Nyota Issue 29 by NYOTA Magazine

featuring

Zaria Issue 29

CONTENTS Music Empowerment Playlist

Culture 07

Zaria 21

Summy 09

Vanessa Carrasco

Liz Cass 11

Rhian Blundell 27

Stela Cole 15

Gigi Robinson 31

Jordyn Curet

Fashion WOW: Whitney Cathcart

Olivia Jellen 19

Taegen Burns 43 Emelina Adams

WOW: Bete Agonafer

THE

TEAM

Editor in Chief Carol Wright is a graduate of American University. At a young age, she became interested in telling stories through photography which eventually led her down the path of creating NYOTA. Now, her passion for storytelling has given her the opportunity to pick the brains of musicians, actors, and influencers across the world.

Art Director Nicole Cox is a American University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design. She has always enjoyed the arts, from making pottery to painting and sketching in her free time. Thanks to her wonderful professors at school, she was able to explore her passion for the arts and further implement her skills in her professional career and hobbies.

FEATURES Summy

Gigi Robinson

Liz Cass

Jordyn Curet

Stela Cole

Olivia Jellen

Whitney Cathcart

Taegen Burns

Zaria

Emelina Adams

Vanessa Carrasco

Bete Agonafer

Rhian Blundell

CONTRIBUTORS Sophie Sachar

EDITOR’S LETTER “The danger lies in refusing to face the fear, in not daring to come to grips with it. If you fail anywhere along the line, it will take away your confidence. You must make yourself succeed every time. You must do the thing you think you cannot do.” - Eleanor Roosevelt September issues of magazines often represent all things new. New trends, new ideas to explore, and new beginnings. As the summer heat diminishes and brisk fall days settle in, everyone seems focused on a fresh start or a transformation within themselves that can lead to a newness akin to the changing colors of the leaves. Our September issue is focused on empowerment because nothing quite leads to change, like feeling strong and more confident about one’s life. As you read through the interviews in each section, I hope that the musicians, actors, and creatives featured will inspire you to go after your passions, be confident in your abilities, and do the thing you think you cannot do. With Love, Carol Wright @_carol_wright

10:36 // Beabadoobee Hot Girl (Bodies Bodies Bodies) // Charli XCX

Problem With It // Plains, Waxahatchee, Jess Williamson

Empowerment Playlist Curated by Sophie Sachar 7

#NYOTAmusic

VIRGO’S GROOVE // Beyoncé

This Hell // Rina Sawayama

Nike // Shygirl

Sugar // Remi Wolf

Let Your Love Rain Down On Me // Jewel Bass

Helmet // Steve Lacy

Hold My Head // Kenny Beats

#NYOTAmusic

Summy Interview by Carol Wright Photographer: Darren Craig

Summy is a Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter who is making her mark in the world of indie pop. Her music, whether inspired by her personal experiences or the world around her, aims to inspire other women to be strong, embrace growth, and love themselves for who they are. Summy talked to NYOTA about her song “Wish I Never Left You” and her advice for aspiring singers. Before you started making and writing music, were you interested in poetry or creative writing? I wasn’t really ever interested in creative writing in school, but I did enjoy writing on my own. Who are some of your musical inspirations? Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Elton John, Lady Gaga, Phil Collins, Prince, and my brother. Do you have a particular songwriting process? No, it’s different every time. “Wish I Never Left You” has a line that says, “Counting the days ‘til my heart gets sober.” Can you talk a little bit about the meaning of that line? It means I’m looking forward to the moment where I’m free of the toxicity and bad memories of the relationship. How involved were you in the creative process for the “Wish I Never Left You” music video? I was fully involved in the making of the video, everything from creative to casting to editing. When listening to “Sus” and “Wish I Never Left You,” it’s clear your sound has changed a lot over time. Do you often try to experiment with sound? I think I’ve always known what I want my music to sound like. I think change has come with time, maturity, and experiences. Do you hope to start doing live performances more in the future? Yes, performing is one of my favorite things to do. What advice do you have for aspiring singers? Write and make music for yourself, and always be sincere.

Liz Cass Interview by Carol Wright

Liz Cass has been singing since she was a child and a member of the Lincoln Cathedral Choir. Now, she writes personal and vulnerable music that resonates with listeners worldwide. Cass talked to NYOTA about her song “Human,” the spontaneity of songwriting, and her advice for aspiring musicians. London is a city with a rich musical history. Did growing up there inspire you to pursue a career in music? Having lived here for 20 years, I definitely consider myself a Londoner… But I actually grew up all over the place! I was born in Manchester and spent my childhood years living in Lancashire, Somerset, Lincolnshire, and Kent. I guess it was the other way around for me. Rather than London inspiring me to pursue music, it was the music that brought me to London. I knew I wanted to be a singer and had a burning desire to get to the big city and chase my dream. When it comes to songwriting, do you dedicate time to that every day, or do you tend to have different ideas or lyrics hit you at spontaneous moments? It’s spontaneous for me. Lyrical and melodic ideas tend to come to me when I’m out running or road-tripping. I’ve often pulled into service stations to voice note an idea before I lose it! I was writing more regularly while I was making the album. I’m getting to work on the next one soon, so I’m really looking forward to getting back in the studio and pouring more time into songwriting again. Are there particular artists that you look to for inspiration? I grew up with quite diverse musical taste, and I think that’s impacted the trajectory of my music career a lot. I tend to get obsessed with certain songs or artists and play their songs to death before moving on to the next. Maybe that’s my ADHD! But I adore Kate Bush and always come back to her music. It’s nice to see the recent resurgence! A lot of my favorite songs are from the 80s. I love artists that take some risks with their music. Meaningful lyrics and emotive melodies are my jam. Do you find listening to and working on music to be a therapeutic thing for you? Very much so. I was having a bit of a rough time emotionally when I was writing the album, and it became a real healing process for me. Music has so much power to change the way we feel, and as a songwriter, I feel lucky to also be able to use it to vent and process my feelings and thoughts. Studio sessions often feel like intensive therapy for me! 11

#NYOTAmusic

#NYOTAmusic What story are you telling through your album The Words? I guess it’s my story of finding the words. Reaching a point where I felt able to share my feelings and thoughts through my music. It touches on lots of things I’ve experienced or struggled with in adulthood, from the push and pull of toxic relationships, postnatal depression, and finding the capacity for self-love and human connection. Tell our readers about your song “Human,” which is very personal. What inspired the lyrics? I wrote “Human” after a period of feeling really low and overwhelmed. It’s about that feeling of spiraling in your mind and not feeling able to snap out of it. Asking yourself if you’re less of a person because you’re struggling to cope. When of course, you’re not! Eventually, the cloud lifts, and you find a way to get yourself back on track. During the early pandemic days, everyone had a lot of time on their hands in quarantine. After that time, do you think that your writing became a lot more introspective? Absolutely. I wrote “Human” and similar songs around that time. I was very much in my own head and processing all kinds of things that had lain dormant for a long time. What advice do you have for aspiring musicians? If you’re a musician writing your own songs, I would say focus on finding your voice and figure out how you want to tell your story through your music. It’s taken me a long time to figure that out. Be you and no one else. I think then you’ve got the best chance of connecting with people who will fall in love with your music and, ultimately, you as an artist. And don’t give up. If you can’t solely survive on your music which most of us can’t, keep on creating and playing in your spare time. Creators need to create to survive.

