Rival Mag LA Issue 13: June 2022 by rivalmagazinela

Letter from the Editor We’re back!! Hello 2022, the year is halfway over already( crazy to think about right?!) and Issue 13 is here to celebrate the beginning of summer! The June issue took all hands on deck and is by far one of our most thought-out, passionate projects to date. We’ve spent the better part of the year focusing on where we wanted to take Rival and the type of content we wanted to bring to our fans this year. We’ve been working closely with your favorite TV and Film stars and have some amazing talents for you to check out in this issue such as Reed Shannon from Amazon Primes “The Wilds” and Lee Majdoub from the “Sonic the Hedgehog” franchise. Inadditiontofilmandtv,livemusichasalwaysbeenahugepassionforus. To showcase that love, Rival has been photographing concerts, writing live show reviews, posting album and tour announcements, created the ‘New Music Friday’ roundup and interviewed tons of new and established artists. We really hope you love this issue as much as we do and thank you for being the best fans ever. Have a safe and happy summer! Heather. Rival Graphic Designer Liat Halmos

EJ Williams

Kate Stewart

Lee Majdoub

Maria Angeliq

Reed Shannon

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Writer: Ashley Vitarelli Co-Directed: Heather Koepp & Oththan Burnside Photographer: Heather Koepp Wardrobe Stylist: Oththan Burnside Mua: Kelli Corbet

Writer: Olivia Vitarelli Photographer: Heather Koepp Creative Director:Oththan Burnside Wardrobe: Oththan Burnside Mua: Nelly Santiago Hair: Chatwaka Johnsoni

Writer: Olivia Vitarelli Photographer: Heather Koepp Creative Director: Oththan Burnside Wardrobe Stylist: Oththan Burnside Mua: Noeila Hair: Doug Mengert

Writer: Olivia Vitarelli Co-Directed: Heather Koepp & Oththan Burnside Photographer: Heather Koepp Wardrobe: Oththan Burnside Grooming: Chatwaka Johnson

Tasya Teles

Writer: Olivia Vitarelli Photographer: Heather Koepp Wardrobe: Camille Bersier Mua: Elizabeth Follert

Writer: Ashley Vitarelli Photographer: Heather Koepp Grooming: Robert Bryan Wardrobe: Morgan Wynn

Writer: Ashley Vitarelli Co-Directed: Heather Koepp & Oththan Burnside Photographer: Heather Koepp Wardrobe: Oththan Burnside Hair: Chatwaka Johnson

Table of Contents

4.....................................EJ Williams 18...................................Kate Stewart 30................................Lee Majdoub 44................................Maria Angeliq 58................................Reed Shannon 70................................SK8 84................................Tasya Teles 96................................Polaroids

WILLIAMS WILLIAMS EJ Williams

EJ Williams By: Ashley Vitarelli

The remarkable talent of EJ Williams knows no bounds. His sensational ability to electrify screens with compelling performances time and time again speaks for itself. He has leant his voice to countless voiceover projects, appeared in television series and shorts, and is the youngest Black male lead of a network TV show in decades. As if those accolades weren’t impressive enough, when looking at EJ Williams’ career from a numerical perspective, his artistic inclination simply shines even brighter. Indeed, the 12 year old actor has been in the entertainment industry for three years, received two NAACP Image Award Nominations, and stars on one of the biggest shows on television. EJ Williams has already accomplished so much in his career, and he has only just begun. If the previous three years are any indication, EJ Williams is destined to not only dominate the industry, but dazzle the world. The North Carolina-born actor has fond memories living on the East Coast before venturing to Hollywood. “I was really young when I lived there,” Williams explains. “One thing living in North Carolina taught me was that I don’t like the snow!” More of Williams’ earliest memories also include his passion and future career: acting. “My earliest memory of acting was when I did a school production,” Williamsreflects.“Itwasprettycoolbecausemyrolewasthehostandnarrator of the play.” From there, it was only a matter of time before Williams took the industrybystorm.“MyfirstbreakintotheindustrywasanopportunitywhereIgot to do a commercial for an international luxury watch brand,” Williams says. “That opportunitymeantalottomebecauseitwasthefirsttimethat ealized Ir howmy work in one project could open doors for other projects. Now, it means even more to me personally because it was the start of my love for watches. My dad is a huge watch guy, and doing that commercial gave us another shared interest.” Well-equipped with his earlier experiences and work, Williams was poised to make his mark on the industry, a feat he achieved while making his television lead debut as Dean Williams in ABC’s hit show The Wonder Years. “The audition process wasonethatdefinitelystretchedmealittlebitmorethananyother,Williams ” says of going out for the show. “Considering how big of a role it is, I now understand why.Itismorethanjustfindingsomeonewhocansaythelinesandwholooks good on camera. For me, this audition process taught me the importance of not just embodying the role but also in understanding the context around which it is all written.” His hard work and preparation proved successful when he learned he had bookedtherole.“Itwassuchasurrealmoment,”Williamsreflects.“Iremember thinking it was another producer session, but I thought it was weird that both my parents were staring at me as I signed into the session. When Fred gave me the news, I was so excited! I was happy and thankful. And it all made sense why my parents had their phones out the whole time!”

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EJ Williams brings Dean to life in one compelling and captivating performance after another. “Dean is a very energetic, honorable kid who wants nothing but the best for himself and everyone around him,” Williams says of his character. “These are things that really attracted me to the character. For Dean to be heartbroken — and still feel bad for his friends that betrayed him — is so special and heartwarming.” Of course, Dean being such a compelling character is a testament both to Williams’ portrayal of him, and also the program at large. The hit show features Academy Award-nominee Don Cheadle as the narrator and premiered on ABC in September 2021 to stellar reviews. “The Wonder Years is about the Williams family in Montgomery, Alabama and their experiences on a daily basis,” Williams notes. “The triumph and troubles they deal with are very interesting because they are so relatable. It’s always great to also hear Don’s voice and see how he puts his spin on things. Every time I hear it, it gives me a new perspective.” Few 12 year old actors are able to say that they have top-billing on a hit ABC show. Indeed, that’s just another day at work for the talented EJ Williams, who, in helming The Wonder Years, is the youngest Black male lead on a network television show in decades. “It means a lot to be the youngest Black male lead in decades,” Williams shares. “I’d say, God has put me in a great position, and it means a lot to be able to see and feel all the love and appreciation that everyone has towards it.” Moreover, Williams has taken his role as a leader in stride, taking it upon himself to make the set for The Wonder Years a happy and exciting place for everyone to work. “A typical day on our set, outside of all the hard work, is me telling jokes,” Williams explains. “Sometimes the morning can be bland, as everyone is trying to get a rhythm for the day, so I like to go around and make them happier.”

