Odunayo Ogunbiyi is an ex pharmacist with a passion for food and pampering. Writing about her exploits wherever in the world she may find herself is just her way of staying sane in this zany world.
Boluwatife Adesina @bolugramm - Contributing Writer Boluwatife Adesina is a media writer and the helmer of the Downtown Review page. He’s probably in a cinema near you. David Nwachukwu @ebube.nw - Contributing Writer David Nwachukwu has always been immersed in fashion from the age of 10, watching a Dior by Galliano show on television. His work in fashion stretches across media, marketing, brand communications as well as design. As a fashion & lifestyle journalist, David has tracked key industry data for various publications including Industrie Africa, Culture Custodian, Haute Fashion Africa, and HELLO! Nigeria. A Geography graduate from The University of Lagos, David consciously aligns this background in environmental advocacy and sustainable development with the need to promote a more ethical fashion ecosystem. He currently oversees strategic communications at Clean Technology Hub. Dr May Ikeora @mayikeora Dr May Ikeora is an academic researcher, Author, and ex-beauty queen cum entrepreneur. She is a specialist in Human Rights, Gender and Peacebuilding, consulting for organisations like the United Nations, African Union, World Bank, Mission89, Governments and the Kofi Annan Peacekeeping Institute. She gained a PhD in Law from the University of Hull, UK, and has received numerous awards for her work, including that within African diaspora communities in the U.K. received at the House of Lords. As an entrepreneur, May founded a cosmetics company called L’Avyanna, based in the U.K. and Nigeria and possesses numerous beauty licenses from the U.K. Nwachukwu Hughes
Contributing Editor
VOL 2 NO. 35 • AUGUST 28 - SEPTEMBER 03, 2022 PAGE 2 THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com www.thewilldowntown.com thewilldowntown thewilldowntown Onah Nwachukwu @onahluciaa + 2349088352246
Odun Ogunbiyi @oddbodandthecity
@onahluciaa Editor-at-Large: Chalya Shagaya Writers: Kehindé Fagbule, Tilewa Kazeem Graphic Design: Olaniyan John ‘Blake’ Digital Media: Oladimeji Balogun Guest Art Director: Sunny
magazine,
In her opinion, “Things are different now, and although that’s what you know and experienced, it might not be right, Onah. Not everyone can handle the pressure the same way you would,” she said. Perhaps she is right; after all, things were different in our time from the time of our parents (parents of boomers and Gen X); they, too, could not understand our ways of handling certain situations. And so, I have come to accept that the world has changed, and what was suitable and mentally acceptable in our time may not be with the new generation. It’s all part of the Wellness journey and living a better life, and our cover story with Wellness and fitness expert, Maje Ayide reveals how to live that life at any Inage.this interview, he talks about Wellness in general and how it needs to be viewed holistically. According to him, “Wellness is still a growing industry in Africa, and so much more needs to be done to educate Africans on the importance of Wellness. It is an umbrella that covers every aspect of an individual’s life: Mental, physical, emotional, financial and spiritual. We are in the midst of a mental health crisis in Africa, with one in four Africans dealing with some form of mental illness. One in eight dealing with severe depression, and suicide rates are through the roof. It is important that we destigmatise mental health and therapy….” This is my cue to stop, reflect, and smell the roses. And I urge you to do the same. Until next week, enjoy your read.
WHATSAIDYOU @babybold_perry@hypedteens0@tinababy_gh INSTAGRAM
Part of the conversation centred on the difference between training methods and how we reacted when we were sternly corrected as young writers for making a blunder versus how the new generation does. My thought and concern was if we could handle it, why can’t the new generation? What has changed? Why are they so unwilling to take correction and, at the slightest strict reprimand, cry, ‘Mental Health?’
‘ SunZA’
Recently, I had a conversation with a friend and fellow Editor of a leading Fashion and we discussed the importance of mental health, now more than ever before.
@insignamediaOshalusiKolaPhoto:Makeup:Zaron CONTENTS BEAST 110706 14-151612-13 DOWNTOWNZODIACCONFIDENTIALDOWNTOWN MOVIE FEATUREREVIEWBEAUTYDOWNTOWNWEBSIGHTS PRESIDENTIALPLAGUE EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT VIRGOS EAU DE VAJAYJAY YETTY OGUNNUBI A PUBLICRECKONEDFORCERELATIONSTOBEWITHBLACKDOESCRACK! EDITOR’S NOTE 04-058 FASHION BLAZerING HOT IN 5 GLORIOUS COLOURS COVER FITNESS GURU, MAJE AYIDA, TALKS HEALTH, WELLNESS AND HAPPINESS 03 ODDBOD & THE CITY TAP INTO YOUR FEMININE ENERGY AUSTYN OGANNAH Editor:PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Onah
Ihave been writing this column in some way, shape, or form for many years now, and what never ceases to amaze me is what topics resonate strongly with my Afterreaders.goinglive on Instagram this past Sunday, I got feedback for the rest of the week from people I know about how they can relate and how life is going for them. It always makes me feel a little more connected in my human experience in a manner I find comforting and affirming.
A final thought: there is no feminine energy without an appreciation of the most divine, Mother Earth herself. The idea of ecofeminism is all about applying feminine principles to the efforts of sustainability and healing the plant. This is why your girl is still struggling to give up meat even though food is BAE and a dirty burger is everything.
EnergyFeminine Tap Into
ODDBOD CITY
importanthow the practice was to unlocking my creativity. And now, I am encouraging my daughter to do the same.
Tapping into your feminine energy would not be complete without practising self-love. Turns out this is easier said than done, but the struggle is worth every positive outcome. Love yourself as you are not what you think you should be, and apply an abundance of compassion to yourself. If you believe in a higher power, remember how you are seen in the eyes of God and move on from there.
OGUNBIYIODUN
As I explained a few weeks ago, I am all about being very intentional about how I live my life these days. I don’t know if it’s the post-Covid, almost apocalyptic times we live in, but I am certainly not alone. Lately, in my quest for ‘self-care’ and the ‘soft life’, I have concluded that I must focus on developing and nurturing my Divine Feminine Energy. Please don’t let the terminology put you off. Turns out you don’t have to be a woman to do this. Divine masculine and feminine energy exist in all things, including people. This means that despite our cultural associations of masculine and feminine with men and women, we all have both energies within us. This world has convinced us that masculine energy is the only way to succeed in life. Masculine energy is about aggression, domination, and action. In the workplace, these traits are especially encouraged, respected, and rewarded, sometimes to the detriment of mental health. It’s all about striving for balance. When you genuinely understand the advantages of tapping into your feminine energy, it is a side of you that you will never diminish Connectingagain.toyour feminine energy is all about slowing down and being rather than doing. It’s about connecting with others with compassion, kindness, patience, and genuine emotion. It’s about embracing your intuition—a voice I have learnt the hard way NEVER to ignore when she is screaming—and creativity. It’s about reclaiming rest as your right and allowing yourself to simply ‘be’. It’s embracing your sensuality. Not to be confused with sexuality, sensuality is all about physical pleasure. Indulge in what pleases you. Surround yourself with tastes and sights and smells that bring you joy. It is the ultimate form of selfTakecare. the time to organise your thoughts, or indeed, to let them fully form. Reflection and going within is a big part of divine feminine energy. Journaling is probably the easiest way to accomplish this. I have been writing a diary since I was a teenager, and I just didn’t understand Your
& THE
PAGE 3 THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com VOL 2 NO. 35 • AUGUST 28 - SEPTEMBER 03, 2022
EfeturiMike Edwards Grey Jeans, khaki chinos, or pants look excellent with grey blazers or go all out and wear a complete grey suit set in as many as fifty shades. Wink Navy Black and navy are both elegant and stylish. Most of the colours of your dress shirts go well with these blazers.
