to pursue a surely profitable career in investment banking. “I tried my way into finance a few times,” she says. “But then, I realized that while it was all very interesting and it taught me a lot, it wasn’t creative enough for me, and it wasn’t entrepreneurial enough. I wanted something more entrepreneurial and independent from old structures.”

Silk print shirt, VERSACE. PVC jacket, BETTIE PAGE CLOTHING. PVC skirt, BETTIE PAGE CLOTHING. Leather heels, DORATEYMUR. Jewelry, SWEET PEA FINE JEWELLERY.

XENIA TCHOUMI

ventually, taking advantage of her previous freelance writing experience, she began blogging about fashion and lifestyle, which quickly garnered her a large online following. “I started thinking about luxury life and about art,” Tchoumi recalls. “To be fair, it wasn’t about me at all. And as soon as I started publishing on Facebook and on the website, it started growing exponentially.” Though not originally a heavy Instagram user, she soon realized that “people wanted to see more of me, of my clothing and style, and I thought, ‘Maybe, I should go on Instagram and show not just my lifestyle, not just stuff like architecture or interior design, but more of me.’ And that’s when the brands started approaching me, and that’s when it became more of a full-time job.” Tchoumi has since then worked as the digital ambassador of multiple high-end fashion and lifestyle brands, as well as collaborated with magazines such as ELLE, Vogue and Vanity Fair (“I transitioned from my previous career into a fully digital, entrepreneurial career”). Public speaking came next. “The speaking came along because I felt like I was getting more and more followers from all over the world, and I had a voice, and I didn’t just want to speak about clothing or style or beauty. I had stuff to say. I was like, ‘Listen, I have a voice, and I need to use it.’ I get a lot of DMs and a lot of emails about, ‘How do you do this?’ ‘How do I start that?’ ‘What do you think about that motivation?’ and a lot of help requests,” she elaborates. “So I thought that the best way to channel that was to start speaking.” Now, Tchoumi boasts three

motivational TEDx talks and a speech at the United Nations. She is aware of the influence that she, as a public figure with a large following, has on her fans and audience, and she purposefully tries to use her significant platform to advocate for self-improvement and personal empowerment – particularly when it comes to women, who self-proclaimed feminist Tchoumi seeks to uphold with her inspiring words. That said, her goal is to help everyone, to motivate her audience and to inspire them to gain confidence and pursue their goals. “Sometimes, just a few tiny pieces of advice to people can help change their mood and help them up. Even if just one person gets inspired, that’s really rewarding,” affirms Tchoumi whose newest dream is to work with startups. “I would like to become a sort of venture capitalist – but with my own image, with what I have to offer with my platform, with my reach, [and] also with my marketing skills. And I would like to take on board a few companies that I believe in and that I think are a fit for me, and that I think have potential, and start developing them with my own portfolio, and integrate Instagram, Facebook, fashion, beauty, and everything that is public speaking and motivation, so that the whole thing can just become a synergy.” Photographer: Owen James Vincent Stylist: Keeley Dawson Hair & Makeup: John Christopher (using Bumble and bumble. & M•A•C Cosmetics) Videographer: Emily Rowland Editor: Eiko Watanabe Special thanks to Buckingham & Lloyds (@buckingham_lloyds - buckinghamandlloyds.com) & Stein’s Berlin (@steins.berlin - www.berlininkensington.stein-s.com) & EPK Media (@myepk & @epkmedia - epkmedia.com)

CI VI LIAN

MAGAZ INE

|12 3

Smart Luxury in

Central London Vanessa Ferrelli

Located at 10 Carlisle Street, deep in the heart of London’s Soho district, The Nadler Soho offered stylish accommodations for our London stay in late May. A recipient of TripAdvisor’s 2019 Certificate of Excellence, The Nadler Soho blends classic luxury with the vibrancy of its surrounding locales and modern convenience. We were surrounded by art and culture from the moment we arrived, greeted at the front entrance by a towering statue of Selene, the goddess of moon and magic, representing sleep, by local artist Hew Locke. Our room offered comfort and technology, equipped with a spacious bathroom with an oversized shower, and an interactive television with the ability to stream content directly from our mobile device. We even selected from their pillow menu, ensuring extra comfort for our stay. There was also a convenient bespoke kitchenette, along with a microwave, fridge, water filter, complimentary coffee and fair-trade tea. We jump-started our mornings with fresh coffee, tea, and a delicious array of breakfast items. The breakfast was available for delivery to our room or in person at Scarlett Green, a two-minute walk from the hotel’s front entrance. Menu highlights included avocado toast on charcoal bread, spicy shakshuka eggs and toast, and fancy bacon roll with eggs, roti bread, and hollandaise. The hotel also filled our room’s fridge with a custom assortment of our favorite items.

