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JUNE 2021
JULIA MICHAELS PHOTOGRAPHY BY DYLAN PERLOT
Photo ROD LONG
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ISSUE 211
TABLE of CONTENT
Julia Michaels JUNE 2021 Shirt RAILS Jacket EXHIBIT 69 Pants SIMON MILLER Shoes BLIKVANGER Jewelry Bracelets SHAY Rings MISHO, CATHY WATERMAN, JOHN HARDY, SHAY
06 Letter From The Editor 07 BELLO Obsessions 08 Cover Story | JULIA MICHAELS 24 Spotlight | HANNAH KEPPLE 32 Young Hollywood | ANNA AKANA 42 Young Hollywood | NATHANYA ALEXANDER
60 MARCUS YATES 66 Creative Minds | VALÉRIE MESSIKA 70 Hyped | GREGORY DIAZ IV 72 Hyped | NATHAN KRESS 75 Bello City Guide | LONDON 76 Maison Privée Shopping Guide
50 Tik Tok Pride House
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Photo DANIEL GING
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Letter From The Editor Bello
And that concludes our month of June, where many exciting things have happened! Everything is opened up again and as we slowly make our way back to a "normal" life, we discover just how much human contact was missed! So what does BELLO have in store for you to continue the celebrations? Well... On our cover, we have the beautiful and talented JULIA MICHAELS who is releasing her first album ever as well as bring a new style to the table! Filled with passion and fire, we had an amazing time shooting her for the magazine and can't wait for you guys to see the outcome! Continuing on, we have some amazing Young Hollywoods such as NATHANYA ALEXANDER from HBO's Generation and NNA AKANA from Jupiter's Legacy! Both truly inspiring women, it was so great getting to know them and dive in a little more into what is happening in our world and how progress is being made! Speaking of which, in honor of PRIDE MONTH we had the pleasure of shooting at PRIDE HOUSE LA with their founders, Mollee Gray, Jeka Jane, Garrett Clayton, and Kent Boyd. You are going to fall in LOVE with all these shoots! On our up and rising artists, you won't want to miss MARCUS YATES as he merges fashion and musical talent all in one...And let's take it back in time with one of our HYPED, NATHAN KRESS, who you may recognize from the infamous iCarly! Yes... it's coming back! And of course the handsome GREGORY DIAZ IV from In The Heights! Grab a drink, dip your feet in the pool and soak in all the beautiful stories we have put together for our June issue... We hope you will love them just as much as we do! Bisous Bisous Alexandra Bonnet
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Curated by Stephane Marquet
BALENCIAGA Logo-print shield sunglasses
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN Bi-Color Skull Hoop Earrings
MUKTI Orange blossom balancing mist
YSL iPhone case
SCULLY & SCULLY Tibetan Lion Pillows
ENDLESS JOY X RIMBA DARK Beach vacation shirt
PALO SANTO Encens Sticks
DIOR Lip maximizer
ISSEY MIYAKE Bind platform sandals
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Julia Michaels by Dylan Perlot
Shirt RAILS Jacket EXHIBIT 69 Pants SIMON MILLER Shoes BLIKVANGER Bracelets SHAY Rings MISHO, CATHY WATERMAN, JOHN HARDY, SHAY
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Shirt CHRISTIAN COWAN Pants TRE Heels MARC FISHER Jewelry - Rings MISHO, CATHY WATERMAN, JOHN HARDY, SHAY Hair Accessory KITSCH
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Jacket R13 Dress LIYA x JOANA SANZ Tights Heels FREE LANCE Jewelry SHAY 11
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Jacket ANNAKIKI Shoes BY ANNABELLE Jewelry RINGS: SHAY, CATHY WATERMAN, RIMOR Hair Accessory FREE PEOPLE
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Jacket DULCE BESTIA Top MATERIEL Pants LIYA x JOANA SANZ Shoes FREE LANCE Jewelry RINGS: SHAY, CATHY WATERMAN, RIMOR Hair Accessory FREE PEOPLE
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Jacket R13 Dress LIYA x JOANA SANZ Tights Heels FREE LANCE Jewelry SHAY
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Shirt RAILS Jacket EXHIBIT 69 Pants SIMON MILLER Bracelets SHAY Rings MISHO, CATHY WATERMAN, JOHN HARDY, SHAY
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Hair Accessory SCUNCI Dress ANNAKIKI Shoes FREE LANCE Jewelry RINGS: SHAY, CATHY WATERMAN, RIMOR
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Julia Michaels: A Phoenix Rising From The Ashes Well, I think we can all agree that life is truly a roller coaster. We encounter twists and turns as we continuously discover new sides of ourselves. We try to find our voice in a crowded room, and discover what makes us stand out from the rest, what brings us joy, and what fills our heart with love. For renowned artist, Julia Michaels, she is continuously growing both as a singer and individual and has recently released her debut album, Not In Chronological Order… Taking on a new perspective on love, this album shows a new side of the singer. “I used to think I could only write a great song that derived from chaos and toxicity,” she opened up. “The thing I learned from this album process, is that I can write a song about love, that is rooted in love, and it still feels equally as beautiful and impactful.” A little something we could all use! Recorded during quarantine, Julia feels lucky to have been able “to rally a very wonderful group of men that felt comfortable enough to be in the room with me during a very scary time.” Having figured out a safe way that worked for everyone, this album is the product of time, patience, and dedication. Digging
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deeper into the meaning of the album, Julia shared, “it’s about experiencing new love and love in a healthy way and love from growth.” It’s safe to say that love isn’t always portrayed in the most beautiful light. Toxic relationships tend to be glamoured, and it seems as though people “think that it is boring if it’s easy and non-dramatic.” But let’s face it… We all want to feel enlightening love! And steer away from the drama that can come with it… “I wanted to write about this love because it makes me feel confident, sexy, and honest with myself,” Julia added. “I hope when people listen to this, they know the kind of love they should have versus the kind of love they think that they deserve.” Yes, please!! Before becoming a singer herself, Julia started her career as a songwriter until the day she wrote a song that was too personal to give to someone else. “I was twenty-three, I had written my song called “Issues” and it was the first time, and the only time, I had written something that I just couldn’t give away,” she shared candidly. And it didn’t go unnoticed. Working a lot with Republic Artists Records, as soon as they heard “Issues,” she was told she was an artist and her life was changed forever…
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Throughout the first year of her career, the artist found herself facing one of her biggest fears: performing. “I had so much anxiety and so many panic attacks. When you’re doing that first run, you’re traveling all over the world, doing promos in different languages, you’re meeting a bunch of people and you’re not sleeping,” she shared candidly. “ It’s so overwhelming and you don’t know who you are or what you’re doing.” But with time, and by doing her own shows, that fear was conquered! Not only that but with every show, she met more and more people who shared the same anxieties, depression, body issues, heartbreak, and love. “When I started to do my own shows that’s when I felt really understood and I was in a sea of people that understood me and I understood them…” Always connecting with her fans, Julia keeps that connection strong through social media.“It’s always me on my social media, so every time they are talking to someone, it’s me.,” she explained. Remembering details about them and their stories, it's important for the talented artist to stay true to herself and others. One thing she can't wait to get back to is touring so she sees them face to face! An encounter that left a strong impact on Julia was with this girl she met in Europe
who had an eating disorder. The girl was with her mom and both of them were so funny and so kind. To this day, Julia is still in contact with her and thankfully, she is now in recovery! With so much love in her heart, the artist shared “just seeing her get better every day and feel comfortable in her own skin again, has been so beautiful to watch.” Goosebumps! At the end of the day, we all need love and compassion in our lives whether it be receiving it or giving it. Our beauty is made up of different factors. For Julia, “beauty means just being yourself .” We are all built differently, and it's those differences that make us shine! “These are things that make us so unique and beautiful. Why would we want to change those things about ourselves?” A perception of the world we must keep pushing! We’re all human after all, right? Julia Michaels embodies what it means to stay true to who you are all the while continuing to work hard on your growth. With an always evolving style, both in fashion and music, the artist rises like a phoenix from the ashes...
