Star Power Vol.18

star power [NYOTA Magazine ]

starring

Trinitee Stokes Volume 18

from the editor

HELLO THERE, READER! In this Star Power issue, Trinitee Stokes graces the cover. You may recognize Trinitee from Disney Channel where she played Judy Cooper on the hit show K.C Undercover or you may recognize her from her more recent work on Mixed-ish.

There's also a chance you've read her book 'Bold and Blessed: How to Stay True to Yourself and Stand Out from The Crowd'. No matter how you were first introduced to Trinitee, it is likely there is still so much you don't know about her. Which is why we're excited to have her on the cover of our February Star Power issue.

I also was lucky enough to have a quick chat with Hallea Jones who can be seen on the new Netflix show Locke & Key. As always I hope you enjoy reading the issue and are inspired to go after your dreams!

YOURS TRULY, Carol Wright EDITOR IN CHIEF, NYOTA MAGAZINE @_CAROL_WRIGHT

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contents 3 Get to Know Trinitee 4 Trinitee's Playlist 5 Star Power: Trinitee Stokes 9 Trinitee's Top Picks

11 Quick Chat: Hallea Jones

#StarPower

GET TO KNOW TRINITEE

I love politics.

I like to pick things up with my toes.

I can put on mascara with my mouth closed.

Watching sunsets is one of my favorite things to do.

I am terrified of clowns!

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#NyotaMusic

Trinitee's Playlist Maddie & Tae // Friends Don’t Beyoncé // Brown Skin Girl Lauren Alaina // Crashing The Boys’ Club Riley Clemmons // You First Faouzia // Exothermic Luke Combs // Reasons Dan + Shay // All To Myself Tori Kelly // Confetti The Trinitee // Miss Me Sunday Service Choir // Back To Life

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#StarPower

#StarPower

Trinitee Stokes Interview by Carol Wright | Photos by Carla Rhea | Makeup by Camille Ariane | Hair by Ashley Noel

When did you first know you wanted to be a performer?

What drew you to your character Tamika on Mixed-ish?

I knew that I wanted to be a performer at the age of 2.

When I was 3 years old, I got my big chance to perform in my very first stage play. When I heard all of the laughter, and loud applause when they called my name, I knew that a part of my purpose in life was to bring joy to others.

What drew me to my character is that Tamika has a different story to tell. Because the show takes place in the 80s, Tamika gets a chance to tell the story of how a young African American girl was able to thrive in that time period. Tamika is bold and always speaks her truth!

Your first big break was working on the Disney Channel show K.C. Undercover.

What did you learn from that experience?

Can you relate to your character Tamika?

With K.C. Undercover being my first television opportunity, I learned so much. Since I had not even booked a guest star role before, I had no idea what to expect or what it would be like. It turned out to be one of the best experiences of my life. Not that I tried to, but I knew everyone’s lines from rehearsing almost every day. I was the only kid on the show, so I had to learn when it was okay to converse with my castmates and when the conversations were not kid-friendly.

That’s something we laugh about now. I also learned to voice my opinions in the workplace and not just go along with everything. Lastly, I learned to maintain my morals and values despite what anyone else was doing. K.C. Undercover was a great training ground for me and I was able to sharpen my professionalism.

How did it feel to be a part of the Disney Channel family?

Tamika is a very strong character and there are a few things that Tamika and I have in common. One thing is that we love to help people. Although our method of doing this might be a little different, we always want the people around us to succeed. Another thing that we have in common is that we both march to the beat of our own drum. We do whatever we feel is right and have a unique style as well. Tamika and I are a little sassy, and we love hanging with our girls.

Mixed-ish takes place in the 80s and obviously you were born in the 2000s. Is there any particular 80s gadget you wish was still popular today that you’ve used or seen through working on the show?

I so wish that the Walkman was still around today. It is a really cool portable cassette tape player and I LOVE IT!

