Issue 42 // Diamond White

28. Diamond Whie

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It's summer 2020 and even though it didn't go as planned, I was able to still create this dope issue for you all! I never could have imagined this year going like this. I think this is the worst year I've ever personally seen the world experience but as I sat in the house waiting for some good news, I got more time to create an amazing 42nd publication and I couldn't be happier. Diamond White is one of my favorite artists and now after her role in Empire, actresses.

She has such an amazing voice and with every song, she brings such powerful tones and relatable lyrics to each which is why I choose to have her cover this issue. Aside from the cover star we also have upcoming singer, Filah Lah-Lah, Kiiingsley, Blogger Angelique Jeffery, and other great articles. No matter how this year ends, people all around the world including you, made a difference this year and that's something to be happy about.

E A R Y E R D LLAAU E

Credits

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EDITOR IN CHIEF Ella Audrey Rae PUBLISHER Reignland Creatives LLC

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INTRODUCTION

PHYSICAL DISTRIBUTOR

Reignland Magazine is an online and print publication started by journalist and web designer, Ella Audrey Rae.

MAGCLOUD

Reignland Magazine speaks on lifestyle, fashion, music, and gaming. It?s main focus since its launch has been empowerment, more specifically, girl empowerment. Every publication contains articles about self-love or words from the featured creators about how they have gotten through tough times. The publication has been read over 100k +times and has featured creatives such as singers, voice-overs, actors and fashion icons.Reignland is the sub company of the all girls creative arts company, Reignland Creatives also started by Ella.

JOURNALISTS Ella Audrey Rae Shannon Williams

PHOTOGRAPHERS Cover Story: Keitaro Cloward Byron Brown Photography Tim Schaeffer at Cellar Door Studios (@cellardoorstudios.la)

© 2020 by Reignland Creatives LLC. All Rights Reserved.

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the soundtrack curated by Shannon Williams

1.Repeat After M e by The W eeknd 2. Outlandishby dvsn 3. ThruThe Night by Jack Harlow/ BrysonTiller 4. Rockstar Pby Baby Keem 5. Dont Let M e Downby S abrina Claudio 6. DownTo Earthby Um i 7. Nothing To M e by S nohAalegra 8. Dear Akasha Is There?by Kiiingsly 9. Eugene by Arlo Parks 10. 50ft by LaurenJauregui 1. Out Front by Jack Harlow Follow the playlist on Apple Music & Spotify

behind the scenes of '(fck) what i need'

kiiingsley PHOTOGRAPHY & INTERVIEW BY SHANNON W ILLIAM S Recen t ly you ?ve released you r f irst solo son g , w h at m ad e you w an t t o d o it ?

"W h at m ad e m e release m y f irst solo son g w ou ld h ave t o b e t h e love I h ave for m y g irlf rien d . At t h e t im e I h ad zero p lan s on even p u t t in g ou t an y son g of m y ow n b u t d u rin g t h at cert ain w eek w h en I m ad e t h e son g ? D ear Akash a, Is Th ere? I h ad b u ilt u p feelin g s for m y g irl t h at I d id n ?t exact ly kn ow h ow t o w rit e on p ap er or say exact ly t o h er face. So t h e b est w ay an d t h e m ost com fort ab le w ay I t h ou g h t I can exp ress t h ose feelin g s I h ad t ow ard s h er at t h at m om en t w as t h rou g h a son g ."

You ?ve alw ays sp ok en ab ou t h elp in g local creat ives in you r com m u n it y, h ow w ou ld you h elp t h em ? D o you h ave an y p lan s t o d o so?

"Som e p lan s I d id h ave in m in d t o h elp ou t t h e locals w ou ld h ave t o b e st art in g M y In d ep en d en t Record lab el called ? M u st y Record s? in t h e fu t u re. W it h t h e lab el, I w ou ld t ry t o h elp you n g creat ives w h o d on ?t h ave a n am e for t h em selves in every w ay p ossib le, t each in g t h em everyt h in g t h at I h ave learn ed t h rou g h ou t t h e in d u st ry so t h ey can t ry t o u se it in t h eir ow n w ay t o b e su ccessfu l. I w ou ld also like t o op en u p m y creat ive cen t er/ safe p lace in t h e cit y w h ere creat ives can com e an d w ork on t h eir craft .

Bein g a creat ive can b e h ard at t im es

b ecau se p eop le m ig h t look at you as b ein g ?W eird ? for follow in g you r p assion or d oin g t h in g s ou t of t h e n orm for t h em . So t h e cen t er I h ave in m in d b u ild in g in t h e fu t u re w ou ld b e a safe p lace w h ere creat ives can call h om e. It w ou ld con sist of m u lt ip le st u d io sp aces for t h e art ist w h o w ou ld w an t t o record an d m ake b eat s, sp ace for d esig n ers t o p lan ou t id eas/ t -sh irt m akes for t h em t o b rin g t h eir id eas t o life, an d area w h ere p h ot og rap h ers or vid eo ed it ors can com e t o lay d ow n som e of t h eir id eas."

W ou ld you ever release a solo p roject ?

"I w ou ld act u ally! W h en I f irst cam e in t o t h e p rod u ct ion scen e in 20 16 I alw ays vow ed an d t old m yself t h at I w ou ld st ick t o ju st m akin g b eat s/alw ays b e t h e b eh in d t h e scen es t yp e of p erson b ecau se I d isliked m y voice. Bu t n ow in 20 20, A lot of t h in g s h ave ch an g ed for m e., I g ain ed m ore exp erien ce m akin g son g s, g ain ed m ore con f id en ce in m y voice, lived m y life a lit t le m ore an d n ow I t h in k it ?s t im e t o f in ally sh are som e of m y st ories w it h t h e w orld w it h in m y m u sic."

Are t h ere ot h er t h in g s you w an t t o b ran ch ou t t o creat ively ot h er t h an m u sic? If so, w h at else w ou ld you d o?

"Som e ot h er t h in g s I h ad in m in d t o b ran ch ou t d oin g is t o Act /d irect m ovies an d b e a b road cast jou rn alist for m u sic b log s. Ever

sin ce I w as lit t le I alw ays h ad a fascin at ion w it h act in g or d oin g voice-overs for cart oon s so d oin g on e of t h ose w ou ld b e a d ream com e t ru e. I also love t o w at ch in t erview s on lin e so I w ou ld love t o w ork for a com p an y like Com p lex New s, Vice or Gen iu s t o b e a m ed ia p erson alit y."

cred it it d eserves w h en it com es t o t h e m u sical t alen t it h as in t h e area. So I feel like it is m y job t o t ry t o b reak ou t t h at b ox t h e m ed ia t ries t o p u t u s in an d sh ow t h e w orld t h at Harb or Cit y is m ore t h an ju st Gan g b an g in g an d n eg at ivit y! W e are a p lace of w h ere you learn t h e d ef in it ion of h ard w ork a lot of h ard w ork g et s p u t in "

W h at in sp ired you t o st ar t m ak in g m u sic?

