GEN V3: PICK YOUR PLAYER WITH VINNIE HACKER, GRACIE ABRAMS, RACHEL SENNOTT, & MORE by V Magazine

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GEORGIA PALMER

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GRACIE ABRAMS

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FEATURING: GRACIE ABRAMS WILLIAM GAO VINNIE HACKER GEORGIA PALMER RACHEL SENNOTT CONTRIBUTING GUEST EDITOR: ALIYAH BAH

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

In this Issue: Genesis, 8 Ingénus, 10 Pick Your Player, 20 Beautech, 42 Fall Fatale, 46 Aliyah’s Interlude, 54 Add to Cart, 56

EADY

R O U N D

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FROM THE MAKERS OF

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GE N V

A rose by any other name would smell as sweet—maybe even sweeter. So yes, MINI V has become GEN V. Like, whatever. Things change. In fact, change is the very thing GEN V captures. It is a snapshot of creativity in motion—actors, musicians, models, artists, chefs, and social media stars in the midst of metamorphosing their careers and industries. There is a strong sense of evolution and growth—a rose leaning into the sunlight to flourish. But what is GEN V ? It is a gen eration, but an unrestricted one—anyone can have le gen V, or “V gene” as they say in French. It’s a nod to generating creativity, to gen ius, to the full range of gen ders. It is the slightly grittier, younger sibling to V and VMAN, influenced by the intersection of subcultures and high fashion. For our third issue (and first under our new name), we tapped the industry’s most-hyped photographer of the moment, Jack Bridgland, to capture a roster of cover stars vying to be tomorrow’s global super stars: Vinnie Hacker, Rachel Sennott, Gracie Abrams, Georgia Palmer, and William Gao. We considered the ages-old notion of fame as a game you play, casting each of these icons-intraining as characters in a Mortal Kombat-esque world. Pretty accurate depiction of Hollywood, tbh. Throughout this issue, you’ll find other “players,” such as the actors in our INGÉNUS series (a recurring casting of budding talent), a digitized makeup story with pop star Nessa Barrett and digital artist Pol Kurucz, and, of course, this issue’s Contributing Guest Editor, TikTok’s one and only Aliyah Bah (@aliyahsinterlude). We hope you enjoy reading this issue as much as we enjoyed generating it. Mathias Rosenzweig 4

Artwork @8BITSTORIES

OME T O C WEL EDITOR’S LETTER

NOW Stephen Gan V Magazine Editor-in-Chief / Creative Director

MASTHEAD

EDITORIAL Mathias Rosenzweig GEN V Editor-in-Chief / Digital Director

Matt Wille Deputy Managing Editor

Melissa Scragg Managing Editor/Production Director

Nicola Formichetti Creative / Fashion Director

Kevin Ponce Digital Managing Editor

Jordan Yates Social Media Manager

Greg Krelenstein Entertainment Editor

Emily McDermott Contributing Editor

Meng Ji Weibo and Chinese Editor

Teri Duerr Copy and Research Editor

PHOTO / ART Photo Director Goran Macura Special Projects Producer Alyson Cox Art Director Tobias Holzmann Junior Graphic Designer Jewel Baek Consulting Creative / Design Greg Foley FASHION Fashion Market Editor Emma Oleck Fashion Coordinator / Assistant to the Editor-in-Chief Marissa Lee CONTRIBUTORS Jack Bridgland Dan Beleiu Anna Trevelyan Evan Ross Katz Brooke Nipar Hunter Clem Edwig Henson Vincent Dilio Pol Kurucz Alexandra French Henry Kornaros Kristian Burt Lova McKnight Kathryn Sohm Lauren Sanchez Madison Collins Melanie Ramirez CONTRIBUTUNG GUEST EDITOR Aliyah Bah ADVERTISING / FINANCE Magazine International (Advertising Office for Italy and Switzerland) Luciano Bernardini de Pace luciano@bernardini.it Eleni Gatsou Bureau (Advertising Office for France and America) Eleni Gatsou eleni@elenigatsou.com Marie-Loup Faggioli marie-loup@elenigatsou.com Todd Kamelhar Managing Director

David Renard david@mediaideas.net Distribution

Jessica Rivera jrivera@vmagazine.com Distribution & Marketing Manager / Production

PRESS AND EVENTS Purple PR Andrew Lister andrew.lister@purplepr.com Shiana Madray shiana.madray@purplepr.com Remi Jiang remi.jiang@purplepr.com SPECIAL THANKS Claire’s Kristin Patrick SN37 Steven Chaiken, Jesse Kahn, Casey Flanegan IMG Christopher Lukas, Aaron Newbill, Lisa DiRuocco CAA Elizabeth Mitchell Forward Spencer Spaulding Streeters Charlotte Alexa The Wall Group Lillie Blaustein, Tess Stillwell A-Frame Margaret Park, Hannah Hardison SEE Management Leigh Sikorski, Laura Groudine Home Agency Josephine Whittaker Opus Beauty Natalie Miller MHS Artists Bevin Murphy Factory Downtown Simone Klein Statement Artists Danielle Williams viewfinders Dana Brockman Mynxii White Cover Gracie Abrams wears all jewelry CHANEL Bra talent’s own William Gao wears jacket LOUIS VUITTON Tooth gems ZWEETTOOF Vinnie Hacker wears jacket and necklace AMI Georgia Palmer wears sweater HEAVEN by Marc Jacobs All jewelry CARTIER Nail cuffs METALBELLY Tooth gems ZWEETTOOF Rachel Sennott wears all clothing GUCCI

