WINGS SPRING - 2025

CERRITOS COLLEGE MAGAZINE

SPRING ‘25

The Influence of Social Media

BUSINESS

6

MUSIC

20 TREY GRAVES:

SOCIAL MEDIA IS FOR THE PEOPLE

18

SOCIAL MEDIA

How social media turned passion into profit through sharing.

Q & A with Angela Williams, LCSW and Manager of Cerritos College Mental Health Services.

24 TEQUILA RG LEGADO

REDEFINING THE SOUNDSCAPE

A bassist whose sound fuses his soulful Memphis roots with his new home in the City of Angels.

TRENDS

How social media helped fulfill an immigrant’s “American Dream.”

32 CITY POP

How Mariya Takeuchi song “Plastic Love” introduced new generation to discover city pop.

13 CENSORSHIP IN THE AGE OF SOCIAL MEDIA

Modern censorship is more subtle, is it just as dangerous?

22 CANCEL CULTURE

The dangers of cancel culture on social media and its effects on society.

30 SOCIAL MEDIA NORMALIZATION OF PORN

Porn addiction is real and it’s time to address the issue head on.

Cover Design: Melanie Salguero Cover Illustration: Derrick Telix

8

ALL ABOUT BAGGU

An exploration of the brand BAGGU that gained popularity online especially on TikTok and the impact its had on people’s lives.

16 UNBOX THE FUN

Pickaparty is turning surprises into a thriving business.

INFLUENCERS

VOICE

NEGATIVE SIDES OF

FEATURES

HEALTH

10 CHANGING THE STYLE OF

SPORTS MEDIA COVERAGE

How social media has impacted independent sports coverage.

28 THE KYEE FACTOR

Kyee’s authenticity and creative risks invite us into a world where every post and performance is a fresh expression of her journey.

26 SOCIAL MEDIA IS A WEAPON

Taaryn Cooper shares his experience with social media and the impact that it left on his everyday life.

Spring 2025 | WINGS | 3

WINGS STAFF

ISAAC CORDON

NATALIE GONZALEZ

JONATHAN DIAZ

Editor in Chief

Staff Writer

Staff Writer

DURAN VENTURA

MELANIE SALGUERO

CLAUDIA ARIAS

Staff Writer

Staff Writer

Staff Writer

ANGIE CAMPOS

BRENDEN GONZALES

IVAN LLATA

Staff Writer

Staff Writer

Staff Writer

FELIX PALENCIA

KARINA SORIANO

LAURA BERNAL

Staff Writer

Staff Writer

Contributor

MOISES LOPEZ

DERRICK TELIX

ANDREW PILANI

Illustrator

Illustrator

Contributor

CHRISTIAN BROWN

ALICIA EDQUIST

ALDO AVELAR

Faculty Adviser

Instructional Lab Tech

Illustrator

Wings Magazine is a publication of the Cerritos College Talon Marks.

It is produced entirely by the Journalism & Media Studies News Media Production Course (JAMS 107ABCD).

Wings Magazine is fully funded by the Miami Foundation via Press Forward Grant.

4 | WINGS | Spring 2025

Cerritos College Talon Marks 11110 Alondra Blvd.

Norwalk, CA 90650 editor@talonmarks.com www.talonmarks.com/wings-magazine Wings Magazine ©Copyright 2025

Letter from the Editor

We hope you enjoy this issue of our Spring 2025 Wings Magazine.

This spring magazine allowed us as college students in the newsroom to discuss social media’s influence on society.

Social media has been around for nearly three decades and has grown to be a huge part of our lives as we deal with it every day.

Our Wings magazine looked to capture and present the influence it has in this day and age of the 2020s.

From how social media has been a positive influence on today’s society with how it built up businesses, gave artists an

alternative platform to shine and allowed for new ways of covering topics like sports, to its negative influence when it comes to mental health, censorship and addiction to porn.

Social media will only continue to gain a bigger influence as we head into the next decade so it is important to keep having these discussions of its influence and how to better utilize social media.

Our newsroom has done a great job discussing its influence on society with the stories we’ve shared in this magazine and I can’t express how proud I am of my staff.

I am so thankful for my staff’s hard work throughout this magazine process along with all of our contributors, illustrators, faculty advisor and lab tech.

Wings would also like to thank The Miami Foundation for funding this magazine through the Press Forward grant.

This magazine process was long and difficult at times but was overall a fun journey, enjoy!

Your spring 2025 Editor-in-Chief, Isaac Cordon

Spring 2025 | WINGS | 5

Social media

is for the people How social media turned passion into profit

“It was like I was getting robbed,.” said Nashieli Munoz, owner of Angel Moon Beauty Boutique, and one of thousands of business owners that stood to be affected by the TikTok ban.

Munoz just entered her fifth year as a business owner and one thing that she has contributed to her success is her use of social media.

“You get to see who I really am as a business owner, as an artist, and what I care about in the community,” she said.

Angel Moon Beauty Boutique focuses on makeup, hair, skin care and facials, along with something else that Munoz takes pride in.

“What I provide is a safe space.”

The beauty boutique, which opened in Norwalk, California in, early 2020, was one of thousands of businesses faced with navigating the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Munoz wasn’t deterred and did the only thing that she could do during the lockdown , create content on social media.