WILLIAMS Williams can also be seen in recurring roles in Henry Danger and Danger Force, opportunities that proved invaluable. “Henry Danger and Danger Force helped me to prepare for live action shows,” Williams explains. “One thing I learned from working on Henry Danger was the process of wearing prosthetics — I had a love/hate relationship with my beard.” Beyond lending his talents to on-screen roles, EJ Williams also shares his skills — or morespecifically,hisvoice—withotherprojectsand programs. In addition to being a talented actor in front of the camera, Williams also shines from the voiceover booth in animation work, starring as Bingo on Disney Junior’s Puppy Dog Pals and voicing Dirk on Nickelodeon’s The Loud House. “It’s different in many ways,” Williams says of how voiceover work differs from on-screen acting. “One way is that I am not on my feet all day. With voiceover, I can get a session done in just 2 hours all while sitting! And also, the faces you get to make when recording makes the job fun. My favorite part of doing voiceover work is the different things that you can do off screen that you can’t do on screen. Some of the faces and expressions we make while getting into character are priceless!”

WILLIAMS Magnetic, charismatic, hardworking. These are just three words that EJ Williams embodies both on screen and off, whether he is acting in Hollywood, or dedicating his time to charities and organizations that are important to him — such as the Dare2Dream Foundation. “The Dare2Dream Foundation is one that my parents started,” Williams shares. “So supporting it is something that means a lot to me. Supporting it is supporting other kids who, like me, are in search of following their dreams.” Williams’ dedication to supporting foundations is inspiring and empowering to people of all ages. Similarly, Williams notes who he is personally inspired by, citing his parents and their phenomenal advice. “My biggest inspirations are myparents,”hereflects.“Toseealittlebitofwherethey started and see how they have grown to where they are now is a great inspiration. Watching them succeed and continue to grow together is motivation for me. My dad always tells me ‘a delay is not a denial,’ with that mindset, you can do anything.”

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At just 12 years old, EJ Williams has catapulted himself to high levels of stardom and success — and he is only just getting started. Indeed, the young actor has big plans for the future, goals he hopes to accomplish, and people he aspires to work with. “In the next 3 years, I hope to be executive producing,” Williams says. “Being behind the camera is amazing! I think it’ll help me to grow in many areas within this industry.” As for what he wants to achieve next, hosting SNL ranks highly on that list. “I think it would be a great opportunity,” he shares. “As a person who loves comedy, I think it would be an amazing experience.” Looking to future collaborators, EJ Williams shares one name in particular that jumps out to him. “I would love to one day work with Will Smith,” he explains. “That guy can do it all! I think it would be a great opportunity to work with him because not only do I think it’ll be fun, but I think I can learn a lot from him.” The star of The Wonder Years is wise well beyond his years, excelling at his craft time and time again, so much so that he received two NAACP Image Award nominations — a feat he cites as a career highlight. “My favorite memory, so far, would be hearing about my NAACP Image Award nominations,” Williams shares. “It’s such an honor to be included. It motivates me to continue to work hard and grow. And to be able to share this experience with the people I love dearly is important because I know I wouldn’t be here without their love and support.” EJ Williams’ talented performances and powerful perspectives on the industry and the world reflectamaturityandmagicinherentinhisbeing.Indeed, there is no stopping EJ Williams and what he will achieve next. He is the star of The Wonder Years, and he is quite simply wonderful. “ I enjoy being able to become different people through my characters,” Williams says of acting’s power. “The thing I enjoy the most about being an actor is the smiles I put on people’s faces. The power of acting is storytelling and bringing out the deeper meaning to things.”

Co-Directed: Heather Koepp & Oththan Burnside Photographer: Heather Koepp Wardrobe Stylist: Oththan Burnside Mua: Kelli Corbet

Kate Stewart

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Kate Stewart By: Olivia Vitarelli Following the release of her new single ‘Numb,’ self-proclaimed “bad bitch R&B” songstress Kate Stewart readies the world for her upcoming EP, You Had To Be There. The singer-songwriter chats with Rival about her creative process, the importance of trusting one’s own instincts, and how an in-class performance of the paradigmmusicaltheatertune‘OnMyOwn’inspiredahead-firstdiveintothepop music industry. Growing up in West London, Kate says she “can’t think of a better place to live and be creative.” Still, the genesis of her artistry can’t be attributed solely to London’s great inspiration. “I grew up in a very musical family so I feel like I was destined to go into the arts,” she reveals. “I studied musical theater from a very young age, and then I went on to study music and songwriting. Both my parents were and still are in the industry, as is my brother, so I’ve always been around it, and there’s nothing else I could ever see myself doing.” While her passion originally centered around musical theater, Kate’s keen popsensibilitiesandvelvetvocalseventuallygrewtoodistinctivetofitintothe note-perfect restrictions of the genre. “I always wanted to go into musical theater,” explains Kate, launching into a tale about her college Song and Dance class. “My teacher asked me to sing ‘On My Own’ from [the musical] Les Miserables. I sang thesongandaddedmyownflairtoit,probablyhadalittleriffinthereatsome point, and my teacher stopped me and said ‘What was that?’” Kate’s response? A straightforward, “‘It’s just the way I would sing it.’ And he said, ‘No, no that’s not what we do in musical theater.’ As soon as he said that, and I realized I wasn’t able to express my voice how I wanted to, I knew it wasn’t for me…from that moment on, I thought, I want to be a pop star.”