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Introducing our new GENESIS series, where we share behind-the-scenes shots from the creation of pop culture’s newest releases

G E N E S I S

Shinjiro Atae recently shared his identity as a gay man at an event in Tokyo with over 2,000 fans, making him one of the few public figures in Japanese society to openly speak about being gay. In his newest single “Into the Light,” he shares a glimpse into his own journey of self-acceptance. After 15 years with the hit J-pop group AAA (pronounced “triple A”), Atae decided to leave in 2020 to focus on his solo career. With his unwavering dedication to his supporters and an undeniable passion for music, the star is destined for a bright road ahead. JORDAN YATES GEN V: After your success as a member of AAA, how has the transition into working on solo projects been for you? SHINJIRO ATAE: Being part of AAA was a great experience. I really enjoyed performing with the other members. There are definitely more responsibilities now that I’ve been working on solo projects. There are many more things I must think about 6

and things I have to do, but I feel like it has been very rewarding. GEN V: You recently announced your identity as a gay man in front of a crowd. What was that like? SA: Before I went up on stage, I was freaking out in the dressing room. I tried to keep my spirits up by blasting “I’m Coming Out” by Diana Ross. It helped but I still felt the most nervous that I’ve ever felt in my life. I didn’t know how my fans would react to the news. However, when I saw my fans who have been supporting me for 18 years, I started to feel at ease. That being said, I still felt a sense of nervousness. As I was reciting my speech, I started to feel emotional on stage and couldn’t hold back my tears. At that moment, my fans started to cheer me on to help me get through the rest of the speech. Having the fans cheer me on in that moment was one of the most amazing experiences I’ve ever had in my life. GEN V: You share a piece of your journey into self-acceptance in your

new song “Into the Light.” Is there anything in your message that you hope will resonate with listeners? SA: I want people to listen to this song and recognize that they are not the only person who has been struggling with something. I just want people to know that they are not alone. Also, I want to remind people that the dark moments in life aren’t forever. If you continue to have hope, there’s light on the other end. GEN V: What are some upcoming projects that you are excited about? SA: I plan on making some more music soon! I’d love to make an album and go on tour. Look out for more from me soon! Currently, I am in the process of filming a documentary about my life. It is being produced by Peter Farrelly and Fisher Stevens. It’s an amazing team and my close friends John-Eliot Jordan and Carlie Mantilla-Jordan are directing. I’m really excited to share my story and hope it will help others to feel less alone.

Photography NINA MENCONI

SHINJIRO ATAE’s NEW CHAPTER

GÉNUS i e Sist n

Photography HENRY KORNAROS Fashion EMMA OLECK

New York City—home to yet-to-be-discovered performers, global dreamers, and the Yankees. For these five actors, the saying, “If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere” couldn’t be more true

Sistine wears dress VERSACE Glasses AKONI EYEWEAR Earrings SWAROVSKI Boots R13 Beauty Tip: For the most snatched ponytail ever, try ORIBE Rock Hard Gel from root to tip

INGÉNUS

Sistine Stallone’s daring nature leads her to many different places, whether it’s jumping off towering cliffs or paving her way along creative career paths. Refusing to settle for the mundane, Stallone is determined to sample every slice of life, including the realm of reality TV, which she recently entered with The Family Stallone, a new docuseries about her family on Paramount+. “I’ve always had the mindset of, What’s the worst that can happen? ” says Stallone. “When it comes to figuring out a career path or doing something out of my comfort zone, my parents always told me and my sisters to try everything while we’re young—although, telling them about my recent cliff jump did not go over well,” she adds with a laugh.

Born from a lineage of actors and models, Stallone inherited a passion for the entertainment and fashion industries. Her father, Sylvester Stallone, is the actor known for playing iconic roles like Rocky Balboa and Rambo, and her mother, Jennifer Flavin, is a former model. “Being raised by creative parents, it was no surprise that I wanted to emulate their journeys,” Stallone reflects. “I knew from a young age that I wanted to be involved in the fashion industry in some capacity.” Following in her mother’s footsteps, Stallone signed with IMG Models in 2016 and went on to walk the runway for the likes of Chanel and Dolce & Gabbana. Soon, a different career path would come knocking. “When I was approached with an acting opportunity, I was very hesitant at first,” the 25-year-old reveals. “That being said, I was lucky enough

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to live under the same roof as what felt like an at-home acting coach.” Having such a support system made her feel confident enough to accept the role, and that opportunity landed her in the cast of 47 Meters Down: Uncaged (2019) and launched her acting career. “Filming [that movie] was one of the most difficult and rewarding experiences I’ve had as a young adult,” she says. “I’ve realized that discipline and focus are of paramount importance.” Alongside her newfound life as an actor and reality TV star, Stallone has grand plans for the future. She intends to continue her journeys in both fashion and film. Currently, she is in pre-production for Scavenger Hunt, a film she scripted in 2018, while also taking fashion design classes, with the aspiration to create her own clothing line one day. No matter the endeavor, Stallone continues to emerge as an unstoppable powerhouse, as she forges ahead toward her next triumph. MADISON COLLINS

Dress GIVENCHY Necklace and earrings SWAROVSKI Rings LAÔMA Boots MARC JACOBS

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The actress, reality TV star, and budding entrepreneur is setting her sights on true stardom 9