"Th e t h in g t h at in sp ired m e t o st art m akin g w as w at ch in g m y old er cou sin m ake m u sic an d b ein g arou n d m u sic m y en t ire life. M y old er cou sin n am ed Levi h as alw ays b een a h u g e in sp irat ion t o m e sin ce I w as a lit t le kid . He w as m y su p er Hero w h en I w as you n g . He w as t h e p erson I looked u p t o t h e m ost b ecau se h e w as so fearless, h e d id n ot let an yb od y b oss h im arou n d or d o t h in g s h e d id n ?t w an t t o d o, h e alw ays d id t h in g s so effort lessly. So w at ch in g h im also d o m u sic m ad e m e w an t t o st art m akin g som e son g s of m y ow n .

Also ever sin ce I w as sm all, Com in g f rom a Nig erian fam ily, m y p aren t s w ou ld alw ays p lay som e t yp e of m u sic f rom t h e ran g e of Nig erian m u sic t o Bob M arley, Sh aka Ch an , all t h e w ay d ow n t o Ou t kast , Beyon ce, Kan ye W est , an d Th e Nep t u n es f rom m y old est sist er."

W it h t h e st at e of t h e w orld , lot s of creat ives are f in d in g it h ard t o g o ou t an d creat e lik e b ef ore.

Have you f ou n d you rself st ru g g lin g d u rin g t h is crazy t im e? W h at h ave you b een u p t o w h ile ever y t h in g h as b een p u t t o p au se?

"Th is COVID -19 sit u at ion t ook everyb od y b y su rp rise b ecau se n ob od y at t h is t im e w ou ld h ave seen t h is com in g at all! W h en t h e st ay at h om e ord er g ot p u t in t o p lace I w as st ru g g lin g q u it e a b it b ecau se all t h e p lan s I d id h ave in m in d su ch as t h row in g m in i sh ow s for t h e locals, BBQs for t h e n eig h b orh ood , p h ot o sh oot s, an d t h in g s in t h in g s in t h at m at t er h ad t o b e p u sh ed b ack . Bu t b y st ayin g h om e for a cou p le of w eeks an d b ein g b y m yself for m ost of t h e t im e I con clu d ed t o ch an g e t h e w ay I looked at t h e sit u at ion b y st at in g ? w h y n ot m ake t h e b est ou t of st ayin g h om e for w h o kn ow s h ow lon g b y u sin g all m y f ree t im e t o w ork on t h e t h in g s I w asn ?t so g ood at m u sic-w ise so w h en it 's f in ally t im e t o g o b ack ou t sid e I can b e a b et t er version of m yself ?. So t h at is exact ly w h at I h ave b een d oin g sin ce."

W h o in sp ires an d m ot ivat es you t o k eep g oin g w it h m u sic?

"I w ou ld say m y fam ily an d cit y in sp ires m e t o keep on g oin g w it h M u sic. Harb or Cit y d oesn ?t g et t h e

If you h ave ever b een g iven t h e op p or t u n it y t o w ork w it h an yon e, w h o w ou ld you ch oose an d w h y ?

"D an g , t h is is a TOUGH q u est ion lol If I h ad t h e op p ort u n it y t o w ork w it h an yon e it w ou ld h ave t o b e eit h er Th e Nep t u n es, Ken d rick Lam ar Kid Cu d i, or Playb oi Cart i. Th e Nep t u n es h ave b een in t h e g am e for so lon g , Con sist en t ly m akin g b an g ers n o m at t er w h at g en erat ion . So I w ou ld w ork w it h t h em b ecau se I feel like t h ey can t each m e so m u ch ab ou t m akin g b eat s. I w ou ld Kid Cu d i b ecau se h is m elod ies h ave alw ays st u ck w it h m e for years. His m u sic h as h elp ed m e t h rou g h so m an y d ark p eriod s in m y life so it w ou ld on ly b e rig h t t o w ork w it h Cu d i. Ken d rick Lam ar b ecau se I f in d h im so w ise an d last ly, Cart i b ecau se h is m u sic is so fu n an d en erg et ic t o m e."

For t h e p ast cou p le of years, you ?ve b een p u t t in g on you r ow n sm all f est ival, St an k Fest , w h at in sp ired you t o d o it ? How d o you ch oose t h e creat ives t h at g et t o b e a p ar t of t h e f est ival? Have you alread y st ar t ed p lan n in g t h e n ext on e?

"Ch oosin g art ist t o b e ap art of St an k fest w ou ld b e t oo h ard if I w as b y m yself so I p icked a t eam of p eop le w h o I t ru st t o h elp m e ch ose an art ist t o b e ap art of t h e fest ival, cert ain t h in g s w e can ad d t o m ake it b et t er t h an last years, w h ich ven d ors t o ch oose an d so on . At t h e m om en t I h aven ?t really st art ed p lan n in g for t h e St ak fest d u e t o t h e Covid -19 sit u at ion , t h e on ly t h in g I can say I h ave b een d oin g is keep in g m y eye on a cert ain art ist w h o I t h in k w ou ld b e a g reat f it for w h en ever I h ave t h e n ext fest ival."

W h at d o you p lan on releasin g f or t h e rest of t h is year ?

"For t h e rest of t h e year, I am p lan n in g t o m ayb e d rop On e m ore Sin g le b efore I g ear u p t o release m y m ain p roject ?. Not t oo su re t o b e h on est , I su re sh all t ell t h ou g h I alw ays ch an g e m y m in d on st u ff h ah a."

Photogra phy & Story by Sha nnon W illia m s

AngeliqueJeffrey PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANGELIQUE JEFFERY STORY BY ELLA AUD REY RAE Social M ed ia h as a w on d erfu l w ay of in t rod u cin g b rillian t creat ives an d An g eliq u e w as on e of t h em . I con n ect ed w it h h er at f irst b y com m en t in g on h er w eek ly 'In secu re' p ost fou n d in h er st ories every Su n d ay. Sh e b ecam e m y 'In secu re' w at ch b u d d y in m y h ead .