#NYOTAmusic

Stela Cole Interview by Carol Wright Photographer: Munachi

Stela Cole didn’t initially see music as her purpose in life. After an injury led to her quitting soccer, she started to write songs, and from there, her passion grew. After building a dedicated fanbase and releasing a steady stream of music, she signed to Ultra Records and made her television performance debut on the show American Song Contest. Cole talked to NYOTA about her song “Rhapsody in Pink” and helping others feel empowered through her music. Did you discover your passion for music early on in life? I grew up as an athlete and didn’t realize music was my purpose in life until I was 17. I had a back injury that resulted in surgery, so when I had to quit soccer, I started writing songs on the piano in my basement. I feel like the universe forced music into my life, and once I discovered it, it was obvious I was born to be an artist. When you first started finding your sound as an artist, who were some of your early influences? My dad had me listening to every era and genre of music growing up, but I particularly fell in love with Motown and doo-wop from the 60s and 70s. I love background vocals and was heavily inspired by The Beach Boys, Diana Ross and the Supremes, and Queen when I first started writing. Over the past few years, I’ve shifted my influences, but I always find ways to still incorporate vintage vocal elements in my music. Has social media been a helpful tool for you to build a listenership as an up-and-coming artist? Social media has been a game changer for building my fanbase. When COVID hit, I was scrambling to find ways to grow because it took away the opportunity for live shows. I started using TikTok and talking to my fans every single day, and over the past two years, we’ve built a really tight-knit audience online. Some of my fans feel like family at this point, lol. Do you think you have grown as an artist after being on NBC’s American Song Contest? I think the show was a great test run for live shows, which I’m working towards right now. I’ve been in the gym almost every morning since to make sure I’m ready to perform a full set with the highest energy possible for my fans. The show made me realize how in shape you have to be to do choreography while singing at the same time… I totally underestimated it, and I’m glad I got that experience early on.

“Rhapsody in Pink” is a fun twist on a classic song. How did the idea come about to use “Rhapsody in Blue” as a base for the song? “Rhapsody In Blue” is one of the most iconic, beautiful, and chaotic pieces. I’ve loved the main melody since I was little. About five years ago, I was watching Baz Luhrmann’s production of The Great Gatsby, and “Rhapsody In Blue” was playing in the background of the scene where they introduce Gatsby’s character for the first time. I had just gotten into music and had an epiphany. I was like, “How has nobody flipped this song yet?!” and immediately wrote the idea down in my notes. I spent the next five years developing my songwriting and waiting to find the right producer to help execute my vision. What was your songwriting process for “Rhapsody in Pink?” After I found my producer Alex, we wrote the entire song one night and stayed up until 4:30 in the morning. We started with taking that melody from “Rhapsody In Blue,” and fitting it into a 4/4 meter, and adding a beat. Because the melody is so intricate and unique, I wanted to make sure my songwriting and melodies didn’t take away from it but instead added another cool element. I’d been listening to Fergie’s album, The Dutchess, pretty much nonstop at the time, so it influenced my writing a lot. Is your goal for listeners to feel empowered after listening to the song and your music in general? My goal as an artist is to help others be empowered and confident, celebrating what makes them unique. I grew up feeling like I didn’t quite fit in anywhere, so I want my music to be a place where everyone feels supported and welcomed. My music is bold, cinematic, and FUN. It helps me let go of all the negativity in my life, and I feel powerful. I hope it can help others feel the same way, even if it’s just for 3 minutes and 35 seconds at a time. What advice do you have for aspiring musicians? BE AUTHENTIC AND BE CONSISTENT! There’s SO much music released every single day. The only way to make an impact and cut through the noise is to find what makes you different and fucking run with it.

#NYOTAmusic

Words of Wisdom

Whitney Cathcart Interview by Carol Wright Photographer: Anastasia Blackman

Whitney Cathcart is the Co-Founder and CCO of 3DLOOK, the company behind the leading virtual fitting room YourFit. She has spent decades in leadership positions for some of America’s leading branded, celebrity licensing, and private label manufacturers. Cathcart talked to NYOTA about starting her company 3DLOOK and the harmful effects of the #keepandreturn trend on TikTok. Growing up, did you always see yourself working in the fashion industry in some form? Actually, no! My father was a finance guy on Wall Street, so I did see myself in New York, but I loved food and thought I wanted to become a chef. I had worked in restaurants and had the experience of being in service. After college, I fell into a sales job at a huge Italian luxury licensing company. I fell in love with the business side of the industry and was so lucky to spend time with buyers of all the iconic luxury retailers like I Magnin, Lord and Taylor, Bonwits... I also fell in love with fashion and was so lucky to work in the industry at a time when less of better was really the norm. I love the fashion industry, even now on the tech side. There is such an energy that has always pulled me in!

What inspired you to start your company 3DLOOK and dive into the world of virtual fitting rooms? I spent 30 years in the fashion industry focused on manufacturing. I have been part of local manufacturing and was around to see it move overseas. I’ve seen the rise of the teen mall, fast fashion, and e-commerce. My experience overseas particularly made me realize how

#NYOTAfashion important emergent technologies like AI and 3D would be to transforming an industry I loved into the future. The amount of waste I have seen firsthand is something that has always bothered me. I wanted to do something about it. Our virtual fitting room, YourFit, uses Artificial Intelligence to enable us to visualize products on our own bodies from anywhere. It provides convenience to customers, reduces the environmental burden, and brands also benefit with higher conversion rates and lower returns which obviously is a benefit for the environment. Additionally, with access to anonymized body data, they gain a deeper understanding of their customers to improve product design and fit, which can decrease surplus stock and increase operational efficiency.