INGÉNUS

Some kids rebel by misbehaving or skipping school. West Duchovny did so by avoiding the family business: acting. Her parents, Hollywood titans David Duchovny and Téa Leoni, both boast decades-long careers in film and television. Rather than hoping for a successful career on screen, Duchovny initially planned on a job in the medical field. “Growing up, I never had any interest in acting,” the 24-year-old says. “When I was younger, people were constantly asking me, ‘Do you want to be an actor like your parents?’ And I think it made me want to rebel against it. So having actor parents was actually a deterrent for me.” Despite her reluctance, Duchovny was bitten by the proverbial acting bug while performing in a play her senior year of high school “for shits and giggles.” This initial spark of passion was enough to make what she calls a “comically drastic pivot” away from her premed college track to focus on acting. Since then, Duchovny has landed roles in a number of projects, including the sci-fi film Linoleum (2022) and the psychological drama show Saint X (2023). She also stars in the recently released Netflix series Painkiller, which focuses on the opioid crisis and the Sackler family (of Purdue Pharma infamy). Preparing for her role as Shannon, a sales rep at Purdue Pharma, was something Duchovny took seriously. In addition to her usual character development—coming up with

individual likes, dislikes, and values— she chose not to look too much into the history of opioids and Purdue Pharma in order to add a level of authenticity to her role. As Duchovny’s character uncovers the truth about the Sacklers and their company, Duchovny, herself, does too. The show touches on some heavy topics, and the actor believes the honest and brave storytelling is what make the miniseries so compelling. “It is such a special thing when art inspires action, and I hope that is true of our show,” she says. “At times, Painkiller is extremely hard to watch; it is so raw and heartbreaking and terrifying, and I think that is a big part of what makes it so powerful.” With a growing roster of roles under her belt, Duchovny is assured in her love for acting and desire to play dynamic and unique characters. Looking to the future, she says, “I try not to think too far in advance, because sometimes when I do, it feels like my head is going to explode. Ultimately, though, I think my main hope is that I’m only getting started. I really just want to work. I love it so much.” KATHRYN SOHM

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With acting in her DNA DNA,, the burgeoning star is leveling up her skill one role at a time 10

West wears dress and earring COACH

INGÉNUS

All clothing ALEXANDER MCQUEEN Boots R13

Du Beauty Tip: For soft waves without the flyaways, try LIVING PROOF No Frizz Smooth Styling Cream

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INGÉNUS

The actor, singer-songwriter, and TikTok star shows no signs of slowing down

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Nicholas wears all clothing VERSACE Shoes DSQUARED2

Soaring to new heights seems almost too easy for Nicholas Hamilton. The actor turned singer-songwriter turned mixologist is only 23 years old, and yet it feels like he’s already mastered the art of breaking into new industries. But, as he describes, “It’s a whirlwind!” Hamilton’s launch on the music scene came about as the COVID pandemic hit in 2020. During initial lockdown, he shifted his full attention toward kicking off his singing career. The following year, he released his first-ever single, “Different Year,” and his first EP, Pretty Young. Fast forward to now and Hamilton is set to release his second EP, FATE. He has already put out multiple new singles, and even sold out his first show at New York City’s Rockwood Music Hall—not to mention his multiple onscreen roles gearing up to premiere as well. “Finding time to write and release music and make social videos around film and TV shoots has been tough, but I love being busy,” the multihypenate says. “It keeps me from hearing the voices,” he jokes.

Best known for roles in It (2017), It Chapter Two (2019), and Captain Fantastic (2016), Hamilton has a decade of acting under his belt. Continuing his tenure in the horror genre, he stars as Tod in the forthcoming movie Creepers, and will also make his docudrama debut as homeless teen Nathan Williams in the upcoming film Brave the Dark. Although these two characters are nothing alike, Hamilton says his process for both was the same. “Even though there’s more emotion behind Brave the Dark and there’s a certain level of sobriety you have to bring to a movie like that—especially when the person you’re playing is still alive and is one of the producers of the film—if I were to treat Tod with less gravitas and respect than I treated Nate, I shouldn’t have been given the job in the first place,” he says. Hamilton has also moved into the world of TV, starring in the upcoming series The Pradeeps of Pittsburgh, which he says is an entirely different beast—not only since it’s television, but also because it is comedy. “Striving for laughs off of every line and making sure the pace and the rhythm of a scene is snappy and flows nicely is a challenge and a half,” he says, “but I loved doing it, and I love my character.” KRISTIAN BURT

INGÉNUS

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Gia wears dress LUAR All accessories MARC JACOBS Beauty Tip: For a pretty and pink lip, try GLOSSIER G Suit Soft Touch Lip Crème in Pilot

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INGÉNUS

The South Korean journalist-turned-viral-actress is intent on using storytelling for societal change