Despite its comfort, we didn’t stay in our room for very long, only because The Nadler Soho is surrounded by the vibrant culture of the Soho district, and we were encouraged to fully enjoy it. We actually loved discounts and perks at a long list of local bars, innovative restaurants, highend salons, luxury spa treatments, and tours. We wandered down Carnaby Street and London’s Chinatown, toured the British Museum as well as the Handel & Hendrix in London museum, and caught a performance at the Royal Opera House. For more details, visit: @nadlerhotels – www.nadlerhotels.com

CI VI LIAN

MAGAZ INE

|12 5

EXICO: M M O R F H D I S PAT C

n i y a w a Hide

o j e n a t a Zihu Thomas Wilmer

TRAVEL

long Zihuatanejo’s palmfrond-shaded beachfront promenade, you’ll find open-air cantinas and fishermen hawking their daily catch. The horseshoe bay is packed with fishing vessels and luxury yachts. During the cruise season, mammoth luxury liners drop anchor further out in the bay. Tenders shuttle passengers for port-of-call visits before moving on to pollinate Acapulco, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, and Cabo. At the northern edge of town, near Playa la Ropa, the taxi climbs a short hill to the towering entry gates of cloistered La Casa Que Canta – literally meaning “the house that sings.” The valet opens the car door and smiles invitingly as he scoops up our luggage. The soft, humid air envelops us as we are escorted into the inner courtyard. “I feel like someone just brushed me into the most beautiful impressionistic painting,” a nearby guest confides to her partner as they survey the exotic enclave. This boutique resort is peerless in every aspect: architecture, setting, ambience, staff attitude, exceptional cuisine, palatial-sized grand suites, and a spa and fitness center. Two years ago, Travel + Leisure proclaimed La Casa Que Canta “the most romantic hotel in the world.” A secluded salt-water pool and whirlpool, just inches from the crashing waves, are tucked against the rocks at the cliff bottom. The main pool, adjacent to the open-air cantina, literally hangs atop a cliff edge, 150 feet above the sea.

1 28|

C IVIL IAN

M AG A Z I N E

In the 1994 Hollywood movie When a Man Loves a Woman starring Meg Ryan and Andy García, there’s a 50-second scene filmed at the resort’s legendary horizon pool. Within weeks of the film’s release, more than 2,000 romantic couples booked getaways. In order to figure out where this ultra-romantic place was located, they had to scroll through the tiny film credits. Each guest suite, named after a traditional Mexican song, is equally scintillating with handpainted tiles and furnishings, decorated with colorful tropical flowers, and parrot, mermaid and monkey accents that pay homage to renowned Mexican artists Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. The buildings’ exteriors are finished with roughtextured burnt-sienna-colored stucco along with the added touch of randomly embedded straw. Inside the suites, guests are welcomed by a brilliantly-colored work of art that appears at first glance to be embroidered onto the bed’s duvet. It takes a moment to realize that it’s actually a creation of fresh-picked flower petals with dainty green sprigs placed there by the maids. Custom-crafted furnishings include wrought-iron tables and sumptuous lounge chairs on the private decks. Bathroom touches include granite vanities, spacious marble walk-in showers, and bidets. The visionary creators of La Casa Que Canta are Jacques Baldassari and his wife Yvonne. Baldassari previously worked as a L'Oréal executive, and obviously learned his life lessons well. He’s applied a nuanced attention to detail, and staff caters methodically to every guest’s slightest whim.

TRAVEL

With 25 suites and two private villas, there’s the atmospheric sense that you are a privileged guest staying at a grand, private estate rather than a boutique hotel.

To dine at Restaurante Mar y Cielo is reason enough to come for a stay. The house specialty is, not surprisingly, seafood prepared in traditional local fashion.

The guest accommodations are so seductive that you could easily experience a memorable vacation without ever leaving your suite. The eight most popular abodes are the grand suites that come equipped with private swimming pools perched on secluded cliff-hanging bay-vista decks and yet totally insulated from the neighbors.

There are thousands of upscale resorts in the world, but very few meet the matchless, first-class, indulgently romantic elements found at the house that truly sings.

Mexican design motifs throughout the property include enchanting mosaics and traditional ceramic sculptures, all flawlessly accented by an abundance of cacti, brilliant-plumed trees and tropical flowers.

For more details, visit: @lacasaquecanta www.lacasaquecanta.com

A FRIEND OF THE MUSIC COMMUNITY Assistance In Times Of Need

We provide funds for basic living needs, insurance premiums, medical bills, and more.

Addiction Recovery Services

We provide financial resources so no one in the music industry will go through this process alone.

Preventative Care

Our free screenings, clinics, and workshops help ensure the music community stays healthy and well.

MusiCares.org