Tell our readers a bit about the #keepandreturn trend and why people should be paying more attention to its negative effects on the environment. The #keeporreturn trend sees influencers order mountains of clothing, try them on, then ship them back. Providing social media audiences with control over the closets of their favorite creators, these engaging videos generate millions of views - as well as millions of tons of harmful emissions and unsold stock. Before it goes back on the rack, a returned product first ventures between processing facilities on the back of a gas-guzzling truck. It may be resold, but probably not. More likely, it will go from shelf to discounter to landfill. There, it will be burned or buried, releasing yet more harmful gases into the atmosphere.

What are some ways people can shop for new items while still being sustainability-minded? The sustainable fashion movement’s message isn’t to stop shopping. It’s to be mindful of what you’re buying and who you’re buying it from. We all have that section in our closet with items destined for landfill that we bought because of their discounted price yet never wore. Mindful shopping can eliminate these situations, benefiting our wallets, storage space, and the environment. Rather than purchasing cheap clothing in bulk, consumers should invest in fewer highquality items that will actually see the light of day. I have pieces in my closet from twenty to thirty years ago that were so well made. I don’t wear them often, but they are as beautiful today as when they were purchased. I’m proud they have never seen a landfill. Less of better is better for our wallets and the planet!

If the desire to shop is too strong, bracketing must be avoided, given that 40% of returns are discarded in a landfill. If you’re uncertain about the size, choose brands you’ve shopped with before or styles that flatter your body. That way, the likelihood you will need to return your purchase is minimized. AI technologies are making it easy to personalize the shopping experience. It’s also important to choose the right products, but shopping sustainably doesn’t necessarily mean only shopping recycled or vegan. Even committing to biodegradable natural fibers can significantly reduce your impact. You might consider shopping with brands who offer virtual fitting rooms or sizing help to ensure that the size that you are buying will fit you best, thereby decreasing the need to order multiple sizes and return what doesn’t fit or look good on you.

TikTok has significantly influenced recent fashion trends and fads. Do you see TikTok continuing to influence young shoppers, or do you think with people increasingly becoming concerned with fast fashion, and its adverse effects, TikTok’s influence will die down? Young consumers will continue to turn to TikTok and other new and emerging social platforms for inspiration, but for every fast fashion influencer, there’s another championing sustainability. Thankfully, statistics show the latter resonates with young audiences far more. Some 50% of consumers want the industry to become more sustainable and are actively doing their part to force change, with Gen Z leading the way. Some 60% care about a brand’s carbon footprint, while 45% are shopping for eco-friendly materials. As consumers grow more aware of fashion’s impact, those that utilize their platform to spread sustainable messaging are far more likely to capture TikTok’s attention.

What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs? Find a problem that you care deeply about, and don’t let anything stop you from fixing it. Whether a pandemic, recession, or something else, there will always be challenges to overcome and circumstances that go against you. If your idea can truly make a positive difference, go out there and change the world! Building a company is really hard work with lots of ups and downs, but seeing your vision come to life and making an impact is so incredibly rewarding. Determination, grit, and passion are three words that come to mind when I think of traits that successful entrepreneurs must possess! As Nike famously says, Just Do It!

Zaria Interview by Carol Wright Photographer: Juan Veloz Stylist: Enrique Melendez Hair: Michael David Warren

When it comes to sequels, spinoffs, and remakes, it can be challenging to make things feel fresh and original, but the latest show in the Pretty Little Liars universe doesn’t fall into that trap. NYOTA got to catch up with actress and writer Zaria, who plays Faran in the hit HBO Max show, Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin. Zaria talked to NYOTA about the collaborative environment on set, pitching a critical storyline, and working on original projects. Just last year, we were able to chat with you and discuss the Oscar-winning short film you were a part of, Two Distant Strangers, and now you’re one of the leads in a hit television show. Have you been able to sit down and wrap your head around all that’s happened in your career recently?

Each character deals with being stalked by the mysterious A on top of troubles in their personal lives. Faran has to deal with scoliosis, facing racism in her ballet classes, and a rocky relationship with her mother. How did you go about embodying Faran and understanding her as a character?

It’s been quite an exciting journey. I have been able to appreciate the excitement of it all. I feel really blessed to be in the position that I’m in. Being an actor is such a whirlwind of a job. Sometimes it’s quiet, and other times you can barely hear yourself think.

It was fairly easy to understand Faran. I think that is the grace of the writing in the show. I know what it feels like to feel outcast and othered, which is something Faran struggles with as well.

You can currently be seen in Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin as Faran. Tell our readers a bit about the show and what drew you to the role. The show is a reimagining of Pretty Little Liars. What drew me to the role of Faran was her strength, complexity, and drive. It was really exciting to meet a character with such a strong sense of self.

One thing that’s great about Original Sin is that it takes elements of popular horror films, the original Pretty Little Liars series, and coming-of-age stories but does a great job of bringing a modern lens to it all. Was there a lot of collaboration behind the scenes between the writers and actors on set so that storylines seemed authentic to today’s environment? The creators were so collaborative. I’ll have to give credit to the writers for the storylines. They were so well thought out and really gave each character their moment to shine.

Midway through the series, Faran learns of a huge betrayal that alters how she views her mom and aspects of her own life. As you were shooting episode 6, did you feel that you had to push yourself as an actress? Episode 6 was really special to me for obvious reasons. We were directed by the amazing Cierra Glaude, who is such an incredible artist. It was hard to really tear my scene partner, Zakiya Young, down like that because she’s such a light. Between takes, we’d check in with one another like: you good?

Faran is a character that is confident and quite sure of herself, but she still goes through a lot of growth throughout the season when it comes to her identity. The moment when she embraces her curly hair and finds beauty in being natural was pivotal, and it’s not something we see as often on television. Were you consulted on that storyline and how things would be portrayed? I pitched that storyline! When I read Faran, I automatically went: oh, this is a girl that thinks she’s sure of herself but is only sure of the self she created in order to

#NYOTAculture conform to these beauty standards that were constructed without her in mind. What that moment symbolized to me was that Faran was finally relinquishing herself from the confinement of “perfection” defined by others. She was finally able to come into her own definition. I owe so much credit to our showrunners, Roberto AguirreSacasa and Lindsay Calhoon Bring, for that. They were so open to that idea. It’s a blessing!

In Original Sin, you get a clear picture of why the cycle of bullying can go on and on when things go unchecked. What do you hope teenage viewers can learn from watching the show? I hope they learn to be kind to one another. It’s already a lonely world. It’s only made harder by being othered and outcast.