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The journey through the music industry, however, is an arduous one. “[It] isdefinitelynotfortheweak,”Katenotes.“Youhavetoworkreallyhard,try not to get defeated, and keep going. Which is what I’ve done, and will continue to do until I get where I want to be. But it’s been a very long and tough but enjoyable and incredible journey.” With such a mixed bag of life lessons, musical triumphs, and dismaying tribulations throughout her career, the singer-songwriter haslearned,quitesimply,“Youhavetotrustyourgut.”Reflectingonfurther takeaways from her experiences, Kate adds, “Take advice and criticism and don’t getdefeatedbyit.Youhavetokeepevolving,ittakesareallylongtimetofind your sound and your authentic self, [but] once you get it, you’ll feel it, and it will be so liberating…I’ve learnt to never, never give up.” Perseverance, a quality required in broad strokes for the longevity of Kate’s career, is also required in the minutiae of a musician’s work, from the countless hours spent in the studio to the careful conceptualization and construction of a song. “I like to start with the beat,” Stewart explains of her songwriting process. “I have to have a solid vibe before I can start thinking of melodies. I need to know where the song is going to go. After we’ve got something I like with the production, I’ll start thinking of melody ideas and then write the lyrics…I often come to the studio with a word or a song title that I like and then we go from there.”

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Lee Majdoub By: Ashley Vitarelli

Starring in a movie that grosses over $300 million globally is a feat that most actors only dream of achieving. For many, it’s a goal, a desire, and a career North Star. But for Lee Majdoub, it has been his reality — twice. The incredibly talented actor can be seen portrayingAgentStoneinthehitSonic film the Hedgehog and its sequel Sonic the Hedgehog 2, with the latter continuingtodazzleanddelightattheboxofficetoday. Outfittedwithaformidableresume,phenomenaltalent, and undeniable star power, all eyes are on Lee Majdoub asheexcels,excites,andelectrifiestheentertainment industry. “I was a baby when we left Lebanon, so I don’t rememberthewar,”Majdoubreflectsonhischildhood and being born in Lebanon during the Lebanese Civil War. “We moved around quite a bit when I was growing up. I learned numerous languages and learned to adapt to new surroundings, which I think has helped me as an actor.” Lee Majdoub continues to recall his childhood and how it impacted the person and actor he is today. “I was always creative,” he explains. “I was quite artistic and wanted to pursue Product Design in college. As a kid, I had many dream jobs. I wanted to be a professional athlete more than anything. I also wanted to be like my favorite anime characters growing up: Vegeta from Dragon Ball Z and Shiryu from Saint Seiya.

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SuchcreativityinherentineveryfiberofMajdoub’sbeingwouldsoonbecome evenmoreapparent,firsttooneofhissisters,andthentofansallaroundtheworld. “One of my sisters persuaded me to take classes on the side while studying in college,” Majdoubsaysoftakinghisfirstactingclassatage20.“Sheknewitwassomething I would be drawn to. I learned that I wanted to connect and that I have a lot to offer the world, whether it’s through the roles I play or connecting with people on set, or connecting with fans.” From there, it wasn’t long before Lee Majdoub began making his markontheindustry,landinghisfirstbreakinthebusinessthroughbookingarolein the 2007 series Bionic Women. “It felt incredible to book that job,” he shares. “I felt like it was the beginning of my professional journey.”

Indeed, it was just the beginning for Majdoub and his career, which was about to level up in remarkable ways thanks to one word: Sonic. “It was like any other audition,” Majdoub says of the audition process for Sonic the Hedgehog. “I went to the casting officeinVancouver,auditionedforacoupleofscenes,andthatwasit.”Fromthere,the rest was history. “A few weeks later my agent called me to tell me I had booked the role. I couldn’t believe it.” Moreover, when that same phone rang a few years later with word onthefilm’ssequel,Majdoubwaselatedandoverjoyed.“Iwassohappytobeinvited backforthesequel,”hereflects.“IwasquiteemotionalwhenIgotthecallaskingmeto come back.”

Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic the Hedgehog 2 feature such star-studded casts, including Jim Carrey, James Marsden, Ben Schwartz, Idris Elba, and countless others — an impressive ensemble that was not lost on Majdoub, who loved sharing the screen with such talented creatives. “I mainly worked with the wonderful Jim Carrey,” he explains. “We have so much fun together. The rest of the cast I either met on set when wewerefilmingdifferentscenesoratthescreeningevents.They’reallsowonderful. I think we’re truly blessed to have such a great cast in these movies. Everyone truly cares. We’re all big fans of each other and you can tell.” Indeed, that love, admiration, and respect between actors is not only palpable on screen, but also prevalent off camera,aswell.“Ihavesomanygreatmemories,”Majdoubreflects.“Thefunwehave, the laughs we share, the collaboration, coming up with fun ideas with Jim. I got to make JeffFowlerlaughquiteabitwhenwefilmed Sonic 2, and that was so gratifying. His laugh is incredibly infectious, so when he would break, we would all break. So much fun — nothing like making people laugh.” Majdoub’s fanbase extends far beyond that of making Jeff Fowler laugh on set, indeed, he is adored by fans all over the world for his portrayal of Agent Stone, a fact that is not lost on him. “It’s so cool, isn’t it?” Majdoub gushes. “The fans have been absolutely wonderful. I still have trouble taking it all in and accepting it as reality. Surreal. Truly surreal.” As for what is the most rewarding part of bringing Agent Stone tolifeonscreen,thatquestionisfarmoredifficultforLeeMajdoubtoanswer.“It’shard to pick one thing that is most rewarding about playing Agent Stone,” he explains. “The deep connection fans feel to Stone, working on movies based on the games I grew up loving, working with Jim Carrey, working on a large studio movie with Paramount, working with the incredible team involved in bringing these movies to life. The cast, the crew, all of it has been so rewarding.” Beyond his work in the Sonic franchise, Majdoub can also been seen in The CW’s hit show The 100, as well as lending his voice to projects such as Need for Speed: Playback and FIFA 18, proving time and time again that his talent knows no bounds. “I loved working on The 100,” Majdoub shares. “It was a show I had hoped to be a part of for a long time. Some friends were working on the show, and we all would talk about how cool it would be if I could join.” As for his voiceover experiences, Majdoub recalls them with a similar feeling: love and admiration. “I love voiceover work,” he shares. “Itdefinitelyworksadifferentcreativemuscle.Withvoiceover,youactuallyhaveto use your body and facial expressions a lot more than you would think. It helps with conveying vocal emotions or intentions.”