F rom a young age, men recognise the blazer as a fashion staple. While you may not cherish it as much at a young age, the tale takes a different turn when you become an adult. There's nothing more attractive than a man in a power suit. Have you seen the way your howgootherwellTheseonyoubasicshouldmoreInYeah,celebritiesbusinessmenfavouriteandlookinone?wethoughtsotoo.choosingyoursuits,thananything,youstartwithcertaincoloursbeforegraduallyexpandyourcolourscope.coloursworkwithalmosteveryone;youcannotwrongifyouknowtopairthem.
PAGE 4 THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.comTHEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.comVOL 2 NO. 35 • AUGUST 28 - SEPTEMBER 03, 2022 FASHION BY IDOWU LAMI Nelson 'Cupid' Michael Ik Osakioduwa Eyimofe Atake BLAZING HOT in 5 GLORIOUS COLOURS er ^ Efe
Black Regardless of any other colour of suit you own, you must own a black suit; it goes with everything in your wardrobe.
Ohimai Atafo Taiwo Paul Meghoma
Tan One of those outfits that you can pair with the most basic clothing is a tan blazer. Give it a try. You won't regret it.
Steve Harvey Stan Nze
PAGE 5 THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com VOL 2 NO. 35 • AUGUST 28 - SEPTEMBER 03, 2022 FASHION
Pretty Mike Davidson Obennebo Brown
Combinations with dark brown blazers make for a sophisticated look. We can assert with confidence that the colour brown is among the staples required for the perfect look.
Nicknamed the Nigerian nightmare, Usman is adjudged as the number one pound-for-pound fighter. He was looking to make the sixth defence of his title in a rematch against Edwards, and he appeared to be making progress until he was dealt the last-minute kick that left him in the cold.
Liston, Jack Dempsey, ‘you don’t throw combinations like Rocky Marciano’, I’m 18 stone, I’m heavy, it’s hard work.”
Usman Despite dominating a major part of the fight, Kamaru Usman lost his welterweight title to British fighter Leon Edwards on the same night. Edwards produced a stunning lastgasp head-kick KO to win the title against the stunned Usman at UFC 278.
Anthony Joshua And Kamaru Usman Lose on The Same Night, And Social Media Thinks it’s Buhari’s Fault
With so much talk from Usman in the build-up, he wasted no time taking Edwards down as the fight got underway. And although the eventual champion landed a takedown of his own and took Usman’s back, he was mostly dominated for the majority of the five-round affair. In the final round, Edwards pulled off a head-kick knockout out of nowhere to dethrone Kamaru Usman and win the UFC welterweight title to crown one of the greatest comebacks in mixed martial arts
Ithistory.didn’t take long after the fight for Nigerians, who had just watched Anthony Joshua lose his boxing bout a few hours earlier and hoped Usman would give them a cause to smile, to roll out unhinged banter, with most especially blaming Joshua’s loss on his meeting with the Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari as far back as 2020. The conspiracy theory, which was said to also affect the Super Eagles early in the African Cup of Nations early in the year—recall that the Nigerian national team had a perfect start to the competition until getting on a video call with the President just before the round of 16 agonising knockout defeat against Tunisia—was the butt of all jokes on social media. Here are some of the most hilarious commentaries on Twitter.
First Joshua… Having been defeated by the outstanding Oleksandr Usyk for a consecutive second time and consequently failing in his bid to regain his status as a heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua went through all the emotions last weekend. After the fight, the two-time former unified world heavyweight champion—having held the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO titles twice between 2016 and 2021—threw two of the victors’ three belts out of the ring before storming out of it himself on what was a hot night in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. For Anthony Joshua, it was ultimately all too much. Joshua soon returned, but quite clearly, the 32-year-old’s emotions were still getting the better of him.
This was meant to be Joshua’s night of redemption when he regained the WBA, WBO and IBF titles Usyk had taken from him when the pair met in Tottenham 11 months ago. The Ukrainian had been supreme that night, but, equally, Joshua had let himself down, having made the curious decision to abandon his instincts and instead try to out-box his opponent. It was never going to work, and he paid the price.
VOL 2 NO. 35 • AUGUST 28 - SEPTEMBER 03, 2022 PAGE 6 THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com BY KEHINDÉFAGBULE
“If you knew my story, you would understand the passion,” he declared. “I ain’t no amateur boxer from five years old that was an elite prospect from youth. I was going to jail, I got bail and I started training my arse off; I wanted to be able to fight.” Cue confused silence among those in attendance. And there was more to come their way. “I’m not a 12-round fighter, look at me, I’m a new breed of heavyweights,” Joshua continued. “Mike Tyson, Sonny websights
…Then
Before the fight, Usman and Edwards had faced off in the early stages of their UFC careers, and it was the Nigerian who won unanimously in 2015. Since outpointing Edwards in 2015, Usman had won 13 consecutive fights whilst the Brit was unbeaten in 10 fights.
Joshua’s speech came with a few swear words but also congratulations for the man who had just defeated him. “This guy here is a phenomenal talent,” he said, having wrapped his arm around Usyk. “We’re going to cheer for him three times.” And the crowd did; still, however, quite clearly confused by what was happening. And perhaps Joshua didn’t know what he was doing, or saying, either. It certainly felt heat-of-the-momentlike stuff, provoked by a very real sense of hurt and disappointment.
Having appeared to exchange angry words with Usyk, he then took to the microphone and delivered a curious monologue in front of a crowd of about 10,000 gathered at this venue.
DOWNTOWN
PRESIDENTIAL PLAGUE
Anthony Joshua Prostrating Before Buhari
Defeat, a third in 27 fights as a professional, clearly stung. Joshua had the chance to join Muhammad Ali, Lennox Lewis, Vitali Klitschko and Evander Holyfield in becoming a three-time heavyweight champion; instead, he remains rudderless in his division and with few paths back to the top.