Did you and your co-stars spend a lot of time together when you weren’t shooting in order for a genuine relationship to translate on screen? It was such a once-in-a-lifetime experience to get the call to pick up and move across the country! We were in such a quiet town. It was so thrilling to get 8-hour dance practices to really keep me moving. I bonded so well with Ben Cook during them. Kelly Devine, our choreographer, and he both danced on Broadway. So it was perfectly set up for me to succeed and fail and try again. I think that made it easier to perform and obviously built a genuine friendship!

Irish Exit is a short film you recently wrote, directed, and starred in. What is that story about, and are you hoping to write more original projects in the near future? Irish Exit is a story about love and loss in the framework of the importance of mental health. It follows Isadora on her journey of self-discovery and independence. I’ve recently finished writing a feature-length screenplay with the same themes. I love stories. I love to create. So I expect there will be many more in my future.

What advice do you have for aspiring actors? Your best is good enough. If there’s anything else in the world you’d rather do, do that. If there’s not, you’re in the right place.

#NYOTAculture

Vanessa Carrasco Interview by Carol Wright Photographer: Matthew Salacuse Stylist: Jordan Gross Makeup: Deanna Melluso Hair: Netty Jordan

Vanessa Carrasco started as a model before making the switch to acting. After working on shows like Law and Order: SVU and New Amsterdam, she can now be seen in Life By Ella on Apple TV+. Carrasco talked to NYOTA about her character Ximena, lessons audiences can take away from the series, and her advice for aspiring actors. You started acting at a young age. Did you often put on performances as a kid, or did you have an outgoing personality that made it clear you should try your hand at acting? Before I started with acting, I never really put on shows or pretended to be certain characters. I was a model, and modeling is a pretty silent job that focuses more on the look than the personality, especially for kids. I did have an outgoing personality, though, and I wanted to do something more involved with art, so I started acting for fun, and it really grew on me. I started acting professionally at around 11 years old. What drew you to Life By Ella and made you want to be involved in the project? Obviously, with every actor, you get sent on auditions left and right and have no control over what you get or what you don’t, but I auditioned for Life By Ella for the first time in May 2021, and the script was really profound and had so many emotions packed into two small scenes, and it really stuck out to me. As the callbacks went by, I learned more about what the show was about, and it was amazing and truly a work of art. Ximena and Ella go through a situation that many friends have not gone through in life. How did you go about stepping into Ximena’s shoes and understanding her mindset? Stepping into Ximena’s shoes was definitely an adventure. Very few kids go through these types of decisions, but as an actor, you have to literally imagine it was you. You have to make up your own story in your head and carry that onto the set. Did you and your co-star Lily Brooks O’Briant spend a lot of time working through Ximena and Ella’s friendship to make sure the good and bad parts of it would seem genuine on screen? Yeah, we did talk about the story a lot, and we practiced the scenes together beforehand so it would look as natural as possible on camera, especially when we have tougher scenes involving the hospital.

Do you feel that Ximena grows a lot throughout the series? I think Ximena’s whole storyline this season is really about her growing and maturing as a friend. She learns to deal with her emotions and comfort Ella in her times of need instead of trying to withdraw herself from the situation. While it’s Ximena’s choice, essentially, how she wants to cope with emotions, she is also learning how to do it the right way, without hurting anyone. What do you hope viewers learn or take away after watching Life By Ella? I really hope people watching this show will learn that it’s okay to not be okay, and recovery takes time. Not all of it is good, but in the end, it will get better. A big part of Life By Ella is Ella deciding to have a seize-the-day mentality. Do you feel that you have adopted that mentality after working on the show? One hundred percent! Life by Ella seriously opened my eyes and taught me that you only live once, and you have to live every day to the fullest as if it was your last. What advice do you have for aspiring actors? I advise aspiring actors to be more open to taking criticism. Now, postcovid, almost all auditions are online, and you’re likely going to get rejected many times before you book a role. The industry is tough, but if you learn to move on after each audition and put your all into the script, it’ll become a passion and will pay off when you finally get to be an amazing character on screen.

#NYOTAculture

Rhian Blundell Interview by Carol Wright Photographer: David Reiss HMU: Charlotte Yeomans Stylist: Farrah O’Connor

Rhian Blundell fell in love with all forms of storytelling and, through that, found a passion for acting. Now, that passion has led her to Vampire Academy, where she can be seen playing Meredith, a loyal and strong-willed Dhampir. Blundell talked to NYOTA about training at the Royal Welsh College of Music and working on fight scenes for the show. What initially sparked your interest in acting? I fell in love with storytelling initially, in all forms. I think sharing stories of people and times, and places is one of the best parts of being human. And the fact we tell them through music and art and films is just the most magical thing in the world to me. But I can barely draw stick men, so that ruled being an artist out. And I fall over my own feet when I try to dance. Luckily acting came pretty naturally.

You trained at the Royal Welsh College of Music. Are there certain lessons you remember from school that help you in your career now? I think that the best kind of training you don’t even have to think about. I’d say the best things I learned are so ingrained in my practice that I don’t even realize that I’m applying them anymore. I think the best thing I ever heard anyone tell us was to be a decent person. Be the kind of actor people like being around and want to work with.

Tell our readers about your series Vampire Academy. What drew you to the project? The show is about a world within our world. It’s inhabited by different breeds of vampires who have their own rules and social hierarchy that may or may not be called into question. You have political intrigue, threat of attacks, friendships and loyalties being tested, maybe some people falling in love… It’s so cool, honestly. There are too many things that drew me in for me to even list. I mean, I get to play in this gorgeous world with all of these amazing creatives around me? It’s a Julie Plec show? Shooting in Spain? Who wouldn’t jump at the chance? The character was the biggest draw, though - she’s the kind of person I wish I was brave enough to be.

Did you read the Vampire Academy novels to prepare? I had read the books years ago, so I was familiar with the world, but I didn’t go back and reread them before making the show. The books are amazing, but as they’re told from one perspective, I didn’t want to get caught up in one person’s perception of the world. The show is so great because we’ve thrown the doors of this universe wide open, and we get to see things you might not have been exposed to in the books. I did go back and reread them after we wrapped, though!

#NYOTAculture

#NYOTAculture How would you describe your character Meredith in three words? Loyal. Sarcastic. Observant.

Meredith is a guardian in training, which means a lot of fight and training sequences. Was it a fun challenge to do stunt work? It was incredible - it’s one of the scariest things I’ve ever been exposed to on a job! I felt so inexperienced compared to the rest of the cast who played the dhampirs. But it ended up bonding us all really quickly because we were training together basically every day. And the whole stunt crew was amazing, we couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to spend so much time with, and they’re all so good at what they do! I have to mention Adriana Benito de Castro, she was my main stunt double, and she was a huge part of training me too. She made me feel so empowered, she made me feel so safe, and she encouraged me to do as much as I could myself. She’s such a badass - I’m so grateful to have worked with her.

