Rival Magazine Issue 5 Nov 2020

November 2020

Michael Grecco The Light, the Lens, the Master

Le t t e r f r o m t h e E d i to r Team Rival is dropping some heat as we near the end of 2020! This issue is STACKED with some insane talent; from famed celebrity photographer Michael Grecco to up and coming star Anna Maiche to Disney’s Mulan actor Chen Tang and more!

Rival has been such an amazing escape for so many of our readers during this crazy year and we thank you for the continued support in purchasing our prints, reading our online articles, participating in our raffles, and showing love to all the amazing people we create with.

Team Rival grows stronger with each release and this is by far my favorite issue to date; I hope you all enjoy it as much as do!

Happy Holidays!

XoXo Heather Rival Graphic Designer Liat Halmos

Charlene Amoia

Kalen Allen

Raegan Revord

Michael Grecco

Anna Maiche

Chen Tang

Interview: Ashley Dawson Photographer: Heather Koepp Wardrobe: Branden Ruiz Make Up Artist: Dio Najar Hair Stylist: Suzy Balderas

Interview: Ashley Dawson Photographer: Heather Koepp Wardrobe: Amia Serrano Grooming: Rolando Aqui Grooming Assistant: Erik Garcia

Anais & Mirabelle

Interview: Kimber London Photographer: Heather Koepp Wardrobe: Erica Mer Styling Wardrobe Assistant: Nadiya Mazurczak Make Up Artist: Martin Christopher Location: Ragdoll Pink Palace

Interview: Ashley Dawson Photographer: Heather Koepp Wardrobe: Sky JT Naval Grooming: Martine LeBlanc

Interview: Violeta Nicola Photographer: Heather Koepp Wardrobe: Erica Mer MAU: Lilly Keys Hair Stylist: Teddi Prior Location: Skiptown Playhouse

Interview: Violeta Nicola Photographer: Heather Koepp Wardrobe: Benjamin Holtrop MUA: Kendal Fedail Hair: Clayton Hawkins

Interview: Sandy Aziz Photographer: Heather Koepp Wardrobe: Sky JT Naval Grooming: Jayme Kavanaugh for Senna Cosmetics

TABLE OF CONTENTS 02........................................Letter from the Editor 04........................................Charlene Amoia 18...........................................Kalen Allen 34.........................................Raegan Revord 46........................................michael grecco 66........................................Anna Maiche 84.........................................chen tang 98........................................anais & mirabelle

Charlene Amoia

Embrace the change awaiting you Sitting down to talk with Charlene Amoia, Hollywood’s most versatile talent

by Ashley Dawson Actress and entertainer Charlene Amoia is best known for roles on shows like How I Met your Mother, Grey’s Anatomy, Glee, Drop Dead Diva, and The Resident. In fact, Amoia has played in so many sitcoms and her filmography is so long, that you’d likely see her if you were to turn on your television and flip to a random station. Amoia’s upcoming film, The Conjuring 3: The Devil Made me Do It, is in post-production and slated to release in 2021.

Rival editors got the opportunity to sit down with Charlene and discuss her leading role in the film, and how the pandemic has affected her life and work.

Amoia started acting as a teenager when she was pulled aside and asked to model Nine West. “This led to an agent signing me and sending me out for a few commercial jobs,” she says, “and I’m not sure I would have pursued acting had that not

happened.” Charlene says that as a young girl she was shy and that speaking in front of the camera was intimidating, but that by becoming different characters she was able to bust out of her shell. “I found that I was able to hide or lose myself behind the character, which felt kind of liberating to me,” the actress says.

“My relationship with acting has morphed and evolved over the years, but that’s how it all began for me.”

So, Amoia began acting as soon as she finished school, and made the move to Los Angeles on her own. “I knew after my very first audition that I wanted to pursue it seriously; it was one of those undeniable, I’ve got to follow this feeling kind of things,” she states.

And sure enough, that feeling was right, and Charlene started to book supporting and featured roles on huge shows like How I Met Your Mother.

“It was a lot of fun to play Wendy,” the actress says, “and being involved with How I Met Your Mother was a real gift.” She says the cast and crew were lovely and made her feel welcome, and they were always laughing and joking onset; it was a dream job: “And my role essentially got bigger over time. The audience was able to see who Wendy was, aside from being their regular waitress, and learn more about her nuances and backstory.”

Charlene says that, like Wendy, she can be awkward and goofy at times. “But she was definitely looking for love anywhere she could find it and made some not so great choices,” Amoia says, “and I’m much more conservative and old fashioned in that area.”

The actress has also gotten to play roles like Dr. Kate Lanchman on Grey’s Anatomy, where she was featured as a prominent player in the episode Games People Play. “Grey’s Anatomy was definitely a well-oiled machine,” she says of her time on the set, “because they’ve been doing it for so long and were so good at it. I just showed up prepared and got to enjoy my time there.” The cast was kind and friendly, and the days were light and easy, according to Charlene.

Of course, that brings us to Amoia’s latest work that is set to release in 2021 – The Conjuring 3. The series of horror movies is best known for its jump scares and psychological, spiritual warfare, and, creepily enough, being based off of true events.

“The Conjuring 3 is about a real life possession that took hold of my character’s family in Connecticut, circa 1981,” Charlene tells Rival editors.

“The supernatural elements in this case were so real that they were later used as a defense in a murder case for the first time in US history.”

Charlene says that the film centers around her character, Judy Glatzel’s, family. “I play the mother of Debbie and David, and the wife of Carl Glatzel,” she says, “and Judy is a stay-at-home mom and homemaker that is deeply affected by the bizarre and terrifying events happening to her family.”

When asked what Charlene prefers to act in, serious films or comedic sitcoms, she changes tone:

“I really love both for different reasons but if I had to pick it would be comedy. I mean, what greater medicine is there but to laugh as much as possible and that is what happens when you’re doing a comedy. Jokes are always being made, in the context of the story and just all around, so it makes for the best kind of job that I can think of.”

Now, the elephant in the room for all actors and entertainers right now is the COVID-19 pandemic.

With so many sets shut down due to social distancing, and artistic group gathering a no-go, many artists have struggled to find work. In order to stay healthy during the lockdown, Charlene says she’s been taking long walks, hiking, and spending as much time with loved ones as possible.

“I learned to juggle for the first time and started reading a lot more books,” she says, “and I did go on a couple of road trips to Vancouver which was really nice.” Mostly, she says, the lockdown has given her time to reflect and do some major house cleaning – both literally and spiritually. “I have not done any on camera acting since the pandemic, though,” Charlene admits, “but I have been able to do voice work from my remote home sound booth.”

When asked what this detrimental year has brought her by way of silver linings, Amoia had this to say: “I feel like the important relationships in my life got deeper and the ones that were superficial just sort of went away. There truly was a house cleaning that happened both internally and externally. I let go of my apartment, gave away a lot of stuff, and found myself on the road for a bit which was very healing and exciting. It seems that we collectively were entering into the unknown and I pushed myself further into that by letting go of what had become comfortable to me. This opened up a bit of magic along the way and I now find myself in a place that seems better than what I could’ve planned if I hadn’t gone on that journey.