Tiktok, in recent years, has become a university of how-tos and unsought knowledge—whether true or not. Compared to Youtube, the contents are shorter and easily digestible. But like every social media platform, some trends and POVs leave you weathering a storm of confusion, bewilderment or, in the case of today’s discussion, cause you to strongly consider reverting to social distancing or gesturing the holy cross as you spray people with sanitiser. Before we delve into that, however, we’ll take a little detour to the animal kingdom. Amongst several animals in the wild, signals are communicated between species through something called a pheromone. A pheromone is a chemical that an animal produces that changes the behaviour of another animal of the same species. This pheromone acts as a trigger signal to its species. For example, the injured bee would produce a rank-smelling odour that attracts other bees to attack. And most commonly, during mating season or heat, animals emit certain pheromones that alert the male species that it’s time to consummate. Often, humans are classified as the highest form of animals, and although other creation stories beg to differ, science strongly believes humans evolved from apes. That’s the only plausible explanation I have for this Tiktok trend called “vabbing.” A portmanteau of the words “vagina” and “dabbing”, was made popular by American Tiktokker Mandy Lee, whose original video racked up 1.5million views. If from that previous sentence, you already have your hand over your mouth, gasping, then your intuition is correct. This, Goop-esque bizarre cologne choice involves using your vaginal secretions as opposed to your Miss Dior or your Baccarat Rouge 540; you reach in, scoop a bit and dab it on your wrists, neck and everywhere else you’d normally spray a perfume. Allegedly, these pheromones found in the natural aroma can draw in potential partners and have an impact on romantic behaviour. And apparently, some Tiktokkers took to the app to boast of its pulling power. One said: “I did it right before I went to the gym, and then that guy hit on me while I was working out. Vabbing works!”
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As far as we all know, smelling nice isn’t a matter of attracting men or women 99.9 percent of the time. It’s more about personal hygiene than anything else. If your musk is one that when people come close, and it hits their nostrils, they contour their face, then no amount of your bespoke scent can change that. Personally, smelling like freshly picked daisies is one way to my most treasured organ—deciding which organ it is solely up to you. Hygiene is a really big part of sex for me because it hinders sexual exploration. And this isn’t me saying people who use “honey” as a fragrance are unhygienic, and this isn’t me also saying all people who smell nice are hygienic either—heavy sigh, I know that first hand— but, sometimes consider other people too. I have this thing where I ask my partner(s) to take a shower before we do anything sexual because why not? I also take a shower as well so it doesn’t come off as weird asking someone to take a bath. But on one faithful day, I was over-excited and thought against asking a partner of mine to wash up unbeknownst to me that I would soon come to regret it. We had started making out, taking our clothes off and right when I was about to put on the condom, I had to put on the torch—thank God I did. I was about to slide right in with her in the doggy style when I caught sight of faecal matter in between her butt cheeks, and the untatalising smell soon followed. I was embarrassed for her, and she was more embarrassed after I had told her. Nothing happened after that because both I and my penis were too scared to do anything.
BY TILEWA KAZEEM
Further buttressing influencer Mandy Lee's point, another said: “I swear if you vab, you will attract people, like a date, a one-night stand. Or you’ll just get free drinks all night.”
Where does this now finding leave people who have sung its praises and can swear to its effectiveness? Placebo effect perhaps? Donning your own raw, bespoke scent can make you feel more self-confident and bold. Both of which can be huge aphrodisiacs. Professionals in trench coats might say the likelihood of vabbing working is zero to none, and it is medically unnecessary. The good news —should you choose to try it— is that it has no known risks unless your fingers aren’t clean (you’ll risk giving yourself a vaginal infection) or you have any sexually transmitted diseases (risk of spreading), then you and everyone else has a big problem. Imagine going to the gym to do some cardio, and you come back with herpes. How would you try explaining that? If it’s any consultation, you can get Goop’s 'This Smells Like My Vagina' candles or choose from the plethora of pheromone perfumes on the market.
There is insufficient evidence that suggests humans have pheromones let alone linking them to sexual arousal or attraction.
Using the Nigerian standpoint to analyse this theory, one could say it’s walking a very fine line between being quoted as juju or voodoo. And, of course, a few people might want to throw this at science with the hope that it sticks, but several experts in that field have come out to debunk it since the trend erupted. In an article published by Insider, an evolutionary biologist, Tristram Wyatt, who studies various animals’ scents and pheromones, cleared the air stating that, as far as scientific research goes, humans don’t have pheromones.
PAGE 8 COVER
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The health and wellness industry in Nigeria, and Africa, has, over the years, found its way into more mainstream attention. In Africa, where most people still have a skewed conception of what the industry truly entails, its various sub-sectors and its importance to raising a nation’s life expectancy, conversations around health and Wellness are mostly superficially centred around fitness. This is often marketed as an affordable route to getting the desired sculpted body—and personal care and beauty— which of course, is heavy on the outward look.
For people who care enough to be invested in the industry holistically and its all-encompassing growth, it is, more often than not, a passion project focused on the amalgamation of humans’ bodies and minds to function in prime condition. Maje Ayida is one of them. DOWNTOWN’s Editor, Onah Nwachukwu, heard from the Wellness guru on quitting banking to find his life purpose in fitness and Wellness, and the wholesomeness that comes with investing in it.
MAJE AYIDA Talks Health, Wellness and Happiness FITNESS GURU STORY BY KEHINDÉ FAGBULE
Having spent the formative years of his life in the United Kingdom (UK), where he worked at The Bank of London for years, Maje relocated back to Lagos, Nigeria, albeit hesitantly. He explained what was an ordeal for him at the time. “You’re absolutely right; I was reluctant at first but eventually returned to Nigeria when I turned 30. My parents didn’t really give me a choice, and I certainly wasn’t happy about it for the first year. That changed when I moved from Lagos to Abuja after a year, and I fell in love with Nigeria. It’s my home, and I soon understood that my destiny was here.”