Talent JULIA MICHAELS @juliamichaels Photography & Creative Direction DYLAN PERLOT @dylanperlot for Exclusive Artists Styling LUCA KINGSTON @luca__kingston Styling Assistant RACHEL TATE @rockyetat Hair DANNI KATZ @dannidoesit Using T3 Micro & Leonor Greyl Makeup JENNA NELSON @thisjenna for Charlotte Tilbury Look of Love Interview ALEXANDRA BONNET @alexbonnetwrites Production @bellomediagroup x @maisonpriveepr_la x @alexbonnetwrites
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Shirt CHRISTIAN COWAN Pants TRE Heels MARC FISHER Rings MISHO, CATHY WATERMAN, JOHN HARDY, SHAY Hair Accessory KITSCH
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Jacket ANNAKIKI Shoes BY ANNABELLE Jewelry RINGS: SHAY, CATHY WATERMAN, RIMOR Hair Accessory FREE PEOPLE
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Top MATERIEL Pants LIYA x JOANA SANZ Shoes FREE LANCE Jewelry RINGS: SHAY, CATHY WATERMAN, RIMOR Hair Accessory FREE PEOPLEx
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Jacket DULCE BESTIA Top MATERIEL Pants LIYA x JOANA SANZ Shoes FREE LANCE Jewelry RINGS: SHAY, CATHY WATERMAN, RIMOR Hair Accessory FREE PEOPLE
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HANNAH KEPPLE
THE RENOWNED SERIES, COBRA KAI, HAS BEEN BOOMING AS IT SHOWCASES AN AMAZING CAST AND STORYLINE. AMONG THIS CAST IS THE BEAUTIFUL, HANNAH KEPPLE, WHO BRINGS IT ON AND OFF SCREEN. PAIRED WITH A STUNNING SHOOT, SHE SPOKE TO US HERE AT BELLO ABOUT HER TIME ON SET, PAST PROJECTS, AND MORE! THE ACTRESS WILL BE FILMING A NEW PROJECT THIS SUMMER SO STAY TUNED AS HANNAH KEPPLE SOARS IN THE WORLD OF FILM AND TELEVISION!
Share with us how being on COBRA KAI has
be a part of a new Disney Plus anthology series. I
helped you evolved as an actress.
some really cool people. Hopefully, those will be
changed your perspective on life and has
coming out soon!
It’s made me extremely grateful that I get to pursue a career that I’m in love with. It’s given me every
Growing up, what was something crazy that
opportunity I have now and I’m very grateful.
you did? Describe.
What are some things you thought you would
I once snuck into an abandoned amusement park
never overcome, but after being part of this project, you were able to?
with my siblings and not gonna lie, it was awesome. What does “feeling safe” mean to you?
I guess the industry itself. It’s so hard to be seen and noticed in the entertainment industry and I
It means being with my family and pets!
fall into some luck, your opportunity will come.
Who do you look up to in life?
Why were you drawn to this series?
I really look up to my parents. My mom has always
To be honest I wasn’t completely sure what I was
in a career she’s passionate about. My dad has
knew it was a YouTube Series at the time and Ralph
They’ve supported me every step of the way and
think it just goes to show if you work hard and yes
shown be what it means to be a successful woman
auditioning for when I auditioned for Cobra Kai. I
shown me unconditional love and selflessness.
Macchio was attached. It’s been a lot of fun being
I’m very lucky to have them.
characters, and meeting new faces.
If you could be a famous person (dead or alive)
a part of the Karate Kid franchise, exploring past
Tell us more about your other projects and how
for a week, who would you pick and why?
they differ from this one. What do you like about
Florence Pugh because I’m obsessed with her and
I worked on a show called Creepshow in the winter,
What comes next in 2021?
genre. Contrary to what you might think, running
I’ll be shooting a film in Chicago this summer and I
beings couldn’t be more fun. I am also going to
too much on it now but stay tuned!
those?
and it was so much fun to be a part of the horror around, screaming, and fighting supernatural
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love the storyline of my episode and I worked with
think she’s the coolest person.
couldn’t be more excited. I don’t think I can speak
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Jumpsuit AIDAN MATTOX Shoes FENDI Handbag CLARE V. Earrings OSCAR DE LA RENTA Rings Hannah’s own
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Top FLOR ET. AL Skirt HERVE LEGER Shoes AMINAH ABDUL JILLIL Earrings ISABEL MARANT Headband LELE SADOUGHI
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Dress EDDIE CORPS Shoes SAINT LAURENT Earrings SAINT LAURENT Necklace JOIANA
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Top & Pants ROCKY STAR Shoes STUART WEITZMAN
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Dress GODSIL ATELIER Shoes CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN Earrings GAS BIJOUX Rings Hannah’s own
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Blazer PACO RABANNE Pants OSMAN Shoes ALEXANDER MCQUEEN Handbag STAUD Earrings OSCAR DE LA RENTA Necklace LIZZIE FORTUNATO Rings JOIANA, Hannah’s own
Actress HANNAH KEPPLE @hannahkepple Photography and Creative Direction TRISTAN BROWN @tris.x Wardrobe Styling, Hair and Makeup JANIS LOZANO with DIRECTIONS USA @thejanismara Set Designer COURTNEY CARSON @courtxcarson Art Direction, Graphic Design and Set Design CHRIS CORREA @chriscorrea Styling Assistant JULIE KATZ @juliebkatz05
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Heels UNITED NUDE
ANNA AKANA
Kimono OTT
Jewelry ADIRA AND DELILAH
YOUNG Bello Hollywood
ANNA AKANA: STAYING TRUE TO HERSELF AS SHE INSPIRES TRUE EMPOWERMENT THE BEAUTIFUL AND TALENTED, ANNA AKANA, SHEDS A LIGHT ON WHAT IT IS LIKE BEING A QUEER, ASIAN-AMERICAN, FEMALE ACTRESS IN THE WORLD OF FILM AND TELEVISION AS WELL AS DISCUSS WHO SHE IS, HER UPBRINGING, AND MORE. HAVING RECENTLY STARRED ON JUPITER'S LEGACY, ANNA WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO LIVE OUT HER DREAM ROLE IN THE WORLD OF COMICS! HAVING ENCOUNTERED MANY SITUATIONS IN WHICH HER RACE WAS STEREOTYPED, LAUGHED AT, MARGINALIZED, BUT THAT NEVER STOPPED HER. AS WE WORK TOWARDS PROMOTING CHANGE AND ACCEPTANCE, HERE AT BELLO, WE CELEBRATE EVERYONE'S DIFFERENCES RATHER THAN SHUN THEM... KEEP READING ON AS ANNA AKANA SHARES MANY BEAUTIFUL, FUNNY, AND REAL THINGS!