There was a grace that occurred once I let go of what I knew and embraced the changes awaiting me.”

Favorites What is your favorite place to eat in Los Angeles?

CA: True Food Kitchen

Who is your favorite role you’ve ever played?

CA: Too hard to pick!

What is your favorite food?

CA: Pizza

What is your favorite book?

CA: The Alchemist

What is your current favorite Netflix show to binge?

CA: The West Wing

What is your favorite magazine that you’ve been featured in?

CA: Rival, of course!

What is your favorite brand of clothing/fashion designer?

CA: Anthropologie

Suit: Helen Anthony Shoes: Free Lance Pearl Necklace: Effy Pearl Necklace: David Yurman

Kalen Allen

Suit: Malan Breton Shirt: Rocky Star Shoes: Free Lance Pearl Necklace: Effy

Suit: Helen Anthony Shoes: Free Lance Pearl Necklace: Effy Pearl Necklace: David Yurman

Suit: Helen Anthony Shoes: Free Lance Pearl Necklace: Effy Pearl Necklace: David Yurman

Jacket & Pants: Sorapol London Scarf: Charles and Ron Shoes: YSL Hat: Rag & Bone

For Kalen sake!

Chatting with the personality that created a comediac legacy

by Ashley Dawson Comedic entertainer and TV personality Kalen Allen has created a comedic legacy that was first born from his quirky and hilarious online cooking reviews. The online media mogul has since landed a recurring role on the Ellen DeGeneres show, started his own line of personal YouTube content, and become a household name across the globe as his unique and endearing comedic style has grown. The Rival team had the chance to sit down with Kalen, and to ask him about his time in the limelight, his current projects, and how he’s been working and creating during the COVID-19 pandemic.

From a young age Kalen has been performing and entertaining his friends and family through comedy.

“I don’t necessarily consider myself to be a comedian,” he says, “but rather a comedic entertainer.” Allen says that growing up gay and black in Kansas taught him a lot about how to cope and survive in a society that wasn’t built for him: “I think I’ve always been a funny person, but honestly comedy was a survival tactic. Growing up Black and gay in the state of Kansas, it seemed as though people left me alone because I was funny.”

Suit: Helen Anthony Shoes: Free Lance Pearl Necklace: Effy Pearl Necklace: David Yurman

Allen grew up in Kansas performing and participating in local musicals, and has done over fifty in his lifetime. “I’m a performer through and through,” he tells Rival editors, “and I have degrees in acting and film.” His studies and constant need to perform set him apart as an entertainer, and his rise to fame, although early, was no surprise to those close to him. “I think everyone expected this would happen at some point,” Kalen says of his success in the limelight, “but we just didn’t know how or when.” The entertainer says his life hasn’t changed much due to the fame, except he has more access to things than he did before…and he can pay his bills.

Of course, everything started for Kalen because of a simple, at-home food review. When asked if he ever imagined his casual food review comedy videos would land him a job on the Ellen Show, Kalen says absolutely not. “They were an accident,” he states, “and I was just playing on my computer, so there was never an intention for it; never in a million years would I have thought that this would be my life because of a video of me reacting to food.” Granted, being an acting graduate with a degree in the arts, when Ellen snatched him up she put him straight to work. “When I first got the job I felt like Cinderella,” Kalen says, “and at the show I’m a Talent Correspondent.” In addition to that role, Kalen also has his own digital series OMKalen, does red carpet events, and pretty much covers anything and everything the Ellen staff asks him to. When asked what his series OMKalen covers, he said it’s “basically a variety show” where he tries to give the audience something entertaining and pertinent to the day’s news, but with a Kalen twist.

“Every episode is themed around what is going on in the world at the current time, but with a Kalen spin on it,” he says.

However, despite his success in the city, Allen says that his first big move to LA was overwhelming. “I was thrown into an environment that I had only heard stories about,” he states, “and that fear can really get ahold of you to be honest; my first year was really rough.” But out of that year he got over 900,000 followers on his YouTube Channel “Personally Kalen,” where he discusses personal growth, gives pep talks, and reacts to various things. “My favorite videos are collaborations,” he tells Rival editors, “because I think I work best with people. So, the videos with Mariah Carey and Adrianne Bailon Houghton are some

of my favorites.” In his videos Allen gets into the nitty gritty of his personal life and the lessons he’s learned in it. One of his main pillars is those pep talks, and he enjoys talking about his growth as an individual.

“I’m very open and honest with my audience in the hopes that my journey can help someone else with theirs.”

Now, in addition to his TV and digital success, Kalen has also moved into the realm of Hollywood film and is putting his acting degree to work. His most recent feature in the Seth Rogen film An American Pickle was a surreal moment for the actor. “As an actor who had just graduated with his degree, I would never have thought that my first movie would be with Seth Rogen,” he says. Kalen says his time on set was amazing and he was counting down the days until people could actually watch the movie. Not only that, but he’s working on various other projects during the pandemic to keep fans on their feet. “With us being in a pandemic working is a little difficult, but I can tell you that I have shot a series for a network that will be announced very soon,” he states.

Focusing in on the COVID-19 pandemic, we wanted to ask Allen how he’s been creating and making content during quarantine. “I do have a home setup specifically for filming and it has helped me stay motivated,” Allen tells us. He also makes a conscious effort to take breaks when he needs them and allows himself to breathe and be human. Kalen says the most challenging aspect of creating in quarantine has been having to be his own production studio and crew. “It’s a lot of work for just one person, but I have adapted by creating a separate space to film. It really keeps the balance between work and living,” Kalen says. Throughout the pandemic he’s also been working full time for the Ellen Show.

Despite its challenges, 2020 has brought many entertainers like Kalen a few silver linings. He says his favorite one has been his new Christmas album: “I’ve been singing for as long as I’ve been acting, and creating music was always something I wanted to keep doing but never had the time to sit down, write, and record. This pandemic has allowed me time to do just that and I was able to create something magical.”

Jacket & Pants: Sorapol London Scarf: Charles and Ron Shoes: YSL Hat: Rag & Bone

Favorites What is your favorite food?

Italian Least favorite food?

Seafood What is your current favorite Netflix show to binge?

Sister, Sister What is your favorite movie?

The Devil Wears Prada What is your favorite clothing label to wear?

Burberry What is your favorite accessory?

Sunglasses Who is your favorite comedian?

Jackee Harry

Jacket & Pants: Sorapol London Scarf: Charles and Ron Shoes: YSL Hat: Rag & Bone

Jacket & Pants: Helen Anthony Sunglasses: Gucci Shoes: Dulce Bestia Gloves: Charles and Ron

Suit: Malan Breton Shirt: Rocky Star Shoes: Free Lance Pearl Necklace: Effy

Rival Jr Writer

by Olivia Prokop Do you watch the food videos before taping or do you videotape you watching them for the first time?