In addition to being an absolute force to be reckoned with in front of the camera, Lee Majdoub is also a powerhouse off camera, particularly in his promotion of causes that are near to his heart, such as representation and mental health. “I’m passionate about a lot of things when it comes to representation and the challenges that come with being deemed ‘different’or‘weird,’”Majdoubreflects.“Asakid,IgotpickedonalotforthewayIlooked and acted. On top of that, I experienced a lot of prejudice and racism after September 11, 2001. I struggled with my identity a lot. Through years of continuous self-work, I’ve been healing and now I try to shed light and support communities that need it. I think there’s a lot of work to be done in general. We’re still seeing a lot of Ageism, Ableism, Racism, Homophobia, Transphobia, and more. All of us deserve the right to live our lives in peace and free from fear. With regards to mental health, I’ve always wanted people to know that we all struggle in some way, shape, or form. I used to look at star athletes, actors, musicians, etc. as these beings of perfection because that’s what we used to be shown. So when I would struggle, I would think something was wrong with me and only me. It’s great to see how many more people are speaking about their struggles. I think it helps people feel less alone in this life.”

With such profound musings, Lee Majdoub is clearly an inspiration to many, while also still being inspired by so many powerful people in his personal life. “Jim Carrey has inspired me in so many ways, both creatively and personally,” he shares. “RobinWilliamswasalwaysinspiring,aswellasGeneWilderandPeterSellers.Ifind myself drawn to actors who could bring such joy to the world, and at the same time convey heartache and pain. I have an endless list of people that have inspired me. My parents inspire me. What they lived through and how hard they worked to bless us with the life they blessed us with is incredible. What motivates me is my pursuit of connection and wanting to inspire people. I want to connect with as many people as possible. I want to continue to portray characters who give a voice to people who feel voiceless. I want to continue to inspire.”

Ashereflectsonhiscurrentpositionintheindustry,Majdoubhas an insight and appreciation that is beyond perceptive. “Right now I’m just taking it all in,” he says of the success following Sonic the Hedgehog 2. “The response to Sonic has been incredible. I experienced a big milestone this time around with being a part of the marketing and press. It has all been a wild dream. To see that poster of Agent Stone made me emotional in so many great ways. Growing up, I don’t remember ever seeing anyone who looked like me on a poster.” Looking to the future, he has big plans. “I want to work with so many people, I want to work on so many things. I want to do it all.” Indeed, with such impressive accomplishments already in his repertoire, selecting a favorite moment is likely a challenge, and yet for Majdoub, he is able to synthesize his experiences in such compelling ways. “My favorite part is being able to express myself in so many different and fun ways,” he notes. “And connecting with people on so many levels.” Incontinuinghisreflectionsonhiscareer,Majdoubgenerously offers advice to actors hoping to achieve what he has, as well as messages to his former and future self. “Go for it,” he says to aspiring creatives. “If you love it and you’re passionate about it, go for it. Try not to worry about giving yourself a timeline. There’s no control over when opportunities will pop up. Heal your wounds. Work on yourself. The more you learn about yourself, the more you can bring to your performances. I’ve been extremely fortunate to learn multiple languages and experience different cultures. I think what I continue to learn is that I’m me. There’s nowaytodefineme.Iamme.Youareyou.We’reallconnectedbylove andenergy,andweallhaveourownexperiences.Ifwetrytodefineit, I think we take away from those experiences in life and how they affect and inform us. I would say to my younger self, you are wonderful, you are perfect,weirdisgreat.You’regoingtogothroughalotoftoughtimes, life is going to be hard, people are going to be mean. But you are going to do so many wonderful things and you’re going to help so many people because of your experiences. Whenever times get tough, I’m here. I love you. Oh! By the way, you’re going to be an actor and work with Ace Ventura! How cool is that? And to my future self, thank you.” Lee Majdoub is many things, a skilled actor, talented voice artist, powerful speaker, and gifted creative. To simplify, Lee Majdoub is a star — one that the entire world is watching. “It’s all about connection,” he says of the power of acting and the value of storytelling. “I think great storytelling and great performances can help heal the world.” Indeed, taking Majdoub’s sentiments into account, he is doing more than just delivering powerful performances every time he graces the screen, he is healing the world.

Photographer: Heather Koepp Grooming: Robert Bryan Wardrobe: Morgan Wynn

ANGELIC ANGELIC Mariah Angeliq

Mariah Angeliq By: Olivia Vitarelli

Mariah Angeliq, the Miami born and bred singer who burst onto the music scene with her hit song Perreito in 2019, knew she was destined for life as an artist thanks to a passion for dance, a wait for the school bus, and a slew of powerful, inspiring women. “I knew I wanted this since I was waiting for the bus to go to elementary school watching MTV music videos,” she says. “Seeing Rihanna and knowing that I could be great just like them one day.” The twenty-two-year-old artist, whose mother is Puerto Rican and father is Cuban, cites Jennifer Lopez as another essential inspiration, explaining, “I always wanted to dance, and seeing J.Lo as a Latin woman showed me that I can be impactful to the world as a Latina woman.” Her greatest values in life are simple: “music and family.” And with a steadfast drive to keep her focused in a world of persuasion and distraction (a skill that she cites as one of her greatest strengths), Mariah has accomplished a feat only dreamt of by many: “to make music as a career and sustain [herself] off of it.” Now, with over 11,500,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, the singer is gearing up for her second European tour, as well as the upcoming release of the “biggest record of [her] life.”

