Rival Mag LA Issue 11: Jaylen Barron

1

Letter from the Editor Issue 11 is brining you those edgy, punk vibes that has been the playlist of Summer 2021.

We love bringing our various talents into our world and we had so much fun creating this issue for you all. We’ve been working hard on creating cutting edge images, unique interviews, and generating more social media content for you all to enjoy and share with your friends. Rival Mag LA is so excited to launch Issue 11 and we can’t wait to show you all what we have in store for the remainder of the year! Stayed tuned for more!

Much Love Heather Rival Graphic Designer Liat Halmos

Clejan

Hunter Deno

Jaylen Barron

Landry Bender

Caroline Arapoglou

Ramona Young

Interview: Olivia Vitarelli Photographer: Heather Koepp

Interview: Ashley Vitarelli Photographer: Heather Koepp Stylist: Haili Pue Hair: Erik Garcia MUA: Christina Barras

2

Interview: Olivia Vitarelli Photographer: Heather Koepp Stylist: Haili Pue MUA: Tamieka Gardner

Interview: Olivia Vitarelli Photographer: Heather Koepp Stylist: Haili Pue Hair: Teddy Prior MUA: Hendra Nasril

Interview: Ashley Oken Photographer: Heather Koepp Stylist: Haili Pue Hair: Kasie Herring MUA: Hendra Nasril

Interview: Ashley Vitarelli Photographer: Heather Koepp Stylist: Sky JT Naval Hair: Iris Moreau MUA: Iris Moreau

f o E L B TA CONTENTS 04 clejan 22 Hunter Deno n o r r a b n e l y a j 38

64 landry ben der

u o l g o p a r a 84 Caroline

96 Ramona Young

3

4

C L E J A N

5

6

7

8

9

n a j e

l C

By: Olivia Vitarelli

With a college degree in tow and a quintessential corporate

for his grandmother, brought Clejan happiness, he ultimately

notice an irresistible opening in the world of music: a gap

concedes, “I’m thankful that it gave me the skills to now pursue

job to keep himself afloat, Zac Clejan could not help but where genres had yet to collide and expectations begged to

breach obsolescence. At the age of twenty-five, Clejan, the Atlanta-bred Trap Violinist, dove head-first into the unexplored

it in a way that does give me joy … but I can’t help thinking there could’ve been another way!”

depths of genre melding, longing to discover what the world

Following his high school graduation, Clejan set off to

upbringing in Georgia, how his business-angled brain required

marketing. “I always told myself it was part of the plan,” he

hadn’t seen before. Here, he discusses the influence of his a promising glimmer of hope from pop violinist Lindsey Stirling,

and the violin’s unexpected transition from a childhood chore into a livelihood.

“Growing up in Atlanta, Georgia in the 90’s and 00’s, you were

most definitely one of two things: a country fan or a hip hop fan,” explains Clejan. “Atlanta, the self-proclaimed hip hop capital of the world, had exploded in the global music scene,

evolving from bass music, to southern rap (shoutout OutKast)

to crunk, to snap, and finally to trap music all within the course of twenty years. ​​Getting to see this evolution first hand gave

me a love for the culture that I’ll never lose.” But while this passion for hip hop and trap brewed, another genre unwillingly

occupied Clejan’s time and focus: the classical music stylings of the venerable violin. “To me it was more like a chore than

a passion,” he reveals. “Having to practice almost every day

and getting reprimanded if I didn’t was tough on me as a kid growing up. It made the violin a source of anxiety instead of a source of joy.” While certain moments, like playing music 10

resented his “lack of choice in the matter.” Still, Clejan

the University of Georgia to pursue a business degree in

says of returning to music post-college, “But I’m not sure if I

even believed it myself. When I gave up my music dreams in high school, it was because I didn’t see a clear path to get there. I really had no idea what or how to make it happen,

so business school was the next best thing. It’s what people were doing and I got a scholarship so we could afford it.” After

his tenure at UGA, Clejan moved to Los Angeles and worked

a corporate marketing desk job, in addition to setting a fouryear plan for his future. “The first two years my only goal was to have fun, keep a job, explore passions, make new friends

and adventure in the city,” he explains. “My third year I turned my focus to a handful of career paths based on my current skills and interests. I invested in a cannabis company, doubled

down for a promotion at my corporate job, partnered with an incubator to get an app idea made, and started writing hip hop violin music.” When year four of the faithful plan arrived, Clejan

says, “I measured what each venture was returning to me, not

only fiscally but happiness-wise too, and music was a clear winner. What really gave me the motivation to pursue this path

11

12

was the opportunity I saw to create this brand of ‘Trap Violin’ that I felt hadn’t been done before.”

While trap violin was an open market, trailblazing musicians such as Lindsey Stirling lead the way in combining classical violin with pop stylings as well as EDM (electronic dance

music) beats. “As I graduated school and started gravitating

back towards my music roots, I became enamored with what

tiptoe a little closer to mainstream music by incorporating my vocals, so I think I gained some new fans from it too … Overall, people like that I’m taking risks and doing something different.

I’ve got a lot of people saying that it’s not for them as well, but

that’s to be expected when you’re challenging age-long norms.

At the end of the day, I make music that heals me and brings me joy … and that’s more than enough for me.”

[Lindsey] was doing with the violin,” Clejan says. “Lead violin

In addition to sharing the spiritual benefits of his music with

That was the kind of groundbreaking stuff that really excited

fiscal earnings to organizations that support people of color.

over hard-hitting EDM beats and incorporating dance as well?

me. So when I looked at her doing this and achieving such

success—not even for being the best violinist, just for being

the best her—it gave me hope that maybe I could make an impact as well.” In addition, Clejan explains, “I saw a lane for someone to do what she was doing with EDM/pop and apply

it to hip hop and trap. Without her proving the market, I’m not sure my analytical and logical brain would have decided to take this leap of faith.”

With concrete proof of his dream’s plausibility, Clejan devoted

himself to this new frontier. Last year, he released twenty-four songs, contributing to his hefty discography (which contains both original work and remixed covers of iconic songs). “With

no distractions and every reason to stay inside,” he says of

2020, “I worked. Those first few months I spent every minute I

could (and I could, a lot) at the computer, learning production

audiences, Clejan has pledged to donate a portion of his

“With the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement during COVID, I was looking for ways I could contribute to the fight for justice and equality,” Clejan explains. “As a white man

making predominantly black-inspired music, I also wanted to find ways to give back to the communities who created the

music I shared a passion for. I decided to pledge a portion of all earnings related to music to organizations that supported persons of color in need,” Clejan says. “For the past two

years I have been donating to the Equal Justice Initiative,

which works to end mass incarceration, challenge racial and

economic injustice, and protect basic human rights for the most vulnerable people in American society. The more I continue

down this path, the more opportunities I will have to give back to the African American community, and I am proud to pledge that I always will do what I can to be an ally.”

and getting better at my craft.” On the impressive quantity

The Trap Violinist has also pledged his time to teaching

ever have that kind of productivity again …” But amazingly,

simply because I remember being young and a violinist

of twenty-four song releases, Clejan quips, “I wonder if I’ll that alleged productivity was not limited to discography

development. In 2020, Clejan went viral on social media’s

overlord of entertainment: TikTok. “I went viral in the summer, after a few months on the app,” he reveals. “I didn’t think I was going to go viral for this specific video at all. In fact, I’d

already posted the video on my Instagram and YouTube years before, and while people thought it was cool, it by no means

went viral.” He continues, “The video was a cover of Trick

children the violin. “Youth inspires me deeply in my career,

in an orchestra, and I wished I had some alternative to the

classical music we were playing,” Clejan explains. “I think if

I had seen myself now [while I was] growing up, I might have been inspired in ways I didn’t know possible. If I can do that for kids everywhere and give them another reason to pick up

an instrument, I’ll have done childhood Zac proud, and I’d like that for his sake.”

Daddy’s Let’s Go, and, when I first released it, not more than a thousand people saw it. You can imagine my surprise when on a random Friday I did my usual daily post at noon, and a

quarter of a million people saw the video by the end of the day.

It was surreal to sort of see a part of my dream coming true

before my eyes … I was being seen, I was being heard, by a large number of people for the first time in my career. It was

Photographer: Heather Koepp

special, to say the least.”