Filming a television show means you get to spend a lot of time with the cast and crew. Do you have any favorite on-set moments? Anytime a lot of us were together. There was a scene in a church in one of the first few episodes, and almost every cast member was on set for that. We were outside playing card games in the sun most of the day, it was one of my favorites. The show is the variety of ages and nationalities of the cast - the conversations in the green room were one of the best parts of the job.

What advice do you have for aspiring actors? Don’t waste your energy trying to be who you think people want you to be. You’re already trying to play a character the best you can don’t add pretending to be someone else on top of that. Also, find your people in the industry - it can seem so lonely and so disheartening at times, but the people you find who are also going through it and they will usually become your biggest supporters.

#NYOTAculture

Gigi Robinson Interview by Carol Wright Photographer: Sophie Sahara

Gigi Robinson is a content creator who uses her platform for good. Whether she is teaching others about living with chronic illness, encouraging self-love, or sharing ways to tap into the creator economy, she always spreads knowledge and positivity. Robinson talked to NYOTA about her podcast Everything You Need Is Within and pursuing her master’s degree at USC. Was there a particular moment that inspired you to turn content creation into a full-time job? I would say that the moment I decided to do content full-time was in college after I proved to the fine art school that social media could be art. After that, I really committed to growing on all of my platforms, and I was able to scale from less than 10,000 followers across all my socials to over 150,000 across all of them. I knew that these platforms could be used not only for art but for storytelling, advocacy, and making a positive impact in the world. And that all happened during my senior year of undergrad. Has it been therapeutic for you to share about your own chronic illness and, through that, find an online community? Yes, it definitely has been healing and eye-opening for me to share my journey, because it’s allowed me to connect with other people dealing with the same things that I deal with. I think that it’s really awesome that I’m able to have a community of people on the internet who not only can relate to one another but who also respect and want to contribute to the conversation surrounding chronic illness and mental health. When it comes to educating others about living with chronic illness. What do you wish people knew more about? I think that I wish that more people knew that chronic illness looks different for every single person. Sometimes it can be seen as people using mobility aids or needing service animals, but other times it can be something as simple as needing to take frequent breaks during class or needing to use a computer instead of a notebook. People often think that because you need accommodations and have to register them

with HR or your office of accessibility that it’s this big, bad, scary thing. But really, accommodations are just in place to help people with illnesses perform at the same level that everyone else is already performing. Since a large part of your job is posting on social media. How do you make sure to find a balance where you can take breaks from being online? I think balance is the wrong word for people who have careers in social media. I think it’s more about integration. It’s about integrating social media into your life and making it all work in tandem. I work a lot of impractical hours, but I take breaks to attend events and do speaking gigs, and I also jump on business calls in Ubers and on buses, and I think that that is a really good way to not only optimize my time but also to manage my business. In terms of taking care of myself, I make sure to book things like massages, facials, and nail and hair appointments, so that I can treat myself. I think creators are literally always producing content that it can be hard to shut off the camera and just do something else. So sometimes, I leave my content phone and my camera at home and continue with my day without having the pressure of capturing every moment. Your podcast Everything You Need Is Within focuses on highlighting creatives and changemakers. Does the podcast keep you motivated to tap into your creative side? Absolutely. I think when I first started Everything You Need is Within, it was an audio-only show, and we recorded using live audio platforms. However, as the show evolved and grew, I decided to implement video into it. With that came a lot of technical difficulties and a lot of learning, like which kind of microphone setup 32

was best, which kind of music I needed, and what kind of art direction I needed for fresh photos. I also had to coordinate assets for the brands and for the new talent that was coming on, as well as coming up with different ways to finally record in person with a multi-cam setup. So, I really enjoyed getting to use my creative side to work on developing the show as a whole. The other thing that’s been awesome has been creating different question lists so that I have a unique point of view for every show and every episode recorded, and that’s also been a great way for me to use my creativity. How do you go about choosing guests for the podcast? I’m very specific when choosing guests for the show. I mostly choose people that are invested in the creative economy in some way, whether they are creators themselves, manage talent on the big social side, or work at a company that works with creators on a daily basis. The podcast is not only hosted and produced by Gen Z, but it’s also hosted and produced by creators, and I think that that’s really important to know. At the end of the day, we have an anti-gate-keeping attitude on my podcast, and that is something that I really am proud of because we can give people tangible resources and advice. You’re currently pursuing an M.S. in Innovation Design, Business & Technology at USC. Has your degree given you new skills that have helped your work? Definitely. I really went into this degree with an open mindset, hoping to learn as much as I possibly could, and I think that I’ve 100% stuck to that. With such a progressive degree that’s focused on the future of work and the future of technology and innovation, it’s really inevitable that I would learn new things. I personally have shaped my degree to fit under the umbrella of innovation and the creator economy and apply whatever I learn to my work today. I think that it’s really cool that I’ve been able to do not only semester-long projects but also design sprints that help shape the way that I think by using new and concrete methodologies and practices to stand out in the workplace. What advice do you have for aspiring content creators? I would say to all aspiring content creators that you should come up with a clear intention and a vision for yourself and create a blueprint of how you want to get there. I know a lot of people just go in blindly, but by making this specific list, you will be so much more prepared for the complexities of being a modern creator. The list should include your basic who, what, where, when, why, and how for your platform. And once that is done, I would really work on leaning into your intention of growing the platform and using social media responsibly. I think a lot of times, people jump into social media and the creator world without any real tangible intention, and that’s where people make mistakes and have problems.