Content creation wasn’t new to her either.

“I’ve shared my life online since I was 12- years- old, everyday I post” she said.

Munoz, who is now 32- years- old, is part of the generation that truly got to grow up with social media.

In the 20 years since she started content creation, social media has evolved from the simple messenger apps and photo sharing sites that it used to be.

Several people have been able to make 6 | WINGS | Spring 2025

the transition from social media influencer to celebrity and several businesses have been able to propel themselves to success because of a viral video.

However, going viral today doesn’t hold the same amount of weight as it did 20 years ago.

Now a viral moment fades after a week.

With social media platforms encouraging creators to continually push out new content, letting a piece of content linger is no longer an option, to be successful you have to love content creation.

“This has become my everyday, and it’s something I love,” Munoz said.

Brenden Gonzales Staff Writer

In April of 2021, the Angel Moon Beauty Boutique page on TikTok posted a video that took off, totaling 24,000 views.

The video, which out performed all previous videos, was exclusively posted on TikTok despite Angel Moon Beauty Boutique having profiles on several platforms, an intentional marketing move.

“I create different types of content for every social media platform,” Munoz said.

While the video that took off wasn’t a deviation from her normal content,

BELOW: A client’s pink set of nails done by Angel Moon Beauty Boutique in June of 2021.

Courtesy of Nashieli Munoz

RIGHT: The nails of a Angel Moon Beauty Boutique client in June of 2021.

Courtesy of Nashieli Munoz

RIGHT: Nashieli Munoz two years after opening Angel Moon Beauty Boutique.

Courtesy of Nashieli Munoz

Munoz shared why she believed the video was able to break through.

“I think because I was using social media as my main source of marketing, that did up the traction.”.

Afterwards, Munoz decided that it made sense to get verified on Instagram because “I was approached by a lot of businesses and a lot of people who want to work with me.”

Munoz says that verifying her account has affirmed legitimacy in those reaching out to the business.

The ability for verification on platforms is easier to obtain than in previous years, when asked if platforms provided business with the resources necessary She said “I think there’s a lot of resources for business’. I feel that in business the number one thing is to do it for the people and social media is for the people.”

The presence of social media in daily life only continues to grow with each passing day.

Everyday more and more people flock to the platforms because they want a piece of what’s offered.

“It’s a goldmine for community,.” Munoz said.

A community that Munoz says gave her

ABOVE: Nude gold glitter dipped nails done by Angel Moon Beauty Boutique in June of 2021.

Courtesy of Nashieli Munoz

the confidence to open her beauty boutique.

Putting her life not only on the screen but in their hands never worried Munoz.

As she would say, “They’re my best friends, my besties online.”

Even though she’s achieved success, she continues to make content.

When asked why, she said “I don’t want to lose my community.”

She followed up with “I get to share with my community, it’s a form of connection and

expression.”

While the story of Nashieli Munoz and Angel Moon Beauty Boutique is not the only of its kind, Munoz did offer what she believed is universal advice to business owners who use social media.

“Connect with people, don’t be afraid to connect people.”

RIGHT: A cosmetology student at Cerritos College works on a client, March 24, 2025.

Photo by Brenden Gonzales

Spring 2025 | WINGS | 7

All about BAGGU Laura Bernal Contributor “I was absolutely hooked,” said Pau Judith, expressing how her love for the BAGGU brand began after receiving their iconic medium crescent bag as a Christmas present in 2022.

Pau, 24, is a social media influencer located in the Inland Empire, with over 25,000 followers on her TikTok account, @ paulajudithm.

She began as a hobby in March of 2023 quickly grew into something more.

Pau’s social media presence has allowed her opportunities to work with brands including BAGGU, who she features in most if not all of her Outfit of the Day or OOTD videos.

“I started gaining about 6,000 followers from one video alone – a midsize OOTD video with my black BAGGU as the star of the show,” she said.

“The simplicity of the brand is what sold me. After I received [the black medium crescent], I made videos incorporating it into my daily OOTD videos; always making sure to hashtag BAGGU and tag the

brand.”

The brand was established in 2007 in Brooklyn. They focus on selling sustainable long lasting products made from 100% recycled nylon for most of their products and 65% recycled cotton for their canvas tote bags. They have also launched a line of leather purses made from 70% recycled leather and 100% recycled polyester.

What started as a reusable shopping bag shop with interesting designs including florals, fruits, animals and more quickly grew into crossbody bags that feature the brand’s name on the straps, shoulder bags that range from small to large, lunch bags with the same fun designs, spacious carry on bags, picnic blankets and more.

From their iconic collaborations with Sandy Liang, Sanrio, Collina Strada and more, it’s clear the brand was made for the girlies! It’s something you’d find in the videos of your favorite alternative content creator or local tattooed barista.

While the brand grew organically on its own, their popularity grew even more with the sensationalism created through social media websites such as TikTok.

Laura Bernal The BAGGU x Collina Strada cargo shoulder bag in the color Berry Chrysanthemum.

8 | WINGS | Spring 2025

“What’s in my BAGGU”, a spin on “what’s in my bag” videos, was a popular trend on TikTok that contributed to much of the brand’s social media growth.