As his TikTok account grew steadily, Clejan continued to make

strides in his career. In December of 2020, he released his EP Way That I Fiddle, featuring three original songs. “My fans really liked it,” Clejan says of the reception, “and I was able to

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

Hunter Deno 22

op T & Skir t Set: Sincerly iaR Bag: aumerBl Es:ingar isrI rends T aceltsr:B aKendr tSco Shoes: arhCles vidDa 23

Dres: omtsuC Es:ingar Bublea Bar Shoes: arhCles vidDa

24

op T & Skir t Set: Sincerly iaR Bag: aumerBl Es:ingar isrI rends T aceltsr:B aKendr tSco Shoes: arhCles vidDa

25

op: T omtsuC Btos: arhCles vidDa esv:loG Badgley chkaisM

26

op: T omtsuC Btos: arhCles vidDa esv:loG Badgley chkaisM

27

op T & Skir t Set: Sincerly iaR Bag: aumerBl Es:ingar isrI rends T aceltsr:B aKendr tSco Shoes: arhCles vidDa

28

,op T somBt & Belt: Andrea ahmyI Sequind obe:R OT Shoes: arhCles vidDa

29

Hunter Deno By: Olivia Vitarelli

Since booking a commercial on the day of her first birthday,

the entertainment industry, one that Hunter pursued from

land of her dreams. Two short years after moving to Los

age. “While I loved modeling,” she explains, “I found myself

Hunter Deno knew that the entertainment industry was the

Angeles to pursue acting, the actress can be found on Netflix, starring as the iconic Pink Power Ranger in Power Rangers

Dino Fury, the twenty-eighth season of the franchise’s longrunning series. Hunter chats with Rival about originally

auditioning for the Yellow Ranger, the joys of being a role model to a young audience worldwide, and the future of Power Rangers Dino Fury.

Deno grew up in Orlando, Florida, just a state away from the entertainment capital of the South. “Growing up in Orlando definitely had its perks because of all the [amusement]

parks,” she comments. “Universal was always my favorite

missing the character aspect of acting. Then I just decided to go for it and with every audition I found myself more drawn

to TV and film.” Deno loved the industry so deeply that she

even considered positions behind the scenes, so long as they let her experience the magic of making dreams come true.

“I always said if it didn’t work out … I would love to become a manager or agent because if I could make someone’s

dreams come true like I wanted mine too,” Hunter reveals.

“That would make me happy, especially if I get to represent

my friends one day. Nothing would bring me more joy than to see them succeed.”

because of the roller coasters!” But it wasn’t just coasters

Ultimately, Deno decided to give her dream its best chance.

hometown. Her proximity to Atlanta prompted a passion for

to LA for me was very nerve racking for so many reasons. At

and sunshine that the actress benefited from in her

30

different angles—such as modeling and acting—from a young

In 2019, the actress moved, alone, to Los Angeles. “Moving

,op T somBt & Belt: Andrea ahmyI Sequind obe:R OT Shoes: arhCles vidDa

the time, I had never lived anywhere else but home and I had

not mutually exclusive. “I’d say that Amelia and I are more

girls I met on Instagram and we immediately became best

and ambitious people. When we have something we put our

never had roommates,” Hunter notes. “I moved in with two

friends. I was very happy to not be alone or feel alone. I lived

in LA for a year without a car so I felt like that struggling actor who couldn’t afford to have one. But my lovely roommates

were so kind to let me borrow their cars sometimes, and then thank goodness for Uber!”

Now, two years later, Hunter is a Power Ranger. “Wow, that

similar than different,” Hunter notes. “We are both very caring minds to, we won’t stop until we achieve that. We also both see the good in everyone, everything, and every situation.

No matter what, we stay positive and push through to work

on whatever it is.” As far as differences go, Hunter admits, “I

personally am not obsessed with the paranormal, and I don’t think I would be as good of a journalist as Amelia.”

still feels so surreal,” the actress says of her new moniker.

While Hunter now wears the pink with pride, she originally

[Power Rangers] season, back in Atlanta the year before.

audition process, I thought I was auditioning to be the Yellow

“I remember auditioning for Beast Morphers, the previous

So I thought why not go for it again, and look. I did it. Crazy.”

Hunter plays Amelia Jones, a journalist who is deeply

passionate about the paranormal. Like the legacy of Pink

Rangers whose footsteps she follows in, Amelia shows young people around the world that femininity and strength are

thought that yellow would be more her color. “During the

Ranger,” Deno reveals. “So I wore yellow in every step of the process so they could really envision me as the character.

When I got the call, they told me I was the next Pink Power Ranger, and I instantly knew what big shoes I had to fill.”

Hunter credits the writers for the inspiring actions of her

31

Dres: omtsuC Es:ingar Bublea Bar Shoes: arhCles vidDa

32

,op T somBt & Belt: Andrea ahmyI Sequind obe:R OT Shoes: arhCles vidDa

33

character Amelia Jones. “They really believed in me taking on

Amelia because she takes charge when needed,” she says. “I won’t say too much in case you haven’t seen it, but episode eleven (now on Netflix) is a very important episode for my character and how a strong female character can take charge.”

Dino Fury, which filmed last year during the pandemic, was shot

over the course of many months in New Zealand. “Friendship was quite important for us during this process,” Hunter says. “Since we all traveled from the states during a pandemic, we just had

each other. We weren’t able to have any visitors or go home to see our family. But from the moment we met at the airport, we

knew we were one big family.” Contrary to the United States, Deno

explains, “New Zealand had no covid. Which means no restrictions.

Whenever there was a community case we would just have to

wear a mask and take the proper precautions. But any other day it felt quite normal. We were so fortunate to have such an open experience on set and to fully get to experience the country.”

The initial episodes of Power Rangers Dino Fury can currently be

found on Netflix, and, “Without giving too much away,” Deno says, “our show in particular is very unique. I keep saying that we are the season of firsts as we have many. Many that have not been

revealed yet as well. So make sure y’all stay tuned to see what I mean!”

Audiences are eager to see each upcoming episode, and have

been sharing bounds of love and positivity with the cast. “The love

and support we get from the fans is never ending. They make it all

feel real. It’s such an honor,” Hunter gushes. “My favorite comment has been ‘You’re going to be a lot of kids’ first crush.’ I think that’s

my favorite because it puts into perspective how young people start watching the show and how it makes an impact on their lives.”

Hunter, who started as a young dreamer in Orlando, and now wears the legendary suit of the Pink Power Ranger, advises, “If this is your goal and your dream, or whatever your goals are in life, just do it

with everything you got. Do your best and that’s all that matters. Be proud of the work you put in and never give up!”

Photographer: Heather Koepp Stylist: Haili Pue MUA: Tamieka Gardner

34

Dres: omtsuC Es:ingar Bublea Bar Shoes: arhCles vidDa

35

Dres: omtsuC Es:ingar Bublea Bar Shoes: arhCles vidDa

36

Dres: omtsuC Es:ingar Bublea Bar Shoes: arhCles vidDa

37

Jaylen Barron uimpstJ: Dolce Betias Shoes: Axalendrs by suiDar Es:ingar aKendr tSco acelt:rB isrI rends T 38

39

op: T tboaP tansP: aelichM elotCs Es:ingar aKendr tSco ecklNa: aKendr tSco Shoes: Bela Bel

40

op: T tboaP tansP: aelichM elotCs Es:ingar aKendr tSco ecklNa: aKendr tSco Shoes: Bela Bel

41

uimpstJ: adineN abierM Belt: adineN abierM ecklNa: aKendr tSco Shoes: Bela Bel

42

uimpstJ: adineN abierM Belt: adineN abierM ecklNa: aKendr tSco Shoes: Bela Bel

43

uimpstJ: adineN abierM Belt: adineN abierM ecklNa: aKendr tSco Shoes: Bela Bel

44

Jaylen Barron By: Olivia Vitarelli By: Ashley Oken There are layers to Jaylen Barron, 23, and she owns all of

comedian (she makes jokes throughout this conversation

the actress who takes on the role of determined, independent,

humor), and an advocate for women being able to wear what

them. Here are the parts that you may know about — she’s

and headstrong Trish on Starz series Blindspotting, a drama series that premiered in June 2021 and is based on the film

of the same name follows Ashley (Jasmine Cepha Jones) as she navigates life without her longtime partner Miles (Rafael

Casal), who’s currently incarcerated, and the challenges she faces when she and her son are forced to move in with her boyfriend’s mother, Rainey (Helen Hunt) and sister (Jaylen

Barron). She’s the small business owner who’s at the helm

of her own lashes company Boujaye Lashes. (Her character, Trish, is also a small business owner who turns her cam girl

upstart into a legitimate business.) She’s the dancer who was resolute and purposeful in her path to become an entertainer.