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Thesingerfindsjoyinembracinghercreativity–infollowing her dream unapologetically. “The best part about being an artist is that I get to remain who I am and live off of expressing myself as a creative human being,” she explains. “If I wasn’t singing, I would be working on being an artist.” Recently, she collaborated with a slew of talented artists on a Coca-Cola ad, covering the beloved Queen song A Kind of Magic. “WorkingonsuchabigprojectwithCoca-Colahasbeensuchafire experience,” she says. “From recording the legendary Queen song, to meeting new artists, vibing with the Coke team, and shooting the campaign; it’s honestly been an uplifting and career-changing moment for me.”

Mariah,aself-described“unapologetic,empowering,andfly” performer,infusesflavorsofconfidenceintohersongs,musicvideos, and live performances. “[Performing] is a surreal feeling because I remember when I didn’t think this dream was possible for me. It’s motivation to keep making music knowing how many people support me from the beginning.” Ultimately, Mariah hopes “to prove that it’s not impossible to be the biggest artist in every genre.” And, beyond thrilling career goals, she hopes to inspire her audience and help make a positive difference. The singer says, “Even though I don’t have complete power to change everything, I can only do my best to empower women and others like me to continue to strive for greatness and be the best them. Believe you have something special to offer without needing validation from anyone.”

Photographer: Heather Koepp Creative Director:Oththan Burnside Wardrobe: Oththan Burnside Mua: Nelly Santiago Hair: Chatwaka Johnsoni

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When creating music, Mariah says, “I usually just go off the vibe of what I’m feeling at the moment. I listen to the beat, I go into the booth, I mumble my melodies, and when I step out I turn my mumblesintowords.Myteamstepsintohelprefinetheconcept and direction of what we all think will make it a hit. By the time you know it, we got a banger.” With a blooming discography – featuring onealbumandaprolificbodyofsingles–Mariahrejectsthenotion ofdefiningherever-evolvingandever-individualsound.“Iwouldn’t describe my sound, it describes itself,” she says. “Take a listen, there’s only one Toxica.”

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Reed Shannon By: Olivia Vitarelli

Reed Shannon has shifted into drive, or, as he more astutely calls it, “high speed pursuit towards greatness.” With a principal role in season two of Amazon’s hit series The Wilds, as well as an upcoming music release, the boundless nature of his creativity is evident. Exuding humility and gratitude, Reed chats with Rival about The Wilds, his dream music collaborations, and a visittoNewYorkthatchangedeverything. Shannon grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina. Well, sort of. Hequicklyclarifies,“Technically,myaddressisinWakeForest, NC, but most people I meet only know Raleigh and Charlotte, so it’s just easier that way.” This candor might be what makes him such a magnetic artist; a willingness to tell the truth wrapped in a desire to help others characterizes not only his response to “where are you from?”, but also his pursuits across music and actingfieldsalike. From a young age, he’s been entertaining. “I left home for 16 months to travel across America with Motown: The Musical,” he says. The previous year, while not performing, he “had the opportunity to travel to Beijing at the age of 12 to be immersed in the culture there.” Expressing gratitude for what he describes as a “super blessed life,” Reed notes, “My parents always wanted to make sure that I had everything I needed to be successful in whatever I set my sights on. On that same token, growing up as a young black boy, this country and world can be very unforgiving when it comes to mistakes or missteps. I feel as though being able to see the world at that young age and then to come back and experience America in the heat of the Ferguson riots that came from the killing of Michael Brown showed me every aspect of life that I needed to strive for success in my life.”

ItwashisfirsttimevisitingNewYorkthatleftReedwithanunshakable awareness, this “success” would be found in entertainment. “I was 9 years old, and I remember going to see the musical Memphis and watching Derrick Baskin perform the song ‘Say A Prayer,’” he says. “The performance was so moving. The audience was captivated. Standing ovation at the end of the show, of course. Once it was over, I ended up meeting Carlos Pena from Big Time Rush, and he had some great words of encouragement. It got me so hyped up that I left the theatre on the wrong side and got lostinNewYork.I’llneverforgetfeelingscaredbutexhilaratedatthesametime.Iknew I had to entertain, and I’ve honestly never turned back.” Over a decade later, Reed’s making his younger self abundantly proud, starring as Scotty Simms in season two of Amazon’s hit young adult series The Wilds. Season one of the series follows a group of teenage girls – unknowing subjects of a social experiment–astheyarestrandedonanisland,forcedtoovercomeconflictandmystery

in order to survive. Season two begins when a gaggle of teenage boys are thrust onto the island as well. “I’ve said it before, but I feel like I can’t say it enough! The Wilds, to me, is a showcase of some of the most talented young actors this industry has to offer,” says Reed. “This new season takes the heat up on all levels. The intensity that comes withseasontwoisunmatchedinanyotherYAshowoutrightnow.I’msuperexcited for audiences to see the way boys being thrown into the mix changes the dynamic… [Creator] Sarah Streicher and [showrunner] Amy Harris are geniuses and masters of their craft.” Following the series’ premier, a devoted body of fans quickly amassed. Among them?ReedShannonhimself.“Iwasafanoftheshowwhenitfirstcameoutin December 2020,” he reveals. “It was so dope to me that these young actors were getting a chance to perform with depth and talent. I felt like I’d never seen a ‘teen’ showwithsuchcompellingstories.”WhenthetimecametoflytoAustralia–theonlocationsiteforthefilmingofseasontwo–Reedsays,“Ifeltsomepressurepullingup to the airport, but as soon as I met some of the other guys, I realized that we were all scared and nervous, so it made me feel a little less alone.”