KA: It honestly depends on the video. It’s kind of hard to do it as the first take because I have to see it to make sure it’s worth a reaction video. The Mac & Cheese video that was published was like the 15th take.

Have you ever tried any of the crazy foods that you critiqued?

KA: Yes, on OMKalen. Some of them weren’t half bad, but the majority are as disgusting as they look. I 10/10 wouldn’t recommend.

Is your Christmas album a music album or a Christmas food critic album?

KA: Hahahaha, there is no mention of food whatsoever on the album. It’s also not a comedy album. It’s all pure musical joy! I’ve been a singer my entire life. Singing is actually the first thing I’ve ever done. I’m excited and thrilled to be able to share something I’m very passionate about with the world.

Would you ever want to make a new recipe invention like the ones you critique?

KA: Well, I plan to write a cookbook. They’ll be real recipes that are actually edible. So, I guess the answer is yes.

What’s your favorite thing to eat, and who cooks it?

KA: Probably chicken and dumplings and I cook it myself. I very rarely eat someone else’s cooking.

What game on Ellen’s Game of Games would you probably win?

KA: Well, I’ve actually played a majority of them during testing. But the one I haven’t played and I know I would win is “Know or Go!’’ What do you want for Christmas this year?

KA: All I want for Christmas is for the world to hopefully find some peace this year.

Have you done paintball?

KA: No I haven’t! I’ve always wanted to but I heard it hurts!

What’s your favorite movie?

KA: Devil Wears Prada. It’s very on brand for me!

Suit: Malan Breton Shirt: Rocky Star Shoes: Free Lance Pearl Necklace: Effy

Jacket & Pants: Helen Anthony Sunglasses: Gucci Shoes: Dulce Bestia Gloves: Charles and Ron

RAEGAN REVORD

Purple Ruffle Mini Skirt - Charles & Ron White Ruffle Top - Ulla Johnson Pink Tights - Moschino Studded Shoes - Zara Beret - Vintage Clips - Vintage

Ruffle Top - Reformation Green Shorts - Frame Sunglasses - Fashion Nova Pearl Sunglass Chain - Olivia Henn Sequin Jacket - OTT Gold Platform Heels - Free Lance Earrings - Celine

Purple Ruffle Mini Skirt - Charles & Ron White Ruffle Top - Ulla Johnson Pink Tights - Moschino Studded Shoes - Zara Beret - Vintage Clips - Vintage

Raegan Revord

by Violeta Nicola

With her talent, it’s no wonder that the young Raegan Revord is a star on the rise. Reprising her role as Missy in the newest season of “Young Sheldon”, everyone will be able to see Raegan’s acting skills be put in the spotlight.

In this exclusive interview with Rival, Raegan reveals what her favorite thing about Missy is, the first moment she felt like “she made it” as an actress, and what her plans for the future are.

What is your background and how did you get involved in the entertainment industry?

RR: I was pretty lucky, it kinda just fell in my lap. My mom’s friend had a friend that owned an agency and was like “Raegan should do this, she would be so great (because I was always entertaining and trying to make people laugh).

So we met with her and signed with the agency right after. After booking a bunch of commercials and seeing myself on TV, I asked my parents about being on TV shows and movies. At that point, they knew it was more serious and not just a hobby so they got me a manager who started submitting me for theatrical roles.

You currently star on the hit series “Young Sheldon”. What can you disclose about your character’s journey this season?

RR: In the premiere, we see Missy as she graduates elementary school and the next few episodes she’ll be enjoying her summer break.

I’m hoping for some middle school scenes, maybe even a school dance! That would be cool.

But you’ll see this season that she’s maturing and becoming more of a young lady.

Were you a fan of the original show “The Big Bang Theory” or did you watch it after you got the role?

RR: I had actually never heard of the show before. Once I was further along in the audition process for Missy, they started sending over scenes of Ms. Laurie Metcalf so I could hear her accent. While the Big Bang was in production, we’d go over sometimes and watch them film or go to a show night. I think the only full episodes I watched was when Sheldon got married, when they introduced the older Georgie, and the series finale.

What is your favorite thing about Missy this season?

RR: I think my favorite thing is her going into middle school. I’m homeschooled so I won’t get to have that middle school experience.

Even though I’m older than Missy in real life, I experience a lot of things through her. I’m really hoping for that middle school dance, I would love to see what that’s like.

Did you expect the show to become so big when you first started acting on it?

RR: My mom and dad explained to me how popular Big Bang was and how lucky our show was to have a built-in fan base. They also said the fans would either love it or hate it and not to have any expectations. Turned out they loved it! I can’t believe we are already on the 4th season!

Blue Dress - Paskal Sparkly Heels - Area

Blue Dress - Paskal Sparkly Heels - Area

What are some of the best memories you have from this season of “Young Sheldon”?

RR: We aren’t that far into the season yet, just started filming the 5th episode. This episode is pretty cool because I get to wear a costume and have some fun scenes with Memaw and Coach Dale. I can’t say too much about it, but it’s going to be amazing!

What are some shows or movies you have watched recently?

RR: I spent sooooo much time during quarantine watching shows and movies. I kept a quarantine movie journal.

Now that I’m working, I only watch TV on the weekends.

The last show I watched was The Mandalorian and the last movie was Meet Me in St. Louis with Judy Garland.

When was the first moment you felt like “you made it” as an actor?

RR: I think being at the Upfronts for the second time and presenting with Ms. Zoe, Montana, and Iain at Carnegie Hall. It was just like “Wow, I can’t believe this is happening!

Like, how many kids have had this opportunity!?” Still can’t believe it!

What are some books everyone should read in this lifetime?

RR: That’s very hard to answer, there are so many books I love! One of the reasons I love reading is because you get to experience different people and cultures, and different time periods. One book that had an impact on me was The Diary of Anne Frank. Another book that’s relevant and inspiring is The Giver. To Kill A Mockingbird is such a classic and everyone should read that at least once. And if you are looking for a series, I highly recommend the Scythe books!

What are some movies that made you fall in love with acting growing up?

RR: I’ve grown up watching the classics so movies like ET, Troop Beverly Hills, The Sandlot, and The Goonies! I remember watching those movies and being like “I want to be those kids! How do I do that?” I still want to be in a movie like that!

What type of roles do you hope to portray in the future?

RR: I’d like to do something that’s the complete opposite of Missy. Get out of my comfort zone. I’m reeeeeeally scared of scary movies, but my friends love them. I’d like to be in one and hopefully get over my fear of them so I can finally watch scary movies with my friends! Something with adventure so I can do some stunts! Like a girl version of Indiana Jones! Wait, omg! That’s an amazing idea!!

Brb, gotta call my manager.

Who are some artists you would love to collaborate with in the future?

RR: So many!! Like I said before, I watched so many movies over quarantine and have a growing list of people I’d love to work with. It’s no secret I’d love to work with Reese Witherspoon, I think I’ve said it in the past 1500 interviews. Or anything that Lin Manuel is involved with. He’s a genius.

What has been your biggest achievement so far?