As an actress, what do you look for in a project before auditioning for a certain role?
What drew you to JUPITER’S LEGACY? Can
In looking at a project, my main questions are:
went?
characters being portrayed as flawed, yet three
As cliche as it is to say these days, I’m a nerd. I’ve
something to the world, even if it’s as simple as
tucked away in plastic, protected from sunlight,
importantly, will it be fun?
Sirens, Silk, Y: The Last Man, Blacksad, Locke &
As a queer Asian actress with a digital audience
comic books. Brian K. Vaughan is my god and
you share with us how your audition for it
Does it have a good message? Are the female dimensional human beings? Is this project adding
had first edition mint condition Watchmen prints
making people feel good? And perhaps most
in my closet since I was 19. Saga, Gotham City Key - my bookshelf is full of graphic novels and
of young people, I feel a responsibility to ethically
Marvel is my place of worship.
I’m playing a character within a fictional story,
So when I read that Jupiter’s Legacy was a
representational of what I believe.
and addressed the cultural clash between the
Sometimes that message may be as simple as
knew of Mark Millar and was a fan of “Kingsman”
stand behind whatever project I’m in. Even though that story's values and message are ultimately
older generation and the new, I was in. Plus, I
“love is real!” in a rom com, sometimes it’s more
and “Kickass” and his “Civil War” days.
feel unique to you, but predators use these tactics
My audition for “Jupiter’s Legacy” was with
long as I agree with what it’s putting out into the
on Raikou. Steven is a powerhouse (“Dare Devil,”
complex, like “patterns of emotional abuse may
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superhero epic that spanned multiple timelines
on all of their victims.” Whatever the project, as
Steven S. DeKnight, who liked my sardonic take
world, I’ll typically throw my hat in the ring.
“Pacific Rim,” “Spartacus”) and I was floored (and
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continue to be floored) that he saw something in me. After booking the role, I devoured the comic
books. And I am so thankful that I hadn’t read
them prior - I absolutely would have choked during my audition.
the umbrella catchall “artist,” and each platform is just a different way of expressing creativity.
I’m also incredibly type A, and a firm believer
in accomplishing a little bit every day for large payoffs over time.
(SPOILERS) The comic books are so good -
Tell us more about how you started your career
twist throughout that we, unfortunately, won’t
of your favorite projects up until now and why?
there’s a “Game of Thrones”/Shakespearean
get to see. But I remember the chills I got reading that scene.
I got started as a stand-up comedian when I was
On set, what are some valuable lessons you learned as a person? As an actress?
a teenager. I used to commute from Temecula to Los Angeles every night for open mics and shows until I moved here on my 21st birthday.
Man, I’ve learned so much from being on set. Having a good attitude gets you far. Treat everyone
with kindness. How to speak up for myself and set boundaries. Transpo has the best gossip.
Sound is always listening. Make friends with crafty, always. I’ve also learned some horrifically embarrassing lessons that will never live to tell the tale.
My favorite project to date has been “Youth &
Consequences” with Jason Ubaldi, who I love dearly. The show was a mix of “Mean Girls” meets “Scandal,” with a justice-doling high school student changing her world for the better, even
though it often seemed on the outside like she was the antagonist. Playing Farrah and leading a
well-written show was one of the most rewarding
Who did you connect with most on the show? Explain.
Most of my scenes were with Ben Daniels who played my estranged father Walter. We had to do a few night shoots together and were absolutely
delirious, laughing over absolutely nothing and snacking well into the morning hours. Ben also is a fellow cat parent, so we bonded over our mutual love of cats.
experiences of my life. We were also nominated for an Emmy, which felt incredibly validating!
Being Asian American, what are some first hand experiences you have had where your
diversity was met with a negative encounter? Positive one?
I’ve booked lead roles, only to have the paperwork come in for the best friend and be told “on second thought, an Asian lead is too risky of a move for
You wear many different hats such as actor,
director, writer, producer, comedian, musician,
content creator, YouTuber, author, and more.
How do you balance it all? What does each title mean to you?
us.”
I’ve dealt with, “Can you do it again with an accent?”
I’ve been on set in an improv scene and asked
I grew up with an artist mother and military
father, so I learned creativity and discipline in equal measure. In terms of being the dreaded “multihyphenate,” I often think of myself under
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in the Entertainment Industry. What are some
by my scene partner, “Is your pussy slanted?” on camera, while everyone in video village howled with laughter.
I’ve had directors of huge blockbuster movies
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comment on my body, asking wardrobe women why my breasts were so small.
never been asked that before, and the level I was touched at this thoughtfulness is incomparable.
I’ve made fun a mockery of my own race/gender
Growing up, what was your family dynamic
stereotypes because I needed the work.
who you are today?
on camera, booking roles that were ultimately
If we’re talking negative encounters, the list is endless and exhausting. Racism is so expected
at this point that I can eyeroll at it and brush it off.
like? How did your upbringing play a part in
I’m the oldest of three, so I naturally am more responsible, organized, and inclined to obey
authority (for better or worse). We lost my little sister in 2007, so my family dynamic became
Positive experiences where my race and this
industry intersect - though fewer and farther between - are firmly cemented in my memory. On
“Go Back To China,” an indie film by Emily Ting, we had an all Asian cast and crew. I remember being in awe when I realized I was completely
surrounded by other Asian Americans and Asian cast and crew members for the first time in my
professional life, telling an authentically Asian story.
On “Hungry,” the creator/writer Suzanne Martin texted me to ask questions about how to
authentically integrate being Japanese into the
show’s premise of disordered eating. I stared at my phone for a full minute, completely baffled. I’d
more fractured after that. We’re still figuring out how we fit together without that piece.
How can we continue to move forward in a positive and accepting way?
I think the best thing we can do for the world is
to first heal ourselves. If we can become more whole within ourselves, we have so much more to offer - compassion, kindness, help. What comes next? All the plates are spinning in the air at the
moment. I’m currently in development on a few shows as a writer, filming a pilot, and putting the final touches on my next album.