Even t u ally, sh e released h er f irst b log p ost for h er b log , 'A W ord '. As I read it , I b ecam e in t rig u ed , n ot ju st at t h e relat ab le t op ic b u t h er ab ilit y t o t ake a t op ic an d say everyt h in g you w ere t h in kin g w it h in t h e t op ic w it h ou t fear, p u llin g at you r em ot ion s an d m akin g you w an t m ore. It 's like sh e w as in you r h ead an d you w ere h avin g a con versat ion w it h you r old er sist er w h o alw ays said t h e rig h t t h in g s at t h e rig h t t im es. As sh e con t in u ed t o p ost , I b ecam e m ore an d m ore cap t ivat ed b y h er jou rn ey.

W h at g ot you in t o w rit in g ?

How are you h an d lin g 20 20 so far ?

A: I can 't say t h at I h ave on e sp ecif ic w rit er t h at in sp ires m e, t ru t h fu lly.

I'm in sp ired b y all t h ose b rave en ou g h t o sh are t h eir st ory or st ories of ot h ers w it h t h e w orld .

A: 20 20 h as b een on e of t h e m ost ch allen g in g years for m e! W e're on ly h alfw ay t h rou g h it b u t I've learn ed so m u ch ab ou t m y ow n resilien ce in t h is sh ort b u t t ryin g t im e.

A: I've b een w rit in g for as lon g as I can rem em b er. M y m ot h er t au g h t m e t o read an d w rit e at a very you n g ag e an d even as a t od d ler I w as am azed at t h e w ay st ories w ere t old . I alw ays kn ew I'd b e h old in g t h e p en , t ellin g m y ow n st ory on e d ay.

W h at h as b een you r h ard est p iece t o w rit e so far an d w h y ?

A: So far, 'Sad Girl' h as b een t h e h ard est . Not n ecessarily t o w rit e, b u t t o release. It 's n ot on ly a p art of m y st ory but my m ot h er an d g ran d m ot h er's st ory as w ell. I w as so w orried ab ou t h ow t h ey'd feel ab ou t m y in t erp ret at ion .

W h at w rit er in sp ires you ?

W h y t h e n am e 'A W ord '?

"W e're n ot alw ays okay, w e d on 't h ave all of t h e an sw ers an d w e can b e st ron g an d st ill n eed su p p ort ."

A: I n am ed m y b ran d 'A W ord ' b ecau se t h at 's t ru ly all it t akes. On e sin g le w ord can sp ark variou s em ot ion s, can b rin g you b ack t o a sp ecif ic t im e or p u sh you t ow ard t h e fu t u re.

an d st ill n eed su p p ort .

You w en t an d g rad u at ed f rom colleg e.

Con g rat u lat ion s g irl! How w as t h at exp erien ce?

A: I b elieve it st art s w it h a con versat ion . W e com e f rom su ch a "h u sh -h u sh " b ackg rou n d w h ere t h e st ru g g les w it h in t h e com m u n it y aren 't d iscu ssed b ecau se w e h ave en ou g h issu es. Bu t in ord er t o resolve t h ese issu es, w e h ave t o g o t o t h eir sou rce an d d ig u p t h e root s.

A: Th an ks so m u ch ! Hon est ly, g rad u at in g colleg e w as a su rreal exp erien ce an d I d on 't t h in k I've really h ad t h e t im e t o em b race it . I w as so focu sed on f in ish in g an d on ce I f in ish ed I focu sed on p u rsu in g m y p assion .

In on e of you r p ost s, you t alk ed ab ou t f eelin g st u ck af t er colleg e. How d id you g et over t h at h u m p an d h ow are you d oin g n ow ?

A: Yeah , it w as h ard b ecau se I felt t h e w eig h t of t h e con st an t "w h at n ow " q u est ion s? An d I h on est ly h ad n o clu e. I d id n 't h ave a p lan . I'd say I'm f in ally f in d in g m y foot in g n ow . I st ill kn ow n ot h in g ab ou t w h ere I am b u t I d ef in it ely kn ow w h ere I'm g oin g .

W h at is you r ad vice t o colleg e k id s on g et t in g t h rou g h it ?

A: M y ad vice w ou ld b e t o f in d you r ow n w ay.

No on e p at h w ill b e t h e sam e b u t each is sp ecial. M y jou rn ey w as fu ll of com p arison s t o ot h ers an d I t h in k t h at 's p art of w h y I st ru g g led . I d id n 't em b race m y ow n p at h an d t ried t o follow som eon e else's. D o w h at w orks for you .

You r p ost t it led , 'Sad Girl' w as on e of m y favorit es you ever w rot e. You sp ok e ab ou t t h e fact t h at you d on 't h ave t o b e st ron g all t h e t im e. W h y d o you t h in k p eop le h ave t h is n ot at ion t h at t h ey can 't b reak d ow n or lose it , t h at t h ey h ave t o h ave ever y t h in g t og et h er w om en esp ecially ?

A: I w rot e t h at p iece for w om en b u t b lack w om en in p art icu lar b ecau se societ y p u t s su ch a h eavyw eig h t on ou r sh ou ld ers an d yet w e're exp ect ed t o b e p u t t og et h er an d b e t h e "b ack b on e" of ou r com m u n it y. An d at t h e en d of t h e d ay, a lot of ou r "st ren g t h " com es f rom su rvival. W e're n ot alw ays okay, w e d on 't h ave all of t h e an sw ers an d w e can b e st ron g

How d oes on e b reak t h at cycle in you r op in ion?

You r lat est p iece, 'Block ed Blessin g s' h as b ecom e an ot h er on e of m y favorit es. You t ou ch on allow in g you rself to be vu ln erab le. W h at d o you t h in k it is ab ou t b ein g Vu ln erab le t h at scares m ost p eop le?

A: I t h in k t h e exp osu re t h at com es w it h b ein g vu ln erab le is w h at scares p eop le t h e m ost . No on e w an t s t o b e h u rt , d isap p oin t ed , or m isju d g ed . As h u m an s, w e avoid t h at as oft en as p ossib le. Bu t t h at avoid an ce can u lt im at ely b e ou r d ow n fall. W e n ever kn ow w h at w e w ou ld 've b een exp osed t o h ad w e t aken t h e ch an ce.

W h at is on e b lessin g you f eel lik e you b lock ed b ecau se you cou ld n 't be Vu ln erab le?

A: I've alw ays b een overly cau t iou s w h en it com es t o p u t t in g m yself in u n com fort ab le p osit ion s. Un com fort ab le n ot n ecessarily m ean in g n eg at ive b u t st ep p in g ou t of m y com fort zon e. Th ere w ere job s I kn ew I w as p erfect for t h at I n ever ap p lied for b ecau se I d ou b t ed m y ab ilit ies or w as af raid of som eon e else's p ercep t ion of m y ab ilit ies. I'm learn in g t o let g o. If t h e w orst -case scen ario is t h at I fail, t h en t h at 's okay w it h m e.