Being a part of the Disney Channel family was a dream come true. I have wanted to be on Disney since I was 2 years old when I first saw an episode of “That’s So Raven.” Then when we stepped out on faith and moved to California, we would drive by the Disney building, take pictures, speak my desire into the atmosphere. Once I became part of the Disney family, it took my faith in God to another level. It allowed my family to have some amazing experiences! I remember when I filmed my first wand spot. OMG, I was so happy. I dreamed of that day.

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#StarPower

Have you learned any life lessons through working on Mixed-ish?

One thing I learned was how powerful stereotypes can be if you play into them. I never realized just how much stereotypes play a part in the decisions people make, especially pertaining to race and culture. I believe no matter what your race is, if you enjoy doing something, do it!

In 2018 you published a book called 'Bold and Blessed: How to Stay True to Yourself and Stand Out From the Crowd'. Could you see yourself writing more books in the future?

Yes! After the great experiences and responses that I received from Bold & Blessed, I am definitely writing more books. I love murder mystery, so that is what I am working on next.

Outside of acting, what do you like to do for fun?

I love to color, paint, and solve word puzzles. I enjoy trying new recipes and having baking competitions with my family. I have also started to take pottery classes, which I love. I enjoy watersports, especially jet skiing. And of course, there is nothing like a little retail therapy.

What advice do you have for aspiring actors?

Some advice that I would give to aspiring actors is that it only takes one yes to change your life. Even though rejection is hard and you may be tired of waiting, you can always create your own opportunities! Also, continue to work on your craft as much as possible.

"It only takes one yes to change your life."

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#StarPower

Trinitee's Top Picks

Movie: Devil Wears Prada

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Fashion Trend: Oversized Sweaters and Oversized Sunglasses

TV Show:

Book:

Marvel’s Agents of Shield

Aside from my book, I choose Wonder by R.J. Palacio

#QuickChat

Hallea Jones

Interview by Carol Wright | Photography by Kiem Lam

#QuickChat

Did a specific TV show or movie get you interested in acting?

Degrassi actually came to my high school to do an open audition and I was one of four kids to get a callback. I had no idea how to act in front of a camera, and having modeled since I was 12, I kept looking right into the lens! The casting director expressed her interest in me but advised me to get on-camera training and pursue it professionally. I then went to a camp in LA called SOCAPA for an acting program, and haven’t turned back from it since!

Locke & Key is your first lead role in a TV show. Were you nervous when you first started filming?

Incredibly nervous! Everything I had done prior had been day player roles (one or two days on set), and this was my first time to actually develop relationships with my castmates, as well as the production crew. It helped that everyone was so kind, supportive, and fun to work with!

Locke & Key had so many different types of keys in the show such as the music box key or the anywhere key. If you had a magical key in real life what would you want its abilities to be?

The Anywhere Key is definitely my favourite because I hate airport lines, traffic, and so many of my friends live far away - it would be great to just zap to them in no time! My parents live in the US for half the year as well, so I would love to be able to transport to them whenever I miss them and my puppies!

What advice do you have for aspiring actors?

There is only one person who can make your dreams come true, and that person is you. Fun Fact about me: I didn’t get into the vocal or acting program at my high school, and many people told me I wouldn’t do much with my life without a university degree; but instead of listening to those people and giving up, I used that negativity to learn how to believe in myself, and work hard to pursue what brings ME joy. Always continue to educate yourself and BE KIND!

Were you aware of the Locke & Key comics before you started filming?

I wasn’t prior to my audition, but when I told a friend I booked the role, he very excitedly grabbed his sixvolume collection and lent them to me. I read them in probably less than a week.

Your character Eden is the resident Queen Bee. Could you relate to her in any way?

I was definitely a Queen Bee of sorts in school. I was always the loudest kid and definitely walked with my chin maybe a bit too high. I don’t believe I have ever said anything so straightforwardly horrible as Eden does, but I do relate to the Queen Bee aspect, and maybe thinking I was too cool for school…

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NYOTA Magazine STAR POWER TEAM EDITOR IN CHIEF

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

CAROL WRIGHT CAROL WRIGHT

COVER ACTRESS

Trinitee Stokes

CONTRIBUTORS PHOTOGRAPHER

Carla Rhea

PHOTOGRAPHER

Kiem Lam

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