But her determination and will along with business ownership are where it ends regarding her common threads with her character.

There are also layers to her that you may not know about— she’s a believer in the power of manifestation, a low-key

and points me to her Instagram stories that showcase her they want, the latter of which she proves during a Zoom

conversation on a Tuesday afternoon with Rival LA Magazine, where the ubiquitous nature of catcalling is discussed among other things such as her connection to her character, Trish, and her path to being on the Starz hit show. Doing an

impression of a man catcalling her at a gas station without being able to see her face underneath her mask, she lets

out the “Excuse me, you’re beautiful!” that so many women, especially women of color, are used to hearing, following

that up with “What are you talking about? Get out of here.”

Getting into the hyper sexualization of Black women and

catcalling, she says,“ It’s just something that we deal with as Black women unfortunately. Hopefully we’re making moves to dismantle that. We look fly, we look great. We naturally

have these lips, these curves, this beautiful complexion and, I mean, we look good. Do not sexualize us. ” She adds “ I

wanna make it very clear that it’s not okay. Black women, we

should be able to wear the same thing as other races and not 45

be looked at in a different way, but unfortunately we do. No

representation on television meant everything to me. I really

she’s wearing so men don’t look at her {in} a certain way.

that show.” Thinking about her time on the show, she adds’

woman, regardless of her race, should have to monitor what Literally, wear what you want.”

She’s also a believer in the power of representation, saying of Blindspotting, a show on how a broken prison system affects

all of us, “ I’ve never seen this before on television, especially

representing the Black and brown community in a low-income neighborhood. I feel like it would really teach people who

don’t have that lifestyle ‘Hey, this is what happens. These

‘ Sometimes, I’m like ‘Oh, Zoey, you had it good, girl.’ Just riding horses and minding your own business, you know?’

There was some boy drama, but everything was fine in

the end.” Saying it was such a great experience, she’s “so

grateful for Netflix and the writers and producers of that show

to give me that opportunity to be able to represent that side of the world that we hadn’t seen yet.”

are the feelings and emotions that these people and we

Of her animation voiceover credits over the course of her

perspective and allow them to take a chance on a world that

I dress myself down, I’m gonna go get my bag where I can

go through.” She adds“ Maybe it’ll give people a different

they have no idea what it’s like to live in, so hopefully they’ll put themselves in other people’s shoes rather than judging from the outside and disregarding them as just nothing.”

With Blindspotting, she made the leap from voiceover actress in Netflix children’s shows such as Twelve Forever and Free Rein to a breakout role on Showtime’s Shameless and lead

in an adult drama series, carrying that duty to represent her culture all the way through and manifested her way there,

stating “I think that’s what helped me skyrocket. You have to be ready.” As Trish, she may leave you wondering why you

hadn’t known of her sooner, but she’s been readying herself for this moment-— Blindspotting stardom is only part of her

story and part of a dream that she’s been working towards for a long time.

Born in La Puenta, California to a Black father and Mexican mother and growing up in Southern California’s Inland

Empire, Barron began as a dancer , competing with her

performance art school dance squad to travel to different

states for various dance disciplines such as hip-hop, lyrical,

jazz, and competitive cheer. After acting in some productions at her local theater, she realized she wanted to act. She

began to appear on the Disney Channel Series Good Luck Charlie and Shake It Up before acting in dramas such as Shameless and Those Who Can’t and voicing Esther in

Netflix animated series Twelve Forever and starring as Zoe

in Free Rein as the first American person of color and Black

equestrian to be the lead in a Netflix Children’s series, which

career, she says “Along with also looking very young when get my bag.I’m not opposed to being sixteen years old on TV, it’s not a problem with me.” Representation is a driving factor for Barron, confidently stating “ I’m very driven to do things that people haven’t done before or haven’t done enough

of. So, representation, especially to the Black and hispanic

community and showing them that ‘Look, your girl is Mexican

and Black and I’m taking that role on. Here I am representing my culture. Being the first of anything or if there’s not enough of that, I’m always down to do it.”

But the success of her work on Free Rein did not

automatically lead to other jobs, making the actress lean on her determination and ability to persevere.

Sitting down in a tan tank top and donning light makeup, the cover star of Rival LA Magazine goes from effusive, open, and funny to slightly serious when discussing her journey to booking the hit Starz series after Free Rein and how

manifestation led her to where she is today. “I have a story if you have time or if you wanna hear it”, she starts, her voice lowering a bit. She begins “So a couple of years ago, I was

going through a very hard time after Free Rein and I felt like it was very difficult for me to book jobs and stuff like that. I had

gained a lot of weight and I just didn’t feel happy with myself.”

After journaling frequently and manifesting things that made

her happy, she started to go to the gym and work out, saying “I lost weight and I started feeling better about myself and that’s just for me, not for anybody else.”

During this period, Barron’s mother sent her a Youtube

won a Free Rein’s Emmy for Outstanding Children’s or Family

video of comedian Steve Harvey stating “I don’t know a

Image Award for Outstanding Children’s Program.

and he instructed viewers to write down 300 things that they

Viewing Series. They were also nominated for an NAACP

The experience of portraying Zoe on Free Rein was “so

much fun” for Barron and is one that she misses, elaborating “I mean, being able to have that opportunity and represent young Black girls who ride horses, who didn’t get that

46

wish we could do a Season 4. I’d definitely go back to doing

millionaire who doesn’t write things down that they want.”

wanted to accomplish in the next year. Barron got to work

and ended up writing about 230 things she wanted, with the items ranging in size and importance. “It was something as

small as ‘I want peace everyday’ and it could be something insignificant or something super significant.”

Dres: Andres aAtcos Shoes: Bela Bel Es:ingar Stsyli ’ own

There was one item on that list that changed her life. “I

remember writing down that I wanted to be on a HBO or

Starz TV show for adults and I was like ‘I need this. I know

this is for me. Starz network, HBO, I’m gonna land something within that realm, an adult TV show I’ve never been able to

be a lead on or part of like that.” She expanded on this idea

after jotting it down and said “I wanna be on a billboard”., and when I sat and meditated, I could see myself on a billboard.”

She told her boyfriend, who she called ``her biggest fan” and “believes in her 100 percent’’ by saying ‘I’m picturing myself

on a billboard, but I’m picturing 4 or 5 other people with me.

Barron to “be on that kind of set with that kind of energy and

the level of seriousness that these actors put into their craft.”

The sets of both shows are very similar to her in energy and operation. Of working with William H.Macy and the rest of

cast, Barron says she “didn’t understand the significance of it because she was so young” and she “wasn’t mature enough

to absorb their energy and ask them specific questions” which she would do if she got another chance, which she believes will come one day “at some kind of Oscar party or Emmy

party where I’m just chit chatting with them and we’re going toe-to-toe for something. “

I can see it. I’m gonna be up there.” to which he said “Oh,

Like her other projects, filming Blindspotting was “fulfilling”

down, she booked Blindspotting eight months later. She

the industry represents people who have had those

tight.” and didn’t doubt her for a second. After she wrote that says that she did the work outside of manifesting it by “going to class, auditioning, and working on herself and who she wanted to be.”

However, Barron feels as if her time on Showtime series

Shameless truly prepared her for Blindspotting. Her time on the set was a learning experience on “memorizing her lines and watching them break things down” and it was fun for

for Barron, because she “feels like it’s about time that

circumstances in life.” She was “really passionate about it”

because she’s dealt with similar circumstances to Rainey and Trish. “I’ve seen it first hand and I’ve lived it first hand, so I

feel very connected to the story. She also loves the “power” with which the writers wrote her role of Trish ,who’s a sex

worker “who owns her body and she respects women and

allows the girls who work for her to choose what they wanna do.” “She’s not this sexy being all the time that has all of this

47

48

uimpstJ: adineN abierM Belt: adineN abierM ecklNa: aKendr tSco Shoes: Bela Bel 49

uimpstJ: adineN abierM Belt: adineN abierM ecklNa: aKendr tSco Shoes: Bela Bel

50

uimpstJ: adineN abierM Belt: adineN abierM ecklNa: aKendr tSco Shoes: Bela Bel

51

uimpstJ: adineN abierM Belt: adineN abierM ecklNa: aKendr tSco Shoes: Bela Bel 52

confidence ; she’s a real woman at the end of the day with

you want to accomplish within even the next week”, and to

was important to Barron regarding flipping stereotypes of sex

a pandemic, she says if you’re able to do it to “put on a nice

insecurities and she has different dimensions to her.” This workers on television. “I feel like sometimes on television, they portray these sex workers as they’re on all the time

and that’s not true. There are times when strippers don’t

want to go on stage. They’re not like that all the time and it’s crazy to me that people have this version of strippers where they’ll steal your man and blah, blah, blah. They’re there for

take yourself on dates. Knowing that it’s hard to do this during dress, do your hair in your way of styling it or dye it, cut it, ,

and exercise, so that way when you’re at the gym, you can release endorphins and serotonin and you’re feeling high

vibes.” She says “when you see your manifestations coming into fruition, it really makes you feel invincible.”

their money and that’s it. At the end of the day, it’s the same

The idea for Barron’s small business “Boujaye Lashes”—

something cute and be on stage and she’s dancing, you

ever calls me Jaylen, it’s only Jay or JJ.”) and being called

type of job that a lawyer’s doing, except she gets to wear

know?’ For Barron sex workers are “empowered” and “have rights to their own body, and as long as they’re not causing

harm to themselves and other people, if that’s what they want to do, that’s their business.”