Talent ANNA AKANA @annaakana Photographer TED SUN @tedsun77 Retoucher CRYSTAL RETOUCH @crystal_retouch Creative Direction ALEKSANDAR TOMOVIC @alekandsteph Styling AMBIKA “B” SANJANA @styledbyambika Styling Assistant SHELBY WATSON @ shelbswats Hair STEVEN MASON @stevenmasonhair for Exclusive Artists using Oribe Haircare Makeup ROBERT BRYAN @robertti for Exclusive Artists using Dior Beauty Interview ALEXANDRA BONNET @alexbonnetwrites Production @bellomediagroup x @maisonpriveepr_la x @alexbonnetwrites
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Printed Shirt CHARLES AND RON Blue latex bra VEX Green pant KARIGAM Shoe - UNITED NUDE B earring and Blue ring - AMMANII JEWELRYBoots HAKAN AKKAYA
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Body suit ASHLEIGH RENEE PantS NOCTURNE Sneaker NO NAME Earrings AMMANII JEWELRY Gold earrings AMMANII JEWELRY Rings ADIRA & DELILAH
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Kimono OTT Heels UNITED NUDE Jewelry ADIRA AND DELILAH
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Dress HØST & VÅR Jacket -THE TAILOR NYC Blue cocktail ring - AMMANII JEWELRY Earrings -8 OTHER REASONS Headband ADIBA Shoes UNITED NUDE
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NATHANYA ALEXANDER
Shirt CHARLES AND RON
Corset DULCE BESTIA
Shoes TALENT'S OWN
Earrings IIRIS TRENDS
YOUNG Bello Hollywood
NATHANYA ALEXANDER: BORN TO SING AND ACT Congratulations on your role in HBO’s GENERATION! What has the experience been like so far?
with acting. I then went to LaGuardia High School for Performing Arts where I trained, and I’ve been at it ever since.
Thank you so much! It has been a joy. Loved working with the cast & crew.
After High School, I booked Ocean's Eight, where I got to act alongside the iconic Rihanna. I played this really dope teen hacker named Veronica. It was so cool to be on set with my idols.
Share with us a moment on set where you learned a valuable lesson. How has playing on this show opened your eyes even more to the world? I’ve learned how to be a great scene partner and how to really be in the moment. I’ve also learned how important preparation is. For this role, I created playlists and had a journal for Arianna. It was the best thing I could do for myself to drop me into the world of the show quickly. In what ways do you relate to your character? What can fans expect in Part II? Arianna and I are completely different. We barely have any similarities which is the best part. I get to dive into a character and a world that is so different from mine. In Part II, fans can expect a lot of drama. Make sure you have your popcorn ready because its going to get crazy. They can expect to see a softer and more vulnerable side to Arianna, we get a peek into her home life and school life. We also get some really cool DNA moments. What kind of impact do you think the show is having on its viewers? In what ways did you prepare for this and how have you grown since day one? Generation is definitely giving a voice to Gen Z. Our younger viewers feel seen & represented and our older audience is gaining insight on modern teen life.
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Growing up, what are some injustices you have faced and how did you overcome them? People would underestimate me because of my size, but looks can be deceiving. What does beauty mean to you? In what ways do you believe the world has evolved positively? Where does it need more work? Beauty to me comes from the inside out. Loving yourself and the skin that you’re in. Glowing on the inside equals glowing on the outside. I love the awareness that is happening, there are more conversations happening about important topics and that’s a good start. Tell us more about who you are. Do you believe you have found your purpose? I’ve been a dreamer since I was a kid, I believe in working hard and doing what you love. I am ever evolving and will continue to grow, learn, and be open to what life has to offer. What would be a dream role? If you could create a storyline, what would it be about and why? What comes next?
Why did you decide to get into acting?
I don’t think I have a dream role but I'd love to continue playing characters that have a lot of layers and depth to them. I would absolutely LOVE to work with Viola Davis. She is such a powerhouse.
When I was 11 years old I joined a community theater program in Brooklyn and I immediately fell in love
I have some things in the works. Really excited for what the future brings!
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Dress OTT
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Top OTT Skirt DULCE BESTIA Earrings IRIS TRENDS Shoes FREE LANCE 49
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AS WE MAKE OUR WAY THROUGH THE MONTH OF JUNE, WE FIND OURSELVES FILLED WITH SO MUCH JOY AS THE SUN IS COMING OUT, THE SPIRITS ARE HIGH, AND OF COURSE, WE ARE CELEBRATING PRIDE MONTH! HERE AT BELLO, WE BELIEVE IN ACCEPTING EVERYONE AS EACH INDIVIDUAL IS UNIQUE IN THEIR OWN WAY AND BRINGS LOVE, LIGHT, AND COLOR TO THE WORLD! WE HAD SO MUCH FUN GETTING TO SHOOT AND SPEAK TO MOLLEE GRAY, JEKA JANE, GARRETT CLAYTON, AND KENT BOYD,THE FOUNDERS OF THETIKTOK CONTENT HOUSE PRIDE HOUSE LA. GETTING TO KNOW THEM A LITTLE MORE AND WHAT PRIDE MEANS TO THEM, THEY REMIND US TO STAY TRUE TO OURSELVES AND EMBRACE EVERYONE. WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY IT WAS AND WE ARE BEYOND EXCITED TO SHARE WITH YOU THE FINAL PRODUCT! ENJOY!
What does Pride mean to you?
met people who may not get noticed so much by
Jeka: Pride to me is a celebration of living your
beautiful person you can know.
authentic and true self. Being able to go out in the streets and being able to live life, celebrate and have fun!
Mollee: Pride to me is the word. It's being proud.
Jeka: Beautiful. I second that. Garrett: Beauty to me is a kind of unconditional
love where there is no expectations and you love
A lot of times in our community, when you come
people for exactly who they are. It really is about
times people in our community don't feel proud
them feel special because of it.
hiding something and the second they are able
Kent: Obviously beauty is in the eye of the beholder
like it's a sacred feeling that people get to hold
Beauty is originality and beauty is to me, cooky
you are and your community around you.
it means beauty. Also, don't be afraid to be the
Garrett: Authentic and confident. Supportive of
baby, too. Confidence.
out someone says "I'm proud of you," and many
of themselves because they feel like they're
loving people for why they are unique and making
to release, that it's immediate wings that fly. I feel
as they say but I feel like beauty is confidence.
in the month of June. Pride is being proud of who
and weird. I love the word queer because I feel like
everyone in our community: people from different
best-dressed person in the room. That's beauty
backgrounds, who have different ideas. Comfort
Favorite way to Express yourself?
what it is about.
Jeka: Through clothing. We also teach dance for
Kent: Pride to me means, I love being gay. It's
through movement and choreography, improv,
in difference and supporting others, that is really
about expression, not impressing. It's about being proud of who you are. Different is cool.
kids and teach them how to express themselves music...
Mollee: I express through my clothing, through
What does Beauty mean to you?
how I communicate with my supporters and fans,
Mollee: Beauty, to me, is very very deep on the inside. I have met a lot people who are stunning
on the outside and then just nasty. And I have
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the "Hollywood type" and just become the most
and how I try to educate the youth. I am a big
advocate for mentoring kids so I try to always exude that kind of positive energy, educational energy.
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Garrett: It's really about creative expression
freedom in it. I got on stage in front of 150 people
acting. If you want to wear makeup that day, you
playing the matron of it all. Ever since then I have
whether it be singing, dancing, dressing up,
that night in fishnets, corsets, and wigs and I was
wear whatever you want. Whatever makes you
felt as free as a bird.
thing to me.