On moving back to Nigeria, Maje didn’t just dive right into the Wellness industry. Instead, he remained in the banking sector. He talked about his not-so-abrupt transition from the bank to the gym. “I continued in banking at first (I worked in Banking in the UK) for a few years but left that industry during the bank’s acquisition. Banking wasn’t a profession I chose; it was a family business, and at the time, I wasn’t clear on what I wanted in life. I was younger and very unfocused. After banking, I tried to start a couple of businesses based on the need for something to do but had zero conviction and didn’t follow through. I ended up working with my older brother for a while, but everything changed when my mother passed away. It shook me to my core, and I felt lost. It was in that very challenging period that I discovered my Whatpurpose.”about the fitness industry inspired him to build a whole business around it? Maje said, “While I was still in banking in Abuja, I noticed very few places to exercise; the only decent facility was at the Hilton hotel. Right from childhood, exercise had always been a big part of my life, and as I investigated further, I saw that there wasn’t really a major fitness industry in Nigeria, not compared with other parts of the world. So I started talking to Virgin Active in South Africa about a potential partnership in Nigeria. The airline had just launched here, and it seemed like a perfect fit. I went on a few fitness training courses in the UK and on a couple of trips to Cape Town for
Safe to say, it’s not just women going under the knife. A mirrored chest augmentation has been termed a fairly common procedure for men who choose to bypass the gym. Pectoral implants are a plastic surgery procedure to enhance the definition and appearance of the chest muscles through pec implants. Maje expressed his shock at the practice, “Is that really a thing? Like seriously, do some
His involvement in Africa’s Wellness has seen him be named the Vice Chairman of the Spa & Wellness Association of Africa. It’s a heavy crown to wear, and with this great power comes great responsibility—one of them being public education. How do you change the perception of Africans towards holistic Wellness, place a permanent spotlight on mental health, and show them the correlations between both realities? Maje explained, “Wellness is still a growing industry pushups, dude. Nobody is too far gone to start an exercise journey. It takes time and effort, but nothing beats a natural transformation. It impacts you in every way, physically, mentally and emotionally. Pec implants? Miss me with that!” What happens if he(Maje) ever has a hard time burning belly fat? Would he ever consider getting liposuction? “NO, I would never consider it. Diet and exercise, anything else is just laziness,” he repudiated.
Maje is pretty firm on taking the organic approach to health and Wellness. But that fitness route has in recent times been aided by more and more technology. Nowadays, there is a machine for whatever it is you are trying to achieve in the gym, most commonly to acquire chiselled abs, bums, and other parts of the body that get the most attention. Maje throws his full support behind technology,butunder a consistently,you“Ascondition.longasexercise I think it’s fine to explore new tech, as long as it’s safe. I tried Electro thatroutineworkoutWhatexhilarating.”once;(EMS)StimulationMuscleitwasisoneworks
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COVER meetings with Virgin. However, I started to question my desire to bring in the Virgin brand when it occurred to me that I could create my own brand, a wholly owned Nigerian brand, especially when I saw the level of investment needed to bring a global brand. That’s when I incorporated Eden Lifestyle Ltd. But then my focus shifted back to banking, and I ended up shelving the idea and ultimately forgetting about it. Fast forward to losing my mother and some major soul searching. With the help of a life coach, I realised I had a real passion for helping people and a big dream to impact lives through exercise. So I dusted off my corporate documents and never looked back. My mother always believed I was destined for more and always told me to just focus and get closer to God. Of course, I didn’t listen, but the moment I started in the Wellness desiredtheoryoungcouldinvestment(ROI)ask,demographicDependingdifferentaFitnessdidn’t.”inback.meeverythingindustry,shetoldcamefloodingShebelievedmeevenwhenImeanslotofthingstopeople.ontheyouthereturnonbetoappearandtimelesstoendupwithconventionallybody.When
As far as fitness—and the expectations placed on it to sculpt our bodies into what is considered sexy on social media—goes, the ‘slow and steady’ mantra that the exercise and diet route operate on has been deemed rather slow by people who would otherwise prefer the surgical approach to achieve similar results quicker. When asked about his thoughts on the under-the-knife practice, Maje said, “It’s become somewhat of an epidemic now. Everyone is entitled to their choices in life, but I will say that skipping the process of exercise really does rob the individual of the magic that comes with gradual transformation through hard work. Nothing good in life comes easy, and there are so many mental benefits to exercise. It’s a shame to miss out. Plus, it’s not safe, but to each their own. It’s not something I would recommend unless it’s a medical requirement, people have lost their lives to it, and I wish it wasn’t glorified the way it is.”
the entire body, one might ask? Maje offered his professional insight, “If I had to pick one, it would be burpees. Do those in a basic, consistent routine with squats, pushups and mountain climbers and watch your body change.”
“While I was still in banking in Abuja, I noticed very few places to exercise; the only decent facility was at the Hilton hotel. Right from childhood, exercise had always been a big part of my life, and as I investigated further, I saw that there wasn’t really a major fitness industry in Nigeria, not compared with other parts of the world.
Maje has been in the Wellness space for a while. He shared his observations on the fitness culture in Nigeria, and some of the myths about women who work out excessively—that have been allowed to foster for so long. “The biggest myth is lifting weights will make women too muscular and manly. This is simply not true. Putting on muscle takes time and effort, whether you’re a man or woman. The difference is women tend to put on lean muscle, which will ultimately complement their femininity. Ladies, don’t be afraid to lift; it helps in weight loss and is excellent for cardiovascular health.”
think. “Well, firstly, I’m a Wellness Coach; fitness is just a part of it,” he expounded. For people who are on a path to becoming a fitness coach but wonder if the fitness business is a sustainable career path that allows for a luxe lifestyle, Maje not only discussed the important traits a fitness instructor must possess, he also gave a piece of advice on how stakeholders can turn their passion projects into a financially fulfilling enterprise. “I think you must be dedicated to self-development, you must be patient, and money should not be your primary goal. Fitness is continually evolving, but the principles remain the same, put in the work. I was able to make it work because I was not driven by financial gain. I advise anyone looking to make a business of it to be committed to excellence, and every touchpoint should be to a global standard. Anything can be lucrative if you do it well,” he counselled.
Body enhancement as a concept garnered mainstream attention and is slowly gaining its acceptance. One of the reasons is that for most people, imbibing a fitness lifestyle is far from easy. Fitness instructors understand just how challenging it is to demand consistency from their clients. Maje, however, clarified his job description as a wellness coach as opposed to just being a fitness instructor, as most people often
asked what he reckons is the importance of fitness, Maje said, “I feel it’s a lot deeper than that; it’s about survival, it’s about your internal culture, your health and mental well-being and ultimately your happiness. We are designed to be active beings, and exercise truly does enhance life. On a personal level, I love the way it makes me feel physically, mentally and spiritually. My father was very active and made sure we all grew up sporty, so exercise has always been important to me. I believe all Nigerians should have an active lifestyle.”
marriage to one of Nigeria’s popular media personalities, Toke Makinwa, in 2014. With their separation two just years later, and the dramatic court appearances that followed when he hit his ex-wife with a defamation lawsuit after she had written about him in her book, On Becoming, Ayida became an easy backlash target. When she asked if he would do things differently if he could go back in time in pursuit of happiness, Maje chose the forwardever approach to life. He commented, “I generally don’t speak on this topic much. I believe we are the sum of our experiences and choices. I’ve made good and bad decisions and am grateful for my journey so far. Since I can’t actually go back in time, I will continue to practice gratitude for the past and present and strive to act with wisdom in the future. Yeah, I know I didn’t answer the question [laughs]. Bottom line, I’m happy.”