As for the dynamics that Rainey (Helen Hunt) has with Trish and Ashley, Barron loves that Rainey “is so open with her

children, her sexuality, and her hippie-ness, and how raw and real that mother-daughter relationship is.” Seeing mother-

daughter relationships as sometimes more important than a

the name coming from a combination of her name (“nobody “boujee” her whole life— came to her in between bookings after thinking that she needed to come up with something

that was going to take up her time. After coming up with the “cute name for a little brandy-brand” , she reached out to

different lash companies, got some lashes and “named them

after things I’ve worked for and that inspire me.” She’s hoping to incorporate other products such as “skincare products, a

cleansing oil, a nighttime and daytime moisturizer, exfoliant, and definitely a Shea body butter” and grow the business.

father-daughter relationship, a mother “ raises you and molds

When asked about her social media presence and what she

a father figure, she believes that Rainey’s free spirit influence

even keep it up?” Even with 355K followers, she forgets she

you into the woman you are today.” Clarifying that we all need on Trish has made her non judgmental and she “loved their dynamic.” She’s dealt with something similar to Trish and

Ashley’s relationship, which is ‘very sisterly” in the way of

butting heads at times and still loving each other, describing

it as “I will not get you a cup of water, but you can have one of my kidneys.” Regarding her hopes for Trish next season, Barron says the character “hopefully grows into herself and

hopefully she gets the money that she needs because we all wanna see our queens get some paper.”

To help with her own confidence now, she writes in her

journal and makes a list on her “ideal million dollar home”

that she wants to own one day, writing down specifics such

as “what kind of car I’ll have, what the carpet looks like, and what my couch looks like”, saying that this ritual “makes me

does to keep it up, Barron scoffs and replies “Honestly, do I has the app and posts what she wants, not thinking about it too hard saying “It’s just social media at the end of the

day and it’s not really real, so I really use my social media for work… I don’t think about it too much and I don’t think

anyone should unless you’re really trying to be this strategic influencer in that way.” Elaborating on this, she says she

wouldn’t even consider herself an influencer, saying that “For

some people that’s their whole lives and kudos to them, that’s

a tough job. I don’t know if I’d be able to hold it down that way because I get so flustered with it.” Instead she sees herself

as an actress who has social media, saying “I’m gonna post

my art and then I’m gonna go.” Jaylen Barron owns all of her layers and she’s totally fine with all of them. “I’m gonna post

who I am and if they don’t like it, that’s their problem and it’s not really mine. It’s just Instagram.”

fall in love with myself because it makes me feel extremely powerful because i really believe it. It’s on paper. It’s like a

contract with myself.” Barron believes confidence starts with

your inner spirit. Her advice for others who are having trouble with self-love and believing in themselves is “dating yourself

Photographer: Heather Koepp Stylist: Haili Pue

and falling in love with yourself.” She advises to “Look at

Hair: Kasie Herring

“close your eyes, imagine a 5 year old you, and give them a

MUA: Hendra Nasril

yourself in the morning and tell yourself ‘I love you’”, to

hug and tell them all the things that you love about you” when meditating, manifest in your journal and “write down things

53

Dres: Andres aAtcos Shoes: Bela Bel Es:ingar Stsyli ’ own

54

Dres: Andres aAtcos Shoes: Bela Bel Es:ingar Stsyli ’ own

55

uimpstJ: Dolce Betias Shoes: Axalendrs by suiDar Es:ingar aKendr tSco acelt:rB isrI rends T

56

uimpstJ: Dolce Betias Shoes: Axalendrs by suiDar Es:ingar aKendr tSco acelt:rB isrI rends T

57

uiSt: T IALE Shoes: tasNyGl Es:ingar Bublea Bar

58

uiSt: T IALE Shoes: tasNyGl Es:ingar Bublea Bar

59

uiSt: T IALE Shoes: tasNyGl Es:ingar Bublea Bar

60

uiSt: T IALE Shoes: tasNyGl Es:ingar Bublea Bar

61

62

uiSt: T IALE Shoes: tasNyGl Es:ingar Bublea Bar 63

64

y r d n La Bender p: To NELFA irSkt: NELFA Earings: omCust yb elanch V Bots: KTO yb Charles vidDa

65

op: T Dolce aGnb tansP: Dolce aGnb Shoes: arhCles vidDa ingR: aisrhM acelt:rB aKendr tSco Es:ingar isrI rends T 66

op: T Dolce aGnb tansP: Dolce aGnb Shoes: arhCles vidDa ingR: aisrhM acelt:rB aKendr tSco Es:ingar isrI rends T

67

op: T Dolce aGnb tansP: Dolce aGnb Shoes: arhCles vidDa ingR: aisrhM acelt:rB aKendr tSco Es:ingar isrI rends T

68

op: T OT Shor ts: OT Es:ingar tasNyGl Shoes: arhCles vidDa ingR: isrI rends T

69

Landry Bender By: Olivia Vitarelli

By: Ashley Vitarelli

Evolution. A word with many different meanings and countless scientific definitions, each more complicated and confounding than the last. To have a more concise understanding of the word, perhaps it is easier to use an example. Take Landry Bender, the incredibly talented actress, screenwriter, and activist whose career embodies the word evolution. Her

monumental experiences require no introduction, including everything from leading a 20th Century Fox feature and 70

being a Disney Channel star, to appearing in Netflix’s Fuller

House, lending her talents to Hulu’s Looking for Alaska, and

starring in the all-new mega-hit show The Republic of Sarah.

Landry Bender is the past, present, and future of Hollywood, with her skilled performances spanning over a decade and

showing no signs of slowing down. Indeed, Bender’s career demonstrates the dictionary definition of evolution — and

Landry Bender herself is the dictionary definition of a star.

op: T OT Shor ts: OT Es:ingar tasNyGl Shoes: arhCles vidDa ingR: isrI rends T

“I was so lucky to have a really fun and adventurous

LA,” she explains. “I actually think that as much fun as I had

and my parents were always really great at exposing me

work mode and saw it as a profession. I’m the kind of person

childhood,” Bender reflects. “I grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona to a ton of different activities — sports, piano lessons, and community theatre.” From there, it did not take long for

Bender to find her calling. “I ended up being very drawn to

the idea of entertaining people at around the age of four,” she

says. “I remember seeing The Rockettes with my family when I was three, and I was so entranced with the performances

that I fell asleep because I was overstimulated by what I was seeing. The second time when I was four, my mom took me

to see Annie and I was jealous about the girls being onstage

while I was stuck in the audience watching. That lead me into

trying musical theatre and here we are now. I don’t think there

on set as a kid, there was always something in me that was in who can’t push all the way through with something unless I’m all in.” Indeed, once Bender had a taste of acting, it became apparent to her that being a part of that world was all she wanted to do. “There’s a great quote from Amy Poehler’s

autobiography that I reference a lot where she talks about

how people always ask her ‘If you saw your adult-self as a kid would you believe that you’ve gotten to this point?’ And she

answers yes. I feel that way too. If I hadn’t known as a young kid that I wanted to do this for the rest of my life I probably wouldn’t have even started.”

was ever a time I wanted to do anything else.”