This connection between cast members mirrors the show’s broader goal: to breed understanding and, as Reed calls it, “conversation.” He says, [The Wilds] deals with parallels in teen life that humanize what would be seen as ‘dramatic teenage behavior.’ I think it also does a great job at completely stripping the structure of America and presenting it to audiences through unique characters from all walks of life. Getting to play somebody like Scotty Simms, who I relate so closely to, was an extreme blessing. Everything these kids on these islands are talking about matters. That’s important in a society that can be so divided in so many different ways, nowadays.” Reflectingontheexperienceoffilming, Reed reveals, “I can’t begin to describe the ways in which I’ve grown from even justlandinginAustraliaforthefirsttime. I’ve always been the type of person who understood the value of personal growth. The way that life challenged me while we were filming,showedmealotaboutmyselfandthe peoplearoundme.Forthefirsttimeinmylife, I was able to see a new me.” He continues, “I was given the chance to throw myself into a character and leave it on set when I was done for the day. In my time off, I had to make sure that I didn’t lose myself or become stagnant in my pursuit of life. It wasn’t easyatfirstbecauseInevertraveledthat far to live somewhere else. I had a hard time grasping that, but eventually I caught myself. I was able to understand a little bit more about my purpose. Those kinds of realizations onlysetfiretothecraftofacting.Itgaveme experience to pull from in my work. That’s all we as artists can ask for.” Reed’s artistry isn’t limited to just acting. As a musician, he describes his work as the “chronicling of [his] journey…a corner where Soul, Pop, and R&B meet.” On dream collaborations, he reveals, “I don’t think this feature is long enough for me to make my perfect pitches, but I’ll try my hardest. I definitelyneedachancetoworkwith,oreven just sit down with, Donald Glover (Childish 68

Gambino). I would love to work and learn from Pharrell. Last but not least, I need to get on stage with Bruno Mars before I die. I’ll tell you right now…THAT show? Legendary.” On May 26th, Reed is set to release his next single and music video: ‘Drown.’ “I’m super excited about this record,” he says. “It was produced by my The Wilds castmate Aidan Laprete. Aidan is the GENIUS producer behind my last song ‘Bad Girl.’ I’m hopeful that we’ll get another chance to tell the story of The Wilds and come back for a third season. But, if not, I’m still going to be here. Creating dope art and spreading love everywhere I go!” Love seems to be a signpost for all that Reed does. “In regards to acting,” he says, “I just hope to entertain and inspire. I get absolute joy from putting smiles on people’s faces. That’s all this is for me. I sincerely hope that I continue to tell stories that matter and play characters that are compelling.” With his music, Reed says, “I just hope that whoever stumbles across me feels my soul through what I create.” Adding a touching note of recognition, he says, “I just want to thank God, my family, and Dajuel for holding me down in every moment and facilitating a life where I get a chancetospreadmywingsandflyashigh as I can go. Big thanks to A3 Artists Agency and Christy at 42West for joining me in my pursuit of whatever I’m meant for.”

Co-Directed: Heather Koepp & Oththan Burnside Photographer: Heather Koepp Wardrobe: Oththan Burnside Grooming: Chatwaka Johnson

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SK8

By: Ashley Vitarelli

Provisioned with the perfect concoction of drive, dedication, and talent, the incredibly gifted singer, songwriter, and recording artist SK8 arrived in the City of Stars with one goal in mind: to create.Sufficeittosay,hehasdonethatandthensome.Beit collaborating with some of the biggest names in the industry, receiving praise and accolades from both critics and fans alike, or releasing his debut EP Last Day On Earth, SK8 has proven time and time again that he is a spectacular creative that has not only created an original sound and music, but also a name for himself. As fans all around the world cheer his name and his music reverberates around the globe, it becomes clear that SK8 marks the future of music — and everyone is listening. “Growing up in Nebraska there wasn’t much going on,” SK8 reflects.“Iplayedbasketballgrowingup,startingwhenIwasakid. At age 13 I started doing music. When I was 15 and a sophomore, I started handing out CDs in high school, but I was still pursuing basketball. It was a lot of just kicking it and hanging out with friends, playing sports, and messing with music.” Moreover, despite SK8’s initial aspirations to play basketball professionally, as time went on, he started to take his creative interests more seriously and prioritizing music. “I was writing lyrics to popular beats,” he explains. “And that’s kind of what started my music career. And then when I was 15, like I said, I actually started giving out CDs in high school. I was trying to sell them, but I ended up just giving half of them away.” AsSK8reflectsonhispast,aloveandappreciationformusic — as well as being inspired by a variety of different musicians — proves to be a common thread. “My dad, growing up, was always listening to music, so I always had a love for it,” he shares. “Even when I was going to basketball or to school, I always had my headphones in listening to music.” Listening then evolved into something else for SK8: writing. “I was just writing lyrics at home and recording it directly into the computer,” SK8 explains. “I didn’t even have a microphone, I just recorded directly into GarageBand.”

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From GarageBand to Los Angeles, SK8 was destined to make history. “The move to LA was different then Omaha, obviously,” SK8 recalls. “It was a lot more fast-paced, but I moved out when I was 19, which was right after I opened on tour for an artist named Jack & Jack.” Beyond opening for the duo, SK8 also appeared on the goldcertifiedsingle Like That with Jack & Jack. “To know that people were connecting to that song was awesome,” SK8 says. “It was a cool periodinmylifetohavethatsingleontheradio.Reflectingback on it, it was something that helped start my career. Jack & Jack also had a large social media following. I opened up for them, and they did a whole House of Blues tour. After every show I was just meeting a bunch of fans and seeing a bunch of fans on stage. That’s how I started gaining a following and saw people that enjoyed my music. I had just a little bit of money in my pocket and I moved to LA, just staying on their couch. I started linking with artists and building my career from the ground up. I’ve been here for seven years now.” Now, seven years later, SK8’s debut EP Last Day On Earth is available. “Last Day On Earth is a mix of rock and rap, which to be honest, all rock has a lot of rap,” SK8 explains. “My sound is just kind of coming together with everyone I grew up listening to like various hip-hop artists and various rock artists. To name a few, Lil Wayne, Nirvana, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sublime — just pulling all those people I like listening to and bringing them into my sound. I also wanted to utilize live instrumentation that has a more alternative sound, but also being able to stay myself and rap over the top of the beats. It was just a really cool collaborative project that I think is a new sound evolving in the culture.” SK8 approaches his music with such care and attention to detail, a feat that manifests itself masterfully in all of his tracks. “Using live instrumentation and still being able to give my rap-rock feel over the top of that is that sound you hear,” he shares. “As we evolve in music, I think it should be genreless. There shouldn’t be any genres, everybody listens to a lot of different types of music and as an artist, sometimes they try to stick you in a certain category. I think Last Day On Earth is pretty genreless, it has a little bit of everything.”