RR: My biggest achievement so far would definitely have to be Young Sheldon. Being a series regular on a show was a dream of mine since I started acting. Then to be on a show that’s as successful as this has been and getting to travel the world because of it is priceless. I’ve made so many amazing memories because of this show.

What are some things you hope to cross off your bucket list once everything goes back to normal?

RR: I’m just ready to travel and see family and friends again. My Nana was supposed to fly to LA from Mississippi in March but then Covid happened.

I’m really hoping she can come out (safely) over Christmas, I haven’t seen her in over a year. Oh, and I can’t wait to go sit down in a restaurant again! I miss meeting up with friends and having lunch or dinner.

What are some causes that are dear to your heart and hope to bring awareness to in the future through your platforms?

RR: Homelessness! When I lived in San Diego, I would go with my godmother to feed the homeless every Tuesday after school. It wasn’t just dropping sandwiches off and leaving, it was more like hanging out and hearing their stories. Then when I moved to LA and saw how bad the homeless population is here, so I started my own organization, Homeless Helpers. I hope to grow it and eventually be able to house, educate, and give resources to that community. Of course, reading is another passion and I’m so lucky I have parents that can afford to buy me books, but so many kids don’t have that.

I’d like to figure out a way to get books to people in need. I have a ton of books I’ve read and old school books that I’m looking to donate. I’m not really finding anything so I may have to create an organization.

In your opinion, what is the biggest misconception about being an actor?

RR: That it’s easy. There’s so much hard work and sacrifice that goes into it. When I lived in San Diego and was going to school, my mom would have to pull me out all the time to drive up to LA for an audition. I missed a lot of fun stuff at school, I would miss birthday parties, but I really wanted to be an actor so it was worth it.

What is the best advice you have gotten and from whom?

RR: Work hard, be prepared, have fun, and don’t forget to be a kid.

What advice do you have for aspiring artists?

RR: I would say never stop learning and never give up if it’s truly your passion. Watch a ton of movies and pay close attention to great performances, let that be your acting class!

What are your plans for the future?

RR: Would love to be like Reese Witherspoon: continue to act, have my own production company, produce. In addition to all that, I’d like to direct and write books and scripts! I want to do it all!

Ruffle Top - Reformation Green Shorts - Frame Sunglasses - Fashion Nova Pearl Sunglass Chain - Olivia Henn Sequin Jacket - OTT Gold Platform Heels - Free Lance Earrings - Celine

Blue Dress - Paskal Sparkly Heels - Area

Button Up Shirt - Collina Strada Denim Skirt - Lin Art Project Gold Shoes - Free Lance Bow necklace - Iris Trend Jewelry

Michael Grecco

Turtleneck: Paisley & Gray @paisleyandgray Coat: Topman @topman Jeans: H&M @hm Boots: John Varvatos @johnvarvatos Watch: Bell & Ross @bellrosswiki

Dress: Ezgi Cinar Dress Shirt: Paisley & Gray @paisleyandgray Earrings: Misahara Jacket: Emporio Armani @emporioarmani Pants: Ones Stroke @ones_stroke Ring: German Kabirski Boots: John Varvatos @johnvarvatos Shoes: Laundry CustomChinese Black Diamond Necklace: Lynn Ban Booch Watch: Icelink @icelinkofficial

Sweater: 4 Funky Flavours @4funkyflavours Jeans: A. Tiziano @atiziano Shoes: Jean-Baptiste Rautureau @jb_rautureau Watch: Bell & Ross @bellrosswiki

“I started objectifying great photographs and really started to appreciate the likes of Helmut Newton and Bruce Davidson and the greats and I knew at that point that I was going to be a photographer.�

Shirt: 4 Funky Flavours @4funkyflavours Jeans: H&M @hm Shoes: Jean-Baptiste Rautureau @jb_rautureau Hat: Goorin Bros. @goorinbros

Shirt: 4 Funky Flavours @4funkyflavours Jeans: H&M @hm Shoes: Jean-Baptiste Rautureau @jb_rautureau Hat: Goorin Bros. @goorinbros

Michael Grecco The Lens, the Light, and the master Rival Magazine sits down with Hollywood and music’s famed photographer and artist

by Ashley Dawson Answering a phone call from photographer Michael Grecco is like opening the largest present wrapped in the shiniest paper on Christmas morning. From his early days as a photojournalist studying Helmut Newton and Richard Avedon in his free time, to his glory days servicing clients including HBO, Paramount, TIME Magazine, and Playboy, Grecco has played a pivotal role in bringing pop and rock culture to the forefront of publications and television screens worldwide. He’s transcended from being a print photojournalist to a Hollywood portrait artist over the span of decades, and his dramatic lighting style and passion for the theatrical earned him the title of “lighting master” in the 90’s. Rival had the chance to sit down with Michael for an interview, and asked him everything about his art, his past, and the release of his newest photography book, Punk, Post Punk, New Wave: Onstage, Backstage, In Your Face, 1978–1991, which first graced shelves on November 10th, 2020.

“I never stopped evolving my technique. In the end it’s emotion that creates a photograph that people will remember,” he says. That technique has been perfected and molded over years of studying, practicing, and, of course, shooting.

A few of Michael’s favorite portraits are ones of iconic personalities that readers will recognize; Martin Scorsese, Will Ferrell, Danica McKellar, Steve Martin, Mel Brooks, and the famous set of portraits for the late comedian Chris Farley’s life documentary. As he was building toward great success, Grecco was a young A.P. stringer by

day, and a self-described “club kid” chronicling the pink scene by night – all while studying lighting techniques in libraries when he could find time. “I was fascinated with photography as a kid,” the artist says, “and I was in a summer camp where I was the geek hanging around the science shed being taught how to develop film and make prints from negatives.” Back then the technology was based on film and chemistry, and Grecco spent countless hours learning the science behind film: “It was like this big mystery, this amazing thing where you would, you know, shine a light on a piece of photographic paper and an image would emerge.”

He started appreciating photography for what it was: art. He would go to the Greenburgh Public Library in Hartsdale, New York, where he grew up, and would take out the Time Life series of books on photography. He says, “I started objectifying great photographs and really started to appreciate the likes of Helmut Newton and Richard Avedon and Irving Penn and the other greats, and I knew at that point that I was going to be a photographer.”

Grecco’s style emerged and evolved in the world of music and entertainment as his love for the art of photography turned to practice. He started as a photojournalist for the Associated Press where he shot news events, and covered the Massachusetts State House and Governor Michael Dukakis.

“It was when I went from the Associated Press to a staff position at the Boston Herald, that things started to pick up,” he says. He was then invited to be the equivalent of a staff photographer for People Magazine. He moved to Los Angeles shortly after, where he began to grow his photojournalist experience into the art of Hollywood portraiture: “I needed to learn things like beauty, fashion, and lighting, so I concentrated on those aspects to really make sure I transcended from being just a photojournalist to a Hollywood portrait photographer.”

His work tends to be dramatically lit, dark, and sometimes moody. “I did the original gallery shoot and advertising for the X-Files,” Grecco says with a smile, “and it ended up establishing ‘the look’ for the show.” His work has been consumed across the globe by millions and continues to make an impression on viewers.