Naturally, once Bender was started, she immediately proved

As soon as Bender had found her passion, she wasted no

Blithe in The Sitter alongside Jonah Hill and an all-star

time in working to make her dreams a reality. “I was five

when I did community theatre, seven or eight when I did local commercials in Arizona, and nine when I started working in

herself as a promising new talent. At age ten, she portrayed cast. “It was such a rush,” Bender says of booking the role.

“I remember when I booked it my dad picked me up from

5th grade at my public school in LA and swung me around 71

screaming YOU GOT IT! Three days later my mom and I flew

transition that everyone goes through.”

such a dream. Everyone on that set was so wonderful and

As complicated as the transition undeniably is, Landry Bender

every set to that standard as far as an amazing atmosphere

star to serious actress on countless adored streaming shows.

to NY and lived in Manhattan for three and a half months — had so much respect for me. I think I subconsciously hold and camaraderie goes. I hold those memories so close.”

In addition to The Sitter providing Bender with fond

memories, her performance itself also proved memorable to

one notable television channel in particular: Disney Channel.

The iconic network was the first industry home for stars like

Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, and Zendaya; and at the age of 14, Bender found herself joining that roster. Disney Channel

cast Bender in the headlining role of Cyd Ripley in their series Best Friends Whenever. “I think the interesting thing about

that show is the responsibility of having to be at the top of the

“For me personally, I idolized shows like Hannah Montana and movies like High School Musical when I was little and

always saw myself in those actors. I was really lucky to be

able to live out that dream,” she says of her time on Disney

Channel. “But I knew when I started acting that Disney wasn’t my end goal. I always wanted to be an actor for the rest of

my life, instead of a Disney kid for a few years. I was lucky enough to have parents that were able to understand that

which helped immensely. I think as long as that’s your outlook going into the industry, it makes the transition easier.”

call sheet at 14/15 years old and the learning curve of that,”

Bender’s first role of the more serious variety came in the

those writers and spend a lot of time in video village and the

“That experience was the epitome of a summer camp,”

Bender says. “I was lucky enough to be really close with

writers room with them. My whole career I have always had

an interest in writing, producing, and directing as well. It was so nice to feel respected enough to share ideas and learn

about parts of the industry that not only actors don’t get to experience, but actors of that age, too.”

Bender’s mature reflection on her experiences with the

Disney shows Best Friends Whenever and Crash & Bernstein demonstrate her astute wisdom on the industry and her

powerful perspectives on the world outside of it. “I grew up on those shows working with a lot of ensemble casts and learned how everyone is so incredibly different,” Bender shares. “Today, some are still actors, some aren’t acting

anymore, everyone has incredibly different family lives, and

come from different parts of the world. I think as you grow up you start to realize how different people’s backgrounds can

be, yet you’re all brought together to make the same thing, it’s really eye opening.”

2019 critically acclaimed Hulu miniseries Looking for Alaska.

Bender says of filming the show. “We were a bunch of

college-aged kids living in the suburbs of Louisiana for five months in the summer.” Furthermore, Bender’s portrayal

of Sara on Looking for Alaska can best be described as a

master class in performance, something that the creators of the show noticed right away. Upon auditioning for the role,

the part of Sara was immediately expanded in the series after executives saw Bender’s portrayal of her. “That was one of those kismet audition experiences where I had read for the casting director Patrick Rush for a dozen different projects

since I was about 14, ended up reading for all the girl roles

in Alaska, and Sara was the one that stuck,” Bender shares.

“After I chemistry read with Denny Love they decided to

rewrite and add more for her as a character, which was really exciting for me. I had been a John Green fan for a while, and that mini-series was one of those things that had been in the

works for over ten years. I knew so many people that read for it, so I was stoked to be a part of it when it finally got made.”

For many creatives, Disney Channel is the goal. It is the big

Beyond Looking for Alaska, Bender also lent her talents to

become a household name. Bender had done it all, leaving

was such a dream,” she said of joining the series. “I watched

break, the place to become a star, a destination for talent to only one question remaining: what next? Historically, there

has appeared to be a social stigma around Disney Channel

stars and how they transition to new projects after their time

on the network has ended, a concept that Bender has a keen awareness of. “I think there’s a lot of reasons that stigma sort of came about,” she explains. “First off, if you think about

it, you are talking about kids who are 15-18 years old who are not only trying to transition in their careers but in their

lives. These are young people who have no clue who they

are or what their place in the world is. That’s a complicated

72

made it look easy, evolving gracefully from Disney Channel

Netflix’s Fuller House, portraying Rocki, Gia’s daughter. “That so many reruns of Full House on Nick at Nite when I was

growing up and watched Fuller House before I was on it too.

I’m a sucker for working on a multi-cam show and the energy of that live audience specifically is insane. They adore the

show so much and that feeling of getting a laugh is unreal. I

felt so welcomed when I joined that show. That cast and crew is another that I love so much, they’re the best people.”

Most recently, Bender can be seen in her best role yet,

portraying Bella on the hit show The Republic of Sarah.

op: T OT Shor ts: OT Es:ingar tasNyGl Shoes: arhCles vidDa ingR: isrI rends T

73

74

op: T OT Shor ts: OT Es:ingar tasNyGl Shoes: arhCles vidDa ingR: isrI rends T 75

Dres: ahsDrenu Xarh Es:ingar isrI rends T Shoes: arhCles vidDa ingR: ySh Siren

76

“When we meet Bella she is the mayor in town’s daughter

Palm and Central Productions. “I finished writing my first full

and preppy but also introverted and anxiety ridden. She’s

it as we speak, which is a really fulfilling experience,” she

and one of Sarah’s students,” Bender explains. “She’s sweet going through an internal battle of whether she should go

down the route of what her conservative father expects from her, or forming her own opinions, being an advocate, and

helping Sarah to build the country.” Bender’s performance of Bella is captivating, as she masterfully portrays her

character’s duality. “My favorite thing about Bella is she

represents what so many teenagers go through as they’re

trying to differentiate who they are versus who other people want them to be,” Bender shares. “When we first meet her,

she’s so anxious and afraid to step outside of her privileged

bubble, but by the end of the season we really see her come into her own and advocate for what she believes in. It was a fun journey to get to depict throughout the season.”

Perhaps fittingly, while The Republic of Sarah deals with

characters navigating the reality of a new country, the show was being filmed during a time when the world was dealing with a new reality. The pandemic completely disrupted all

facets of the world, including production of The Republic of Sarah and how specific scenes were filmed — something

that Bender got to learn firsthand. “The complications with our set had to do with the Quebec government being the

most strict out of the provinces in Canada,” Bender says.

“When we got out of quarantine and got started on filming the pilot episode, we started work on testing different ways we

could do intimate scenes because I was the only actor who

had kissing scenes in the pilot episode. For the first scene, I

wasn’t in the same bubble as the actor I was working with so

we had mannequins and body doubles — who were a real life couple — that kissed for us. For the second scene it was with my love interest for the rest of the season, so we could be in closer contact and that’s when we used the plexiglass which

was so awkward and messy but with a little CGI they made it look believable.”

Despite the unconventional filming methods of The Republic

of Sarah, the cast was still able to get close with one another.

“The biggest takeaway for me personally while filming this show was how incredible it can be to get to bond with an

ensemble cast like we did,” Bender shares. “That isn’t always the case, and the pandemic was obviously such a strenuous and stressful time, but our cast was so lucky to be able to

have each other. There was so much love and camaraderie all around and we were very lucky to have that.”

In addition to being a powerhouse in front of the camera, Bender’s skill and prowess also extends to behind the

camera, with writing scripts for her production company

screenplay during the pandemic last year and am pitching

explains. “It’s been a daunting thing to now shift into another space of the industry after having my work identity be as

an actor for over half of my life. I had always seen myself

expanding into other areas and didn’t know when that time

would come. It was important to me to experiment with writing coming-of-age stories as a person legitimately coming of

age. So often it can be a 50 year old man writing from the perspective of a 15 year old girl, which always makes me laugh. Many of the themes that I have been writing about

are things I’ve firsthand experienced. The scary obstacles of

growing up and transitioning into adulthood are so fresh in my mind and I’m hopeful that came across in the screenplay.”