Kent: I was 18 years old, leaving High School,
Kent: I like to express myself through dance. I
in Ohio to Los Angeles filming a television show. I
feel confident that is really is the most beautiful
love moving my body, listening to music, and I
feel like he we dance and are authentically who we are, it rubs off on people.
A moment in time where you made a 360 in your life?
Jeka: For me, it was coming full circle. Growing
and literally did a 360 from being in a small town remember passing Chanel and being like,“What’s Chanel?” That's a 360.
What message do you want to give to our viewers?
Jeka: Love yourself fully to your full capacity.
Always hit negative comments with kindness.
up I was put in a box, and coming to terms with
Love yourself first. Educate.
where I realized this is me, my authentic self.
Mollee: You never know who needs an advocate so
Mollee: I used to always be a people pleaser. I still
right now for Pride month for our youth LGBTQ
being transgender has kind of been very full circle
if you believe in something, push for it. Especially
like to make sure everyone is happy but I would
community, a lot of people try to take away and strip
who I am now. It has really impacted the way that
they are an adult to decide. Be an advocate for those
am happy doing this now.
youth. I love our kids and get worried that there isn't
Garrett: It was the first time I did a Burlesque
something because you are afraid. Fight for those
let that guide my choices and I think I lead with
back who they are as people and make them wait until
my circle has become, the jobs I am getting... I
who aren't able to have a voice, especially for our
enough representation for them. Don't hide behind
show with Cherry Poppins which is a Burlesque
who can't fight for themselves.
kid and I used to love wearing all types of gender
Garrett: Love yourself for exactly who you are
all clothing, and I got some flack from some
mean to be in your life.
I had just come out and it really made me feel
Kent: And this summer, get off your couch and
troop in L.A. and it reminded me of when I was a clothing, gender-bending. I would want to wear
people in my family but when I did that show,
more confident. I can really wear what I want and
and if somebody doesn't like it, then they weren't
shake your ass!
I can feel confident in those things. If you don’t like it, well… I really love self-expression and full
Photography @jesseashtonphotography Photography Assistant @chrismarroy Makeup/Grooming @christine_pro_makeup Pride House LA @pridehousela Talent @garrettclayton1 x @molleegray x @kent_boyd x @jekajane Interview @alexbonnetwrites Production @alexbonnetwrites x @maisonpriveepr_la x @bellomediagroup x@katzpublicrelations Floral Arrangement@shibusaflorals
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Jeka Full Look CHARLES AND RON Mollee Suit OTT Shoes NO NAME Garrett TALENT'S OWN Kent Full Look CHARLES AND RON 53
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Jeka Shirt NIL AND MON Pants OCEAN REBEL Mollee Dress DULCE BESTIA Shoes NO NAME Garrett Shirt NIL AND MON Pants OCEAN REBEL Shoes TAFARI Kent Shirt NIL AND MON Pants CHARLES AND RON
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Jeka Full Look CHARLES AND RON Mollee Suit OTT Garrett TALENT'S OWN Kent Full Look CHARLES AND RON
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Jeka Shirt NIL AND MON Pants OCEAN REBEL Mollee Dress DULCE BESTIA Shoes NO NAME Garrett Shirt NIL AND MON Pants OCEAN REBEL Shoes TAFARI Kent Shirt NIL AND MON Pants CHARLES AND RON
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Jeka Shirt NIL AND MON Pants OCEAN REBEL Mollee Dress DULCE BESTIA Shoes NO NAME Garrett Shirt NIL AND MON Pants OCEAN REBEL Shoes TAFARI Kent Shirt NIL AND MON Pants CHARLES AND RON
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MARCUS YATES
MARCUS YATES IS TRULY A BRIGHT LIGHT IN THIS WORLD. BRINGING MUSICAL TALENT, INCREDIBLE FASHION, AND TRUE PASSION TO THE TABLE, HE IS SOARING HIGH! MUSIC IS HIS DESTINY AND WHILE LISTENING TO HIS SONGS, YOU WILL BE TRANSPORTED AS YOUR HEADS BOPS, AND HIPS SWAY! RECENTLY, HE RELEASED HIS TRACK "AFTER ALL," AND YOU WILL LOVE IT! AN ALBUM ON THE HORIZON AND MORE SHOWS, MARCUS YATES IS AN ARTIST YOU DEFINITELY WANT TO KEEP ON YOUR RADAR!
Do you believe the path of music was your destiny? Explain.
the song which is crazy but it was definitely a
good time to step outside of my comfort zone
I do believe the path to music was definitely my
and deliver.
probably name valid reasons why but simply put,
In what ways has music saved you?
my family had great success in entertainment.
Music simply kept every bad decision out of sight
entertainment to cope and communicate. To win
you have the cliche life choices. With being busy
extra mile to learn older songs and musical humor
choices that benefit me. My parents were heavy
of tastemakers for what music I should listen to.
can have a career in.
who’s better than who and that as a kid makes
Tell us more about your latest releases and
you want to dive deeper.
what each of them mean to you.
Share with us the first time you ever performed.
My latest releases were “Nice & Neat”, “In The
did you sing?
Care”, and “After All”. All of these songs pretty
destiny. Artists are asked this all the time and can
I believe it was my destiny because before me, Both sides of my family heavily leaned on
and out of mind. Growing up in the inner-city,
the hearts of your elders as a child, you went the
with dance and producing, it was easy to make
for their validation. My older cousins were sort
on keeping my sisters and I busy with things we
They would have passionate discussions about
What was it like? How were you feeling? What
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Summers. I still remember parts and pieces of
Greatest Way” featuring Tech N9ne, “Giving A sum up my morals and standards on love &
The first time I performed a song, I was at this
romance. We’ve all been in situations where
summer in Atlanta named Camp New Look for
even love but after a situation forces you to tell
dancing so the nervousness of performing live
different and that’s what Nice&Neat is. Dressing
brother, Bubba and we were just trying this rap
just leave like nothing happened. “In The Greatest
performing it because every Friday during the
who can take us out of our misery. You don’t
in other ways outside of their given majors. It
the ones you experience on a day to day basis.
our dance elements in it. We sang this song
and redirect that frustration towards love. “Giving
by a prominent producer name Michael “Seven”
Way”. On top of me enjoying the joy you bring
2 week camp that Usher Raymond held every
we’ve felt tricked by someone who we’ve like or
talented underprivileged teens. I was heavy into
the truth on where you both stand, it seems to be
was non-existent. I was rapping alongside my step
up the situation as something great and hopeful
thing out. Before going to the camp, we practiced
Way” means a lot because we all need that person
camp, they would have kids express themselves
want to come home to another problem on top of
was received so well because we incorporated
It helps when someone can empathize with you
called “New Shoe Dance” and it was produced
A Care” is just an emphasis of “In The Greatest
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me, it helps when you’re faithful and in love with
that person. “After All” is about getting to know
someone. Maybe the person you want to hook
up with has a wall up to prevent from being in a situation of love. You know you could be a good friend or lover to this person, all you have to do is win their trust.
doing better for myself so that doing well for others is a habit. I guess the hope is the optimism you gain from thinking someone can reciprocate that same energy back to you. Sometimes it happens,
sometimes it doesn’t but the love you have for
yourself makes you not worry as much. You just love and go, basically.