Of course, Grecco’s art and style heavily depends on who he is shooting. When asked how he works with his subjects on set to evoke emotion, Michael dives into the world of collaboration and the backand-forth work it takes to make a set come to life.

“Taking portraits is a collaboration between you and the subject,” Grecco states, “so you can set up the whole scenario with clothing and sets and lights and props and all of that, but it’s the expression that the talent gives you that makes it.” He says that it’s the moment when the essence of that is captured that makes the picture, and what elevates an image to art. He says, “If the talent’s not into it or they don’t get the concept, then it falls apart because they look disinterested.” It’s a beautiful scenario, one in which the photographer builds the scene and the subject acts in it and becomes a part of it, and Michael takes that and uses it to tell a story with images.

“Finding that off moment or that special expression that elevates your concept is what it’s all about,” he says.

Now, this active story-telling isn’t what Grecco has always captured. His time as a photojournalist was spent shooting moments that he didn’t curate – moments in time with stars like Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton on the red carpet. “I guess that’s a part of why I wanted to do celebrity portrait work,” he tells Rival editors, “because it really was about

covering the events and being a photojournalist, so you really didn’t meet people.” He says he spent his time shooting people at awards shows and covering stars coming and going, and he was constantly invited to watch or walk in. “But you weren’t connecting, you were covering pseudo news, and there were no interactions with talent and you couldn’t collaborate,” he says. His ambition for artistic expression and freedom is what led him to the art of the portrait, and to publishing his first book.

Grecco’s books were successful right out the gate, and a series of books on key lighting and portrait techniques came to fruition as his experience grew.

Of his new book he says, “It covers this special subculture in the eighties, late seventies, and early nineties that I lived. I was a club kid working for one of the local rock station WBCN and fanzine music magazine and Boston Rock.” The images that he shot during these decades were prolific and impactful, and his archivist told him they should published for the world to experience: “At that point I decided, after looking at them, that this is a project that should be seen. We spent four or five years scanning, editing, and pitching this book. I pitched the book to Abrams about a year and a half ago and here we are.”

He and his team are incredibly excited about the release. They’ve made the New York Times’ Holiday Gift Guide and the Guardian, and the book has already had features with NPR, LA Weekly, and The Herald. The project has given Grecco the chance to look back on his life’s work, the bands, the shoots, and the unscripted moments that he’s caught on film. When asked if he has any advice for young artists or photographers just getting into the industry and trying to find their place in the world, he had this to say: “As an artist, you’ve got to just figure out your niche in a marketplace that’s ever changing and always wants to pay you less money. You have to figure out how to survive. That’s really important.

And if you are really dedicated to the art and the craft, you’ll never stop. You’ll have to be persistent, you know.

And persistence is the key to success.”

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Turtleneck: Paisley & Gray @paisleyandgray Coat: Topman @topman Jeans: H&M @hm Boots: John Varvatos @johnvarvatos Watch: Bell & Ross @bellrosswiki

“I never stopped evolving my technique.

In the end it’s emotion that creates a photograph that people will remember”

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Anna Maiche

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Anna Maiche

by Violeta Nicola

A star on the rise, Anna Maiche dazzles the audience with her newest role in Netflix’s show “Tiny Pretty Things”. In this exclusive interview with Rival, Anna reveals what first drew her to this project, her biggest professional achievement so far and what her plans for the future are.

What is your background and how did you get involved in the entertainment industry?

also nemesis) of every other young woman at the Academy.

But everything changes when a shattering event befalls her.

That’s all I can say for now!

AM: I started my venture into the arts with ballet at age four, in Cuba. I loved it so much, I knew that was exactly what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

Unfortunately, 16 years later, I fell in a ballet class and had to have surgery which ended my career. I had always planned on acting later in life, once I retired from ballet, because my mom was an actress. She taught a few drama classes at my school and I fell deeply in love with it. That moment just came sooner than I thought it would and I’m so glad it did! I know I’m where I’m meant to be, it’s icing on the cake that ballet has found its way back to me, too.

What first drew you to the script when you read it?

AM: The relatability. Having grown up in the ballet world, I’ve been waiting to see a show based on the rollercoaster lives of dancers. It’s such an emotional journey, especially in those high school years, so I’m glad we’re getting to tell some of those stories.

What was the audition process like and how did you react when you got the role?

You currently star on the Netflix series “Tiny Pretty Things”. What can you tell us about your character and her involvement in the story?

AM: Cassie is the star student at The Archer School of Ballet, and a dancer with a bright future who’s the envy (and

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AM: My audition was a self tape and I freaked out when I booked it! It all happened within a week. I taped on a Friday and was on a plane the next Monday, so I didn’t even process it until I landed in Toronto. I didn’t tell my parents that I was pinned for it because I wanted to surprise them if I did book it.

Needless to say, they were shocked. I called them and said “I’m a series regular on a Netflix show and I’m moving

to Toronto for five months tomorrow”. It. Was. Epic.

it was one that’ll stick with me forever- what a tease hehe!

What is your favorite thing about your character Cassie?

What are some shows or movies you have watched recently?

AM: Her strength. She is so incredibly strong and dedicated to her craft.

What are some of the best memories you have from the set of “Tiny Pretty Things”?

AM: The days we were all on set were so much fun! We’d all hang out in each other’s trailers and laugh for hours. My favorite memory is one I can’t say though because it involves a spoiler,

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AM: I watched Normal People when it premiered and that was just gorgeous. All the performances blew me away. I’ve also been super into The Boys.

My friend Jess Salgueiro (who plays Isabel in TPT) was in it so I watched for her and then I totally got sucked in! And My Octopus Teacher on Netflix. If you haven’t seen it yet, I strongly encourage you to take the time for it. It’s so beautiful.

When was the first moment you felt like “you made it” as an actor?

AM: I don’t feel like I’ve made it. I don’t know if I’ll ever feel that way. But, I definitely felt a sense of accomplishment when I was able to pay my rent with the money I’d earned acting. That felt really good and that moment came after booking TPT. What are some books everyone should read in this lifetime?

AM: The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff. It’s an easy read and the kind of book you can pick

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back up and start whenever. I love reading it when negative thoughts start to creep in What are some movies that made you fall in love with acting growing up?

AM: I was a dancer growing up so I never really looked for inspiration in movies then but once I started acting it was definitely Michelle Williams’ performance in Blue Valentine. That movie is just so heartbreaking and real.

What type of roles do you hope to portray in the future?

AM: I love all the complexities of humans and the unique ways we deal with and show our emotions.

I’d love to dive into the raw, private moments a character experiences throughout a film. Those quiet moments that you know we all go through but can be tough to watch because of how honest

they are.

Who are some artists you would love to collaborate with in the future?

AM: Michelle Williams, Vera Farmiga, Lakeith Stanfield, and Donald Glover. Honestly, the list could go on forever. There are so many talented artists out there. I’d love to do a music video with Childish Gambino. What I love most about Michelle, Vera, and Lakeith is how beautifully comfortable they seem just being. I don’t see them putting on a performance on screen, I see them being human.