When she was not writing, Bender spent much of her

time in quarantine doing plenty of baking, binge-watching, and brining attention to movements and topics that she is

passionate about. “I played my guitar, watched a lot of Billy on the Street and Nathan for You, baked brownies, wrote a lot, got really good at Rummy, took bubble baths, and

cried a lot. What a strange time.” As for using her platform, Bender routinely promotes things that are important to her

on her Instagram page with 1.2 million followers. “This year has been so groundbreaking and that’s a huge reason I’ve

been really grateful to have a platform,” she says. “Between being able to share what I’ve learned from educating myself on systemic racism and my privilege in ways that I was

never exposed to, being a first time voter, and prioritizing the importance of health during this pandemic, I learned a lot

and I felt like it was so important to be able to share those things to anyone who was looking at my social media. It’s

really exciting to be a part of a generation who legitimately

has the ability to both research and make change right at our fingertips and I hope this is just the start of that.”

Landry Bender is an inspiration to people all over the world, constantly empowering others with both her performances on screen and who she is off screen. Similarly, Bender is

inspired by a variety of people herself. “Personally I’m really inspired by my parents,” she reflects. “I’m an only child and am really lucky to be super close with them. I’ve learned

everything in my life from them, they’re really ambitious and

strong and have sacrificed so much for me.” She continues, citing many creatives who inspire her professionally. “I love Audrey Hepburn, Wes Anderson, John Hughes, Emma

Stone, Judd Apatow, Florence Pugh, Julie Andrews, Jordan Peele, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Neil Patrick Harris, Elizabeth

Banks, and Will Ferrell,” she shares. “What motivates me is wanting to constantly top myself. The only person I have to

77

compete with is myself which is a blessing and such a curse.”

Bender shares. “I am someone who to a fault, is never

Reflecting on her exceptional career so far, Bender has

is something I’m trying to work on. I’m also in no place in my

exciting plans for the future and sage perspectives on her

past. “It can be such a rollercoaster,” she says of the industry.

“The highs are so high and the lows are so low. You have to

remember that when you’re on a roll with work, there will be a time when you’re wondering when you’re going to work again and vice versa. It’s all a real test of perseverance but it’s

so rewarding once things pick back up again. When people ask ‘what are you working on?’ It always makes me laugh

satisfied and I hold myself to an impossible standard which

career to be extremely picky, but I think as long as I’m having new creative experiences and switching things up as much as possible with my work I feel closer to being fulfilled. It’s

funny too, because whenever I wrap a project that’s dramatic, I want to immediately work on a sitcom and vice versa. I think I like to flip-flop back and forth just to prove to myself that I can do it.”

because the real work is always the months of a hundred

Landry Bender does just that — proving time and time

a fun city for the project you’ve finally booked.” As for what is

From Disney Channel star, to playing serious and intense

strenuous self-tapes, not the 6:00 AM pick-up on location in

next for Bender, “the rest of the first season of The Republic of Sarah is airing throughout the summer,” she shares. “I’m

hoping my script finds a home soon, and some other things are going on that I’m going to be hush-hush about. The

coolest thing in the world for me is to be able to read a script and feel a hundred different emotions and to be then trusted to play that character. So I’m hopeful there’s some of that to

come soon. I love getting to learn and grow from experiences on set creatively and personally and am excited to continue to come into my own while getting to do what I love.”

When asked what advice she would share with an aspiring actor who is just starting out in the industry and hoping to have a career similar to hers, Bender responds candidly.

“The funny thing is, my actor friends and I always talk about how impossible of a question this is,” she admits. “None of

us have any idea how to answer it because this business is

never a ‘step by step’ on how to succeed. Most of us still feel like we haven’t succeeded. I don’t think you ever get to that point. But I’d start out by saying that unless you look at this business like you’re some sort of athlete, things won’t pan

again that she is a powerhouse creator that can do it all.

roles, to being a guinea pig for intimacy scenes during the

pandemic, she is an unstoppable force in the industry who

is constantly growing and evolving. “For most of my career I

was a kid who loved performing and running around on set,”

Bender reflects. “But I think once I got to be around 17, I had to realize what the industry really meant to me in multiple

ways in order to not only keep a momentum of working but also have an interest in what I was doing creatively. I think

what I’ve come to learn recently — especially looking back at this last year — is that every single person in the world has a favorite movie or TV show. Everyone needs an escape,

needs to be comforted, watches something that opens up

their minds and gives them a new perspective. To be able to

spend my life making and being a part of things that are that

eye-opener or escape for other people is unlike any job in the world. I remember being in my community theatre in Arizona when I was a kid, and before every performance the owner

of the theatre used to say, ‘You’re giving the audience a gift

tonight.’ I hope I can spend my life giving those gifts to people because it’s so fulfilling.”

out like you want them to. It’s harsh, and anxiety provoking, and can be really lonely. If you get past all that and still find

yourself pining for it, I’d say to pinpoint a part of the industry you’d like to go after that’s attainable and build from there,

college classes, community theatre, local auditions.” Bender ends by sharing what she would tell her former and future

self. “As far as what I’d tell my younger self, I’d tell her it’s not

her job to please people,” Bender says. “And I’d tell my future self that I hope she keeps reminding herself to give herself a break.”

Landry Bender’s talent as a creative speaks for itself.

From her screenwriting and activism to her compelling

performances on screen, her star shines bright and is evergrowing and evolving. “To me, creative evolution means to constantly be challenging yourself as much as possible,”

78

Photographer: Heather Koepp Stylist: Hailie Pue Hair: Erik Garcia MAU: Christina Barras

op: T NELFA irSkt: NELFA Earings: omCust yb elanch V Bots: KTO yb Charles vidDa

79

op: T NELFA irSkt: NELFA Earings: omCust yb elanch V Bots: KTO yb Charles vidDa

80

op: T NELFA irSkt: NELFA Earings: omCust yb elanch V Bots: KTO yb Charles vidDa

81

op: T Dolce aGnb tansP: Dolce aGnb Shoes: arhCles vidDa ingR: aisrhM acelt:rB aKendr tSco Es:ingar isrI rends T

82

83

Es:ingar ebdonH eblinR sDigne eckla:N isrI rends T Capelt: OT :chta W KacinoM chesta W Skirt: H&M Shoes: Byadgle chkaisM 84

e n i l o Car Arapoglou

85

Dres: antKf and:ebH aAdib Eingar & Eingar uC : St’ysli Own tBs:o reF Lance

86

Dres: antKf and:ebH aAdib Eingar & Eingar uC : St’ysli Own tBs:o reF Lance

87

Es:ingar ebdonH eblinR sDigne eckla:N isrI rends T Capelt: OT :chta W KacinoM chesta W Skirt: H&M Shoes: Byadgle chkaisM

88

Es:ingar ebdonH eblinR sDigne eckla:N isrI rends T Capelt: OT :chta W KacinoM chesta W Skirt: H&M Shoes: Byadgle chkaisM

89

e n i l o r a C Arapoglou By: Olivia Vitarelli

She eagerly anticipated the rise of the curtain: once it shot

and swimming. Our plays had full costumes and we always

and the internal strike of lightning that would inspire a

to our parents and use my grandparents’ kitchen to sell

upwards, there would be nothing between her, the audience, lifetime of storytelling ahead. Actress Caroline Arapoglou first discovered her dream career that fateful day, as she graced

concessions…it was a blast.”

the stage in Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. “I was absolutely

The actress acknowledges her dance background, which

the lights hit her face. “I felt like I got struck by lightning”.

process, as an essential catalyst to her love of storytelling.

floored by the feeling,” she explains, describing the moment Since then, acting became an unshakable ambition that

showed no intent of fading. Caroline portrays Rose Cameron, North Carolina’s favorite crime-condoning stepmom, in

season two of Netflix’s blockbuster hit Outer Banks, set

to release on July 31st. Here, she chats with Rival about

her upbringing in Illinois, the duty of an actor to defend the

defenseless, and her implacable passion for the ocean’s most controversial characters—sharks.

Caroline grew up in Sherman, Illinois, just outside of

Springfield. “I feel so lucky to have grown up around a lot

of my family,” she says. “I always had cousins around and I

just remember constantly playing dress-up, putting on plays at my grandparents, and running around playing softball 90

had one of the older cousins directing. We would sell tickets

taught her from an early age the fickle realities of the casting “I loved the drama and figuring out how you could tell the

story with only your body and the music,” she explains. “The Nutcracker was the perfect crash course in learning how

casting works and maneuvering the highs and lows of the role you wanted versus the role you got. One year you’re dancing

in the party scene in Act One in a gorgeous costume, and the next you have on face paint and are standing with a plastic gun in the back of the battle scene! It’s really no different

now…you have great stretches of excitement and work and

then you have stretches that are slower…I think it’s important to remember to enjoy the moments of the up because it can always swing back down! And vice versa. That’s the thrill

of it.” In a practical sense, Caroline reveals, “…my dance

training led me to musical theater, which is where I made

op: T edakN ardobe W ts:anP God Aicanmer Shoes: Calvin K lein s:ingR ebdonH eblinR sDigne & reF eoplP inaltI eckla:N Serfain earlP eckla:N hroplgieAtn acelt:rB aKendr tSco

91

op: T edakN ardobe W ts:anP God Aicanmer Shoes: Calvin K lein s:ingR ebdonH eblinR sDigne & reF eoplP inaltI eckla:N Serfain earlP eckla:N hroplgieAtn acelt:rB aKendr tSco

92

my first paychecks as an actor. I did a lot of years dancing

as someone who has probably been underestimated in her

as I found confidence as an actor. Dance really was the

and calculated at times. She is incredibly loyal, for better or

in the chorus (which I loved!) and then worked my way up foundation of so much of my career.”