If you could describe yourself as an instrument,
Favorite part about producing a music video?
Because I listened to a lot of Miles Davis, I
My favorite part about producing a music video is
which would you pick and why?
automatically see myself as a trumpet. Not the over the top runs but something prominent that
just fits on every track and gives the track more color. It can also be prominent in the background as well and when in unison, it sounds so satisfying.
In what ways do you stand out from other musicians?
I think the thing what stands me out the most is knowing that I don’t stand out at all. I want to give you the best most artistic answer but truth is, I’m
just apart of this renaissance of this time. It’s so hard to be different because everyone is different. But to answer your question fairly, I think what stands out most about me is my drive to practice
and practice. Some people find a vibe but practice
kind of makes you ready for any changes in this
industry. So I challenge myself to withstand the
How does the process usually go?
the social aspect. I know now, gaining trust from
my homie Daniel takes more than just liking the
same things. It takes time to really figure out the purpose. A lot of trial and error. A lot of touchy conversations that we have to put our pride aside for in order to get to our creative destination.
You are given the chance to record with any artist (dead or alive), who do you choose?
If I had the chance to record a song with anyone
dead or alive, I would definitely want to record with Roberta Flack. To be timeless beyond the
sampling of your music is so amazing to me. I feel she was so in tune with how she articulated her feelings that she could speak for generations.
Some of my all time favorite artists sample her music. She is both niche and easily digestible.
changes as opposed to following the trends.
What comes next?
What does love and hope mean to you?
What’s next is an album and more live shows. I’m
What love and hope means to me is practicing
always creating and connecting with my team so that engine is still going.
Talent MARCUS YATES @marcusyatesmusic Photography MARKEL RANDLE @markelrandle Director of photography DANIEL CHRISTOPHER BLACKWELL @prores.danie Directors SKYLER BROWN @skylerisbrown REAGAN PETREHN @reagan.kind Styling SAVANAH ROJAS @sav.ro Grooming WAYLON WALLACE Interview ALEXANDRA BONNET @alexbonnetwrites PR Initiative PR @initiativepr
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CREATIVE MINDS
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VALÉRIE MESSIKA
"MY ENTIRE CHILDHOOD IS FILLED WITH MEMORIES OF MY FATHER AND HIS PASSION FOR DIAMONDS," SHARED THE BEAUTIFUL AND PASSIONATE, VALÉRIE MESSIKA. BORN INTO A FAMILY THAT SOLD DIAMONDS, THERE WAS NO DOUBT SHE WOULD FOLLOW IN THEIR FOOTSTEPS. TAUGHT TO ALWAYS STAY TRUE TO HERSELF AND FAITHFUL TO THE FAMILY STONE, VALÉRIE BLENDS THE PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE IN HER JEWELRY PIECES. KEEPING HER COLLECTIONS FASHIONABLE AND COMFORTABLE, WHILE WEARING A PIECE OF MESSIKA, YOU WILL FEEL LIGHT AS A FEATHER AND SHINY AS A BRICK OF GOLD! KEEP READING ON TO DISCOVER MORE ABOUT VALÉRIE MESSIKA AND HOW SHE FOUND HER OWN VOICE WHILE STAYING TRUE TO THE FAMILY LEGACY!
Share with us your family education about how it led to your current career. What was it like to be born into a family that sold diamonds? My entire childhood is filled with memories of my father and his passion for diamonds. From an early age, he incited his passion to me and my brother, Ilan. As a young girl, I remember him bringing home incredible diamonds and letting me play with them. He taught me to look inside each stone and describe to him what I saw. That is where my attention to detail and my keen sense of observation comes from.
What are the most important lessons your parents taught you? My father always taught me to keep true to myself and to remain faithful to the stone which our name is known for when focused on my creations. Take us on your successful journey from your first store in 2013 to today. What does it feel like?
I worked alongside my father for five years and learned all of the secrets of the diamond industry. Even though his desire was for me take the reins of his business, I felt that something essential was missing for me: creativity. Naturally, I started creating my own jewelry brand and that is how it all started. Launching my own Jewelry House has allowed me to combine these two universes that have always fascinated me.
Since the inception of the Messika brand and Maison, I have been faced by many challenges. My first challenge was to turn diamonds in jewelry. However, I am currently living my biggest challenge. Messika is growing in many ways. The Maison now employs over 200 people. We also want to be internationally recognized. Today, we have 450 global points of sale, including 30 boutiques. I feel very honored by the continued success of Messika.
Growing up, do you remember a memory where you knew deep down that you wanted to continue the family legacy?
What kind of obstacles have you encountered and how have you overcome them?
When I was young, my father and I used to do a lot of “blind” tests for me to find the best stone. He would give me a subtle hints and secrets to help me understand how to identify the perfect stone. My first real crush for diamonds was at the age of 12 when I found an envelope with tiny diamonds at my father’s place. I was fascinated by the light they emanated. I am very faithful and will probably never work with
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another stone. The diamond is part of my family history and a genuine passion developed from it.
When founding Messika 16 years ago, there was a real apprehension around the diamond. In fact, most women only wore diamonds on special events and occasions, or for their weddings. This is the reason why I created a company with the desire to desacralize the diamond. I have been lucky to benefit from the know-how of my father, who is a diamond merchant. At the very beginning, imagining what I could possibly do with
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diamonds is what inspired me. I wanted to desacralize the idea of diamonds being untouchable, and to make them more contemporary with a younger and cooler look. I also wanted to make diamond jewels affordable, and most importantly, a part of every day life. If you could go back in time at a specific time, which one would it be and why? I will never forget the day that I opened my flagship store in Paris on Rue Saint Honoré in 2013. It was a great moment for Messika. It was also an incredibly yet deeply personal year as I was also pregnant with my second daughter, who was born on the same day of the opening. Opening my first shop in Paris was a must and a great achievement for the House. This meant we were here and present as a Jewelry House. What does jewelry mean to you? How does your brand stand out from the rest? My goal was and is to create a new way of wearing jewelry. I have this vision where diamonds must be modern, innovative and easy to wear. Jewelry is an opportunity to express your personality. I like the fact that there are no more rules and it's really about embracing your own personal style and making the jewelry "yours". This is the spirit I wanted to instill into my collections. This is no longer a unique
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approach when it comes to jewelry. I like my creations to be very comfortable. Women should be able to live their lives without being annoyed by excessively heavy jewelry. Share with us why your latest collection, Lucky Move Color, stands out from your others. It all started when designing the Lucky Move collection. This collection is particularly playful, but above all a link to luck as I imagined it as a lucky charm. Because of its design and its message behind it, I felt a desire to explore working with colored stones for the very first time. My idea was to use ornamental stones as a flat gold hue (something I usually do). Essentially, I replaced the gold with the stones. The theme around luck with a turning medallion and changes of color tied to specific mantras was perfect with the design and the underlying message the necklace carries. Where do you hope to be in 5 years? Everything is moving so quickly for Messika! We just recently entered the Asian markets. We are also exploring new areas and offerings, such as bridal. I hope Messika will continue to evolve. We are still a young family brand and there is so much to do. There are a lot of exciting projects to dream about and come!