That little bit of everything goes a long way, with SK8’s music meaning so much to so many devoted fans all around the world. With nearly 900,000 followers on Instagram and over 9.4 million global streams on some of his previously released music, SK8’sfanbaseisloyalandvast.“Ilovemyfans,”hereflects.“Withoutthem,Iwouldn’t be able to do what I love doing. I have had a lot of personal experiences with fans. Even when they hit me up in DMs they will say ‘this song really connected to me’ or ‘this song really changed my life,’ or ‘this song really spoke to me.’ I love hearing that people are connecting to my music, that is what I am here for, to inspire people.” In addition to SK8’s music connecting with fans, it also connects with other creatives in the industry, including Wiz Khalifa, Good Charlotte, Sum 41, DVBBS, Sueco, and Rock — artists that all appear as collaborators on Last Day On Earth. “The creative process, for me —especially when I am doing features — I like to be in the studio with the artist,” he notes. “I don’t really like sending music out to anybody, I like having an actual bond with the artist and being in the studio with them while we are creating it from scratch. Sometimes if I have a session and it’s a six to eight hour session I will get two songs done so that’s about three to four hours per song. I go into the booth and

laymymelodiesfirstandthenwhichevermelodyIlikeI’llkeepthoseandwritelyricsto that. It’s a longer process than people think.” SK8 notes Kurt Cobain, Nirvana, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Lil Wayne as some of his biggest inspirations, and explains that his motivation to pursue music comes from his love for it. “I really love creating music and enjoy seeing myself grow as an artist,” SK8 explains. “I mean it’s always great to have people that respect my music and listen to it and enjoy it, but I don’t do it for critics or press, I do it because I enjoy it and to inspire people and to give my opinion or my feelings on a track. I never did it for the critics, views, or money, I just did it for the love of music. To have music out and have people relate to it is a bonus.” Forward facing in his future plans, SK8 is poised to conquer what lies ahead of him in the industry. “I’d like to be able to continue to make music that people enjoy and be on bigger stages,” SK8 says of what he hopes to achieve next. “To be able to headline another tour and meet the fans — that is what is most important, that’s what’s next.ArtiststhatIwouldlovetoplaymusicwitharefirstandforemosttheRedHotChili Peppers. I would love to get a song with them. Lil Wayne would be an amazing feature.

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There are a lot of artists that I would enjoy working with in the future. I could sit here and name hundreds of them, but those two, in particular, would be really cool.” Reflectingonhisexperiencesintheindustrysofar,SK8hastaken every aspect of his career in stride, all the while learning a great deal about himself and the music business. “Through my career, I have learned that creating music is something I really love doing and something I really enjoy,” he shares. “My favorite part of my career is being in the studio creating music. The most rewarding part is connecting with the fans and knowing that my music is transcending energy to other people. I would love people to just listen to the music and interpret it in their own way.” SK8’stalentisseeminglyinfinite—capableofcaptivatingthelove of his fans all around the world, capable of collaborating with some of the industry’s biggest names, and capable of creating high quality material and music. Indeed, if music is a power, then SK8 is a superhero. And just as every story needs a superhero, the world needs SK8 and his artistry. “The power of music is to be able to inspire people and connect with people through the music,” SK8 says. “If I make a song and people connected to that and can feel that transfer of energy, that is really special. If I go into the booth and create music, that is an energy transfer from me going into the microphone and into the computer, and then it goes out to the digital stream platforms and it goes into the listeners’ ears. That is what it’s all about, the power and the energy transfer.”

Co-Directed: Heather Koepp & Oththan Burnside Photographer: Heather Koepp Wardrobe: Oththan Burnside Hair: Chatwaka Johnson

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TASYA TASYA Tasya Teles

Tasya Teles By: Olivia Vitarelli Thepathfromfinancetocomedyisawell-troddenoneforactressTasyaTeles.Now, starring as Nat in the new Hulu comedy series Shoresy, Tasya chats with Rival about her acting odyssey, from embracing an atypical upbringing to surrendering her proclivity to overthink. Growing up in Vancouver, Canada, Tasya credits her parents – and the culture surrounding her – to burgeoning her uniqueness. “I was fortunate to grow up in a very multicultural household filledwithLatinmusic,salsadanceparties,andsurroundedbyethnicfoodsandfamilyfriends from all over the world. It wasn’t a conventional household, and I remember as a kid all I wanted wastofitinatschool,andhaveless‘eccentric’parents,”shesays.“I’dbegforapeanutbutter

Jumpsuit: RITA VINIERIS @RitaVinieris Cape: ANAMIKA KHANNA @AnamikaKhanna.In Socks: Macy’s @Macys Shoes: J/SLIDES @JSlidesFootwear (arringsAFLeBIJO8;#AfleBijoux Ring: Stylist’s Own

and jelly sandwich for lunch at school, rather than the usual vegan curry, or rice, beans, and plantains. I even went through this phase where I obsessed over microwave TV dinners because in my young mind, that’s what ‘normal’ households ate. But looking back I feel so grateful that I had suchuniqueandprogressiveparentswhodidn’tcareaboutfittingin,orbeing‘normal.’” Tasya’s parents, through “encouraging [her] eccentricities,” taught her the boon that is embracing one’s differences – especially as an artist. “Gifted artists have the ability to challenge convention by offering a creative perspective on things,” she muses. “If we can’t accept that we’realluniqueandspecial,welosesomuchofourselvestryingtofitin.Ilovebeingweird,andI love weirdos. I surround myself with as many as possible. It always makes for the best parties.”