How d o you d eal w it h Vu ln erab ilit y n ow ?

A: I ju st accep t t h at w h at is for m e is alread y m in e. I'm st ill very cau t iou s in m y d ecision s b u t I look at every p ossib le ou t com e as a st ep p in g st on e. Th ere's n o d ecision t h at can affect m e n eg at ively if it 's a p art of m y jou rn ey.

Visit h er b log an d f ollow h er on In st ag ram & Tw it t er as w ell.

x you m at t er x You matter. That's the tweet. That's the feeling. That's the golden rule. That's the motto. That's everything. You just as much as anyone else deserves everything good the world has to offer.

No matter your past. Every day you wake up, you have a chance to become the person you deserve to be. So do it. The journey might be hard, might take time, might cause you to cry, might make you wanna scream your fucking head off. It might also be lonely, cold, might cause you to want to run but no, keep fighting.

Keep fighting the negative thoughts in your head that tell you that you are not good enough. Negative people don't deserve your attention. Don't let them into your peace. You are rare. Not one person on this planet can replace what you can bring to the table. Not one person can be you. Without you, the world is missing something and it won't ever be at its full potential until you are at yours. Get to it. You deserve it because you matter. You deserve it because you are human and you make mistakes. You deserve it because you are beautiful. You deserve it because you fuckin deserve it.

No explanation. needed. You matter.

That's it. - sincerely, a rant.

Ar t w ork b y Charly Clement s

diamond white

p h ot og rap h y b y Keit aro Clow ard

diamond white p h ot os b y Keit aro Clow ard | w ord s b y Ella Rae

a talented actress and singer/songwriter, Diamond White has proven she is built for this with compelling bangers and her ability to take any role and make it unforgettable. Diamond started her journey at a young age and went on to compete on X-Factor, star in films, do voice over work and get a recurring role on the last season of Empire. I first saw Diamond on YouTube when she released her music video, 'Cleopatron'. After that I became obsessed and I wanted more. She inspires many with her fearless vulnerability she displays in her music. Her lyrics were always relatable and her vocals were captivating to say the least. I immediately had to get her for the cover. Can we also state, how photogenic she is? When I got the cover photos back, I couldn't breathe. I was blown away by her ability to not only be so original with her style but also not feed into the 'trends' or 'standards'.

b ed h as b ecom e a reg u lar occu rren ce. a d ay n ot sp en t scrollin g d ow n t ic t ok is a g reat on e."

How are you h an d lin g t h e p an d em ic so far ? "At t h is p oin t eat in g t akeou t in m y

How w as it m eet in g all of t h ose leg en d ar y act ors an d act resses? "It w as a b it n erve

Has it m essed w it h you r creat ivit y yet ? "I've d ef in it ely b een m ore craft y. Hot g lu e g u n n in g everyt h in g . I also sh aved m y h ead an d t h at m ad e m e feel like a rockst ar so t h at g ave m e a b oost of creat ivit y."

You g ot a m ajor role on Em p ire f or t h e last season an d you w ere in cred ib le.

How d id t h at role com e ab ou t ? "I sen t in a self t ap e aft er several g lasses of w in e an d t h e offered m e t h e role HA." How d id you p rep are f or t h e ch aract er ? "LALA w as a n ervou s m ess in the b eg in n in g an d im t h e sam e w ay esp ecially w h en it com es t o m eet in g n ew p eop le m y ag e. Sooo I ju st p u lled f rom m y social an xiet y."

Have t h feel lik have ev

p h ot og rap h y b y Keit aro Clow ard

he t ough conversat ions. Don't ke your being t he angry one. You very right t o be."

w rackin g . I st ayed t o m yself. Im a b it aw kw ard .

Everyon e kn ew each ot h er an d h ad t h ere ow n in sid e jokes an d w h at n ot so I w ou ld ju st sit an d sn ack on t h e food on set . I ju st b e m in d in m y b u sin ess"

W h at is you r ad vice t o ot h ers ab ou t d ealin g w it h racism in Am erica, esp ecially t h e you n g er g en erat ion?

"Ed u cat e!

Have the t ou g h con versat ion s. D on 't feel like you r b ein g t h e an g ry on e. You h ave every rig h t t o b e."

W h at d id you learn f rom t h at set ? "t h at Taraji p Hen son is h ilariou s"

W h at h as b een you r h ard est son g t o release an d w h y ? "W ell all of t h em b c im ju st d oin g t h is sh it b y m yself so g et t in g t h e m u sic ou t is h ard as it is lol"

W h at w as you r favorit e m em or y f rom t h e set ?

Taraji P Hen son accid en t ally callin g m e Rih an n a Asid e f rom act in g you also h ave d on e som e voice over w ork , h ow d oes on e g et in t o t h at k in d of f ield ?

"Lit erally ju st h avin g an ag en t t h at h as a voice over d ep art m en t W h at h as b een you r favorit e ch aract er t o voice so far ?

"I loved d oin g FULI in t h e lion g u ard b u u u t n ow it 's m y m ost recen t on e b u t t h at 's a secret for n ow " D u rin g t h e LA u p risin g , you w en t t o t h e rally in FairFax t o su p p or t . W h at d id you exp erien ce as you w at ch ed t h is all u n f old ?

"It w as cool t o lit erally w at ch h ist ory rig h t b efore m y eyes. Th e en erg y w as som et h in g over n ever felt b efore. Th e p rot est s are st ill st ron g an d h ap p en in g even t h o t h e n ew s isn 't sh ow in g it an d I ju st h op e ju st ice act u ally g et s served cu z t h ere's a W HOLE lot m ore cop s t h at n eed t h eir karm a an d Fam ilies in p ain b ecau se of t h eir careless act ion s. I h op e p eop le d on 't st op an d d on 't forg et t h at b lack lives m at t er w h en it 's n ot rig h t in t h ere face" How d id you d eal m en t ally w it h all of t h e crazin ess t h at w as g oin g on w h en it cam e t o seein g b lack Am erican s b ein g m ist reat ed alm ost ever yw h ere?

"It 's b een like t h is. Im b lack it 's alm ost like w e're b orn kn ow in g t h e b u llsh it . W e're st ron g as h ell for t h at . For m e, w h at I d o is t ry t o d o m y p art . Im t h e g irl at t h e p art y t h at 's ch eckin g a w h it e kid I saw sayin g t h e "n " w ord . Period ."

Have you ever p erson ally exp erien ced racism ?

An d if so h ow d id you d eal w it h t h e sit u at ion?