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Jordyn Curet Interview by Carol Wright Photographer: Diana Ragland

Jordyn Curet is a singer and actress who has been acting since she was 2 years old. Now, she can be seen in the popular comedy Home Economics acting alongside Topher Grace, Caitlin McGee, Sasheer Zamata, and Jimmy Tatro. Curet talked to NYOTA about her character Shamiah and the ups and downs of social media. As a child, was it clear to your family that you would end up being a performer? Since I was 2, I always loved performing on stage and it was a great way to dive into the world of acting. My family and I certainly weren’t prepared for the amazing opportunities that have come my way. I guess they always knew somehow that I would be incredibly grateful for how lucky I am for all the opportunities. Tell our readers about your show Home Economics. What drew you to the show and made you want to audition? When I first read the audition script for Home Economics, I was 10 years old. I loved the fact that I had two moms and a very big family which included brothers and cousins. Also, many of my friends come from same-sex parents, so it’s nice to connect with them while learning to better represent the LGBTQ+ community. Are there similarities between you and your character Shamiah? I can say that season three is where I relate more to her, because we can see “Shamiah” is growing up and she is going through a lot of what comes with being a teenager. Her first crush, feeling more insecure about her house, and overall is going through a phase in her life that can be very relatable to other teen girls as well! Another facet of being an actor is being present and reachable on social media, and you are very active across platforms. Do you find social media to be an easy way to connect with fans? Social media is a great way to keep in touch with fans. I love getting to interact with everyone and engaging. For me, it’s important to be able to reach my audience and go on this journey together. With so many young people being online, there are of course downsides to social media as well. How do you think that social media is impacting your generation? It’s for sure a blessing and a curse. Many people turn to social media as a place to let anger out on one another or display harsh beauty standards on themselves, while others can simply use it to keep in touch with friends and family or their followers. Some advice I would give is to stay safe on social media since it has changed over the years.

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#NYOTAculture Tell our readers about your nonprofit foundation and what motivated you to start it. My nonprofit organization, “Jordyn’s Joy,” helps bring in donations of toys, books, and food drives, where we host events to support other organizations. We’ve recently partnered with the Ronald McDonald House of Los Angeles to donate medical supplies, school supplies, and food to kids in their hospitals. Outside of acting, you also sing. One day would you hope to merge the two and do a musical or write songs for television and movies? Since I can remember, I have always wanted to be in a musical because I love them. My dream would be to play a role in Hairspray or Wicked. I’ve always adored those Broadway musicals, and it would be an honor to play a role in one of them someday. What advice do you have for aspiring actors? If you have a passion for your craft, you have to continue working. This industry can be really hard, so it’s important to not give up and keep believing in yourself and in your dreams. Even receiving a “no” can sometimes be a lesson or a pathway that can lead to your next role. Maybe not as soon as you hope for, but certainly, your hard work will pay off.

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Olivia Jellen Interview by Carol Wright Photographer: Deidrha Fahey

Olivia Jellen had been performing as a dancer since age 3, but it wasn’t until she watched The Greatest Showman that she felt inspired to pursue acting. Now, she can be seen as young Angelyne in the original series ANGELYNE on Peacock. Jellen talked to NYOTA about working closely with Emmy Rossum, playing a role based on a real person, and her advice for aspiring actors. Was there a television show or movie that sparked your interest in acting? The movie that sparked my interest in acting was The Greatest Showman. I loved how the actors expressed themselves in so many different ways, like singing and dancing. I am also a dancer, and I started dancing when I was 3 years old. I love how I can freely express myself through different forms of dancing, like hip hop, jazz, and contemporary. I also take Acro lessons, so I was so impressed with the acrobatic abilities of the actors in the movie. I loved the beautiful music and the colorful costumes. They were so creative. I can only imagine how much fun it would be to film on a movie set like this. Also, two of my favorite actors were in this movie, Zendaya, and Zac Efron. For those who don’t know what it’s about, tell our readers about your latest project ANGELYNE. I play young Angelyne in the new limited series ANGELYNE on Peacock. Angelyne is a very wellknown figure in Los Angeles. Her nickname is “The Billboard Queen.” She put herself on many billboards all over Los Angeles because she wanted to be famous. She came up with this idea before there was any type of social media outlet to promote yourself. Her birth name was Rachel Goldberg, then she changed it to Renee Goldberg and then Angelyne. I started filming in February 2020, but then in March, we had to shut down because of the pandemic. I went back to film in October 2021. I was so happy to be back on set and see all the familiar faces come back to work on this show. For my character, I had to wear a red hair wig, so I did a wig fitting before we started filming. I also went to an optometrist to get fitted

for contact lenses because I needed to wear blue contacts. The makeup artists added a lot of freckles and also lightened my skin. It was a very long process to transform into young Angelyne, but I had a lot of fun hanging out with the cool hair and makeup artists while they were applying the hair and makeup, so it was more fun than work for me. I want you to watch the show and see the evolution of Angelyne from her younger years and what led to the turning point in her life and inspired her to become the bigger-than-life personality “Angelyne.” What initially drew you to the role of young Angelyne? When I first got the audition, I researched who she was, and I tried to find out as many details as I could so I could get into character. I always read the full script when it’s available before I memorize my assigned lines and try to research a character if it’s based on a real person to help me best portray the character for an audition. The first thing that drew me to this role was that my lines were in Hebrew because I know how to speak Hebrew. I then found out that Angelyne immigrated to Israel and lived in a town called Haifa, where my mom was born. I go there once a year to visit my grandparents and my mom’s side of the family because they still live there. Angelyne’s parents survived the holocaust, and my grandfather’s side of the family escaped the concentration camp in Eastern Europe and immigrated to Israel just like Angelyne’s family did.

Did you work closely with Emmy Rossum to build out Angelyne as a character? We had a lot of scenes together and a great connection through our role. One of my favorite days on set was when we filmed together on The Queen Mary. Emmy always made sure I was ok on set. She was so easy to work with and be in character with. Emmy is an incredible actress, and I feel very lucky to have worked with her and learned from her. I am so grateful for the opportunity to play young Angelyne. I will always remember this role, and it will forever have a special place in my heart. Angelyne is a person that people don’t know everything about due to so many conflicting stories. Was it interesting to play someone who has a bit of a complex past? Yes, It was very interesting to play someone that is so complex and mysterious because I felt I wanted to know more and more details about her past. I wanted to know more about what led her to become the big personality that she is today and why she made such a drastic change in her appearance. When you watch the show, it gives you the feeling that the more you know about her, the more you want to know. I am aware that everyone has a past, but her past and personality are so unique and colorful that it makes it so much more interesting to play her character. I think that when you watch the show, you’ll feel the same. With influencers being incredibly common nowadays, do you think that ANGELYNE is resonating with audiences differently than if it had come out sometime earlier? I think that because influencers are so common nowadays, people will be even more interested in watching Angelyne and her story and will understand her story better. Angelyne had a passion to be famous, to have all the attention and spotlight from people around her, and to be recognized as a star. She used her appearance, her pink corvette, and giant billboards to accomplish it. That was before social media existed. Nowadays, influencers are so common, and they accomplish the same goals and dreams Angelyne had by using social media. The older generation that knew about Angelyne prior to social media influencers will be interested to learn more about her background, but nowadays, all generations, younger and older, are following or becoming influencers therefore, they will have a better understanding and appreciation of Angelyne and how 41