The videos usually featured the medium crescent crossbody bag and displayed how many items could fit in the bag.

Pau explained,“I definitely think that TikTok specifically has gotten BAGGU the level of success and recognition they have today. I personally would not have known about the brand if I hadn’t seen it on a few content creators.”

“99% of my Midsize OOTDs feature various styles of their bags and I am usually one to purchase drops the day of to showcase to my followers contemplating if they want to make purchases themselves. It is definitely a domino effect, and a super exciting one as I really do love the products.”

“I get questions and comments daily on my posts asking about bag recommendations.”

The crescent bags gained popularity because of its simplicity and ease of use.

As the brand’s website says, “BAGGU makes simple, playful things for everyday living.”

They come in a variety of colors and fun prints with some that are permanent such as black and seasonal colors as well.

Their Spring 2025 collection featured chocolate plum, leopard print, butter yellow and more.

Nicole Lawrence (@ntomm on TikTok), a 26-year-old content creator from Los Angeles, has grown a following of 11,000 by posting latest product releases from popular and trending brands. Many of her posts include BAGGU. She provides her followers with an in depth breakdown of sneak peaks and seasonal drops from the brand.

“The fun patterns are what really caught my eye in the first place and most recently, their collaborations. And with some states charging for plastic bags in stores, I knew it only made sense to start carrying reusable bags and I wanted them to be fun patterns that I enjoyed using,” Nicole said.

BAGGUs are everywhere. From being a niche brand for those interested in sustainability to growing into an essential

for many.

The brand has built a community of followers who have created online spaces on facebook and reddit to discuss new drops, and help others find designs that h a v e b e e n discontinued.

“I have made lots of friends and mutuals on social media through our common love for BAGGU and our daily use of their bags. I truly feel blessed to have found such a fun and caring community through them,” Pau said.

Nicole emphasized, “Even when I’m in public and recognize someone with a BAGGU I’ll compliment them on it. I was at a small gathering once and someone there had the boygenius crescent and I complimented him on it and we ended up chatting BAGGU for a bit and he explained how he and his girlfriend were huge BAGGU fans! It makes a great conversation starter for sure.”

However, with the growing community and growing demand for baggu designs past and present, BAGGU and its cult-like following has been accused of contributing to overconsumption.

Pau admitted, “Although I love BAGGU, I have also fallen victim to this idea and mentality of overconsumption with the brand.”

“I do wish they kept their stance on sustainability more apparent. Some releases are extremely similar in color and feel a little unnecessary. Preaching sustainability then pumping out products every three months just feels wrong,” she continued.

She explained that it also falls onto the consumers as well. “We as consumers should also know where to draw the line. I do not get paid to promote BAGGU, it genuinely is just a passion of mine and something my followers like to see. I will only continue to promote the style and colors true to my personal style and preference.

Nicole expressed “I have mixed feelings about this. At the end of the day, they’re a large corporation and that means they need to make money in order to continue operating, so you can’t expect them to only release new things once a year.”

“That being said, some of the responsibility does fall in the hands of the consumer. I always like to think that there is no one at the BAGGU headquarters forcing

Laura Bernal Adrienne Fajardo poses with BAGGU’s leopard print mini shoulder bag.

me to buy from their newest drops. A lot of it is consumerism at its finest but the final decision lies in the hand of the consumer who has the purchasing power with his or her money,” she explained “I’m also a huge advocate for if it is what makes you happy, then there is no shame in collecting BAGGU reusable bags. One’s collection isn’t hurting anyone. It’s just important to get use out of the pieces!

Since that’s what they’re meant for!

How do they avoid overconsumption?

“I honestly rarely purchase anything on the first day of a launch. I never want to rush my purchases, and I try to be more mindful, taking time to see how other people s t y l e the bags first. It’s a l s o important for me to see the new pieces i n person first and support a small business if I get the chance,” said Nicole.

“I know it is easy to suffer from FOMO on drop days, seeing everyone’s hauls and all the new gorgeous bags, but I think it can also be fun to live vicariously through others. I tell myself if it isn’t in stock anymore months down the road then it wasn’t meant to be mine.”

Pau advised, “I think it all depends on your established style. Maybe you will outgrow a medium crescent because the

black logo strap won’t match your everyday pieces, etc. I have loved the brand for years and with the durability of the bags I can imagine I will have many more years to love them. I can’t predict the future but as of now I don’t see myself getting rid of any anytime soon!

“Stay true to your style and preference! You don’t have to buy the new collection just because someone promoted it/ styled it online if you really feel like you won’t reach for it.

“FOMO is real but so is buyer’s remorse.”

Spring 2025 | WINGS | 9

Changing the style of sports media coverage Isaac Cordon Editor-in-Chief

“I never went into content creation with a career goal in mind of, ‘I’m going be a Stephen A. Smith,’ I was just like, ‘well, I’ll just see what happens if I go through this and I’ll see where I land,’“ said Theo Ash, an independent sports journalist on TikTok and YouTube.

For someone who dropped out of Arizona State University’s sports journalism program, Ash is now at the forefront of a new wave of sports coverage by noticing the details in sports that he feels traditional media neglects.

