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On The Cover CORY HARDRICT Words DOMINIQUE CARSON Photography SHELBY NIECE Fashion CHRIS SANDFORD COVER SHOT: Jacket RELIGION Shirt ORIGINAL PENGUIN
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Bleulife Media & Entertainment Inc. | 119 West 24th Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10011 | E-Mail: info@bleulife.com | Online: bleulife.com Printed in Canada. Opinions expressed by advertisers, columnists, feature writers or other contributors are not necessarily the opinions of Bleu Magazine or its staff. All advertisements, photographs, text or illustrations are published with the understanding that the advertisers are fully authorized to have secured proper consent for the use thereof. Bleu Magazine shall not be held responsible for any errors, loss, expense or liabilities on advertisements accepted after the deadline. Publication of the name or photograph of any person or advertisement in Bleu Magazine is not to be constructed as an indication of sexual orientation of such persons, advertiser or organization. Partial or complete reproduction of an advertisement, news article, feature or photograph from Bleu Magazine is strictly prohibited as Bleu Magazine is a registered trademark. A $25 or 1.5% (whichever is greater) fee will be charged for all NSF checks. All rights reserved.
PUBLISHER’S LETTER
PHOTOGRAPHY SHELBY NIECE
THE GLOBAL ISSUE
There have been lots of ups and downs over the past year. Many of my friends and colleagues say that 2016 downright “sucked!” My response to them each time is, at least you made it through the year. For me, the glass has always been half full. I waste very little time on the small things that won’t really matter much in the long run. Shit, what really matter outside of family, health, and faith?
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Don’t pick on the things I say, the things I do Just love me with all my faults, that way that I love you I’m begging you Don’t make me over Now that I can’t make it without you Don’t make me over I wouldn’t change one thing about you Just take me inside your arms and hold me tight And always be by my side, if I am wrong or right I’m begging you
After traveling around the globe, something like 13 countries in 12 months (but who’s bragging), the American experience seems not so bad. Yes, our politicians are full of bologna. Our housing is overpriced. And the Kardashians seem to be the unattainable aspirations of young people. However, try not having fresh clean water. Or round-a-bouts instead of stoplights. Or traveling five miles on foot to school. Our American reality starts to look a little less bleak. Whatever side of the election you fall on take this opportunity to get active. People have the right to be upset. But that is no excuse to just complain and take no action. Get involved. Do voter registrations. Run for local government. While doing all of that, sit back, relax and enjoy your BLEU!
“Don’t Make Me Over” Dionne Warwick/Sybil DÉVON CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON
FOUNDER AND GROUP PUBLISHER @DEVONISBLEU
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CONTRIBUTORS
DERRICK LIPSCHITZ
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DOMINIQUE M. CARSON
Derrick Lipschitz is a New York City based photographer focusing on fashion editorials and commercial projects. He utilizes his creativity and exceptional attention to detail to capture distinctive fashion-forward moments. Derrick expresses his interest in capturing wedding photos and documenting significant moments in the lives of his clients.
Dominique M. Carson is a freelance music writer, critic, and a proud Brooklyn College graduate. Dominique’s work has been featured in Singersroom.com, Soultrain.com, Education Update, Bay Currents, Birthplace Magazine, Rappersoom.com, Brooklyn College’s media outlets, Pure Soul Magazine, Brooklyn Roads, Bleu Magazine, thecelebritycafe.com, and NYCityWatch.org. She was an honorable recipient for Blackstreetonline. com’s Black Celebration Awards’ News & Journalism category in September 2013.
KENT OLDEN
OTHELLO BANACI
“In all that you do, do it so well that no man living, no man dead, and no man yet to be born will be able to do it better.” With this quote by Dr. Benjamin Mays as his guide, Kent Olden has always set out to do just that. A graduate of Morehouse College, he holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology, as well as a Master of Science degree in public relations management from Buffalo State College. He is also an active and proud member of both Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the State of New York Paramount Lodge #73. Kent’s spare time is filled with exploring his own creativity via music, writing, and DIY.
Othello Banaci is a Photographer and Visual Storyteller from the D.C area specializing in fashion and commercial media. He started his career in fashion production which led to his debut as a photographer/cinematographer at New York Fashion Week the Shows. Since then, his work has been featured in NYLON, Complex, Huffington Post, Washington Post, and The Fader.
RICARDO NELSON
KATHY MOON
Ricardo is a Jamaican born photographer based in New York City. His portraits and editorial work apply the basic principles of photography to capture the human spirit. His work has been featured in OUT magazine, Schön! Mashable, Vogue Italia, The Advocate, The NewYork Times, Spin Magazine and GQ online. Commercial Clients have included Ford Models, J-Press, Tommy Hilfiger, billyjoelshop.com and Shop.Beyonce.com.
Kathy Moon, is a NYC-based Makeup Artist specializing in beauty, fashion, and character design. From an early age growing up in Seoul, Korea, Kathy developed a passion and appreciation for beauty through her mom who worked in the entertainment industry. Now a New Yorker having lived in New York City for over twenty years, Kathy’s mission as an Artist is to simply deliver on client’s vision.
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Step By Step
FASHION CHRIS SANDFORD
We know it’s cold outside, but soon it will be Spring and the time to dump those snow-boots for these new Spring 2017 footwear options.
COLE HAAN GrandPro Tennis $130 Colehaan.com
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SOLED UP
SPERRY 7 Seas 3-Eye $90 Sperry.com
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FASHION
Polo Shirt VILEBREQUIN Pants SHOREDITCH Optical RAY BAN
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FASHION
Sweater PERRY ELLIS Shorts VILEBREQUIN Loafers LACOSTE
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FEATURE
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FEATURE
WHAT YOU SEE IS NOT WHAT YOU GET / LIVIN’ OUR LIVES WITH A SECRET / WE FIT RIGHT IN / BETCHA NEVER GUESSED / CUZ WE’RE LIVIN’ OUR LIVES JUST LIKE ALL THE REST…
Living life in the highs and lows of celebrity, Griffo takes note of his fellow Hollywood counterparts as life lessons, and rightfully so. Given the highly publicized random disappearance of Dave Chappelle and the recent breakdown and hospitalization of Kanye West, it definitely is understood that you never know what someone is dealing unless you live it for yourself. Aware of the heavy load that has to be carried when you live life for the world to see, Jack touches on his own experience then and now, and what he plans. “No one realizes what kind of a burden it can be until you experience it. I’m not mega-famous, but I empathize with those who are. I can’t even sit down at a restaurant and eat without being stared at, but it’s all about staying in the right mind space. Just keep doing that.” Having honed in on a master plan for maintaining mind and spirit in the spot-
light, Jack keeps that same momentum when it comes to expanding his career. Starting with voluntarily doing his own stunts on Nickelodeon, Griffo is looking to branch out into producing and directing. With a passion for being behind the scenes, we just may see something from Jack before we know it. In early 2017, worldwide distribution begins for Jack’s upcoming movie Apple of My Eye, starring Burt Reynolds, and the taping for Season 4 of The Thundermans beginning in January. In the meantime, Jack is just enjoying stardom as Max Thunderman and living life as Jack Griffo, successfully balancing the two. “Max Thunderman was really my best role,” says Jack. “I love every aspect of it. It ran the gamut of what it was like to be a teenager who just happened to have super powers. Kinda like being a celebrity,” because we all need to remember that celebrities — and superheroes — are just like us.
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