Dress and shoes FERRAGAMO Rings LAÔMA Tights WOLFORD

For Gia Kim, acting is both a passion and a vehicle for global change. “When I think about my role models,” Kim says, “they have always been people who used their status and influence to do good.” Growing up in Seoul, South Korea, Kim knew she “wanted to use art as a medium to inspire others” and dreamt of becoming a director or actor. But after a period of reflection, she veered toward journalism. While working as a reporter was fulfilling in many ways, in her midtwenties Kim realized that putting aside her true passion for something more “sensible” was setting her on the wrong path. “I realized I couldn’t keep putting off what my heart and soul felt like it needed and wanted to do,” the now-30-year-old says. And this sentiment rings just as true for her character Yuri Kim, the closeted queen bee of Netflix’s global hit series XO, Kitty. Although Yuri may seem like your typical mean girl, her story subverts the trope commonly seen in Korean dramas as she struggles to balance being the perfect daughter with want-

ing to be seen and loved for who she really is: a queer woman. As ruthless as she can be, Yuri is also vulnerable and cares deeply about her mother’s opinion—something Kim relates to. “I’ve definitely had my own struggles with finding my voice and standing up for myself in what I truly want and who I want to be,” Kim says, “especially when it comes to family and the people who I love the most.” Many viewers also see themselves reflected in Yuri’s journey and experiences. Kim’s response? “This is the whole reason I do my job. This is what I’m meant to do.” Despite the overwhelmingly positive reaction to XO, Kitty, Kim doesn’t let the praise go to her head. While some might get lost in the glitz and glam of the entertainment industry, Kim says, “I don’t take my responsibility as an actor lightly.” She is acutely aware that “we take on a lot of subconscious and conscious beliefs from media and what we consume, especially during our formative years.” With this in mind, she plays Yuri with the ambition to ensure that young viewers today are exposed to romantic queer storylines early on, and to help create a world where “no one is marginalized.” LOVA MCKNIGHT 15

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INGÉNUS

Makeup Tomoyo Shionome using TARTE COSMETICS Hair Leonardo Manetti (SEE Management) Manicure Candice Idehen (Statement Artists) Photo assistants Tatum Dorrell, Garrison Block Stylist assistants Natalie Cohen, Fabrice Laguerre Makeup assistant Shoko Kodama Hair assistant Mimi Romero

Sean wears all clothing GUCCI Beauty Tip: For a sleek and shaped hairdo, try COLOR WOW Cult Favorite Firm + Flexible Hairspray

INGÉNUS

The hit book trilogy and subsequent Amazon Prime television show The Summer I Turned Pretty is all about firsts: first loves, first heartbreaks, and every other first experience that teenagers go through. And for actor Sean Kaufman, the show marks his breakout performance. Two seasons into the widely acclaimed show, Kaufman continues to breathe life into the complex and compelling Steven Conklin, the witty, high-achieving, and protective older brother of the show’s protagonist, Belly. His character doesn’t have a dedicated storyline in the books, but Kaufman saw that as an opportunity to make the role entirely his own. Heartfelt discussions between him and Jenny Han, author and creator of The Summer I Turned Pretty, helped him to fully flesh out a character that reflects much of his own personality. “It’s been one of the greatest gifts I could’ve received,” Kaufman reflects. “I think every actor wants a character who is complex and multidimensional, someone who they feel they can really take a bite out of. Steven has been a gift to me, and I can’t wait to see how his story will continue to grow.” In the latest season, Steven deals with isolation from his friends and feelings of intense grief. With Kaufman’s personal connection to his character running deep, Steven’s struggles allowed the actor to embrace an authentic balance between

ma The breakout star of The Summer I Turned Pretty is taking it all in

fiction and real life. “Having to play someone who is going through the same thing as you can be a challenge for any actor and I was no exception,” Kaufman admits. “Vulnerability is scary, but that’s the beauty of acting with fully fleshed-out characters.” Nurtured by unwavering support from his family while growing up amid the vibrant energy of New York City, Kaufman’s journey of self-discovery led him straight into the arms of acting. He acknowledges the temptation to get caught up in the pursuit of perfection and the pressure to avoid making mistakes while navigating the complexities of the industry. But to stay grounded, he reminds himself of the reason he embarked on his path: the immense joy it brings. “Whether it’s throwing frisbee with the sound department, shooting hoops with the props department, or pulling massive pranks on fellow castmates, every single day on set is a day I get to spend doing the greatest job in the world with the greatest people,” he says. “How can I not have fun?” LAUREN SANCHEZ

All clothing and accessories ALEXANDER MCQUEEN

PICK

From music to film, TikTok to the runway, these five multihyphenates have quickly become top players in their own right 18

Photography JACK BRIDGLAND Fashion NICOLA FORMICHETTI

YOUR

Clockwise, beginning upper-right: Rachel wears all clothing GUCCI Gracie wears all jewelry CHANEL Bra talent’s own Vinnie wears jacket and necklace AMI Georgia wears sweater HEAVEN by Marc Jacobs All jewelry CARTIER Nail cuffs METALBELLY Tooth gems ZWEETTOOF William wears jacket LOUIS VUITTON Tooth gems ZWEETTOOF 19

The heartthrob is taking Internet stardom to the next level

VINNIE HACKER 20

Vinnie wears all clothing and accessories (throughout) AMI Beauty Tip: To keep those curls locked and loaded for the day, try ORIBE Superfine Strong Hair Spray