Ash started his content creation on TikTok in the fall of 2020 where he started breaking down NFL games. He now has a 10 | WINGS | Spring 2025

following of nearly 330,000.

He has also managed to secure a deal with Blue Wire for the podcast “Stay Hot” with co-hosts Matthew Sponhour and Blaiden Kirk. The podcast has 33,000 YouTube subscribers.

Originally, Ash was not a fan of the content on TikTok when he was first introduced to it.

“I thought the app originally was just kind of childish,” he said.

“I didn’t think there was a lot of room for nuanced dialogue about sports on there. From what I could see, it was a lot of lip-syncing and joking around which wasn’t what I was looking

to do,” Ash stated.

Even though the app didn’t start off as a place for sports coverage, Ash saw an opportunity and took it.

“On TikTok, it’s just kind of this unconquered frontier where I could go on there and be the most serious person talking about sports, and that’s a good way to grow, so eventually I decided to download that app and just give it a shot.”

By the time Ash started to post, other accounts were talking about sports – but not quite exactly how he wanted to approach it.

“I knew there was some appetite for sports content on there, but no one was actually getting into the nitty-gritty of it.”

The “nitty-gritty” content he posts is footage of NFL games where he breaks down what’s happening in a game which he calls “film breakdowns” or “film reviews.”

These film breakdowns of NFL games are where he challenges current sports narratives, recognizes players/teams whether they are performing well or not and overall helps NFL fans get a better understanding of the game.

Ash explained why he took this approach instead of showing stats like other creators.

“I wanted to be as accurate as possible and I realized that stats are just kind of this byproduct of the actual thing that’s happening on the field.

“There’s a lot that’s unquantifiable over a 17game sample size...so, if I want to give people the best possible look at what’s going on in the sport, with their favorite teams and players, it’s not just to say like they had 5,000 yards and leave it at that.

“It’s to paint a lush picture of everything they do well and some of the things they struggle with.”

This way of sports coverage not only differs from other content creators but other traditional media outlets as Ash feels like sports’ talking heads don’t touch upon these details.

“I feel like you don’t always get that from Skip Bayless’ Show or Colin Cowherd’s show, which might be the biggest shows in the world...they’ve got a format that they stick to because they know that it works.

“There’s a lot of room outside of that format to grow over the years,” he stated.

However, Ash recognizes why people won’t get those details from those shows, “They’re out there every day...they just don’t have the time to go watch and notice.”

Ash covering sports independently allows him to catch these details as he has more time in comparison to the traditional shows which has got his viewers to sometimes trust him more than people in traditional media.

An example of this is when he covers Super Bowl media days and how fans react to the questions he asks players at the

podium.

“People in my comment section are like ‘this is so much better than the silly questions that get asked’ when I ask about like run fits or whatever,” Ash said.

Ash feels like some journalists aren’t as serious when it comes to asking questions to players as he has witnessed reporters looking up what questions to ask players at the podium on Google and ChatGPT which contributes to why fans have more trust in his opinions.

“There’s a lot of just aimless people, and I’m kind of aimless too because I don’t go down there working on a story.

“But at the end of the day, they’re football players and they like talking about football.

“A lot of people are there and they’re not inherently curious about what’s happening in the game or what happened throughout the season.

They’re there, and they don’t break down film like I do,” Ash explained.

Though Ash and other sports content creators like him are not as big as sports media outlets like ESPN, he is glad to fill his role of exploring the curiosity of sports independently.

“Independent pages like mine are a little bit more appealing for some people, whether they realize it or not and I’m glad I can fill any kind of role in the ecosystem.

“I do hope that people who enjoy my film reviews try to carry that curiosity into all kinds of areas of their life, whether it be sports, school, politics, or whatever it is.

“As I get older, that’s definitely the thing that stands out the most to me about what I do is, just trying to carry that energy through everything,” Ash said.

PREVIOUS PAGE: Theo Ash posing for a picture at the podium in the 49ers press room at Super Bowl LVIII on Feb. 7, 2024.

BELOW: ESPN senior writer Mina Kimes sitting besides Theo Ash during radio row in Las Vegas for Super Bowl LVIII on Feb. 7, 2024.

All photos courtesy of Theo Ash

Spring 2025 | WINGS | 11

12 | WINGS | Spring 2025

Censorship in the age of social media Felix Palencia Staff Writer

Illustration by Aldo Avelar

Spring 2025 | WINGS | 13

“It’s dangerous when one person or one company oversees a specific social media platform because it gives them too much power,” Eric Pierce editor of The Downey Patriot.

M

odern censorship is more subtle, is it just as dangerous?

In 1996, Gary Webb, an investigative journalist exposed the CIA's alleged involvement in the drug trade in his Dark Alliance series. After the publication of his groundbreaking work, Webb faced intense backlash from government officials eager to discredit his findings. His career was ruined, and just eight years later, he was found shot twice in the head.

“I was winning awards, getting raises, lecturing college classes, appearing on TV shows, and judging journalism contests. And then I wrote some stories that made me realize how sadly misplaced my bliss had been. The reason I'd enjoyed such smooth sailing for so long hadn't been, as I'd assumed, because I was careful and diligent and good at my job... The truth was that, in all those years, I hadn't written anything important enough to suppress.”