"Of cou rse. I b y far h aven 't g ot t en t h e w orst of it . I live in la so p eop le are p ret t y h u m an h ere b u t t h e sh it I d on 't like is seein g t h e "u r so p ret t y for a b lack g irl". THAT irks m e. A b lack g u y LITERALLY said t h is t o m e in p erson an d I resp on d ed "g et t h e fu ck ou t of m y face" b c at t h e en d of t h e d ay. If a BLACK m an is sayin g t h at t o m e? He d on 't even ap p reciat e h im self."

How d o you com e u p w it h t h ese b an g ers? D o you h ave a p rocess?

"I m ake m u sic con st an t ly. Som e d ays are h ard som e d ays are easy t o com e u p w it h id eas b u t m y b est id eas h ap p en w h en im p eein g h on est ly."

You 've b een a creat ive in LA f or aw h ile n ow .

W h at are you r t ip s f or t h e n ew com ers?

"Lit erally ju st f ig u re ou t a w ay t o f ig u re it ou t .

Th ere are n o ru les."

You r n ew sin g le, 'Fck W h at I Need ' is su ch a b an g er. I can 't st op p layin g it . How d id t h is t rack com e ab ou t ?

"I'd ju st b roken u p w it h m y ex an d an d I w an t ed w as f reed om an d fu n reg ard less of w h at I act u ally n eed ed . I w an t ed t h at h ot g irl su m m er."

How d o g et over som eon e t h at you f eel t h at st ron g ly ab ou t in you r op in ion? "Teq u ila an d g am e n ig h t s w it h u r f rien d s" W h at m ad e you cu t you r h air of f f or t h is n ew visu al? W as it a sp lit d ecision at t h at m om en t or d id you p lan t o d o it an yw ay ? "I w as m akin g d in n er w it h kyllo (w h o p rod u ced t h e t rack ) an d it p op p ed u p in m y h ead . W e'd b een g et t in g su p er in t o t h is art ist n am ed yu n g lean an d I w as really in sp ired b y h is en erg y. Kyllo g oes " t h at w ou ld b e crazy an d f ire" m y m om said "d on 't d o t h at , you can 't d o t h at ". So i p lan n ed it an d d id it ."

W h at m ak es you w an t t o exp erim en t w it h you r st yle lik e t h at ?

"W ell I love t h e id ea t h at I can lit erally d o I w an t .

Becau se I lit erally con t rol everyt h in g in m y p at h .

Everyon e d oes. So I d o w h at I feel."

D o you t h in k you r fash ion ever in f lu en ces you r m u sic? " Hell ya. Th e m ore m an ic I am t h e b et t er t h e f it s an d b et t er t h e m u sic."

You can g et h er n ew sin g le, '(fck ) w h at i n eed ' on d ig it al p lat form s n ow an d w at ch t h e off icial vid eo on h er YouTu b e.

p h ot og rap h y b y Keit aro Clow ard

jacob hopki PHOTOGRAPHY BY Byron Brown Photography STORY BY ELLA AUD REY RAE

How d id you g et in t o voice over w ork ?

"I h ad alread y b u ilt an act in g career for m yself b efore I g ot in t o voice over. I st art ed act in g at t h e ag e of f ive d oin g com m ercials, p rin t job s, an d TV (m y b ig g est role at t h at t im e w as Alexan d er D rew on HBO's Tru e Blood ). By t h e t im e I w as eleven , I h ad six years of act in g exp erien ce, b u t really w an t ed t o m ove in t o voice over so I sig n ed w it h a voice over ag en t , an d b eg an m y voice act in g career."

You voice on e of m y favorit e ch aract ers of all t im e, 'Gu m b all'! How d id you g et t h at role?

"Th an ks...h e's on e of my favorit es t oo! As in san e as it sou n d s, Gu m b all w as m y f irst voice over au d it ion an d g ig !

On e fat efu l d ay, I g ot an au d it ion for it w h ich con sist ed of a t w o-p ag e scen e. Aft er

sen d in g it in , I g ot a callb ack w h ere I w en t in t o a sou n d b oot h t o record a lon g er scen e.

Th en , I w as b rou g h t in t o t h e st u d io w h ere t h ey record Gu m b all (it 's act u ally n ot Cart oon Net w ork St u d ios, b u t a st u d io called D u b scap e). I g ot t o m eet t h e sou n d en g in eer, Greg Hall, an d m y voice d irect or, Rich ard Overall... w h o lives in Lon d on ! In fact , t h e sh ow 's b ased in Lon d on , w h ich m ean s t h e m ajorit y of t h e cast an d crew resid e in Lon d on an d record an d d irect m e over Skyp e. On ce I g ot t o kn ow everyb od y, I h ad t o record ab ou t t h ree d ifferen t scen es. Aft er t h at , I b ecam e t h eir t op ch oice an d b eg an record in g fu ll ep isod es. Aft er all of t h at , t h ey f in ally g ave m e t h e role, an d t h e rest is h ist ory.

W h at w as it lik e b eh in d t h e scen es?

"Hilariou s, t on s of en erg y an d ab solu t e joy. Each an d every

ins

session w as f illed w it h lau g h s an d h ard w ork . W e all g ot alon g p erfect ly, an d t h ere w as n ever a b ad m om en t ."

D id you ever im p rovise an y lin es or jok es?

"Of cou rse! In ord er t o b e Gu m b all, I h ad t o ad d t on s of creat ivit y an d color t o m y p erform an ce. On e of m y favorit e im p rovs w as in Th e Bu rd en w h ere Gu m b all an d D arw in are lookin g all over Elm ore Ju n ior Hig h for t h e sch ool p et , Ch ris M orris. I t h ou g h t it w ou ld b e fu n n y t o say, "You can ru n , b u t you can 't h id e! I can sm ell you !" b ecau se Gu m b all's a cat . Th ey en d ed u p u sin g it an d act u ally an im at ed Gu m b all h avin g cat eyes w h en h e said it !"

W h at w as you r favorit e ep isod e or scen e t o p erf orm ?

"M y favorit e ep isod e w ill alw ays b e Th e Bros. It 's ab ou t Gu m b all an d D arw in rekin d lin g t h eir b rot h erly b on d b ecau se Gu m b all's sp en d in g t oo m u ch t im e w it h Pen n y. I h ave a b rot h er, so t h at m essag e w ill alw ays h ave a sp ecial p lace in m y h eart . M y favorit esceneon t h e ot h er h an d is w h en Gu m b all g oes Su p er Saiyan 2, an d as a lon g t im e D rag on Ball Z fan , t h at w as b asically a d ream com e t ru e."