At the start of the month, he started a free HIIT—an acronym for ‘High-Intensity Interval Training,’ a combination of brief, very-high intensity bursts of cardio exercise followed by equal or longer periods of rest. Think 30 seconds to a minute of sprinting, followed by a minute or two of walking or slow jogging—and Afrobeats dance workout classes in Lekki and Ikoyi. The Wellness guru who just turned 50 a week ago explained why he made it free for August. He said, “August is my birthday month, so I wanted to give back to people; it’s only free on Saturdays, though; man must still chop!” Why afrobeats, though? Is it the best genre to workout to? Maje justified the decision, “People love dancing to afrobeats, and dance fitness is a fantastic cardio workout. So why not mix the two together? You’re more likely to keep moving when it’s to songs you enjoy. Think about it, some people will dance for 2 hours straight in a club but then struggle in a 40 min workout class. ‘Dance is the hidden language of the Insoul.’”addition to health and Wellness, Maje also hosts a lifestyle show on radio, also making him an on-air personality to add to a fairly long list of labels that define who he is. He talked about his other involvements and future projects. “Yes, my show is called The Eden Corner and is about all things Wellness. Most shows I hear on radio revolve around entertainment, gossip, sports and politics, so I wanted to do something that speaks to people about their day-to-day lives, their happiness, how they manage stress and how to improve their work-life balance and topics like that. My primary business is as a Corporate Wellness service provider to various industries, and we’re fortunate to service many of the country’s top companies. We are currently developing a service that the public can also benefit from, Wellness at your fingertips. I will say no more. Aside from that, I have an interesting show coming on television this year, so I’m super excited about the future.”
As aforementioned, on the 17th of August, Maje made his grand entrance into the fifth floor. He responded with brimming elation and gratitude when reminded about it. “The big one! I am so grateful to God to have made it this far.” Although he still possesses the oomph that serves as a
“Yes, my show is called The Eden Corner and is about all things Wellness. Most shows I hear on radio revolve around entertainment, gossip, sports and politics, so I wanted to do something that speaks to people about their day-to-day lives, their happiness, how they manage stress and how to improve their work-life balance and topics like that.
VOL 2 NO. 35 • AUGUST 28 - SEPTEMBER 03, 2022 PAGE 10 THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com COVER depends on it because it does, and get eight hours of sleep every night. Limit processed food, eat in moderation, cut down sugar consumption as much as you can, and have a good perspective towards stress. Most
At 50, Maje Ayida has lived a life heavy on Wellness with a focus on the fitness sub-sector, and is not looking to pump the brakes on spreading the good tidings of health and Wellness across
ago.decadesusedwhatnofifties,inanyonethatalongsidebody,thatthedenyingthere’sWellness,withobsessionhealthyoftestimonialreal-timehisnofacthisoftheirislongerittobeAndso, the fitness approach is bound to be different. Maje gave an insight into the right way for people his age to exercise. “My advice to my peers is to go for low impact workouts and interval training over steady cardio. We lose muscle mass yearly, and testosterone starts dropping rapidly, so please lift weights to prevent this. Unfortunately, the body doesn’t respond like it used to, but we must keep pushing,” he adjured. Perhaps, we might as well take a cue from not just the horse’s mouth but also his handbook. When asked what his secret routine to looking so good at 50 is in terms of exercising, dieting and lifestyle changes, the Wellness guru teased briefly before revealing. “Are you saying I look good at 50? Please talk straight!” He goofed on. “Well, I don’t have anything special I do, I try to stay as active as possible, and I’m deliberate about it. Pick up a hobby that keeps you active, play a sport that keeps you moving, drink water like your life in Africa, and so much more needs to be done to educate Africans on the importance of Wellness. It is an umbrella that covers every aspect of an individual’s life: Mental, physical, emotional, financial and spiritual. We are in the midst of a mental health crisis in Africa, with one in four Africans dealing with some form of mental illness. One in eight dealing with severe depression, and suicide rates are through the roof. It is important that we destigmatise mental health and therapy and ultimately raise the life expectancy here. I do like that the conversation is happening, but we have a long way to go, and I believe it will transform the continent. Humanity, empathy, kindness and love are the only way we can rise, and we WILL rise.”
importantly,understandthathappinessissomethingyoucanchoosedaily,”heconcluded.Astheinterviewdrewclosertoitsend,theEditorfeltitnecessarytodiscussMaje’spersonallife.Foralongspell,hewasinthemediafollowinghis
There's a good likelihood that the person you meet is a Virgo if they are consistently composed and collected, even under highly stressful circumstances. Although Virgos frequently despise being the centre of attention, they often possess such talent that they excel in whatever industry, scene, or community they choose to participate in. Virgos are renowned for their easy-going nature, adaptability, and laid-back outlook on life. But the Virgo personality is more than just a tendency to go with the flow. This zodiac sign puts a lot of effort into appearing effortless and flawless. Everything they do is completely focused on and is set to the highest standards. They are excellent organizers, great at paying attention to details and can be counted on to keep things running smoothly. Virgo is an earth sign traditionally associated with the goddess of wheat and agriculture. This link highlights Virgo's strong connection to the physical world. A Virgo's approach to life is logically, practically, and methodically. This earth sign strives for perfection and isn't hesitant to develop talents via persistent, thorough effort. Mercury, a planet associated with professions, abilities, and craft, rules the Virgo constellation. Virgos tend to be very fashionable, and some even live by a strict daily routine. Virgos strive to leave the planet in a better condition than they found it. When Virgo is not confiding their deepest feelings in a notebook, they are serving others. As communityminded individuals, Virgos find meaning in their work and great satisfaction in helping others. Over time, people take this degree of servitude for granted, which truly irritates Virgos. Internally, the inner critic is let loose and constantly complains about the morality, manners, and gratitude of others. Virgos are drawn to creative types and idealists, but they are also drawn to ambitious businesspeople who value hard work in their partners. Virgos never lack admirers, thanks to their handsome, composed exterior and sharp wit. Other Earth signs get along nicely with them. Generally speaking, those born under the Earth sign prefer committed relationships rather than hurling themselves around town. They also frequently value material comfort and social status. Together, Virgo, Taurus, and Capricorn make for healthy relationships. Notable Virgos include Beyoncé, Idris Alba, Zendaya, and Waje. FROM
WALLPAPER ACCESS
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PAGE 11 THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com VOL 2 NO. 35 • AUGUST 28 - SEPTEMBER 03, 2022 DOWNTOWN ZODIAC VirgosEVERYTHINGYOUNEEDTOKNOWABOUT VIRGO DATES: AUGUST 22 OR 23 – SEPTEMBER 22 - 23 VIRGO SYMBOL: THE MAIDEN VIRGO RULING PLANET: MERCURY VIRGO ELEMENT: EARTH Veronica Ebie 3rd of September Basket Mouth 14th of September Toyin Abraham 5th of September BY IDOWU LAMI
Game-Changing
Vitamin C L'AVYANNACream Vitamin C OLEHENRIKSENserum
If you are so proud of your black skin, why do anything to change it? Bleaching black skin is one of the best ways to destroy your skin and activate ageing faster. Stay away from the so-called ‘organic skincare’ that still claims to give you shades of other races (Mulato, Egyptian, Oshaprapra etc.). They often take your skin to the point of no return, and as you already know, it costs more to repair skin issues than it does to prevent them. Black skin is too expensive; you cannot buy it in a jar. Guard it jealously and choose your brands wisely.