His death was ruled a suicide, but it raised troubling questions about the lengths to which some will go to suppress inconvenient truths.

While government crackdowns and book burnings once defined censorship, today it’s quieter, hidden in algorithms, corporate policies and digital barriers that suppress critical stories in seconds.

This shift has led many to question whether truth can ever truly be free.

"There’s so much misinformation running rampant, and it’s dangerous when one person or one company controls what gets seen and what gets suppressed," said Eric Pierce, longtime editor of The Downey Patriot, a community newspaper and news

14 | WINGS | Spring 2025

site that covers Southeast Los Angeles County, home to two million people.

Pierce pointed out, "Censorship has definitely increased in the last four or five years. It’s not just governments; now it’s tech companies and large organizations feeling they can get away with it. Misinformation is being rewarded, and independent journalism is being suppressed."

Pierce added that while censorship is often thought of as a governmentimposed restriction, "it exists at every level of the media industry."

The role of tech companies in shaping the media landscape is critical.

In an article by Annie Palmer for CNBC, published on Feb. 27, 2025.

Address recent issues, like subpoenas from the House Judiciary Committee to tech giants Meta and X, to show how much control these platforms have over what we see and hear.

The committee is investigating whether foreign governments pressured companies to censor speech in the U.S. "Social media companies hold significant power over the information we consume,” Pierce said. “And when they suppress stories, it can change the course of public discourse."

“There is no such thing as a free press,” said Dr. Michael Longinow, a professor of journalism at Biola University in La Mirada. “It is a fiction, an ideal that we have. There’s always pressure on the press, whether it is the government or your investors.”

Media companies are often owned by larger corporations, which can influence what stories are covered or omitted.

T

he Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has launched an investigation into censorship by tech companies on Feb. 20, 2025, as many people have noted an increase in restriction of free speech online, particularly as the digital landscape continues to grow.

“It depends on the administration in the White House, but it is not just federal it happens at the state, county and city levels, too. It is like a cycle that goes up and down. Censorship has definitely gotten worse in the last 20 years,” Longinow said.

When large companies control multiple outlets, from news to entertainment, they decide which voices are amplified and which are suppressed.

“We need facts. We need the truth,” Pierce said. “Without accurate and honest reporting, misinformation spreads unchecked,

and people are left confused about what is real and what is not real.”

In some cases, people face realworld consequences for expressing their views, as seen in the case of Maura Finklestein, a tenured professor at Muhlenberg College who was fired after reposting a statement by Palestinian American poet Remi Kanazi criticizing Zionists on her Instagram.

“I don’t really think it’s about me, I think it’s about a larger landscape of repression in the United States” Finklestein says.

Censorship may not always be obvious, but it quietly filters or limits information, raising concerns about restricted access to the truth.

As the media landscape evolves, experts warn that the risk of distorted information grows.

In a world where information is shaped, the question remains, will we ever truly know the whole truth?

Want to hear more about the rise of censorship on social media?

Scan the QR code to hear an interview with Eric Pierce, editor of The Downey Patriot

Spring 2025 | WINGS | 15

Unbox the Fun Pickaparty is turning surprises into a thriving business Angie Campos Staff Writer

“Good luck, good luck, good luck!” owner Carla Diaz chirped out as yet another customer purchased a blind box Labubu, a sealed container that holds a surprise item as part of a collection, one of the many items sold at her shop Pickaparty.

The brick-and-mortar store located in Whittier and founded in 2023 has a nice and calming atmosphere. Ambient music filled the store as all types of customers shopped as working mothers still in uniform brought in their tween daughters to purchase toys using their allowance money to young couples in search of Sonny Angels, Labubus, and Smiskis.

“To me, there’s nothing more than being a catalyst for joy and connection, there’s nothing better than watching this, a mom and a daughter.”

Carla takes the first cash payment of the day from the mother and daughter whom she remembers from the day prior. Making sure to perform a ritual she started long ago, blessing the first cash sale with the sign of the cross.

Pickaparty, like many small businesses, got its start on TikTok – a trend that is on the rise since the app blossomed in pop culture during the pandemic. Carla and her husband, Graham Barnard, sold their inventory on the social media platform for roughly two years.

“For some reason, someone was reporting us for guns or something... random,” said Carla, letting out a small giggle, recalling the memory.

With the reports on the account, Pickaparty lost their access to go live on TikTok. Feeling stressed since it was their main source of income while working remotely, the next step was moving onto YouTube, where Carla and Graham continued to livestream their online sales, pop-up events at the Paramount SwapMeet, and their daily life.

“That ended up being a blessing 16 | WINGS | Spring 2025

because we started growing a lot on YouTube,” Carla said.

A new home Since the couple does go live frequently, they were able to capture the moment they first heard about the opportunity of opening a physical storefront.

While on live eating tacos, Carla received a call from her sister, who is also a business owner selling antique kitchen items in the shop next door. She let Carla know that the prospective tenants ghosted the owner, and the couple had the opportunity to check the space out and speak with the owner.

“I literally tell the live stream, ‘Guys, we might get a store.’” Carla emphasized how crazy of a coincidence it was that the live captured the first step towards what Pickaparty has become.