"I'll n ever forg et kickin g Ch ris Kat t an in t h e crot ch (n ot act u ally, it w as a st u n t ... I'm n ot a m on st er). It w as m y f irst t im e d oin g com ed y, an d I loved g et t in g lau g h s f rom t h e cast an d crew w h ile act in g ou t m y jokes an d st u n t s! Everyon e w as in cred ib ly n ice, an d t h ey t reat ed m e w it h su ch resp ect an d kin d n ess."

You are also on t h e Gold b erg 's. How w as it b ein g on su ch a f u n n y sh ow w it h an am azin g cast ?

"I alw ays love com in g on t h e Gold b erg s set t o live ou t a life in t h e 80 's. I p lay Ch ad Krem p , Ad am Gold b erg 's b est f rien d an d (som et im es) voice of reason . W orkin g w it h su ch t alen t ed com ed ian s like W en d i M cLen d on -Covey, Sean Giam b ron e, an d Jeff Garlin is g reat ! It 's also really h ard t o keep a st raig h t face arou n d t h em ."

W h at d id you learn f rom w ork in g arou n d act ors w h o h ave h ad su ch lon g careers?

"I've learn ed h ow t o b e p rofession al ab ou t m y act in g career. As fu n as act in g is, it 's a b u sin ess, an d b u sin esses h ave t o b e h an d led p rofession ally. You h ave t o kn ow w h at you 're d oin g an d t ake risks w h ile act in g . Playin g it safe w ill n ever p rod u ce g ood act in g . I've learn ed h ow t o b e cou rag eou s an d fearless w h ile on set , an d I h ave everyon e I've ever w orked w it h t o t h an k for t h at ."

D id you t h in k t h e sh ow w ou ld b ecom e so icon ic?

W h at 's you r favorit e on set m em or y ?

"I kn ew im m ed iat ely it w ou ld b ecom e a Cart oon Net w ork classic. It 's like n o ot h er sh ow ! It h as so m u ch variet y, a b illion d ifferen t form s of an im at ion , an d it ap p eals t o all au d ien ces an d g en erat ion s.

Tru ly a on e of a kin d sh ow ."

How is it t o b e on Net f lix's D rag on s: Rescu e Rid ers?

"I've b een a h u g e fan of t h e How t o Train You r D rag on b ook series ever sin ce I w as in elem en t ary sch ool, so it 's p ret t y aw esom e t h at I'm in t h at u n iverse!"

W h at is you r favorit e t h in g ab ou t you r ch aract er ?

"Axel Fin ke is a lit t le like D ead p ool an d St arlord p u t t og et h er: h e's a lit t le b it of g ood an d b ad . W h ile h e's seem in g ly loyal t o h is evil g en iu s u n cle, M ag n u s Fin ke, h e also join s t h e Rescu e Rid ers on variou s d ifferen t m ission s. His u n p red ict ab ilit y is u n can n y, an d fu n t o act ou t !"

You g u est -st arred on How I M et You r M ot h er, su ch an icon ic sh ow . W h at 's you r favorit e m em or y an d h ow w as it m eet in g t h e cast ?

"Th is is act u ally a su p er u n iq u e favorit e on set t h in g , w h ich is w orkin g w it h t h e real Ch ad Krem p ! He p lays m y fat h er (h is fat h er) Ch arles Krem p . He is su ch a g reat g u y an d so fu n t o t alk t o, h e h as g iven m e a f irst h an d h ist ory of all t h e real life m em ories of h im an d Ad am Gold b erg , t h eir fam ilies, an d h is life as a t een ag er in t h e 80 's...it 's su rreal!"

W h at 's you r ad vice f or p eop le w an t in g t o g et in t o voice act in g ?

"Pract ice, p ract ice, p ract ice you r craft ! D o you r research , f in d local w orksh op s t o at t en d an d alw ays p ract ice d ifferen t voices, t ech n iq u es, an d ed it in g skills on you r ow n t im e. I also w orked w it h a sin g in g coach t h at t au g h t m e all kin d s of skills, vocal w arm -u p s an d exercises, an d b reat h in g t ech n iq u es...Gu m b all san g a lot ! Th e b est w ay t o learn is t o exp erien ce t h in g s an d learn f rom ot h ers w h oha veexp erien ce. On ce you 've h on ed you r skills, research d ifferen t voice over ag en t s on lin e an d in t erview w it h t h em . Th e b est w ay t o g et au d it ion s is t o h ave an ag en t ou t t h ere sen d in g you au d it ion s.

Good lu ck ou t t h ere, asp irin g voice act ors! I kn ow you can d o it !"

F ilahLahLah STORY BY ELLA AUD REY RAE

W h en d id you fall in love w it h m u sic an d realized you r vocals w ere g old en?

"I fell in love w it h m u sic w ell b efore I realized I w as a fair sin g er. M y p aren t s list en ed t o really g ood m u sic an d t h at kin d of seep ed in t o m e. It w as in evit ab le."

W h at ar t ist or sou n d in f lu en ces you r m u sic?

"I h ave q u it e a lot of in flu en ces. I g rew u p really lovin g jazz. An d it ?s fu n n y b ecau se w h en I w as lit t le it w as t h e sou n d an d feelin g of it , t h e ch aos an d ord er of it . I d id n ?t really b ecom e p rop erly acq u ain t ed w it h t h e art ist s t h em selves u n t il m u ch lat er, w h en I w as in m y t een s. Th at ?s w h en I b eg an t o u n d erst an d w h y a M iles D avis record w ill feel an d sou n d d ifferen t t o a Joh n Colt ran e or Ab d u llah Ib rah im , you kn ow ? I h ad t o m at u re in t o jazz. As far as ot h er g en res like h ip h op , sou l an d rock m y in t erest s ran g ed f rom d ig ab le p lan et s, Black St arr, Jay Z, Big g ie an d Tu p ac, t o an Erykah BAD U, Jill Scot t , An g ie St on e, Am el Larrieu x,Am y W in eh ou se (rest in p eace) an d In d ia Arie an d t h en t rick le all t h e w ay d ow n t o Nirvan a, Oasis an d Jeff Bu ck ley."

You r n ew est sin g le, 'Th is Is' is sim p ly b eau t if u l. W h at in sp ired t h at son g ?"

"Ju st b eg in n in g a n ew jou rn ey, m an . I h ad b een t h rou g h a lot t h is p ast year t o t h e p oin t w h ere I w asn ?t even su re I?d

st ill d o m u sic. Th e son g is t h e d eat h of m y self-d ou b t an d t h e b irt h of a n ew self, an u n com p rom isin g self. " How d id t h e visu al com e ab ou t ?