2. Your routine is Key!
1. Stay away from harshskincare products
The phrase, ‘Black don’t crack,’ has been used as a point of pride by or for people of colour to reaffirm black beauty in a world that disenfranchises blackness in global beauty standards. According to science, the higher concentration of melanin in darker skin is resistant to ageing from the sun, and it can take around 10 years longer for darker skin to show signs of photoaging (fine lines, creases, and wrinkles) than white folks. Many black women and men have reaffirmed this point, as we have seen in many of our ageless black celebrities like Senator Daisy Danjuma (70), Kate Henshaw (51), Halle Berry (55), Gabrielle Union (49), Alfre Woodard (69), Pharrell Williams (49) Tuface Idibia (46), Naomi Campbell (52) or Wizkid who could pass for an early adult but truly, is 32 years old. Whilst these celebrities prove the point that people of colour age gracefully to the point of disbelief, is this true for everyone or is this another way of being pressured to be perfect? Many beauty bloggers are beginning to demystify. The truth is that your black skin will crack if you do not take good care of it. We don’t all have rare ageless genes that some people possess but we sure can treat our way into maintaining that ageless beauty by following these game-changing skin care tips for black women and also men.
BY DR MAY IKEORA
BEAUTY
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Black Does Crack!
Skin Care Tips for Black Women
It’s not always how expensive your skin care is but your routine. Black women must have a skincare routine that involves cleansing (2 times a day), exfoliating (1-2 times a week), Treatment (for when you have a particular skin issue) and hydration (as much as needed but at least twice a day). Hydration is key here, whether it includes drinking enough water, using that moisturiser with Hyaluronic Acid or that face mist that tops up hydration on the go. Don’t forget that monthly facial with your favourite Skin Clinic,
We have outlined tips to make you physically beautiful, but true beauty is an ‘inside job’. There is nothing more beautiful than a person who is confident in who they are. Even Coco Chanel said, “beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself.” today, when you look in the mirror, look deeper than the surface and say these powerful affirmations. am beautifully and wonderfully made - I am more than enough - I am an unstoppable force of nature The power of beauty affirmations lies in creating a positive image of yourself in your own head that radiates from the inside out. Find more affirmations today and try them out…
Beverly Naya Kate Henshaw There is nothing as inclusive as brands who blackconsiderpeoplein the formulation of their skincare products. Black skin matters too! Hence, we are loving brands that pave the way for our melanin to pop! Or addresses the sort accessibletoortantdeareskincarealreadybusinessesSupportexperience.skinthatHyperpigmentationofblacktendstoblackwhothinkyourneedsimpCremeCorpsKIEHL’Senoughmakethemtoyou.
So
PAGE 13 VOL 2 NO. 35 • AUGUST 28 - SEPTEMBER 03, 2022THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com
Namaste! 3. Use products thatkeep you in mind 4. Sunscreen is trulya saving grace! 5. BeYOUtiful! Melanin Glow Body Milk Lotion L'AVYANNA MoisturizingBLACKGIRLSunscreen Lydia Forson Ultra-Light Moisturizing Lotion CERAVECreme de KIEHL'SCorps
- I
‘Black skin doesn’t need workedthathelpsit.skindothingcancer.”andsuchinducedsusceptiblestillaswon’tdark-skinnedtojourneys.blackthatsomeme‘sunscreensunscreen’,makesdarker’etc.areofthefewlieshaveaffectedskincareAccordingexperts,“Althoughpeoplegetsunburnedquickly,theywillburnandarestilltosun-damage—assunspotswrinkles—andThebestyoucaneverforyourblackistoprotectGuesswhat?Ityoumaintainskinglowyousohardfor.
industry in Nigeria is where it should be because a giant leap of growth has occurred over the years. Regardless, the industry needs more government support, which will, in turn, encourage more foreign investments. I honestly believe that in the coming future, the Nigerian fashion industry will become a giant force in the global fashion space. Let’s go back in time for a bit here. In 2016, what was the vision behind creating YD Agency, which is now The YD Company? Initially, I never thought I’d be operating a PR and communications company as I’ve always been an individual in the fashion and arts industries. Having organised several fashion shows and exhibitions in Africa and Europe, I eventually dived into the PR industry as I realised I could make a prodigious impact in that field. My vision for founding The YD Company stemmed from my enthusiasm for providing result-based services to businesses/brands, organisations, individuals, etc., in communications management, brand awareness/ publicity, event management, and public relations; I believe I have been fulfilling this so far. What would you say hinders the effective growth of PR in Nigeria? Primarily, I will say that lack of knowledge amongst business owners has been a major issue. Not everyone running a business understands the invaluable importance of having a PR campaign, which has impeded their business operations in the public space, especially for small and medium-scale businesses. That said, as a PR expert, my team and I have been actively involved in telling businesses at events we attend the importance of running a PR campaign, and I hope the narrative will change in the future.
After six years, the YD firm is still operating at full capacity and doing incredible feats. What lessons have you learnt from creating a team and running a business in Nigeria? First of all, thank you very much for acknowledging our undefeated strength and expertise in the industry.
With a stack of achievements: Who exactly is Yetunde Ogunnubi? Yetunde (Yetty) Ogunnubi is a leading professional in the fashion and arts industry with over 15 years of experience in public relations (PR), marketing, image branding, and event management. More specifically, I am the Founder / CEO of The YD Company—a fully integrated hybrid PR, branding, events, and communications firm. Over the years, I have managed publicity projects, such as fashion and creative events, press conferences, etc., for several government organisations, corporate businesses, and SMEs. I have also promoted emerging labels and artists, many of whom have gone ahead to become household names in their different industries. I love to create effective solutions to business challenges bordering on brand awareness, public relations, and marketing communications. After leaving Nigeria, you succeeded in the UK through hard work and persistence. However, you returned—something not many individuals would do today. What prompted your decision to make that move?