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Creative Minds VALÉRIE MESSIKA @valeriemessika Interview ALEXANDRA BONNET @alexbonnetwrites MESSIKA PARIS @messikajewelry Website https://www.messika.com/us_en 69
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GREGORY DIAZ IV
GREGORY DIAZ IV WHO CAN BE SEEN IN THE NEWLY RELEASED, IN THE HEIGHTS, SPOKE WITH US AT BELLO ABOUT HIS TIME FILMING, THE UPS AND DOWN, HIS MANY DIFFERENT TALENTS, AND MORE. BASED ON THE TONY AWARD WINNING BROADWAY MUSICAL OF THE SAME NAME, THIS IS A MOVIE YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS! THE YOUNG ACTOR WOWS HIS AUDIENCE WITH HIS TALENT ON SCREEN AND KIND HEART OFF OF IT! KEEP READING ON AND GET TO KNOW THE REAL GREGORY DIAZ IV!
What has you most excited about the release of “In The Heights”? Why did you audition for it in the first place? I am excited that movie-goers will finally get a chance to see this beautiful picture about a neighborhood in New York City full of life, culture and the characters suenitos. I immediately saw myself playing Sonny. Plus, being a huge fan of Lin Manuel Miranda and his work, I just had to be a part of this project. Share with us your first day on set and how you have grown since then. I was nervous walking onto set my first day shooting. We were filming the protest scene, one of my more emotional moments in the film. I took something from every characters story and can reflect back as I continue to grow. I really need to give credit to my castmates for portraying their characters so well!
Music is a safe haven where I can teleport to a different world. I’ve listened to all types of music from Biggie, The Beetles, Queen, Marc Anthony and show tunes as long as I can remember. It’s always been a huge part of my life. What was your family household like? I grew up in a blended family, between The Bronx and Queens. Both sides of my family are very supportive of me. Scheduling during the holidays could get tricky but more Christmases more presents! If you could write a screenplay, what would it be about and why? I’ve actually been thinking about this a lot recently. My Dad once talked about his experiences as a senior in High School and couldn’t stop laughing at the stories about him and his friends and thought this would make a great comedy movie.
What was your favorite scene to film and why?
Your purpose?
Filming 96,000 (the pool scene) was definitely my favorite scene to film. It was one big block party. The energy was so high and we had over 500 extras mostly residents from Washington Heights.
To continue to entertain and eventually use my platform to help and inspire others.
You sing, you dance, and you act. Where did each passion stem from?
Attend College and study Performing Arts, continue my acting career and possibly start a music career.
Watching performers like Michael Jackson and Chris Brown. Also, going to Broadway shows like Matilda and seeing kids my age on stage, saying to myself “I can and want to do that”.
What comes next?
Growing up, what role did music play in your life?
What do you aspire to get to in life?
Auditioning, Auditioning, Auditioning! Hope to announce some news soon. Looking forward to traveling this summer and getting ready for my Junior year of High School in September.
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NATHAN KRESS
GUYS! ARE YOU SITTING DOWN FOR THIS?! IT'S TIME TO TAKE A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE AS THE INFAMOUS ICARLY IS BACK AND NATHAN KRESS HAS A LOT OF EXCITING NEWS TO SHARE WITH US. KNOWN AS FREDDIE BENSON, THE ACTOR HAS GROWN INTO A SUCCESSFUL MAN WHO IS MAKING MOVES IN THE WORLD OF FILM AND TELEVISION! FEELING ALL KINDS OF EMOTIONS ABOUT THE REBOOT, THIS TIME HE WILL FIND HIMSELF ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CAMERA! EVOLVING INTO DIRECTING AND PODCASTS, NATHAN IS ENJOYING EVERY MINUTE OF HIS CAREER IN THE WORLD OF HOLLYWOOD. ALSO A FATHER OF TWO, YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS THIS EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH NATHAN KRESS!
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Share with us your journey as an actor up until now. How have you evolved both as an actor and individual?
iCarly, which will be a blast to wear both hats as an actor and director on my own show.
I started when I was very young, around 3 years old. My parents noticed that I would constantly memorize and recite verbatim the things I was seeing on TV. I was such a ham and loved performing in front of family (and the family camcorder). After seeing an ad in the paper for a massive casting call for kids to find talent agents, my parents figured it was worth a shot, to see if it was something I might be interested in. At that point, I wasn't really aware of the fact that I was "acting". As far as I knew, I was just going into rooms, meeting random people, and being myself. I thought the auditions were the jobs themselves, and I was having a blast. I did book some work... nothing that substantial at the time. But after a few years of missing out on getting to do "normal kid stuff", my interest waned. I asked to quit, and my parents happily agreed to let me make the call for myself and choose to stop on my own terms. Fast forward 5 more years, the acting bug bit again after doing several school plays, and I asked to get back into it. Thankfully, my parents were willing to help make this happen, at no small expense to our family's daily routine. After a few years of auditioning my butt off and working somewhat regularly, I got the audition for iCarly, and the rest is history! Immediately after iCarly ended, I did my first major studio film, Into the Storm, but quickly found myself being drawn back into the world of multi-camera comedy. However, this time it was on the directing side. Over the years, I found myself becoming passionate about working behind the camera, using my experience as an actor to make children's comedy come alive. Building on that foundation, and gaining more experience, my goal is to move up the ranks and find myself working in the primetime network sitcom world. That has been a primary focus for me, of course up until now, as iCarly is being brought back! But in my mind, these things are not mutually exclusive. Especially since I'll be getting the chance to direct episodes of
I think my evolution as an actor is closely tied to my evolution as a person. As I've experienced more, encountered more people, grown in my relationships, adapted to new realities, and stretched myself on set, I've seen that relate directly to how I go about my daily life. My approach to my personal growth is very similar to how I conduct myself while I'm working. I'm doing everything I can to keep from growing complacent. How are you feeling about the iCarly reboot? What do you intend to bring to it that will be different from the original one? Can I say this, or is it "passe"?-- I literally feel all the feels. Excitement, anxiety, joy, exhaustion.... it's all there. I think our ultimate goal is to deliver something that hasn't been done before. We're taking a beloved children's comedy universe, letting it marinate for 9 years, and bringing back this totally new show that incorporates the things you know and love, but shows it in a fresh, current voice. Our show is specifically designed for the kids who watched iCarly while they were growing up between 2007-2012. Now that those kids are becoming adults themselves, we're making a show that meets them where they are-- as adults, not kids. The show has grown up, alongside its audience. The characters of iCarly are now going through things that a person in their late 20s would be dealing with in everyday life, which is obviously something we couldn't do before. So when our fans are watching, we hope that we're delivering something that feels familiar and nostalgic, but also has a new and exciting take on what's been done before. What can fans expect from this reboot? What was it like reconnecting with the cast?