I love that.

What has been your biggest achievement so far?

AM: Career wise, Tiny Pretty Things. But I also view some steps I’ve taken in my life as achievements.

I’d say moving away from home at 13 to pursue

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Jumpsuit: Michael Depaulo @michaeldepaulo Shoes: United Nude @unitednude

ballet was a pretty big one. And rescuing my dog hehe.

What advice do you have for aspiring artists?

What are some things you hope to cross off your bucket list once everything goes back to normal?

AM: Don’t forget to enjoy the other parts of your life. I love acting so much and I wouldn’t give it up for the world but if I don’t find joy in other things I can start obsessing over the fear of failing which causes me to somewhat spiral.

When I take a bit of time to do other things like surfing, seeing my loved ones, or taking my dog to the beach I’m much happier and can dedicate myself to my art form much more fully.

AM: I’d love to learn to free dive. I grew up by the ocean and have so much respect for every creature down there. I think it would be really cool to feel like a part of that world.

What are some causes that are dear to your heart and hope to bring awareness to in the future through your platforms?

AM: Oceana, California Innocence Project, and Ocean Conservancy. Oceana and Ocean Conservancy are fighting the great fight for our oceans. Between the two they tackle climate change, government policies (as they relate to our oceans), overfishing/responsible fishing, and so much more. The California Innocence Project is a law school clinic that works on freeing innocent men and women who have been incarcerated, training law students, and changing the laws and policies in California.

In your opinion, what is the biggest misconception about being an actor?

AM: I’d say the idea of an overnight success is a pretty big misconception. Most of the time, an actor who’s seen as an overnight success has actually been working for years and years, barely getting by.

What is the best advice you have gotten and from whom?

AM: That I am only in control of my actions and my reactions. When things don’t go as planned or I feel as though someone is treating me unkindly, I try to remind myself of that. I can remove myself from the situation, kindly speak up, or freak out. I know the first two will make me feel better and the last one won’t but in the end, the choice is mine.

What are some things that need to change as soon as possible in the entertainment industry?

AM: Inclusion is a big one. I know we’re working towards it but we still have further to go.

I’d love to see way less waste on sets. TPT had almost no plastic water bottles on set, which I loved. We had water refill stations all over and would use those to fill our reusable water bottles. I’d also love to see more celebs repping sustainable fashion brands. Emma Watson does it wonderfully. A well known actor has a lot of weight to their name, why not use it to support something great?

What are your plans for the future?

AM: Hopefully working on season 2 of Tiny Pretty Things!

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Chen Tang

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“This is clearly your dream and you gotta just do what makes you passionate.�

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chen loves y’all

by Sandy Aziz Let’s get down to business, to defeat the Huns… no, wait.

Let’s just get down to business because if you don’t know him already, it was only a matter of when. Well, when is now, and RIVAL gives you the one-and-only Chen Tang.

The Asian-American actor arrives with his fantastic Southern drawl, charming personality, and positively radiant energy. Tang grew up in Memphis, Tennessee and has so much love and pride for his hometown that it is refreshingly contagious. “I think there’s just something about the city, something in the water, that gives people soul. I think so many people in Memphis just have that ‘soul’ and passion for what they do,” elaborates Tang. And while he claims it is the “greatest city on the Earth”, Tang always honors his roots when he openly talks about his parents migrating from China to Tennessee. “It was crazy thinking back on it.

You can’t find two more different worlds. But when you’re a kid, you don’t even think about it, you just sort of accept it for what it is,” explains Tang. Despite it feeling like two different worlds, Tang found a way to adapt to his environment and to do so with a positive attitude. “I think it only helps me as an actor to try to inhabit

different lives and circumstances, but it really opened my mind to this possibility that we are infinitely impressionable and malleable beings if we can allow ourselves to be.” The actor still finds every opportunity to continue to represent Asian Americans everywhere because he sees the importance in storytelling and community.

“It starts with our community creating more of our own stories [and] who better to tell our stories but us?”

Interestingly enough, Tang didn’t even know that he wanted to become an actor. While studying business at the University of Miami, he selected acting as his elective. Little did he know that this would change the trajectory of his life. “I think I literally woke up one day and was like, yeah I want to be actor. That’s it.” And thank goodness for that!

Upon discussing lockdown, acting, and his schedule, Tang declares that the circumstances have given him a lot of time to work on his craft. “I did a ton of work on characters that I always wanted to play, like Iago from Othello, just for the fun of it. I would just put myself on tape doing monologues and was able to connect with a lot of other creative artists to do virtual script readings,” describes Tang.

Speaking of connecting with other creatives, Tang praises Zoom calling it a “Godsend” because it meant that he could connect with people. “I got opportunities to do events and speaking engagements that I would have never been able to do if it wasn’t for the virtual world, we live in now…. I [even] did a panel online with Asian American college student at Dayton University in Ohio!”

Now we can get down to business, to hear Chen Tang (CT) dish about the details of his Mulan experience in his own words: How did you originally find out about the casting for Mulan and what was the audition process like?

more like an epic, fantasized historical war film.

Did you have to do any extensive training to get into shape for your role in Mulan?

CT: So much training. So, so much training. We hit the ground running as soon as we got to New Zealand and entered “boot camp” to make us all look and feel like 7thcentury farmer-laborersoldiers. It was incredible, but extremely physically demanding. Every day, we went through hours of physical labor style training.

Things like running, moving heavy objects, picking up and carrying each other, pushing

CT: I think every Asian actor in town knew about this film and was auditioning for it. For me, it was a pretty standard audition process to be honest. My process was pretty quick, thankfully, because I know for some of my cast members that their process of getting their roles lasted over a year. I was one of the last main characters added to the cast, and because of that, it was right before we had to leave for New Zealand.

Early on (probably about two years before we went into production!) we all went in for the role of the love interest. But I never heard anything back and forgot about it for a while. About a year and half later, I got another audition for Mulan, and it was a surprise. So, I went into the room and they told me they remembered me from their files way back, and they wanted to add this new macho character that they thought I would be a good fit for. A “show us what you got” kind of thing. A couple auditions later, I found out I got the part that we now know as Yao and I sort of… almost fainted when I got the call. It was surreal. I’m infinitely grateful.

How does the live action film compare to the Disney movie?

CT: I like to say our live action is a spiritual successor to the animated film. We brought in many callbacks to the cartoon and wanted to keep the DNA of it in there, while really taking a creative risk with the fantasy and action, as well as, bringing in many elements our Chinese culture. Overall, I feel that it’s much more grounded emotionally, and it feels much

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sleds, etc. The key was there was almost no rest, just constantly moving, because as our trainer, Bojan, (who happened to be an exspecial forces soldier) said, “farmers don’t stop to rest.” We followed that up with hours of stunt training, then cool things like marching, spear and shield drills with a military adviser, and even horseback riding and Chinese archery.