“We drive over here, and we talk to the owner. The owner is very nice, and he likes us,” she said. “The owners were like, ‘Well, whoever sends the deposit first will get the space,’ and in that moment, I just Zelled him.”

New friends With a turnaround of just three weeks, Pickaparty held a soft opening in December 2024, where roughly 100 people showed up. The following month, in January, Pickaparty officially opened, and over 400 people showed up.

Still on the high of a successful soft and grand opening, YouTube personalities Remi Cruz and Oli Abbas, with over 5 million followers across their social media platforms, casually walked into the shop as Carla was on live.

“Because I’m always working, I never have time to really consume a lot of content. I am always content, you know?

So I didn’t know who they were; they were

just really nice. I treated them just how I treat everybody.”

The livestream viewers were able to identify Remi just from her voice, spamming the chat with “Carla, that’s Remi!” Carla turned over the camera to show the two, and the viewers went nuts.

After exchanging information, Carla, Remi, and Oli held a separate livestream after shop hours a few days later.

“She (Remi) wanted to vlog in the

“I never have time to really consume a lot of content. I am content.”

- Carla Diaz store, so she came in one night after we closed. She vlogged, then we did a live stream sale.” The business saw a big rush of new customers after this collaboration.

“It was really cool seeing our communities come together. A lot of people from the Pickaparty community had watched their content. They were excited to interact with Remi.”

With the grand opening having roughly 400 customers show up, Carla felt prepared for the new rush. A follower even sent Carla a private message saying, “Hey this is huge, prepare yourself. Buy triple of what you need to buy.”

“I’ve always said everything that we do and everything that’s happened to us is because of our followers.”

More than a toy People will shop throughout the livestream, and Carla will open their blind boxes for them.

“It’s a whole community, it’s cool because people always question if they want to open them themselves.”

Carla explained that if a viewer buys a brown Labubu, but already has that color, someone in the chat could buy it from them. They would then be able to open a new box.

“What I’ve done is people come in, and they’re like ‘Can I buy a full case?’ and I could sell it and I could mark it up and make a bunch of money, but I’d rather

Photos by Angie Campos

everybody gets one and is happy.”

Carla continues, tears building up in her eyes, “It’s so much more than just a toy. I’m not delusional. I know that they’re toys and I know they’re collectibles but for me, it’s more like a catalyst to bring joy to people, you know, to like heal. So many of us, it’s what we’re trying to do. Heal our inner children.

Quickly wiping the tears away from her eyes, Carla smiles widely at the young couple approaching the register.

“Ready to check out?”

The ding of the approved contactless payment fills the room.

“Good luck, good luck, and good luck!”

Spring 2025 | WINGS | 17

Negative side of social media

Q & A with Angela Williams, Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Claudia Arias Staff Writer After more than two decades of clicking, sharing, retweeting, posting and doom scrolling, we all now know there are good and bad aspects of social media.

The pros include increased connectivity with family and friends that may not live close by and wider options for political dialogue and interactive entertainment.

Kids and young adults dance and meme on Instagram and Tik Tok, while older generations follow news and post family photos on Facebook.

Stress can have a big impact on the kids, but young adults and even older Americans struggle to keep up with adding content and making sure it’s something that other people will like.

Young adults can also struggle with seeing other people’s social media pages.

They may compare themselves to someone else’s page and may feel that their life is not good enough.

In October of 2023, California Attorney General Rob Bonta along with 33 other attorneys general filed a lawsuit against Meta.

The lawsuit claimed that their platform 18 | WINGS | Spring 2025

designs features that are addicting to kids and also lowers their self-esteem.

We spoke to Angela Williams, LCSW, manager of Mental Health Services at Cerritos College, about how to navigate social media pitfalls.

Do you like social media? Do you think it’s addicting?

So again I think it’s really all in how it’s used.

As to whether or not it can be helpful.

I mean it’s clearly designed to keep us engaging right.

The designers of social media have figured out how to use the way that our brains work to the advantage of keeping people engaged with social media.

And if we sort of unknowingly fall into utilizing social media in this way of overly using it checking you know relying on it for all things then it can be problematic.

It can also be a wonderful way to connect with others.

It can be a wonderful way to find out about events and you know express oneself and do all of these things.

But again it’s all about how one is interacting with it and utilizing it and so that

is very individualized as to whether or not it can be useful.

There is plenty of content on social media that can be really helpful.

I, as a mental health provider, have to tell you there are a lot of folks out there using social media to promote mental health.

Ideas that are not grounded in research and/or standards of practice as well and so that can be problematic right because it’s coming across as something very official and it is not.

An official, stance on or informed by you know the standards of practice and understanding mental health concerns and so that is very concerning to me.

That it comes across that way and people might be consuming like well this is what you have or you know this your diagnosis or if you do these behaviours it must mean this about you.

Or all the ways that certain mental health conditions quote unquote can be cured and things like that are not shared by actual practitioners and that stuff is very concerning.

Like misinformation getting out there?

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

On the other hand, I do think social media has had somewhat of a hand in destigmatizing mental health and getting mental health help.

And so that’s what i’m saying with this like push and pull a little bit.