I initially went to London because of my fashion show—The Yetty D Fashion Show. My time in London was great, and the experiences I gained while there have contributed significantly to my success stories and my current brand— The YD Company. During my stay in London, I was actively involved in the PR campaigns for my fashion show. One day, a major marketing company invited me to their office in Central London for a meeting. On getting to the office, I saw that their video screen had everything to do with my label, and they told me how they had been carefully following my brand and seeing the growth, as well as how I was pushing it. They expressed interest in working with my brand. In fact, that was the day I realised I was actually good at public relations and branding. As time passed, brands started contacting me for PR campaigns for their businesses and events. In 2014, I finally moved to Nigeria to focus more on my newly found talent—public relations. Your fashion journey started back in the UK, which has woven into who you are as a person and as a brand. What’s your take on the state of fashion in Nigeria? Is it where it should be, and what else can and should be done to get it to the heights it needs? The fashion scene in Nigeria has come a long way in the last two decades, contributing significantly to the nation’s economic growth. So, yes, the fashion
Yetunde Ogunnubi FEATURE
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I’d like to say that teamwork amongst our staff has been one of our greatest strengths at The YD Company.
A PUBLIC RELATIONS FORCE TO
Everyone gets involved enthusiastically and proactively in all our projects, campaigns, and other tasks; nobody waits to be pushed or micromanaged before they perform their tasks excellently. Another secret is my hands-on approach to managing our BE WITH
RECKONED
Since Yetunde Ogunnubi, popularly referred to as Yetty D, set foot in the PR and brand management space, the tremours of her achievements and contributions have been immensely felt. Her professional ability to juggle numerous high-profile projects for corporate businesses and arms of government, lead fashion and creative events, promote emerging and established labels and deliver on all fronts, has made her a tremendous force in her field. Yetty D speaks with DOWNTOWN’s Tilewa Kazeem about her journey, achievements and more.
You’re pretty fashionable yourself— you have your style, and you’ve been seen spotting some Nigerian designers. How much would you say the fashion industry has impacted the economy? Research by Euromonitor showed that the Nigerian fashion and retail apparel industry was valued at $4.8 billion. Also, a growth rate of 5.5% and an estimated value of $6.3 billion were forecasted by 2025. Nigerian designers are changing the global fashion scene, and they are not slowing down any time soon; I am happy and proud of their progress, and I cannot wait to see the oncoming tremendous feats they will achieve. What’s next for the YD Company? In past and present times, we have been able to take on projects for both big organisations and SMEs. Nonetheless, there is still room to do more. In the next couple of years, I envision The YD Company being a major force in Africa’s public relations and communications industry and adding many portfolios, both in and outside Africa, to its clientele. Also, I am looking at establishing The YD Company in another African country soon. As a team, I hope we can help more African businesses build their brands, thereby achieving significant feats in their individual industries.
FEATURE
The YD Company is handling the Beauty and Fashion side of things at the Expo. Given the growth of the Nigerian fashion space, how important does this opportunity pose for Nigerian designers?
In your line of business, PR, which you do excellently well, how paramount would you say networking is in your line of business?
PAGE 15 THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com VOL 2 NO. 35 • AUGUST 28 - SEPTEMBER 03, 2022 projects and clients, and I am happy to say that members of The YD Company team are not even playing around! One of the significant lessons I’ve learnt from operating a team in Nigeria is that, no matter how the situation of the economy is, you can always make giant strides, just like we are at The YD Company. Another lesson I’ve added to my books is that, even though some employees may not be so good at doing some given tasks, there is always something unique and exciting each person can do excellently. You have to manage the team in such a way that there is a balanced proficiency.
You were recently honoured by 'Her Network' on World PR Day. What are some obstacles you encountered when you first started the journey and are still present today? Sometimes, people who do not know my brand or me tend to undermine my capabilities because of my gender, not until they come to the light of my work and brand. I have managed this aspect professionally by always allowing my work and actions to speak for me. Although this bias is not as prevalent as in 2016, you can still find some traces in the industry, but I keep going (laughs).
Your firm is a part of the planning committee for the Africa Expo 2022 event. How big of an opportunity is in bridging the gap between the Nigerian and global markets? Without any doubt, this is a huge opportunity for the Nigerian market. Primarily, Africa Expo 2022 is an event that encompasses a complete showcase of the various sectors from more than 28 African countries. More than 30 countries from Asia dedicated to the local and international industry stakeholders will participate in exploring business opportunities and learning the world’s latest needs today. The Expo provides a platform for many brands from Africa to expand their market share in Asia. It also focuses on bilateral trade between the two continents and the opening of their emerging economies. Also, the event targets fashion and beauty brands in Nigeria and, by extension, in Africa, as well as budding and established businesses in Asia. It seeks to create unending opportunities in Asia for African businesses and vice versa. So, the opportunity is a big one.
The Asian market has over 640 million consumers and is ranked 8th in the world; this shows that there are uncountable potentials and opportunities in the Asian market. The Expo will open up these opportunities for African businesses and Nigerian fashion and beauty industries in the Asian region. We expect that at the Expo, Nigerian designers and fashion brands in attendance will be able to identify their individual stronghold of opportunities and leverage that to scale up their business operations.
Actually, I come from a family of creatives; my parents make artworks, so I am naturally a creative myself. I paint, sketch, and draw, but it is entirely leisure for me, and I just love it!
You’re a massive advocate for women, and on countless occasions, you’ve spoken for women. How would you describe your experience as a woman in PR? My exploit in the PR industry has been fun, as well as a series of challenging yet rewarding experiences. One thing that stands out for me and my brand is how we take care of each of our clients, giving them the highest quality of services and high returns on their investment.
What would you say is the best way to network, and how much can you tell us about luxury networking? Absolutely paramount! Networking is a very crucial part of the PR process, and you have to stay on top of this game if you really want to be a huge success in the industry. Most of our clients at The YD Company come from referrals, and this is because of the quality of work we have done for the referees. From my personal experiences and opinion, the best way to network is to attend events, especially luxury events. At events, you’re able to meet new people and build on existing relationships when other people known to you are in attendance. On the other hand, luxury networking entails meeting and sharing information between stakeholders in the luxury space, facilitating cooperation and development activities between top-end companies, and providing direct access to one another’s pre-qualified, high-net-worth private clients.
You seem to have an interest in arts and paintings. Is this something you take seriously, or is it just leisure?
It seems like we wake up to a new dollar price each day, and the economy keeps getting harder for everyone. How has this affected your clientele and PR in general? (Chuckles) Of course, just as the unfavourably unstable exchange rate is affecting the nation’s economy, it has affected our clientele and PR campaigns too. For instance, the prices of services, such as photography and event rentals, have increased significantly. Logistics and transportation costs have also increased during this period, and our clientele has also had a portion of the dwindling exchange rate. Nonetheless, we will keep it going and can only pray and hope for the best soon. What should we come to expect from your collaboration with Africa Expo 2022? Primarily, my partnership with the organisers of this event is to embolden my brand’s commitment to creating emerging opportunities for Nigerian brands in and outside the continent of Africa. The Africa Expo 2022 is an event that encompasses a complete showcase of the various sectors from more than 28 African countries. This event promises to be a life-changing opportunity for Nigerian and other African businesses that will be in attendance, as there will be networking opportunities, masterclasses, training sessions, exhibitions, etc. We hope to further foster the efforts of these organisations in helping African brands explore untapped opportunities for their businesses in Asia.