After graduating from Kennesaw State University in Georgia, Caroline began to pursue acting professionally. “I really

lucked out that I was graduating college when the industry in Atlanta was booming,” she says. “I like to think I would have figured it out anywhere, but being in Atlanta and starting

working right out of school definitely solidified that not only

was this what I wanted to do, but it was possible to make a career out of it.” In 2016, Arapoglou debuted on television

in Donald Glover’s Atlanta. “I feel like it really opened a lot

of doors for me professionally,” the actress says of her role

on the series. “I had no TV reel at the time…once I did that

show, those scenes were my entire reel…To this day casting

directors are excited to talk about that show…I’m so proud to have been on it.”

Four years following her small screen debut, Caroline found

her way onto another hit show: Netflix’s Outer Banks. “I loved

the scripts right off the bat,” she reveals. “I had a sense when we were filming that it was special. I would get to peek at

dailies and I thought the show looked like nothing I had seen before. We were also just having so much fun. I know other cast members have said this, but it really felt like summer

camp. I had an inkling people would love it…but you never

know how something will be received, so I tried to temper my expectations. Once it was out and it started doing so well I was like ‘Okay, I wasn’t crazy. This show is great!’”

As the show grew more well-known and beloved across widespread audiences, season two became, simply, “a

different ballgame”. Caroline explains, “We had so many fans

coming to set and lining up to say hi or to try to watch scenes.

It was night and day from season one! It’s really special to be a part of something people get so excited about. She

continues, “Another major difference this season was that we

had to be a lot more careful about spoilers and what we were able to share. There were times I’d be talking to my family

and I’d be like ‘I’m just now leaving set…the day ran a little long because…oh wait I can’t say that!’ No one wants the show [to be] spoiled for them!”

Caroline plays Rose Cameron, wife to Outer Banks crime

lord Ward (Charles Esten), mother to a jolly trio of Kooks, the elite and wealthy island inhabitants (Drew Starkey, Madelyn Cline, Julia Antonelli), and wearer of extravagant crowns

(some lavish designer, of course!). “She’s just an exemplary mother and wife and really the moral compass of the entire

show,” Arapoglou jokes, sarcasm in full force. “I think of Rose

life and uses that to her advantage. She is strong and smart for worse. She is the definition of ride or die. It’s exciting to play someone that is messy and makes mistakes.” As an

actor, Caroline defines it as her very job to “get into [Rose’s] headspace and justify her decisions and actions. I catch

myself defending her in conversation when she can be pretty indefensible. I can’t help it—I love her!”

Rose, who might seem irredeemable to some, comes from a gritty background that might surprise fans of the show. “One

of the first things I learned about Rose from our writers is that she grew up on the Cut,” also known as the working-class

sector of the Outer Banks. “She did not grow up in wealth… so now that she has it…what will she do to hang on to it?

I think knowing about her upbringing is really important in understanding the bond Rose has with Ward. They both

fought for what they have and together they will fight to keep it.”

While Caroline is eager to share a surplus of behind-the-

scenes tales, an oath to secrecy has given way to her more

taciturn temperament. “I can’t say much,” she comments. “I’ll say that I am very excited and I can’t wait for everyone to

see the season!” The actress proceeds to generously share a spoiler-free anecdote. “I got to film a lot with Maddie and

Drew this season,” she reveals. “I remember filming a really intense scene with Drew and I think it was late at night…

everyone was super tired. We are filming this tough scene

and we both had White Christmas stuck in our heads. So we would go from screaming at each other to deliriously singing ‘the best things happen while you’re dancing’ in-between takes.”

From a young age, Caroline’s passions pointed to a career

in entertainment. But one outlying interest might suggest an altogether different career path. The passion in question?

Her undying obsession with sharks. “I have no idea where it came from,” she says. “I used to keep a journal when I was little and I wrote on the front ‘Shark Facts’…this was before DVR’s so when a shark show was on I would sit in front of

the TV and scribble down notes. I think I’ve just always had

so much awe and respect for them. It’s not necessarily a fear, it’s knowing that when you’re in the ocean you’re in someone else’s home.” Caroline continues, “Sharks can be portrayed as the villain in media, and certainly, there are human

encounters with sharks that are tragic, but if you watch some

of the documentaries on shark finning and shark culls…it’s so wildly grotesque, you see that they need protection from us

as much as we need it from them. I was actually at the beach earlier this summer and I put my chair down. Right as I did, a tiger shark swam by along the shore. It was a really magical

moment…the timing was crazy. I ran along the shore taking a

93

op: T edakN ardobe W ts:anP God Aicanmer Shoes: Calvin K lein s:ingR ebdonH eblinR sDigne & reF eoplP inaltI eckla:N Serfain earlP eckla:N hroplgieAtn acelt:rB aKendr tSco

94

op: T edakN ardobe W ts:anP God Aicanmer Shoes: Calvin K lein s:ingR ebdonH eblinR sDigne & reF eoplP inaltI eckla:N Serfain earlP eckla:N hroplgieAtn acelt:rB aKendr tSco

video and crying. I’m sure I looked insane. Maybe if I weren’t

golden ticket! Keep it for as long as you can!”

Since acting seems to have won out over biology for the time

of all ages will hear. “…Please, please, get vaccinated,”

an actor I would have done something in marine biology…”

being, Caroline offers a piece of parting wisdom for those also in pursuit of a life on screen. “My advice for aspiring actors is to make sure you really love acting. The flashier parts of the

career (like this interview and the photos that accompany it!)

can be fun, but if you don’t love the actual work you probably aren’t going to be very happy on set for sixteen hours. Also,

In closing, Caroline shares a message that she hopes people she says. It’s critical to your safety and those around you! If Rose Cameron—conniving queen of Figure Eight—can get vaccinated, it must be kooky important.

Photographer: Heather Koepp

practically speaking, understand that having another job or a

Stylist: Haili Pue

I was first starting, and even after I had been doing it for a

Hair: Teddi Prior

side hustle makes you no less of an actor or an artist. When while, I had all kinds of odd jobs that I would take to fill in

the gaps. If you find a job that pays you fairly and is flexible

MUA: Hendra Nasril

and lets you leave for auditions and work…that is literally the 95

Ramon a g n u o y

op: T Ailpr & Axle ts:anP Vince Shoes: Bela Bel eckla:N onaisM irem Es:ingar 8osonherat Belt: ueladky 96

97

op: T Ailpr & Axle ts:anP Vince Shoes: Bela Bel eckla:N onaisM irem Es:ingar 8osonherat Belt: ueladky

98

op: T Ailpr & Axle ts:anP Vince Shoes: Bela Bel eckla:N onaisM irem Es:ingar 8osonherat Belt: ueladky

99

op: T ueladky et:ackJ Zar Skirt: ionkar Shoes: aer V ang W eckla:N kisvaroSw Es:ingar kisvaroSw ingR: AtlsSain tsT:igh la erlaP 100

op: T ueladky et:ackJ Zar Skirt: ionkar Shoes: aer V ang W eckla:N kisvaroSw Es:ingar kisvaroSw ingR: AtlsSain tsT:igh la erlaP

101

Ramon a g n u o y By: Ashley Vitarelli If Ramona from Santa Clarita Diet, Allison from The Real

Young reflects. “I was far from a kid actor, and my parents

CW’s Legends of Tomorrow, and Eleanor from Mindy Kaling’s

I graduated college, and my parents really wanted me to

O’Neals, Kaya from Syfy’s Z Nation, Mona Wu from The

hit Netflix show Never Have I Ever all went to school together, “they’d be able to tolerate each other.” At least, that’s

what Ramona Young thinks — and she would know. The

continue getting my Masters. I think I knew I would rather pursue acting on the day I tried starting grad school.”

powerhouse actor has brought all of these iconic characters

Indeed, Young would go on to attend California State

performance. From comedy and horror to superhero and

a great deal — both inside the classroom and out. “My

to life, delivering incredible performance after incredible

drama, Young can do it all. She demonstrates her elite acting prowess across all genres, making society fall in love with

her characters all across the world. She is a talented actor, musician, writer, and creator equipped with an expertise in

performance and knack for comedic timing that has rendered her one of the industry’s top young actors. Indeed, Ramona Young is a star — one that the whole world can see.