Adonis-esque and skater bro qualities rolled into one, Vinnie Hacker is a model, gamer, and, according to his bio, a trendsetting entrepreneur. Perhaps you know him from his appearance on the Netflix series Hype House, or his status as one of the premier gaming streamers in the U.S., or from the front row at Dior and AMI Paris. And if on the off chance you don’t, surely a post (catnip for his more than 15.5 million TikTok followers) has appeared in your “For You” feed. If thirst traps were a sport, baby, he’d be the MVP. Next up? Acting. But first, a chat with the 21-yearold phenom. EVAN ROSS KATZ EVAN ROSS KATZ: How do you describe what you do to people who are not into social media? VINNIE HACKER: That’s a really good question because it took a while for my parents to understand. I don’t really give them an exact description. I tell them that it’s the beginning of making your own path into something. ERK: Do you feel like your parents now understand your fame? VH: To a certain extent. They know what it is and they know everything that it has done for me, but I think it’s hard for them to see me grow up as a person on social media. ERK: What did you find most challenging about social media when you first started out? VH: In the beginning it was hard to be myself publicly. It was, “This is who you guys think I am, and I’m going to stick to that.” But then I realized it was not the right way to do it. That is the hardest part about it, finding yourself, staying yourself through all of it, and being able to show your true self to everyone. ERK: Before you found the success that you have now, had you thought about your career? VH: I wanted to play baseball. Then COVID hit and that didn’t seem like something that I’d be able to do. Then I wanted to go to a community college for fire science and eventually work my way up to being a firefighter. That was my plan right before I moved out to California. 22

ERK: When did modeling become something that you were interested in doing? VH: I was never really confident, especially with my teeth. As soon as I got my braces off, I signed to this agency in Seattle. It was slow for about two, three years and then I moved out to California and stopped being scared, scared to ask photographers, scared to ask brands, scared to ask about all that stuff. I just let it go. ERK: What is the most difficult thing about being a model? VH: It is fun and it’s super enjoyable and it’s a great way to meet people, but I will say it is hard to stand still for a long time. Sometimes I feel my eyes start twitching and I’m like, “Oh god, I hope they didn’t get that one on camera.” It is very taxing, those hours of just literally trying to sit there and model. ERK: What is one goal you want to accomplish before the end of the year?

VH: I definitely want to get into acting more. I started taking acting lessons and voice acting. I want to become more confident in myself in that aspect. ERK: You have a ton of tattoos. I’m wondering which is your favorite, and do any—maybe it’s your favorite one—have an interesting story as to their origin? VH: I have one on my right thigh that is a snake with a knife through it, but the knife is going behind it. My friend did it one night at two in the morning. I was so tired and she wanted to do it for a video, and I was like, “Oh yeah, for sure.” But I started feeling so much pain in my thigh when she was doing it that I said, “We gotta stop.” So, it’s half done and I haven’t touched it for two years. ERK: Will you finish it? VH: Eventually.

GEORGIA PALMER

The “fan favorite” model is making serious moves

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Jacket EMPORIO ARMANI Necklace CARTIER Tooth gems ZWEETTOOF

Georgia Palmer had to leave home to truly find it. Not that the 23-year-old isn’t close with her family—she and her brother are nearly inseparable. But after leaving Birmingham, U.K., for London and eventually landing in New York City, the fashion darling began tapping into the mystique, connectivity, and warmth of the global queer community, which helped shape not only her career but her very core. Now a major player in the modeling industry, Palmer is trying to reform dated precedents from the inside. GEN V spoke with her about leaving home, her flourishing career as a DJ, and what the queer community has taught her. MATHIAS ROSENZWEIG

GEN V: Are you the kind of person who craves change? GEORGIA PALMER: I like change and I get really bored. I need stimulation and I need to see my friends [in London], but then work’s really good in New York and I have good friends there, too. So, they’re just two completely different places. I need a bit of both. GEN V: How did you get yourself out of Birmingham? GP: My brother—who’s my rock, we’re super close—was already in London because he left home when he was 16. I always saw his life there and really wanted it for myself because it looked so cool and alternative. Modeling had also fallen into my hands when I was about 13 years old

and scouted by IMG [Models]. Then I switched agencies and went to Storm [Management] at 16. I always knew from a really young age that I was going to move to London. GEN V: You and your brother are both DJs, right? GP: Yeah. I started DJing by learning from friends who DJed at afterparties and stuff like that. It became a really nice hobby and creative outlet for me outside of modeling. My brother, Joel, takes it more seriously than I do. I do it more for fun, more so that modeling isn’t the only thing I do, you know? I still get really nervous doing gigs, but I throw myself into the deep end and just do it. GEN V: You’ve talked pretty openly about rejection in the modeling world. Can you elaborate on that? GP: There is a lot of hard stuff that models go through. It’s exhausting. It’s mentally challenging. You compare yourself to others, you take things personally, and you think you’re going through it by yourself, but you’re not—and that’s the conversation we really need to be having. GEN V: What’s something in the fashion world that you would like to turn on its head? GP: Diversity. There has been a lot of progress and I think it’s changing for sure, but there’s still work to be done. It would be amazing to see more Black trans models in the industry. I would like to see more plus-size models as well—and not just tokenism. GEN V: You’ve mentioned queer nightlife as being crucial to forming who you are. What can you tell us about it? GP: I would say that the queer nightlife community opened my mind up to so many different perspectives and to being open to new ideas, to expressing myself through beauty, through styling. To being whoever I want to be without any judgment. People have pushed me in every positive way possible, giving me love, giving me guidance. I wouldn’t be here without that community.