Scan this with your camera to access the playlist (Apple Music) Scan this with your camera to access the playlist (Spotify) BEAST VOL 2 NO. 35 • AUGUST 28 - SEPTEMBER 03, 2022 WATCH OF THE WEEK MOVIE REVIEW: THE DROPOUT Asake - Terminator M.I. Abaga_ Wande Coal - The Love Song (feat. Wande Coal) Pheelz_ Davido - Electricity LION BABE_ Raekwon - Western World Lucky Daye - Late NightKAYTRANADA_ Anderson .Paak - Twin Flame THEY. - Blü Moon
One pivotal moment is the 18-year-old Holmes’ meeting with the 37-year-old Sunny Balwani (Naveen Andrews), the Pakistan-born tech millionaire who would become her friend, lover and company president. The other is when the bulldozing Holmes gets a Stanford professor to back her vision of a high-tech device that could run 70 different tests using a single drop of blood. As the compellingly written and directed episodes unfold, it becomes clear that the transition from pie in the sky to outright fraud can be gradual when you’re telling lies in the service of something you believe will eventually work.
The cinema trope known as Chekhov’s gun, which refers to an object foreshadowing plot turns, gets an update in Beast, the new survival thriller directed by Iceland native Baltasar Kormákur. Call it “Chekov’s T-shirt.” It’s the Jurassic Park tee worn by one of the offspring of Dr. Nate Samuels (Idris Elba), a recently widowed father taking his teenage daughters on what’s supposed to be a healing family trip to a South African game reserve. They haven’t reckoned on becoming prey for a giant lion experiencing its own version of grief.
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It’s also great to see South African native Copley (District 9, Chappie) in action again. His knowledge of his homeland comes through in his performance, although you might expect that his character Martin — who knows lions well enough to hug them — would understand that the avenging lion hasn’t “gone rogue,” to use his words. The lion is essentially doing what lions do, although apparently more aggressively than most.
Kormákur is smart to depict the lion attacks mostly in the shadows, which minimizes any fears of digital seams showing. He also makes frequent and effective use of tracking shots, which heightens the sensation of being stalked that helps make Beast a late-summer audience rouser. 6.5/10 money but keen to do something for the greater good – and aware that she doesn’t relate and connect to others in the way that most people do.
And what about that lion, which is somewhat lacking in personality apart from its very big teeth and claws? As CGI creations go, he’s far beneath the “Jurassic” dinos of Spielberg renown, but far above the lamentably fake bear of “Prey,” the other current survival thriller, now playing on Disney Plus (although it should be on the big screen, too).
There are no prizes for guessing what happens next or where the story goes. But it’s worth noting that Elba, no stranger to heroic roles, rises above genre formula by playing Nate as more of a regular dad than a He’ssuperman.fearless in the face of danger and a calm and capable battlefield medic and scrapper. But he’s not exactly handy with a gun, and he’s hopeless at hot-wiring cars, something his daughters chide him for at one moment of truth. The daughters are more than just plot contrivances. They’re in on the action. Actors Halley (TV’s This Is Us) and Jeffries (TV’s Empire) demonstrate excellent chemistry both as squabbling siblings and determined survivalists.
The Jurassic Park tee has the virtue of honesty. Kormákur (Everest, The Deep) is tacitly admitting to the many steals he and screenwriter Ryan Engle (Rampage) make from Steven Spielberg’s 1993 dinosaur blockbuster, lifting everything from the stranded vehicle to the kitchen hide-and-seek. Which is not to say that Beast is undeserving of eyeballs. On the contrary, this last big Hollywood release of summer ’22 is a diverting pulse-raiser, which has the additional virtue of clocking in at a brisk 93 minutes. Kormákur harbours no pretensions to art with his big-screen adventures; maximizing tension is always his intention. He gets right down to it with a prologue that shows an all-toobelievable scene where poachers ruthlessly attack a pride of lions, using guns and snares to kill these majestic creatures as quickly and efficiently as possible. They manage to miss the pride’s alpha male, which commences There’s something in the zeitgeist when it comes to stories about bright young scammers, imposters and dodgy startups.
The Tinder Swindler and Inventing Anna (Shonda Rhimes’s drama about New York society imposter Anna Sorokin) have been hits for Netflix, which also hosts Fyre: The Greatest Party That Never Happened, Tiger King producer Chris Smith’s documentary about the fraudulent 2017 music festival. Prime Video has the documentary WeWork: Or the Making and Breaking of a $47 Billion Unicorn, and Apple TV+ is about to release WeCrashed, the WeWork drama starring Jared Leto and Anne Hathaway. The list goes on. Perhaps it’s an inevitable reflection of how modern technology enables young scammers to bypass old gatekeepers, whether by approaching targets directly on social media or by playing investors afraid of missing out on a piece of the next Google. Perhaps the trend is also driven by an element of daydream fantasy among a younger cohort that feels locked out of opportunities available to older generations. Whatever the case, The Dropout, which features a spellbinding performance by Amanda Seyfried as andhugelywomanuniversity,andhighFinishingcomplexHolmespainttakesthepodcastinvestigativeBasedscamfromTheranoscompany,technologyherfraudbeenprison,tonowbillionaire,madeyoungestwasatHolmesseriesThecrowdedisElizabethentrepreneurdisgracedHolmes,astandoutinagenre.newmini-about–whoonepointAmerica’sself-femalebutfacesup20yearsinhavingconvictedofinvolvingmedicalisfaryourtypicalstory.onanseriesofsamename,itthetimetotheyoungasacharacter.upschoolheadingtoshe’sinahurry,ambitiousmotivatedby Flight a bloody campaign against humans that we would anthropomorphize as revenge. Enter Dr. Nate and his moody daughters, Meredith (Iyana Halley) and Norah (Leah Jeffries), who aren’t exactly delighted to be joining their dad on this journey to the South African savannah. There’s no cellphone service or Wi-Fi. They’re visiting a game reserve managed by Martin Battles (Sharlto Copley), a wildlife biologist and longtime family friend. It’s the place where Nate met his late wife; photos of her still hang on the wall. The depth of human grieving is learned on the fly. It unfolds as Nate, Martin, Meredith and Norah find themselves fighting off the aforementioned alpha male lion. The beast is intent on making all of them dinner; he’s as ferocious as the T-Rex and as resourceful as the raptors from Jurassic Park
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