she came up with brilliant ideas to transform herself into this bigger than life personality. Also, people will be more intrigued to watch the show and see how the original influencer Angelyne was successful in making herself famous and will appreciate her unique and genius ideas now more than ever. Now that you’ve worked on ANGELYNE, would you hope to take on more roles based on real-life people? I do hope I would play more roles based on real-life people because I feel it is a lot more challenging and requires more attention to detail to be able to portray that person authentically. I loved doing research online about Angelyne, and it was fascinating learning about her personal life story. It is almost like I was doing a detective’s work to help me understand who she was and what is the most important or most unique qualities she had that I need to make sure I incorporate in playing her character, like her body language. A big part of my preparations after I booked this role was making sure I spoke Hebrew the way Angelyne did and looked like her. I had to change my appearance with a red hair wig, lots of freckles, and blue contact lenses to look like Angelyne. I enjoyed researching the real-life Angelyne for my role as young Angelyne almost as much as I loved playing her and being on set filming. What advice do you have for aspiring young actors? The advice that I would give young actors would be to never give up on your dreams even when it gets difficult, and you don’t book a job fast. I had so many auditions, and I memorized so many scripts before I booked my first job. It is a lot of hard work, focus, dedication, and time, but if you truly like it, then it’s all worth it. The feeling when you book a job makes it all worthwhile. I would also tell young actors to have other interests and hobbies. I play volleyball on a traveling team. I dance, and always make time to hang out with my friends and just be a normal kid. If you have a good balance, you won’t feel like you are sacrificing your childhood to be an actor, and you won’t feel like you are missing out on anything. Keep believing in yourself and always give it your best effort. But most importantly, always stay true to yourself and do what makes YOU happy!!

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Taegen Burns Interview by Carol Wright Photography: Nicole Mitchem Photography

Taegen Burns didn’t always envision herself being an actress. It wasn’t until she decided to follow in her brothers’ footsteps that she went down the path of modeling and filming commercials. Burns talked to NYOTA about working on the Disney+ series The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers and how she stays creative when she’s not acting. Growing up, were you a very outgoing child? Was it no surprise when you pursued acting? While I was growing up, I would definitely say I was on the quieter side and not the outgoing one in the family. Although, I definitely think that has changed over the years. In elementary school, I remember making an All About Me poster, and at that point, I had told everyone I wanted to be a doctor. I’m not sure even now what the future holds. I do know I will go to college, but I cannot say with certainty what will follow from there. Truthfully, acting was not my original life plan. I simply followed in the footsteps of my brothers, who were filming commercials and modeling. Who are some of your acting inspirations? Among some of my favorite actresses are Saoirse Ronan, Greta Gerwig, Julia Roberts, and Zendaya, or at least those are the first names to pop into my head. I’m particularly struck by Zendaya’s range and ability to portray such unique characters. I also loved John Krasinski as Jim in The Office and was impressed to see his performance in A Quiet Place as well. Ethan Hawke is another actor who I think is downright incredible. I was introduced to him in Dead Poet’s Society, a movie that has quickly cemented itself among my favorites. As I have mentioned in the past, Shea Whigham inspired me while filming the movie The Gateway. He really took the time to help me become a better actor by rehearsing with me and giving me tips on acting that I still keep in mind today. I hope, but am not sure, that there are many other veteran actors who would help out a young actor like me in that situation. All of the actors and actresses I’ve mentioned above, as well as the many more I have not, and the characters they’ve portrayed, have directly inspired me and encouraged me to continue improving myself as an actress. You can be seen in season two of The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers. Do you have a favorite episode from the season? I would actually have to say there is a two-way tie between my favorite episodes in Season 2—Episode 1 and Episode 3. Episode 1 was a particular favorite of mine due to the simple fact that the whole cast was reunited after a little over a year. It is also a glimpse into the new season, which is a riveting time as we get introductions to the new characters and a kickoff into the new storyline. My favorite episode for Maya would have to be Episode 3. My character had a more focused storyline with Luke Islam (Koob) and DJ Watts (Sam) involving LOTS of candy. 43

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#NYOTAculture Are there similarities between you and your character Maya? Maya and I do have a few similarities, but we do have our differences as well. I would say the biggest similarity between us is just how much we care about our friends. We’re always there for them if they need advice or just to support them. On the other hand, I would say that Maya is a bit more assertive than I am, although we both tend to speak our minds. In Season 1, Maya dressed in lots of pink and a variety of accessories which isn’t quite like how I dress. Although in this season, Maya dresses more on the casual side and incorporates colors into her wardrobe that I would usually wear myself. The Mighty Ducks is a true underdog story. Are there certain lessons you hope viewers take away after watching? I think Mighty Ducks: Game Changers has a few great lessons for both young adults and individuals in general. For one, I think an important lesson highlighted in the show is the importance of working with others when facing challenging situations instead of trying to go at it alone. Individualism can be good, but oftentimes we have an easier time when working cooperatively. None of your film and television projects are similar to each other. How do you go about choosing which projects to audition for? I typically audition for any role handed to me. I haven’t made enough of a name for myself yet, and consequently, I don’t have directors and producers rushing to offer me roles. I am always open to trying my hand at new characters and roles, and I love the challenges they can present. Until I’ve been in the business for long enough to an extent where I can be picky, I’ll audition for all that I get. Outside of acting, how do you keep your creative juices flowing? When I’m not acting, I enjoy painting, reading, and going to the movies. I was given a list of movies to watch by a director I worked with recently— Jason Ensler—and I’ve spent a lot of my free time making my way through the list. I also work with a couple of different acting coaches with one on one instruction. This allows me to keep my creative juices flowing when I am not working. What advice do you have for aspiring actors? For starters, the business can be very frustrating, and you shouldn’t expect things to be easy regardless of how talented you are. It’s important to have confidence in yourself and your skills and to continue practicing your craft. Believe in yourself and believe that there is a role out there for you. It will present itself with time. It can be frustrating during slow times. I’ve gone months without auditioning at times, and I’ve often felt that I should just give up. It is a tough business, but the most important thing is staying confident and determined.