GRACIE ABRAMS

Once heralded as a promising pop star on the rise, the singer-songwriter is making good on that promise

Gracie wears all jewelry CHANEL Hoodie talent’s own Beauty Tip: For a frosted, elongated look to your nails, try APRÉS NAIL Neutrals Gel-X Whitney Natural Medium Stiletto Tips

Gracie Abrams has a knack for intertwining life’s bigger moments with the small ones. Her voice—intimate, airy, and sweet, occasionally an angelic whisper from a best friend— carries across stadium crowds of tens of thousands, particularly when opening for her friend Taylor Swift on The Eras Tour. Abrams’s debut album, Good Riddance (2023), transmutes details from a formative yet ultimately unfruitful relationship into lyrics sung by devoted fans across the globe. We spoke with 24-year-old Abrams from her car (she was buying a new amp, which she was particularly, well, amped about) to discuss life on the road, privacy, and her thoughts on fashion. MR 30

GEN V: You seem to be on tour a lot, which isn’t every artist’s favorite part of the job. How do you feel about it? GRACIE ABRAMS: With touring, I feel like I’ve changed a lot in a short period of time. I was really crumbling into myself a few years ago, and as soon as I started touring, right after the pandemic, it was a complete 180 in terms of how much I was interacting with people and the kind of energy that I was exerting in order to do as well as I possibly could. That experience ultimately jumpstarted my adulthood and triggered this process of figuring out the person that I am and am proud of. Touring was like exposure therapy and I fell in love with it. And so much of that has to do with the people who

I tour with—not just my crew and my band who are like family to me, but the people who attend the shows. There are so many familiar faces at every single performance. GEN V: You seem to have a really profound connection with your audiences while you’re performing. GA: The best lesson that I’ve learned about touring is to make the show as little about me as possible. It’s not just about one person. The songs immediately become about everybody as soon as we’re singing together, and the performance would not be able to happen without our front-of-house engineer or our tour manager. Every single person plays such a large role. GEN V: Your lyrics are very revealing and vulnerable. How did you feel when writing your album? GA: When I was writing Good Riddance, it was the first time I actively thought, “I may be frustrated with this person, or heartbroken about something, but I’m also going to have some accountability and be honest about the ways in which I contributed to the downfall of a relationship.” Before, I would sit and write a song and then 15 seconds later I would put it on Instagram. But I now see that it’s often the months that pass between writing something and putting it out that so much happens and, by the time you release the song, it’s like, “Is this even relevant to me today?” Things change quickly. GEN V: Does fashion play a role in your performances? GA: I’ve realized that what you’re wearing does shape your identity a little bit when you’re on a stage. I feel most aligned with my music when I’m performing in clothes that I also wrote the songs in. There’s something really cool about feeling at home in your clothes when you’re on a stage in a city you’ve never been to before.

Shorts CHANEL Bra talent’s own 31

Rachel wears all clothing and accessories (throughout) GUCCI Beauty Tip: For a classic pinup look, try HAUS LABS BY LADY GAGA Atomic Shake Lip Lacquer in Cherry Shine

The lesbian wrestling comedy Bottoms is this writer and actor’s latest step to the top

RACHEL SENNOTT 32

When Rachel Sennott starred alongside Lily-Rose Depp and Troye Sivan in the much-buzzed-about show The Idol on HBO, she suddenly found herself a pop culture fixture. Sennott, who previously appeared in the gem of a movie Shiva Baby (2020) and the film Bodies, Bodies, Bodies (2022), is also a stand-up comedian and social media fan fav. The television series wasn’t her first rodeo—but it was her wildest ride to date. That is until the recent release of Bottoms, a riotous film cowritten with Emma Seligman, that affirms the budding comedy star’s steady hold—or should we say headlock?— on Hollywood. MR GEN V: So what is Bottoms about? RACHEL SENNOTT: A rumor starts about these two girls that they went to juvie over the summer and they kind of use it to start a fight club for girls at their school. It’s supposedly for female empowerment, but it’s actually so that they can hook up with cheerleaders. GEN V: How did the idea for such a funny concept come about? RS: Emma and I wrote it together. We met when I did the short film version of Shiva Baby. After we finished, we met up for lunch and she said, “I wanna write a really campy sex comedy…. I wanna do American Pie , but for girls.” And I was like, “I Iove that idea.” I really wanted to do comedy with women where the characters are allowed to just be. I feel like sometimes with female comedies, anything where writers are trying to represent women, they think that the characters have to be perfect people. What we wanted going in was for ours to not be perfect. So that’s where the genesis of the idea came from. Then we just worked on it every day. We went to the basement of this business building where there were really big whiteboards and we wrote out everything we wanted in the movie: We want a bomb, we want girls punching each other, we want a scene where they egg a house. From that came the movie.

GEN V: You seem like someone who’s gotten into some street fights in your time. How much of your own experience did you bring to the film? RS: I am not a fighter at all, but we did do a boot camp before we shot the movie. We got there two weeks before we started shooting and got all the girls in the fight club together. We had our stunt coordinator teach us all these different moves and it was really a bonding experience. It was our first time meeting and we just went right into pushing each other onto mats and stuff. GEN V: Okay, so not a physical fighter, but say you’re in an argument

with somebody. What type of fighter are you? RS: I just say why I’m upset. Over-communication is my weapon of choice. GEN V: Bottoms is set in high school, with all its social complexities, big emotions, and hormones. What was it like to revisit that environment as a twentysomething? RS: I think it was fun. Honestly I didn’t have a horrible time in high school, but I didn’t have a good time either. I feel like the best comedy comes from things that were hard for you at one point or another. Going back later and being able to laugh at them feels great.