"Hon est ly I ju st h ad w h at I assu m e w as a p reviou sly ow n ed W ed d in g d ress w h ich I b ou g h t f rom a t h rift st ore for R30 ($1.80,c), a cam era an d a su it . W e d id n ?t kn ow h ow it w ou ld t u rn ou t b u t w e w en t for it ."

You w ere ad d ed t o t h e Kalam ob o Record s roast er t h is year as a n ew ar t ist . How d id t h at p ar t n ersh ip com e ab ou t ?

"M ike Kalom b o d iscovered m e on In st ag ram an d t h an k God . Hon est ly. He fou n d a vid eo of m e sin g in g a ren d it ion of ?h allelu jah ?. It ?s fu n n y b ecau se I n ever really w an t ed t o p ost t h at vid eo b ecau se I d id n ?t t h in k I sou n d ed m y b est b u t I m ean im ag in e if I h ad n ?t ."

How is it w ork in g w it h M ik e Kalom b o?

"He?s g reat . W e?ve really form ed a p u re an d g en u in e b on d . W e u n d erst an d each ot h er an d it h elp s p rod u ce a g en u in e sou n d . " How h as t h e jou rn ey b een u p t o t h is p oin t an d w as t h ere ever a t im e you w ere ab ou t t o let it g o? If so h ow d id you g et p ast it ?

"Th ere really w as a p oin t w h ere I w an t ed

"Rely on you r ow n sen se of self est eem .

D on ?t g et t oo cau g h t u p . It ?s a b ru t al in d u st ry. An d h ave a p assion for it as you w ou ld an y ot h er p rofession ."

t o say f *ck it , let m e ju st b ecom e an at t orn ey an d m ake ot h er p eop le?s p rob lem s m y ow n .

Bu t you kn ow t h ere?s an in t an g ib le sp irit in sid e every art ist t h at I t h in k h as t h e p ow er t o keep t h em g oin g even w h en t h ey d on ?t realize it h ap p en in g . It ?s in t h e lit t le t h in g s. It ?s in w rit in g a son g in st ead of st u d yin g for an exam , or m akin g b eat s ou t of b ored om . I d on ?t kn ow , it sou n d s w eird b u t I cou ld n ?t sh ake m u sic even if I t ried . " How is it d oin g m u sic d u rin g t h e p an d em ic?

"It ?s in t erest in g . Hah a. It ?s d ef in it ely n ot w h at I?m u sed t o. Bu t I d on ?t b ack d ow n f rom ch allen g es. An d it ?s allow ed for m e t o b e m ore creat ive. W e?re so isolat ed rig h t n ow t h at w e?re alm ost forced in t o a sen se of self-in t rosp ect ion . An d t h at can b e a g reat t h in g for an art ist . Or a t errib le t h in g . D ep en d s h ow you look at it ."

You are also a m od el, I see. You d id a cam p aig n f or Levi's w h ich is aw esom e. You are you g org eou s b y t h e w ay. How d id you g et in t o t h e m od elin g f ield ?

"An ot h er g rat it u d e I ow e In st ag ram . I g ot d iscovered for m od elin g t h ere as w ell. It ju st kin d of sn ow b alled in t o a fu ll-b low n career aft er t h at ."

Is t h ere an y m od el t h at in sp ires you ? "Ad u t Akech . I love seein g h er w in . I also love Slick W ood s. Sh e?s so d ef ian t an d sexy. " W h at is you r ad vice t o ot h ers w h o w an t t o b ecom e a m od el?

"Rely on you r ow n sen se of self-est eem . D on ?t g et t oo cau g h t u p . It ?s a b ru t al in d u st ry. An d h ave a p assion for it as you w ou ld an y ot h er p rofession . I d id n ?t h ave en ou g h p assion so I st op p ed en joyin g it at som e p oin t ."

You h ave a law d eg ree, I've learn ed . W h y d id you d ecid e t o st ill g o t o colleg e an d g et t h at d eg ree? " Af rican p aren t s. Th at ?s it . Th at ?s t h e t w eet ."

W h at d o you t h in k can b e d on e b et t er in t h e ju st ice syst em ?

"END INSTITUTIONALIZED RACISM ! You ever h ave on e of t h ose b ad d ream s w h ere you ?re

scream in g t o t h e t op of you r lu n g s for so lon g t h at you lose you r voice an d t h e on ly t h in g com in g ou t is t ired b reat h? Black p eop le an d p eop le of color askin g for sp ace in t h is societ y feels like t h at d ream . W h en it com es t o racism I d on ?t b elieve w e can reh ab ilit at e each an d every sin g le racist . W e sim p ly can ?t . Bu t t h e syst em s t h at p erp et u at e racism an d t h e m arg in alizat ion of b lack lives an d t h e lives of POC n eed t o b e D ISM ANTLED. W e can n o lon g er p olit ely ask for sp ace. W e?ve b een askin g . I t h in k n ow is t h e t im e t o t ake it . To creat e it . Peop le are fed u p of b ein g p acif ied an d forced t o accep t a syst em t h at d oesn ?t d efen d or p rot ect t h em . I d on ?t h ave all t h e an sw ers or a g am e p lan . Bu t I t h in k for as lon g t h is g en erat ion is h avin g t h ese con versat ion s fearlessly, is in t h ose st reet s, is u sin g t h eir voices an d t h eir in flu en ces w e w ill b e ab le t o see t h is st ru ct u re fall. " Talk in g ab ou t t h e ju st ice syst em , h ave you ever d eal t w it h racism ? If so h ow d id you h an d le it ?

"Yes, yes, an d yes. Sou t h Af rica?s d em ocracy is so you n g . Ou r p aren t s are st ill p rod u ct s of ap art h eid . Ou r g ran d p aren t s are st ill p rod u ct s of ap art h eid . An d t h e sam e g oes for t h e p eop le w h om b en ef it ed f rom t h at p eriod in t im e. So yeah racism is d ef in it ely som et h in g I?ve exp erien ced . " W h at d o you say t o t h ose af raid t o st an d u p? "Peop le t en d t o n ot g ive a d am n ab ou t t h in g s t h ey d on ?t feel d irect ly affect ed b y."

W h at en cou rag in g w ord s d o you h ave f or lit t le g irls g row in g u p t h in k in g t h ey aren 't p ret t y b ecau se of t h eir sk in t on e?

"You ?ll n ever b e ab le t o st op t h e h at e. Bu t you can let t h e love you h ave for you rself b e lou d er."

You can w at ch h er d eb u t vid eo, 'Th is Is' on YouTu b e n ow . D on 't m iss ou t .

keitaro FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER

o cloward.