Emelina Adams Interview by Carol Wright Photographer: Frankie Batista

Emelina Adams has been drawn to the arts from a young age. Whether she was dancing, playing instruments, or acting in school plays, it was clear performing would be a large part of her life. Adams talked to NYOTA about working on the film Bullet Train, auditioning for diverse projects, and caring for her mental health. Growing up, was it obvious you would one day have a career that allowed you to be in front of a camera? From a young age, I have always loved the arts. Growing up, I was in ballet, tap, gymnastics, choir, played piano, and performed in my first play in elementary school. I started taking acting classes from a young age, and it was something I always wanted to do, but I wasn’t sure how I was going to get there. Before pursuing acting, you were a model. Do you think that modeling has helped you prepare to be an actress? It most definitely has. I didn’t know how to get into acting, and I thought modeling was a good stepping stone to becoming an actress. It is also a creative industry and practice of being in front of a camera. I do feel modeling and acting are two different worlds, but modeling and competing in beauty pageants prepared me for the entertainment industry and shaped me into the person I am today. Who are some of your acting inspirations? There are so many talented people out there that it’s hard to narrow it down, but some of my favorites are Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Lawrence, and Leonardo DiCaprio. You can currently be seen in Bullet Train. How did you prepare for your role? This was so crazy for me because when I got the audition, I didn’t receive a script or any dialogue. I had to improvise a scene, and my acting coach, Graham Shiels, helped me with this audition. I booked it off of my self-tape. I’ve never had an audition like this before. Improvisation is such an important tool, and I have taken classes at the Groundlings, which I LOVED, so I think that has helped me a lot. Even when I got to set, the director wanted me to improvise, so you always have to be ready and on your feet! Bullet Train had an incredibly stacked cast. Did you learn a lot just from being on set with everyone? I really did learn a lot. It was surreal to be on this set with all of these huge A-list actors. It’s honestly such a dream come true. Everyone was so kind, professional, and welcoming toward me; it made me feel like I was included even though I’m not a big name like them. I learned that you always just have to be ready for anything because you never know what direction you’re going to get and to be open to changes in the script. 47

#NYOTAculture Your upcoming projects, such as Back On The Strip, Don’t Suck, Mort In Sherman Oaks, and American Murderer, are pretty different from each other. Do you try to explore different genres when choosing projects to audition for? Yes! I honestly love all genres. I always do my research every time I get an audition. I’ll read the script and study the character so I make the right choices when I do my audition. I have been getting type-cast, but I feel like I always play the comic relief, and it’s SO fun for me!! I’ve gotten pickier with which projects I audition for, but I can’t wait until I get to really dive into something that’s something so different for me. I’m really nerdy, and my favorite genre is sci-fi and fantasy! You’re passionate about helping people with their mental health. What are some ways you try to unwind and take care of your mental health? I received my Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology & Pre-Law from the University of Arizona, and the way the mind works and mental health are really important to me. For me, exercising and having some “me time” is how I take care of my mental health. I’m the type of person that enjoys being alone, so I can really think and relax. I’m around people all the time so having my personal space is something I really value. Going to the beach always puts me at ease. What advice do you have for aspiring actors? You can achieve anything you put your mind to. That’s something my dad always said to me, and it’s true. If you want something bad enough, go after it and put the work in. Be persistent. No one will work harder for you than yourself!

Words of Wisdom

Bete Agonafer Interview by Carol Wright Photographer: Dree Williams

Bete Agonafer is the Founder of Addis VIV, a brand that strives to create exciting new designs to enrich people’s homes while drawing inspiration from and honoring ancient cultures. After working in home ownership, she felt inspired to create a homedecor brand that focused on intentional living. Agonafer talked to NYOTA about what she learned by launching a brand and helping others through her products. Tell our readers about your brand Addis VIV. What motivated you to create a brand in the home decor space? After over 19 years of leading clients on a journey into home ownership, I started to gradually become more curious and drawn to the “inside.” I began envisioning how to make a house more than an abode, given that this busy and oftentimes frightening world we live in can lack serenity and certainly doesn’t encourage it at all times. I made the decision to create a home and lifestyle brand with the sole purpose to usher in intentional living. My goal is for each of our products to serve as an altar to one’s self, bringing a sacredness back into our daily lives – and us back to ourselves. Addis VIV is closely connected to your Ethiopian roots. When you were first starting the brand, was it essential for you to tie in your heritage and be able to share that with others? Absolutely. I’ve been very fortunate to be surrounded by inspiring history, rituals, and artistry from my family’s native country my whole life. I probably took these things for granted as a child and certainly as a busybody teenager, 49

#NYOTAculture but as time has gone on, I realize how much these things have impacted my creativity without even knowing it. I would say that ultimately everything I’ve ever envisioned or created stems from my roots. People don’t necessarily associate Africa with luxury, and that’s an unfortunate presumption. The truth is that our continent is the ultimate treasure chest…. Launching a brand is not an easy feat. Have you learned a lot about yourself and your leadership style through creating AddisVIV? Yes…most definitely. The first thing I learned is that building a brand is a marathon, not a sprint. In my past endeavors and day-to-day life, I was used to deciding to do something, then executing it, and checking it off my list. However, with this company and our vision for it, I’ve had to humble myself and accept the fact that time is our friend. Taking time (especially more time than I’d normally take to complete a project) has actually benefited us in the long run. It has saved us a lot of money and disappointment. I’ve learned if I would’ve rushed with any of it, I would have inevitably not been satisfied with the final product. As far as my leadership style is concerned, I’ve always known that I am a team-oriented individual. I’ve never wanted to create or experience success on my own. Everything is better when working with like-minded, optimistic individuals.

Do you have a favorite item in the shop? This sounds like a trick question! It’s like asking a mom to pick her favorite child. In all honesty, I created this brand to share all of my favorite creations. But ultimately, if I HAD to pick, the Tsehai Bowl is the one product that pulls a little tighter on my heartstrings. With over 15 wicks and 320 ounces of organic coconut wax, it was my first creation and one of the main reasons the brand was launched. The Tsehai Bowl is a focal point in my own home and the centerpiece of our brand. It’s like a living being breathing life and warmth into them. What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs? Do it! Stay open… you may think you’re starting a business based on one thing, but if you take a second and observe what’s naturally coming forth, you may end up birthing something far more impactful and rewarding than you could ever imagine.

You also give back through your brand, and you had a collaboration that allowed for the proceeds of the “Innocent” candle to go to the Equal Justice Initiative. Why did the Equal Justice Initiative seem like the right recipient for this campaign? The “Innocent” campaign was created to bring together a collective movement of protection for young Black and brown men. Its purpose is to not only commemorate lives lost due to unjust social systems but provide a blanket of protection for the families that live in fear of being the next victims. The Equal Justice Initiative felt like the perfect fit for this campaign because of their commitment to providing legal representation to prisoners who may have been wrongly convicted of crimes or denied a fair trial. Many of the people they help are the Black and brown men and youth we sought to protect in our campaign.

Dress: Red Valentino Fishnet Tights: Stylist’s own Shoes: Dr. Martens Rings: APM Monaco Earrings: Ariana’s own

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