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Fans can expect the return of some of their favorite recurring characters, and plenty of antics and wackiness. But they should also expect to see something different from what they probably have in their mind. It may be almost jarring for the first few episodes, just like it was for me as we filmed it! But as the fans keep watching, I think they'll feel right at home. Reconnecting with the cast has, of course, been the highlight of this whole experience. It has been such a blast getting to see where our characters are now, how they've changed, and the backstory that's brought them to where they currently find themselves. It has felt so natural getting to work with Miranda and Jerry again. In a lot of ways, it felt like we never stopped. You also have a podcast, RadioActive Dads. What pushed you to develop that? The concept for RadioActive Dads stemmed from the seemingly endless conversations that I have with my buddy Brett Davern, who co-hosts the show with me. He's a fellow Nick/MTV guy (he played Jake on Awkward.), and a fellow dad. We met while racing cars for a couple of charity events, and just hit it off right away. Since becoming a dad myself in the years since we met, we always had a lot to talk about any time we ran into each other at events, and eventually, the idea of doing a podcast for dads sorta sprung out of our own relationship. We realized that there just wasn't much out there for dads, in terms of resources, conversation, or just plain ol' catharsis. Men generally aren't that keen on the whole "talking and sharing" thing, so we figured we could bring those conversations to them in the privacy of their own earbuds. It's not just dad-stuff though. We talk about our lives as actors, our hobbies, and the day-to-day of life as dudes. For us, it's simply having our weekly hang and catch-up, except we have a pair of mics in front of us. Tell us more about your other projects. Do you have some favorites? Why? If we're talking about past work, I think one of my favorite projects was a cartoon I did for Netflix, called Pinky Malinky, with Lucas Grabeel and Diamond White. It was absolutely absurd. A mockumentary series about the life of a sentient hot dog in middle school, along with the hot dog's human best friends. I played JJ, Pinky's ultra-swaggity best bro. That guy was a blast,
because I got to create this insane character out of thin air, and every week was an opportunity to add more fun stuff. It was a very collaborative and improvisational project, so it was always the highlight of my week to go and play with these people. The show itself was a great balance of gags, heart, and a weirdly bangin' soundtrack. To this day, I don't know why we didn't get to make more episodes, but the show will live on Netflix for all of eternity for the world to enjoy! Share with us something about yourself that most people do not know. Fans of RadioActive Dads of course know this, but it always seems to surprise people that I've got two kids! Rosie is 3 and a half, and Evie is 3 months. Being a dad has been one of the most challenging and fulfilling things I have ever attempted. My wife, London, and I are in the phase where every completed day feels like completing a marathon, especially with my work schedule being so crazy right now and not being able to stay home and help out. We had Evie right after we finished our first episode of the new iCarly, so juggling the newborn phase and work has been a very delicate balance. Thankfully London is a great teammate, and an absolute trooper. I definitely wouldn't be able to do this without her. If you had to compare your life to a cartoon, which would it be and why? Yikes... I dunno. I guess a weird combo of Bojack Horseman, and The Simpsons? A dad juggling family life and his life in Hollywood... just without all the substance abuse and shenanigans. Where do you see yourself going in the next 5 years? Well, if all goes according to plan, hopefully, we're still making iCarly! Aside from that, I want to continue to stretch myself and work in different mediums. I still love making movies, so hopefully, another feature or two might be done by then. I'd love to land my first directing episode of a primetime network's multicam series, and build off of that experience. I want to learn to write a proper screenplay and develop that part of my brain's creativity. So having the first draft of a film might be a reality by then. And 5 years from now, we'll have both kids off to school, so you better believe I'm going to be taking COPIOUS amounts of dad-naps.
Talent NATHAN KRESS @nathankress Photo Credit GISELLE HERNANDEZ/Paramount+. © 2021 Viacom International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Interview by ALEXANDRA BONNET @alexbonnetwrites
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Bello LONDON -City Guide-
DISHOOM
www.dishoom.com/carnaby/ An Indian restaurant found on Kingly Street in London, Dishoom Carnaby brings to you delicious food, an incredible environment, and top-notch service. With every bite and sip, you are taken around the world through a flavor voyage like no other. Their cocktails are one of a kind as they blend sweet, sour, and spicy all in one. Best to order a few dishes and share family style so you can enjoy the most of your meal and discover more on their menu!
OXFORD STREET www.oxfordstreet.co.uk
Walk up and down Oxford street, strutting the London streets
in style! They have everything you need from high fashion to streetwear and more! Getting a little tired? Sit down and grab
some food while you talk about everything you bought and
still need to find. Take a look at their website and discover all
that you can do while visiting Oxford Street. It's a shopping experience you will love!
HARRODS
www.harrods.com/en-gb When we say cultural activity, we think museums and more, which is correct...However, when visiting London, there are so many renowned places to visit whether it be for eating, shopping, sightseeing and more! Of course, Harrods is a name many people know and despite it being more of a shopping experience, this is something you want to check out! Soak in the English energy and immerse yourself completely in all that is London!
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MAISON PRIVÉE Shopping Guide By Alexandra Tuil
MEN'S BAXTER SNEAKER $129 vintagefoundryco.com
WOKE BAE WHENEVER MOISTURE SPRITZ $55 masktini.com
GEO EMBROIDERED TANK $59.50 www.luckybrand.com
Class and sexiness all in one...
A fruity blend to keep your skin hydrated all day, every day!
Who doesn't love a good tank? Time to feel lucky!
POWDER PLAY {MATTE MINERAL POWDER FOUNDATION} $51 elevecosmetics.com
The triple threat that combines powder, foundation, AND concealer!
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CREW LINK NECKLACE $95 gorjana.com
LANTERN COCOON COAT IN AUBURN $435 toccin.com
A gold necklace, sure to turn heads!
The perfect lightweight coat to work for any season!
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BIOTIN HAIR GROWTH SERUM $26.45 pureautynaturals.com
Oh yes...It's here and we love it...The secret to keeping your hair full and amazing!
LECTROFAN CLASSIC $49.95 www.soundofsleep.com
THE 70’S PALETTE $11 rudecosmetics.com The 70’s Palette
Ideal for relaxation, study, speech privacy: be more in control of your audio environment...
A collection of glitters, bright mattes, and pop shimmers that resonate with the 70's era of vintage, disco, and bohemian style...
LANA OSETTE BAG $475 us.strathberry.com The perfect addition to that classy look as you make your way out the front door!
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BE-YOU-TIFUL PRIDE BRUSH SET $49 $205 www.sigmabeauty.com
WOMEN'S ACCESS NXT VESTPRICE $149
Keep it fun, exciting, and fabulous with this pride brush set!
Stay warm, dry, and comfortable with this all-in-one vest!
June 2021
voormi.com
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Photo YIFEI WONG
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JUNE 2021
JULIA MICHAELS PHOTOGRAPHY BY DYLAN PERLOT