Overall, it was probably six to eight hours a day of training, all the way until we finished filming. Getting paid to be fit? Can’t complain about that!

of childlike, but genuinely nice guy from China – who just happens to also be a vicious massmurdering gang member,” says Tang.

What was it like walking the Red Carpet with your family for the release of Mulan?

How has your family supported you and been with you on your journey as an actor?

For more on Chen Tang, follow him @ chenlovesyall and be sure to look out for him in Mulan and Warrior!

CT: One of the great memories and experiences of my life. Thankfully, my family has been wonderfully supportive of my decision to be an actor. Which, from my experiences with other Asian actors, can apparently be quite rare to find. But they’ve been pretty cool with just saying, “You know what? This is clearly your dream and you gotta just do what makes you passionate.” I figure I was probably too stubborn to listen regardless! But it’s still something I’m grateful for. With that being said, I know that deep down they probably worried a bit about if I could support myself, or how I could navigate an industry that is fraught with uncertainty. But to bring them there to experience first-hand a bona fide Hollywood red carpet—with all the flashing cameras and everything you think of when you imagine a movie premiere—it was just like, “Wow, I think our baby boy is going to be okay!” It was surreal and it made me so, so proud to share that with them.

If you don’t already want to be Tang’s best friend by now, you should know that he also stars in Cinemax’s Warrior which just launched its second season. And, of course, much like Tang, the character he plays is loveable! “I LOVE [my character] Hong! It [is] such a creatively fulfilling experience to get to play [such an] interesting and layered character,” gushes Tang. To those who have not had the pleasure of experiencing Tang as Hong, here is what you need to know. “Hong is a happy-go-lucky, sort

As far as what is next, Tang, like many of us, is just trying to stay healthy this year. “I’ve been looking at some scripts,” shares Tang, “but most of quarantine has been me taking a ton of time to work on my acting craft.” It is no secret that the actor has so much soul and passion, and we cannot wait to follow along on his acting adventures.

Chen’s favorites: Animal: An octopus.

Actor/Actress: Spencer Tracy in the old school. Rami Malek in the new school.

Favorite City: Memphis, obv.

Favorite Food: Fried Chicken. But only from the Deep South.

Current favorite Netflix show to binge: Nothing of the new stuff… but I re-binged all old Star Trek series. Trekkie for life.

Favorite movie: Such a hard question… there are so many. But probably the one that I’ve seen the most is Gladiator.

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Rival Jr Writer

by Olivia Prokop Have you ever been in a movie, then watched it and felt you did poorly?

CT: I don’t mean this to sound arrogant, but I’m honestly happy with all the stuff I’ve done. Not that it’s all perfect or anything, but I look at it like this: I learned and got better, I was happy to act and had fun! What’s not to be happy about?

Are you married?

CT: Nope. Maybe one day though!

Have you ever had to quit a movie?

CT: Luckily no.

What is your favorite food?

CT: Friend Chicken! But only dark meat.

What’s your favorite color?

CT: Red What do you like to do when you are not filming?

CT: I love watching movies and traveling to different places.

What’s your favorite movie to watch?

CT: This movie called Gladiator. Probably not for kids though! But another favorite of mine is Jurassic Park. The original!

Who is your favorite Marvel character?

CT: Spider-Man for sure! The first super hero I ever saw!

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ANAIS & MIRABELLE

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“The best part about working in a partnership with an identical twin sister is that you have a built-in best friend. We do everything together and we are most confident when we’re together.”

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Dress: Rc Caylan Atelier Official @rccaylanatelierofficial Shirt: Elliatt @elliatt Shoes: Ashley Michaelsen PR @ashleymichaelsenpr Hat: Binata Millinery @binatamillinery Belt: Charles & Ron @charlesandron Robe: Wayf @wayfclothing Turtleneck: Elliatt @elliatt Pants: Rc Caylan Atelier Official @rccaylanatelierofficial Hat: Binata Millinery @binatamillinery

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Anais & Mirabelle

by Kimber London

Professional actors, models, dancers, and philanthropists Anais and Mirabelle Lee are twins on a mission to be the change they wish to see in the world one movie set at a time. Best friends and passionate activists this dynamic duo is just getting started and they’re not even out of high school yet. Performing has been a way of life for the twins from their start in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where it all began.

“When we were 3, we were at the park with our babysitter when a photographer came up to us and asked if we wanted to model for his clothing line, Llum. Everyone always told our parents that we should be in the industry so after doing a bit more research, we decided to give it a try! We had so much fun at that photoshoot and wanted to do more. So, our mom sent the photos to the top New York City agencies and they responded with a yes! From there, we went on to acting and well, here we are!”

The two have been inseparable ever since, attending auditions together and shooting campaigns for brands like Toys R Us, David’s Bridal, Saks Fifth Avenue, and QVC. They’ve been featured on several commercials and television shows including Madam Secretary, The Following, The Colbert Report, Live with Kelly and Michael and more. They’ve also walked the catwalk together for Converse and Nike in New York Fashion Week.

Side by side in all that they do, Anais and Mirabelle even share roles together.

“The best part about working in a partnership with an identical twin sister is that you have a built-in best friend. We do everything together and we are most confident when we’re together. So, when we go to auditions or go-sees, we walk in feeling very

confident because we have each other.”

major productions.

Both Anais and Mirabelle have the most infectious, loving energy it’s no wonder they’re so close. Because of their identical looks the twins are often cast to play the same part. Surprisingly enough the two have never played twins.

“Filming the movie Blood Ties with so many great actors like Mila Kunis and Zoe Saldana was an amazing experience. It was cool working with Zoe because she would play with us and talk to us between filming scenes. We filmed for several weeks and learned a lot. We got to work with an amazing director – Guillame Canet and stars like Clive Owens and James Caan.”

“Our dream role is to star in a TV show playing twins. We have never played twins in a show or movie before,” Anais explains, “but we love working together so we think that would be a really fun project to do.”

“When we were younger, we shared roles a lot” says Mirabelle. “We shared a role on Blood Ties, Veep, Madam Secretary, and the Blacklist. More recently, we do not share roles as often but we would love to! Working together is always so much fun. We recently worked on Nickelodeon’s Unleashed and we had a great time. Imagine doing your favorite thing in the world with your best friend. That’s what working on set is like for us.”

Not to mention being on set with big names in

Getting into character is a process and the twins work hard to go above and beyond for the part.

“When we are preparing for a role, we always do as much research on the project as possible,” Mirabelle explains. “You can always find out more information about the role that you may not have known of! We also study characters similar to the one we are reading for plus figure out ways that would make us stand out in the audition.”

“If we get the chance to read the whole script, we definitely will study it endlessly,” Anais adds.

“Blood Ties was also amazing because we got to go to the premiere of this movie at the Cannes Film Festival.”

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Beneath all the glitz and the glam of their life is their Philadelphian roots. There came a point when relocating to the West Coast was inevitable.

“We lived in Philly until we were 12 and then moved out to California. We had just moved from elementary school to middle school which was scary but then half way throughout the year, we moved across the country!