With social media, yeah it’s complicated.

Do you think age makes a difference on how they handle social media?

Well I do think that we know from recent revelations even from some social media giants that they knew it was harmful to kids under 12.

We have evidence at this point that it can really impact.

I think that when you look at and I won’t get into all the details, but if you look at child development side by side with how social media is designed to work it makes sense that it can be really harmful for younger folks to use.

And so yeah I think that could be a factor for sure.

You said mental health, they talk about it, but it’s not always good information?

Well it’s normalized talking about mental health for sure.

So people are more open about the whole idea of mental health is something we should talk about.

There’s, gosh, I mean I of course because I work with this population I care about how social media impacts folks mental health and how we can utilize, also promote mental wellness.

And I’m just going to tell you that research is super mixed out there on how it’s maybe caused problems and then how it helped in some cases and so it’s very nuanced.

social media and then that causes mental health problems?Is it really that they have underlying mental health issues and they’re lonely and disconnected from others and this is their attempt to reach out.

I think we have to look at it from an individual level.

That’s the kind of conversations with our clients.

If they’re staying up too late and on social media.

If they’re changing their eating habits and having bad body image issues because of what they’re seeing online.

Then we have individual conversations with them about how you are going to manage or use in a way that helps you feel more in control and doesn’t negatively impact you.

I think that is all of my questions. Did you have anything?

Hopefully this is helpful.

I think the tagline is It’s complicated and it has pluses and minuses.

You know, we do our own work to have a good relationship with social media.

There’s good things about it and bad things about it. Not even getting into the safety of kids on social media?

Yeah. So of course that’s a factor.

At the same time it can be a connector tool.

It can also be the only way that someone is trying to connect with others is through social media.

There is some research that says that those folks are having more problems with their mental health.

Is it because they are lonely that they use

Illustration by Derrick Telix

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Photos courtesy of Brenda Ortiz

Redefining the Soundscape Karina Soriano Staff Writer

It

was a Sunday afternoon in Los Angeles. As I walk up to a photo studio in Downtown LA, to meet up with Trey Graves, he is already waiting outside with bass on hand, informing me that it’s been a long night, but that seems like the norm for him.

We get set up, it is apparent that Trey Graves is no ordinary musician with roots from the soulful streets of Memphis, Tennessee, and transitioning to the vibrant music scene of Los Angeles; his journey has been filled with determination, creativity and heartfelt passion.

As the conversation continues, he informs me that he just got off the road from an electrifying tour with Grammy nominated Omar Apollo, who he played bass for on Omar’s God Said No world tour with 33 shows back to back.

Omar Apollo’s music can be described as alternative R&B and was recently a part of the Forbes 30 under 30 music list.

Has gained a big fan base and those moments on tour are still echoing in Trey Graves mind.

You can feel that for Trey, growing up in Memphis really exposed him to a mix of sounds, everything from the deep blues and rock ‘n’ roll traditions of his hometown to the raw energy of modern trap and rap.

Trey sits down for a break and we touch on the subject of social media, Trey reveals, “Social media has impacted me as an artist because it’s allowed me to have influences from so many regions.”

Being able to connect with artists in Los Angeles and becoming part of the music community, from connections made from social media platforms.

Now some of those connections have become close friendships and mentors.The digital age has opened doors to these global cultures and sonic landscapes.

It is apparent that the influence has helped him see beyond the familiar bubble of his local scene, inspiring him to embrace new genres and fuse them with his own emerging style. For Trey, music was always a bridge between the past and present.

His father, who is a musician as well, was born and raised in Los Angeles before settling in Memphis years later in his career; this unique duality is in Trey’s DNA. This personal connection to Los Angeles had always burned quietly in the back of his mind.

Now, as he stands with his burgeoning career in the City of Angels, it has all begun to come together.

“My dad gave me this amazing, eclectic upbringing,” Trey remarked. “While I was influenced by the deep soul of Memphis, his West Coast, hippie vibe always reminded me of LA.” Trey’s journey is very much a testament to his resilience. He has spent years honing his craft and building a reputation on streaming platforms, first as the guy behind the bass and now as a solo act with a very distinct voice.

You can describe his music as being infused with this infectious groove and innovative sounds. It soon found its way to various digital platforms where listeners from around the world could access it.

The tour with Omar Apollo has been a turning point for him. As he traveled across cities, performing for large crowds, whether he was engaging with fans after a show or in a random jam session with Anderson Paak or Chaka Khan. Trey has this raw authenticity and kindness that resonated deeply.

“Mindset is everything,” Trey said. “Failure is a good thing.

You learn from it and use it to make yourself better.”

He has learned invaluable lessons about attraction, failure, and success. This tenderness is a key part of what Trey says sets him apart.

Whether booking gigs himself, handling emails, or simply taking time to thank every person who supported him along the way, Trey’s humility has a way of shining through it all.

In our conversation, he made a point to touch on this subject.

“No, I don’t think you need a big team,” he shared. “With the Internet, you have so much access you can do everything yourself.” He has not been overwhelmed by the idea of taking his own career into his own hands to succeed.

This self-reliance, blended with genuine care for his craft, made him a role model of sorts for aspiring musicians everywhere.