For one of Hearstopper’s rising stars, “stopping” is out of the question

WILLIAM GAO William wears all clothing GIVENCHY Necklace METALBELLY Gold necklace talent’s own Tooth gems ZWEETTOOF Boots COACH Beauty Tip: For a rock 'n' roll look, swipe a black nail lacquer like CHANEL BEAUTY Le Vernis in #161 Le Diable en Chanel 36

William wears all clothing LOREM IPSUM

Makeup Sarah Tanno (Forward Artists) Hair Bobby Eliot (The Wall Group) Manicure Jolene Brodeur (The Wall Group) Executive producer Dana Brockman (viewfinders) Production manager Frank DeCaro (viewfinders) Producers Robbi Chong, Din Morris (viewfinders) Digital technician DJ Dohar Lighting technician Ryan Hackett Photo assistants Adam Matijasevic, Ricky Steel Stylist assistant Brianna Dooley Makeup assistants Phuong Tran, Ghost Hair assistant Arbana Dollani 38

Jacket LOUIS VUITTON Necklace METALBELLY Tooth gems ZWEETTOOF

During the pandemic, actor and musician William Gao’s life changed dramatically. A role on one of Netflix’s hottest teen shows put him on the express train from obscurity to stardom, a journey he continues to process to this day. Now, the 20-yearold English actor is preparing for the release of Heartstopper ’s highly anticipated second season, performing with his sister in their band Wasia Project, and managing to still find time for life’s simpler pleasures. MR GEN V: How’d you get cast in your role for Heartstopper ? WILLIAM GAO: One day during lockdown, I was studying for my A-levels and my exams. I wasn’t doing any drama or any performing [because of the pandemic]—I was doing as much music as I could—but I looked at the National Youth Theatre casting board and I saw a call for Heartstopper, a new TV show. I thought, “Oh, this looks really fun.” There was a casting brief, so I auditioned. I sent in a tape and about four weeks later I had the part. I was planning to go to drama school or to university to study music and to continue my education, but I was like, “Wow, I’ve got this job that could go on for three or four years. I’m just gonna go for it.” It introduced me to the world of screen acting, which at first felt a bit daunting, but I really got into it. GEN V: Can you tell me about filming the second season, this time knowing that there are millions of fans waiting to see it? WG: I think the pressure really surrounds the screenings, the premiere, and its coming out. There’s a pressure in those moments and in anticipation of the “after effects” of the work we did. I find things like being in the public eye, or some realm of the public eye, quite strange. It’s something that you can never really get used to. GEN V: How do you relieve some of these pressures? WG: It’s easy to get caught up in work-related things, so spending time alone in nature is important for me. I’ve always loved nature. Nature’s

the best thing that I can have access to on a day-to-day basis. I enjoy my walks and going swimming, doing other things and living my life—doing all the things I really want to do, not just the work things. GEN V: Can you talk a little bit about your relationship with fashion? WG: One designer who I have deep respect for is Nigö, what he does with Kenzo, and how his journey and career have developed to this point. I also have real respect for other artists and designers who I love, like Steven Stokey-Daley. I’m a really big fan of what Daniel W. Fletcher has been doing. I have a pair of his trousers and I just can’t stop wearing them.

GEN V: You flew to the U.S. and came to the GEN V photo shoot without anyone from your team, which is quite brave. Do you not get nervous? WG: I need to preach this, because I used to get really frustrated when other people said, “Oh, I don’t get nervous. I never get nervous. I can just go on stage.” Every time I go on stage, before every time the camera rolls, I’m really nervous. I’m even nervous right now, because next week my band, Wasia Project, is playing three festivals and I really wanna make them the best shows. Managing the nerves is a big skill. It’s a skill of the mind and I’m still constantly working at it. I work on it every day. 39

Music’s new pop princess becomes AI’s latest canvas of artistic possibilities

Nessa wears necklace TIFFANY & CO. Top GUESS Jeans ARMANI EXCHANGE On lips DIOR BEAUTY Rouge Matte Finish in #634 MAC COSMETICS Lip Liner in Stone Lipglass in Clear On eyes MAYBELLINE Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara in Black LASHIFY Amplify Gossamer Lashes in A12 and A16 NYX Epic Wear Liquid Liner in Sapphire (digitally applied) MAC COSMETICS Eye Kohl in Smolder (digitally applied)

Photography BROOKE NIPAR Fashion HUNTER CLEM Makeup ALEXANDRA FRENCH Digital Art POL KURUCZ 40

All jewelry TIFFANY & CO. Top GUESS On lips ABOUT-FACE Lip Liner in Lost Time COLOURPOP COSMETICS Super Shock Shadow in Slave2Pink and Over It On eyes MAC COSMETICS Lipglass in Clear (digitally applied) On skin CHANEL BEAUTY Baume Essentiel in Transparent (digitally applied)

What does cutting edge look like in the landscape of pop culture? It’s a seemingly subjective question— depends on whom you ask. But for us at GEN V, it’s…everything creative. It’s the makeup artists we admire who craft ethereal looks, it’s the subjects we profile who create work that commands the stage, it’s the technology we use to bring our ideas to fruition from a desktop screen to tactile page. Now what happens when we combine all three? This was the inspiration behind our idea to fuse the possibilities of AI and the power of makeup artistry in real life–on none other than pop princess Nessa Barrett, an artist known for her doll-like looks and swoonworthy vocals. Having risen to internet superstardom in 2019, the New Jersey-born songstress has built a legion of fans from TikTok and beyond to follow her musical journey, the latest stop on which is her new EP, hell is a teenage girl. We paired Barrett with makeup maestro Alexandra French and 3D Artist Pol Kurucz to create the “phygital” makeup looks here inspired by the power of innovation, imagination, and play. KEVIN PONCE 41