Dress 1: SNDYS. @SundaysTheLabel Dress 2: SNDYS. @SundaysTheLabel Blazer: DIVALUKKY @DivaLukky Pants: SNDYS. @SundaysTheLabel Bag: ENAMOURÉ @Enamoure Shoes: JUSTFAB @JustFabOnline Earrings: Stylist’s Own Rings: Stylist’s Own

TASYATELES

Inherfinalyearofschool,Tasyasays,“Iwasstudyingfinance,andI

was pretty miserable, so I decided to take an acting class as an elective. I had been having this intuitive nagging feeling for years that I needed to explore acting, but felt confused by it. I guess it was fear holding me back,” she surmises. “I didn’t know anything about how to make a career out of acting. My parents had encouraged me to explore many curiosities and career paths, but acting was never one that came up. It was something I was too shy to share with them.” With“nothingtolose,”Tasyaadds,“Ifinallyenrolledinthisacting

class, and like a light switch that went on, I suddenly felt full of life…I called my mom, and very dramatically of course, I told her that I was dropping out of commerce and going to become an actress! She wasn’t entirely thrilled thatIwasgoingtodropoutofcollege,andconvincedmetofinishmynearcompleted degree, which I think was a good move, but once I graduated I was really excited to start my journey into acting, and I haven’t looked back since.” Tasya shrewdly notes a takeaway from the experience: “I think if we

tune our ears and pay attention to what is working for us and what isn’t, what lightsusup,andsurroundourselveswithgoodmentors,wewillalwaysfind our way.” And she did. The actress stars in the new series Shoresy, a spinoff to the beloved comedy series Letterkenny. “Shoresy is a fan favourite shittalking, foul-mouthed, mother-loving character from the Letterkenny series,” Tasyaexplains.“He’sahockeyplayerthatwillfightanyoneonorofftheice, and is absolutely hilarious when he heckles (or ‘chirps’), the other players intheleague.We’veneveractuallyseenhisfaceuntilnow,sointhefirst episodeofthisnewshowwefinallyhavethebigreveal,andgettomeethim, his family, his team, and watch Shoresy take on a quest to ‘never lose again’ – even though his hockey team sucks and has never actually won a game.” Tasya plays Nat, the general manager of the ill fated Sudbury Bulldogs

who “hates losing just as much as Shoresy does.” And while the series remains loyal to Letterkenny in its prototypical wit, Tasya reveals that Shoresy is “more episodic and plot-driven. It has a completely different aesthetic, with a more filmicvibe,whichisreallyedgyandawesome.”Astheseriesprogresses,“[Nat and the Bulldogs] embark on a mission to get the team off the ground and finallywinsomegames,atanycost.”

Naturally, there’s pressure involved in joining the cast of a spinoff series, especially when the preceding body of work is so revered. But Tasya affirmsthat–evenwiththeburdenofexpectation – it was “mostly excitement and joy” that she experienced. “Being on set you just had this feeling like there was something really special happening that you were a part of. The cast became close very quickly and it was just a magical energy when the cameras started rolling.” Still, she adds, “There was definitelysomepressure.We’dtakeonupwardsof twenty pages a day, which I’ve literally never seen before on set. I would look at the call sheet before bed, and look at the page count for the next day, and would just be like: ‘how are we going to do all of this?’ It was kind of like riding a rollercoaster of laughter, with occasional moments of terror and self-doubt…Havingseenthefinalproduct,andhow everyone is responding to it, it’s really gratifying. It’s the best rollercoaster ride ever.” Twenty page-days, however stressful, brought the moments that Tasya celebrates for challenging her as an actor – in the best way. “I’m an actor who loves to over-prepare, but sometimes that pressure can make you go crazy, and overthink your choices,” she explains. “On Shoresy there was no time for that, which was really freeing, but also scary. I was reminded that it’s okay to simply be yourself, have fun, and just let go. That freedom is what allows us to be our most creative selves, and is one of the joys of being an artist.”

While on set, the stresses of a time-crunched performance weren’t the only thoughts occupying Tasya’s mind. “Sets are like tiny cities, and generate insane amounts of waste,” she shares. “There are manyofusinfilmrightnowwhoareconnectingto make sweeping changes in our industry…there is a movement happening and we should be excited to join this mission to protect the planet.” Tasya urges others, in every setting, to do the same. “Connect with nature and protect it. In everything you do, and no matter what the profession, or where you work, be the person who is the environmentalist. It will help give you purpose in what you do…It’s our time to shine baby! Let’s do this!” As Shoresy reaches screens everywhere, Tasya hopes that it will offer some levity in times of darkness. “I hope [the audience] takes away some good laughs and a reminder to not take yourself too seriously,” she says. “We are going through some crazy times, and the last few years have been really heavy. I think comedy is such a brilliant way of bringing people together and shaking off the day. Plus, it’s a really relatable show. It doesn’t deal with obscure concepts, and doesn’t overly complicate the narratives. It’s a simple show about an underdog hockey team trying to win some games and bring the community together – and who doesn’t like cheering for the underdog?” In addition to the gift of light and laughter, Tasya says, “I’m most excited for people to see how diverse Shoresy’s family is, and how all the characters constantly take the piss out of one another. We all take jabs at each other, but it’s always done with love. It’s a self-effacing comedy, and has a perfect balance of heart, and cutting humor. I hope people walk away reminded that sometimes we just need to take a breath and laugh at ourselves.”

Photographer: Heather Koepp Wardrobe: Camille Bersier Mua: Elizabeth Follert Dress 1: SNDYS. @SundaysTheLabel Dress 2: SNDYS. @SundaysTheLabel Blazer: DIVALUKKY @DivaLukky Pants: SNDYS. @SundaysTheLabel Bag: ENAMOURÉ @Enamoure Shoes: JUSTFAB @JustFabOnline Earrings: Stylist’s Own Rings: Stylist’s Own

MISS CIRCLE @_MissCircle_ gs: Blossom Box Jewelry @BlossomBoxJewelry : Vintage Stylist’s Own Stylist’s Own

Rival Mag LA Issue 13: June 2022

Articles inside

Tasya Teles

Maria Angeliq

Lee Majdoub

EJ Williams

SK8

Reed Shannon

Kate Stewart