“I sort of grew up everywhere,” Young says of her childhood.

“I did a little bit of everything. I think I knew I wanted to

do something creative since I was little, whether that be a

painter, an inventor, or a designer.” Flash forward to a few years later, when Young’s passion for creativity evolved

into something else: acting. “I started acting pretty late,” 102

weren’t exactly keen on the idea. I was still a teenager when

University, Los Angeles, an experience that taught her

biggest takeaway is sometimes you don’t have to take the path that everyone else took to succeed,” Young says of her experiences at the university. “Forge your own path!

Sometimes, you have to do just that in order to achieve what you want in life.” Then, Young would go on to take her own

advice, forging her own path and taking a direct route to her big break in the industry. “One of the first projects I worked on was with Drew Barrymore in Santa Clarita Diet,” Young

explains. “She taught me that it’s okay to try different ways of saying something when I’m off camera and it’s okay to

explore. So when the turn around happens, I feel loose and

comfortable and it gives the other actors who are on camera something to play with. I don’t have to constantly stay in character.”

Dres: eloSt ts:anP Dols K il Shoes: Shoedazl eckla:N aKendr tSco acelt:rB icajorM

103

Dres: eloSt ts:anP Dols K il Shoes: Shoedazl eckla:N aKendr tSco acelt:rB icajorM 104

After working with Hollywood icon Drew Barrymore in Santa Clarita Diet, Young would go on to work with yet another

icon in the world of film and television: Mindy Kaling. Young portrays Eleanor Wong, the hilarious and fashion-forward

thespian on Kaling’s award-winning Netflix show Never Have I Ever. The audition process for Eleanor was “surprisingly

fast,” Young recalls. “Usually when you audition there’s a long callback process, then a producer’s meeting, a chemistry

test. For Eleanor, it was just a one and done situation in the

audition room.” As for meeting Kaling for the first time, “I first met Mindy at the table read,” Young says. “She was sort of

a safe set was so important to everyone, we all showed up optimistic and full of love,” Young explains. “I get to work

with people who genuinely love what they do, and our cast loves each other. It’s such a blessing because we couldn’t

have done it without each other.” Moreover, returning to film the second season meant that Young was able to return to some of her favorite components of the show. “One of my

most favorite things — okay this is going to sound weird — is going into the fittings with Sal, the costume designer,” Young

says. “I get so excited trying on all the clothes Eleanor gets to wear.”

quiet, which is different compared to a lot of shows I’ve seen

Beyond her experiences on Never Have I Ever, Young has

incredibly smart, sweet, hardworking, and awesome!”

movies. She joined the DC Universe in The CW’s Legends

her in. But now that I have interacted with her more, she’s just

Never Have I Ever, in addition to being such a hit show, is

also incredibly groundbreaking — raising cultural awareness and having so many kinds of representation. When asked

what it means to her to be a part of a show that shares such

important stories, Young replies “everything.” She continues, adding “honestly I couldn’t be any luckier, being on such a great show that highlights so many important stories and

experiences, and has captured so many different audiences.

I hope when Asian families watch Eleanor on our show,

parents feel open to let their kids explore the world of theatre.

We really need more representation on screen, and growing

up my options were as slim as becoming a doctor or lawyer.”

As for season two — which dropped on Netflix on July 15

— audiences will get the chance to see Eleanor evolve and grow a great deal in the new set of episodes. “Eleanor has an unhealthy relationship with her mother,” Young notes.

“But I think through season two she learns to have a healthy relationship with herself, which is the most important thing

you can do.” Audiences will also be introduced to some new Never Have I Ever faces in season two. “I’m so excited for

the fans to meet all our new characters,” Young notes. “Like Aneesa and Malcom, just to name a few!” Furthermore,

Eleanor continues to navigate the world of love, friendship, high school, relationships, and family in this new season, as well as her passion for acting. “It’s sort of a happy

coincidence that Eleanor is an actor and I’m an actor,” Young says. “I get to draw a lot of feelings Eleanor goes through based on my own experiences.”

Filming the new season also meant filming during the

pandemic, which brought new restrictions to set. For the casts of other shows, that reality could make production

miserable, but not for the talented cast of Never Have I Ever.

“Despite all the new rules and regulations, since filming on

also leant her talents to countless other iconic shows and

of Tomorrow as Mona Wu, where she received a great deal of love and admiration from superhero fans everywhere. “I

love the people I worked with on that show,” Young says of Legends of Tomorrow. “The fandom is great!” Young can

also been seen in the films Blockers and Unpregnant, where she not only had great experiences, but also learned about herself. “I’m learning to manage my down time better and

taking care of myself,” Young notes. “These movies all did

great, but it’s important to love and take care of yourself after the hype slows down.”

In addition to Young’s astonishing filmography, her talents

also encompass skills behind the camera, including writing

screenplays and directing short films. “I think generally I side with being a little more introverted,” Young reflects. “So it’s

nice finding ways to be creative that I can enjoy without being in a room of 100 people watching.” More of Young’s interests include singing, playing the piano, and writing and working

on publishing a short story. “I’m sort of a jack of all trades,” Young shares. “And I don’t mind it!” Indeed, Young has a great deal of wisdom on a variety of things, including the

industry. Her understanding of the entertainment businesses is vast — a testament to her previous projects and powerful

perspectives. “Don’t worry about making it the next day, take

it step by step,” Young advises aspiring actors. “Just try it out for fun first! Make a short film with your bestie. Read a play.

Shoot an audition for fun! You just never know.”

Fans of Young have lots to look forward to, as the skilled

actor has lots of exciting projects in the future. “I just wrapped on a film,” Young says. “I can’t wait to share it with everyone once I am able to. In the meantime, I’m just typing away. I try not to have too many predictions, I like going with the

flow and being surprised by my future. So, we will see what happens next. I’ve worked with so many of my heroes, un-

regrettably so, and I would love to just continue to do so.” As

105

Dres: eloSt ts:anP Dols K il Shoes: Shoedazl eckla:N aKendr tSco acelt:rB icajorM 106

Dres: eloSt ts:anP Dols K il Shoes: Shoedazl eckla:N aKendr tSco acelt:rB icajorM

for what inspires Young to pursue her passions, “I’m not sure

for the callback, patient for the next job, patience. I couldn’t

if I set my mind to it, or I lose sleep over it. That beats any

have along the way has been really special for me.” As

what motivates me,” she admits. “I just have to do something fear of failure. I’d rather try and fail than wonder about something constantly.”

Whether it be on a hit Netflix show, in a blockbuster movie, or anywhere in between, Ramona Young’s creative genius

is clear. Through her experiences in the industry so far, she

has brought one iconic character to life after another, proving time and time again that she truly embodies the future of the industry. Indeed, Young’s skills have been recognized by

both fans and critics alike — in fact, she was included in Los

name just one favorite memory, but making the friends I

audiences everywhere watch Eleanor in Never Have I Ever, all eyes will remain on Ramona Young as she continues to

dazzle the industry with her incredible creative gifts. “Being seen and heard is so important,” Young says. “It’s how we survive, through connecting with one another. That’s why representation is so important!”

Photographer: Heather Koepp Stylist: Sky JT Naval

Angeles Magazine’s “Hollywood A-List” feature last year. “I

Hair: Iris Moreau

the biggest challenges is just learning to be patient. Patient

MAU: Iris Moreau

appreciate everything about my career,” Young says. “One of

107

Dres: eloSt Belt: ineN tes W eckla:N Lsago Es:ingar Lsago

108

Dres: eloSt Belt: ineN tes W eckla:N Lsago Es:ingar Lsago

109

Dres: eloSt Shoes: Shoedazl Es:ingar 8osonherat 110

111

Dres: eloSt Shoes: Shoedazl Es:ingar 8osonherat 112

Dres: eloSt Shoes: Shoedazl Es:ingar 8osonherat

113

114

115