LA based photographer, Keitaro Cloward has become one of my favorite photographers. I found his work on Instagram when I went looking for a photographer for t his issue. He can take any at mosphere and t urn it into a work of art . His eye for capt ivat ing photos and brilliant film direct ion make him one of t he best . He has worked wit h Volant Magazine, C-Heads Magaine, Flanelle, and many more.

How did you get into t his creat ive field and what has it done for you being able to create for a living?

"I don't know if I ever "got into this creative field", I think we are all born creative, it's more the strict and monotonous fields that you have to try hard to train your mind to get "into".

Creativity is something we're born with, just some types of creativity aren't recognized as "creative" in the worlds we live in."

How do get your inspirat ion for t hese amazing shot s?

"It's almost always a mutual thing. Either some place or thing one of us has seen inspires us. Or the person without knowing it is inspiration itself and then your mind throws on the scenes textures of light, color and feeling and then we try our best to make it happen."

How has it been doing photography and creat ive direct ion in t he pandemic?

"All the planning parts are done in the mind,

so only the actual shoot days are affected.

And being creatives it's our regular lives to always find the new, restructure, and make a new a way. So the first months were hard and stressful but we're all learned how to stay safe and create."

What advice would you give to ot hers in your field to help t hem get amazing shoot s in t his t ime?

"Don't do anything you aren't comfortable doing."

What has been your favorite project to work on?

"Any shoot that I have a lot of time."

What is t he most difficult shoot you worked on and why?

"It was a shoot where we had a lot to do, in a very short window of time. And if we didn't do it all, since it was all connected, then everyone's time, etc would've all been wasted, stress , haha."

What are your t hought s on t he way American's are standing up for t he just ice of ot hers?

"It's the minimum, and none of us should only be doing the minimum.

aria broo PHOTOGRAPHY BY Byron Brown Photography STORY BY ELLA AUD REY RAE

How d id you g et st ar t ed in act in g ?

"W h en I w as you n g er, m y p aren t s p u t m e in m u sical t h eat re an d d ram a. I st art ed t o t ake it m ore seriou sly an d d ecid ed I w an t ed t o p u rsu e on cam era act in g at t h e ag e of 10.

From t h ere, m y m om an d I h u st led t o g et au d it ion s u n t il I w as sig n ed w it h an ag en cy."

Ar ia is m ak in g h er m ar k on t h e in du st r y as t h e n ew est ser ies r egu lar cast m em ber in t h e r eboot of t h e w idely popu lar Nickelodeon ser ies All That.

"First , I h ad t o su b m it a self-t ap e, p erform in g m y ow n sket ch ch aract ers an d a p rovid ed scrip t . Th en I h ad t o fly ou t t o Californ ia for a callb ack . I h ad t o d o t h e sam e

t h in g , b u t t h is t im e it w as in f ron t of t h e All Th at p rod u cers.

Th en t h ey flew m e ou t for a screen t est . I d id t h e sam e t h in g , b u t for t h e Nickelod eon execu t ives. I fou n d ou t rig h t aft er t h e t est t h at I b ooked t h e job ."

How d oes it f eel t o b e a p ar t of su ch an icon ic b ran d ?

"I h ave g row n u p w at ch in g Nickelod eon an d it h as b een a d ream of m in e t o b e a p art of a sh ow . It 's even b et t er t h an I im ag in ed . I've m et so m an y am azin g p eop le, I've t ried n ew t h in g s, an d m ost im p ort an t ly, in sp ired p eop le."

W h at w as t h e f irst t im e on set lik e m eet in g all t h e old an d n ew cast ?

"W h en I m et t h e orig in al cast m em b ers for t h e f irst t im e, I

oks.

w as st ar st ru ck . W at ch in g t h em is on e t h in g b u t g et t in g t o kn ow t h em is an ot h er an d t h ey are all so n ice. M eet in g t h e n ew cast w as also in cred ib le. Th ey w ere very w elcom in g . W e are lit erally b est f rien d s n ow ."

ou t , I w as really excit ed t o w ork alon g sid e Roch elle Ayt es, Sarah Sh ari, Jessica Collin s, an d Tam m y Lyn n M ich aels."

You 've also g u est -st arred in t h e Net f lix orig in al D olly Par t on 's 'Hear t st rin g s'.

How w as it b ein g a p ar t of t h at st or y ?

"W ell for on e, p rod u ct ion on set s h as b een su sp en d ed . W e also d on 't really kn ow w h en t h in g s w ill resu m e, so it 's h ard t o m ake an y b ig d ecision s rig h t n ow . On a m ore p osit ive n ot e, I've b een ab le t o t ake som e t im e for m yself an d ju st en joy b ein g a kid . I've h ad t h e op p ort u n it y t o sp en d q u alit y t im e w it h m y fam ily. An d I've b een u sin g t h is t im e t o b e m ore creat ive."

"It w as an am azin g op p ort u n it y. I g ot t o m eet so m an y am azin g p eop le an d it really st ret ch ed m e as an act or. It w as really cool t o see t h e m ean in g b eh in d h er son g /st ory. Bein g a p art of it w as am azin g an d I w as h on ored ."

D id you g et t o m eet t h e icon ic sin g er an d if so, h ow w as it ?

"I d id ! Sh e w as so sw eet an d ab solu t ely b eau t ifu l. Sh e w as f ilm in g an ot h er ep isod e at t h e t im e of ou r t ab le read , b u t sh e st ill w en t ou t of h er w ay t o g reet each on e of u s."

Th e cast w as st ar st u d d ed I see. W h o w ere you d yin g t o m eet an d h ow d id it g o?

"I w as excit ed t o m eet D olly Part on . I've h eard h er m u sic, an d sh e is a leg en d . I d id n 't really kn ow w h o t h e cast w as b efore b ookin g t h e job , b u t , on ce I fou n d

How h as t h e viru s af f ect ed act resses lik e you rself ?

W h at is you r d ream role?

"M y d ream role is t h e lead d yn am ic ch aract er. I w ou ld w an t t o b e t h e on e w h o u n d erg oes t h e m ost m en t al an d /or em ot ion al ch an g e d u rin g a f ilm . I w ou ld love t o b e ab le t o t ap in t o ch aract ers like t h at ."

W h at ad vice d o you act resses an d act ors?

h ave f or n ew

"M y ad vice is t o t ake risks, esp ecially in au d it ion s. Cast in g d irect ors g o t h rou g h so m an y, so if you rs d oesn 't st an d ou t , t h en t h ey cou ld skip p ast you . Also, h ave fu n !

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