All jewelry SWAROVSKI Bra BUSTEDBRAND On lips LIME CRIME Velvetines Liquid Lipstick in Bloodmoon MAKE UP FOR EVER Artist Color Pencil in Black On cheeks LIT COSMETICS Neon Pigment in No Doubt / Neon (digitally applied) VISEART PARIS Primary Red from Editorial Brights Eyeshadow Palette (digitally applied) On eyes SISLEY PARIS Phyto-Eye Twist in #8 Black Diamond (digitally applied)

Hair Maranda Widlund (Home Agency) Manicure Sreynin Peng (Opus Beauty using DIOR Vernis) 3D graphic design Andrei Sigarev Photo assistants Colin Jacob, Dominic Escalante 42

Necklace SWAROVSKI Bra BUSTEDBRAND On lips ABOUT-FACE Matte Fluid Eye Paint in Lost Unfound MAC COSMETICS Lipglass in Clear On eyes MAYBELLINE Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara in Black ABOUT-FACE Matte Fluid Eye Paint in No Queen Blues and Lost Unfound (digitally applied)

Photography DAN BELEIU Fashion ANNA TREVELYAN

Just like rising model and internet It-girl Gabbriette Bechtel, this season’s primary colors and blinding chrome pieces pack a punch

FALL FATALE

Gabbriette wears coat BENETTON Skirt MARC JACOBS All jewelry SWAROVSKI

Top GUCCI Beauty Tip: For a heavy metal eye, try MAC COSMETICS Dazzleshadow Extreme in Discotheque

Dress and tie VALENTINO

Bra and skirt KIM SHUI Coat GCDS All jewelry SWAROVSKI

All clothing and shoes FERRAGAMO Bracelet CHOPARD

Dress and hood ALAÏA Bracelet ALEXIS BITTAR

Makeup Jezz Hill (CLM Agency) Hair Tina Outen (Streeters) Talent Gabbriette Bechtel (IMG) Manicure Marietta (Opus Beauty) Set design Vivian Swift (MHS Artists) Photo assistants Fallou Seck, Brandon Jones Stylist assistants Natalie Cohen, Olivia Vitale Hair assistant Le’Kema Allman Set design assistants Emmett Padgett, Will Lucas Location Hook Studio 50

All clothing and boots CHANEL Earrings ALEXIS BITTAR Beauty Tip: To match your lip color to the auburn hues of autumn, try CHANEL BEAUTY Rouge Allure Laque in #74 Expérimenté

Aliyah’s

Enter our latest Contributing Guest Editor’s pink and plush Y2K-inspired world 52

Interlude

From left to right: Aliyah wears top MOSCHINO Fishnets and accessories Aliyah’s own Anyer wears all clothing and accessories Aliyah’s own Amanda wears jacket MOSCHINO Fishnets and shoes Aliyah’s own Khadijah wears jacket DQUARED2 Fishnets and accessories Aliyah’s own

Photography EDWIG HENSON Fashion ALIYAH BAH

#AliyahCore

Videos of Aliyah Bah (known as @aliyahsinterlude on TikTok) have likely flooded your “For You” feed, and rightfully so. Known for her outlandish humor and taste for eye-catching tones and textures, Bah quickly grew a following by sharing her wardrobe in “get ready with me” style videos, a popular genre on the platform. Over the last few years, the Atlanta-born 20-year-old creator has dominated the digital fashion space, gaining 2.6 million followers on TikTok and 639,000 on Instagram. Bah has even created a new fashion genre: AliyahCore, an ultimate collision of Y2K, Harajuku, and alternative street styles with her creative vision.

Makeup Saint Knox Hair Chaise Enrique (Factory Downtown) Models Anyer Akot, Aliyah Bah, Khadijah Barrie, Amanda Diallo Manicure Jackie Saulsbery (Factory Downtown) Photo assistant Sofiya Ryzhenko 54

GEN V invited Bah to direct a fashion shoot wherein she fully transported us to her universe. The visionary styled herself and friends Amanda Diallo, Anyer Akot, and Khadijah Barrie in a mix of miniskirts, chunky boots, fishnets, and fluffy earmuffs—staples of the creator’s wardrobe. Between the fashion and the animated expressions from the models, these photos tap into nostalgia for the early 2000s but with a uniquely modern twist—pure AliyahCore magic. JORDAN YATES

@aliyahsinterlude

All clothing and accessories Aliyah’s own

@apimpinnn

@kuhdejah_ @yourfavthickums

From top to bottom, left to right: Shoe GCDS Perfume MAISON FRANCIS KURKDJIAN Lipstick KJAER WEIS Blush and nail polishes CHANEL BEAUTY Bag and clip GUCCI Sunglasses POPPY LISSIMAN Bracelet and necklace SWAROVSKI Bag MOSCHINO Boot GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI

Need to cool off? This season’s boldest accessories and coveted beauty products are ready to thaw off for your best fall looks 56

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Photography VINCENT DILIO Fashion editor EMMA OLECK Beauty editor KEVIN PONCE Location CORNER GROCERS

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