We were just moving to LA and we had changed so many schools.”

Though the transition wasn’t the easiest at the time, Anais and Mirabelle adjusted quickly to their new life in Los Angeles.

“We did homeschooling for the rest of the year and adjusting to this new life and the new people in LA was difficult,” Anais opens up. “Around the fall of 2019, our family decided that we were going to move to LA permanently. We were actually really sad because we knew no one in California and we would be leaving behind Philadelphia which was all we ever knew.”

“However,” Mirabelle pipes in, “we switched to in-person school and we were expecting it to be a really difficult transition but thanks to all of the amazing new friends we made, it wasn’t so difficult after all.”

Despite the challenges of uprooting and moving across the country the twins proved there is nothing they can’t get through together.

“That move was really challenging for us but we are so glad we did it because we love LA so much and ended up meeting some amazing people and were exposed to so many more opportunities. We will always be proud Philly girls and hope we get the chance to go back soon!”

Somehow Anais and Mirabelle manage to stay grounded and keep things as normal as possible regardless of their fast-paced life in the spotlight.

“We love to have fun sleepovers with our friends or go to dinner or the movies! Our friends mean so much to us and we always have the best time with them.

Our sleepovers always consist of lots of laughs and Tik Toks!”

When it comes to sibling rivalry, the girls reveal they’re not so different than most.

“All siblings fight but we always make up super fast.

I think the longest argument we have ever had was only for an hour! One of us always ends up saying an inside joke or shows the other a funny video and we

burst out laughing.” Of course they wouldn’t be twins if they didn’t try to use their similar looks to have a little fun.

“In

1st grade played a prank on our teacher where we switched desks and pretended to be each other,” Mirabelle laughs. “But we got into trouble,” Anais giggles, “so we have never done it again. Most of the people around us that we’ve known for a bit can tell us apart with only the occasional slip up.”

Humor and laughter abounds in the presence of the twins whose bouncy curls and bright smiles light up a room. Their charisma and spirit in addition to natural beauty and confidence has taken them far. But just like everyone else in the world, 2020 wasn’t the year they expected.

“The pandemic has definitely impacted our lives.

Right now we are doing online school because of COVID-19 but we would normally go to school in person! It can be hard at times to balance school and work but we always make it work. We have had straight A’s for all of our lives and it is a top priority of ours to keep it that way. Having to stay at home isolated from our friends, school, and daily activities has definitely been hard. But, we feel as if we have discovered ourselves more in quarantine.” Anais and Mirabelle took lemons and turned them into lemon cake.

“We have figured out a new sense of style and even humor and learned how to bake!We love to bake all of the time and our house is constantly filled with new desserts we love made. We also love cooking and we make food for our family almost everyday. We are basically the personal chefs of the Lee House.”

Through all of the ups and downs they’ve had the blessing of a supportive home life with dedicated parents who have nurtured them from the beginning.

“Our parents are so supportive of our career and are always helping us. Even though they are not actors themselves, they will always give us notes and help us on our scenes because they are avid movie watchers! We are so grateful to have such amazing and supportive parents. We love them so much!”

With over 500K followers on social media Anais

and Mirabelle also receive support from their dedicated fans.

“Our fans are just everyone who supports us and we are forever grateful for all of them. We love to take our time and respond to their comments or DMs because we love talking with them. We are so grateful to everyone who follows or supports us and we wish we could give every one of them a big hug.”Their impressive following has been earned by the young women’s dedication to authenticity and speaking up for what they believe in.

“We think that it is so important for diversity in the entertainment business. People need to feel represented!” Anais says with conviction. “We think that everyone should be able to watch a show or movie and be able to see themselves as a character.”

“When we were growing up, we never really saw anyone that looked like us,” Mirabelle goes on.

“We are so happy that things are changing and we can be a role model to young girls.” For them acting isn’t just a job, it’s activism.

“Another reason we feel like there should be more representation in shows is that you can show the character’s experiences that they’ve had to bring awareness to important matters. Young girls should also have a character that they can look up to. They should be able to look up to a good character that people can look up to that isn’t built upon false stereotypes.”

Anais and Mirabelle aren’t just talking the talk, they have been the recipients of several philanthropic awards including the Jasmina Youth Award for their partnership with the Black Cotton Foundation and its partner Purple R.E.I.G.N. Social Services which brings clothing and comfort to families in need at Wynonas House in Newark, NJ. The two also volunteer with a program called Bernards Buddies which pairs them up with an autistic child to help them with academic and social aspects in school. They also feed the homeless, donate to Toys for Tots and send pet food and supplies to their local animal shelter.

“We are passionate about the future of our country and how life will be for us when we get older. We understand more now about politics,

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social justice and getting involved to make a difference.“ The twins understand the impact of their platform and are seeking to make a difference with their voice.

“There is a very important election coming up in Georgia in January 2021. We would like everyone in the State of Georgia to please get out and vote on January 5, 2021! There is a Senate runoff in Georgia for two U.S. Senate seats. This election could change whether our Senate has the voice of all the people. Senators make huge decisions about our healthcare, our Supreme Court, you name it! It is super important so please register to vote and vote on January 5. Here are some important dates to remember: December 7, 2020 is the voter registration deadline, December 14, 2020 is when early voting begins and of course January 5, 2021 is Election Day.” Planning for the future of course involves their current hopes and dreams for their careers.

“We want to continue acting for the rest of our lives. It is truly our passion. When we get older we think it might be cool to get into directing or writing but as of now, we are just going to stick to acting.” Naturally they’ve got a bucket list.

“My role model is Natalie Portman,” Anais shares. “Ever since I was a little girl, I have always looked up to her. She is so inspiring and is super hard working and was great at academics as well as acting.”

“My role model would also be Natiale Portman,” Mirabelle chimes in, “and also Ava DuVernay! I have always looked up and admired

their amazing work. DuVernay always tells important stories that inspire many and it would be such a dream to work with her one day. We would definitely love to work with Natalie and Ava and Kerry Washington. They are such important figures in this industry and all of their work is so amazing. If we ever got the chance to work with them one day, I think we would scream so loud that New York would hear us!”

For now, they’re focused on the present.

“We are working on a super exciting project together right now that we are so excited to tell you guys about,” Mirabelle exclaims, “Anais is about to go to Canada to film Season 2 of The Babysitters Club!” Anais finishes her sister’s sentence where she left off “Jessi Ramsey will be a big part of Season 2 and I am very excited for people to see more of Jessi. Mirabelle’s new movie Slapface is coming out next year as well as a new animated show. “I cannot wait for everyone to meet my character Moriah in Slapface,” Mirabelle exclaims, “because she holds a very special place in my heart. We have so much stuff in store for you all!”

Keeping up with Anais and Mirabelle is a must in 2021 as the two continue to expand their empire and change the world. With so many exciting projects on the horizon and a continued commitment to humanitarianism these two are staying busy and focused reminding us all that life isn’t just a pursuit of our own dreams but also making the dreams of others is possible when like the twins we all decide to stick together.

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