Despite the successes and the whirlwind of a world tour, Trey’s heart has always been in his music. Late nights in the studio experimenting with sounds or tapping into his upbringing playing in the church.

Trey is slowly but steadily carving his name in a way that is both true to his roots and boldly innovative.

From his soulful performances to carefully curated sets that challenged conventional genres, he is a multi-talented force.

His bass lines are a real testament to his musical ingenuity, y, carrying layers of depth, precision, and expressive warmth.

Scan for Trey Graves Interview terview

Spring 2025 | WINGS | 21

Ivan Llata Staff Writer

The dangers of cancel culture on social media

S

ocial media can be used for chatting with friends, taking selfies and other photos, keeping up with current events in our community, even updating resumes. Within the last five years maybe longer? Social Media has been used to spread anger and hatred.

Cancel culture has had a negative presence in social media, especially in the entertainment and political realms.

If you don’t agree with something that has been presented, you are labeled a racist, homophobic or a pig, according to cancel culture. This is wrong.

Cancel culture has affected what we watch on television. Take Looney Tunes, for example, New York Times writer Charles Blow, accused the character Pepé Le Pew, a skunk who keeps trying to get a date with a female cat, of rape culture. The cat would always decline his advances.

The character would be removed in 2017.

Speedy Gonzales was accused to encourage racial stereotypes towards Mexican Americans. Lola Bunny was said to be too sexy. I understand these were different decades, but where was the outrage during the original “Space Jam” and “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” which both featured a sexy female character. If you don’t like what you’re watching on television wouldn’t it be better to change 22 | WINGS | Spring 2025

the channel or just turn it off?

After the 2024 presidential election, women took to social media to express their anger over the result.

Modern politics have dangered friendships, ruined relationships/ marriages even divided families.

In so many words these women would go on to say they would shave their heads to appear unattractive to their boyfriends or husbands, blaming them for the results of the election.

Shouldn’t this very gesture be considered insensitive toward women actually going through Alopecia? How come nobody brings this up?

In 2016, when Republican candidate Donald Trump won his first term for president, people took to the streets shouting “NOT MY PRESIDENT” going on social media saying everyone that voted for him a bigot, homophobic, and a sexist pig, there were even videos of his supporters getting beat up, if the situation was reversed there would be significantly more outrage.

Cancel culture has affected the political realm.

Many individuals would say that Cancel culture is the reason the Republican party won the White House in 2024.

For the record, the United States

Photo illustration by Ivan Llata and Andrew Pilani Photo by Eva Rinaldi/Wikimedia Commons Chris Brown performs at Supafest 3 Sydney, Australia 2012.

How much impact does cancel culture have on society?

Compiled by: Ivan Llata & Andrew Pilani “I can’t see it – I feel cancel culture is with celebrities and famous people. I feel like cancel culture really doesn’t exist here on campus.

Victoria Frausto Business Admin major “When I think of cancel culture, I think of people who are being held accountable for either saying or doing things that are inappropriate or are at the detriment of people, community, or individuals.”

Sylvia Blush Adjunct Theatre Arts Professor “I think it depends on how popular the person is and if enough people do it, then there is a difference. But, if it’s a small group, then I don’t think it works in the way they would like to.”

Katie Espinosa Art major

government would attempt to censor or cancel Heavy Metal music from the mid Mid-1980s- the 1990s with the Parents Music Resource Center many within the government believed that heavy metal music was poisoning America’s youth.

On Sept.19, 1985, Dee Snider of Twisted Sister appeared before the United States Senate and made it clear when determining what music his kids would listen to he would, look at the album cover, read the lyrics, and listen to the album.

Snider would state if any album cover displayed any mistreatment of women or any other graphic nature, it’s not an album he would want his children to hear. Shortly after this hearing the U.S. government placed a parental advisory sticker on albums which actually increased artists record sales and the PMRC disbanded.

I wish everyone associated with cancel culture and politics would do more research and stop coming to conclusions on things they don’t fully understand and take the time to listen to certain songs and albums. As a fan of heavy metal music from the 1980s I think the lyrics are meaningful and the guitar solos are awesome.

Recently, perhaps one of the biggest – if not the biggest entertainment companies – has also felt the pressure to cancel culture.

Disney, who was once known to push good family values and the belief in true love, now seemingly uses their programming to push a certain agenda.

Notably, the most recent Star Wars content on their streaming platform was unpopular. Most of the die hard Star Wars fans didn’t like what Star Wars has become, this isn’t just evident with their television programming, less and less people are visiting their theme parks.

Instead of trying to correct the issue major executives within Disney would call the consumers/fans similar names to what they call president Trump and his supporters.

This isn’t much of a call to action, this is more of a plea? Can we please at least try and be nice instead of calling someone outside their name? It’s okay to disagree.

Can we find some command ground and discuss things rationally instead of fighting and spreading hatred? If we can not at least agree to disagree? And let eachother go our separate ways?

Families are divided, friendships have ended because of cancel culture and the way things are politically in the United States.

It has to end.

Spring 2025 | WINGS | 23

Tequila RG Legado Natalie Gonzalez Staff Writer

How social media helped fulfill an immigrant’s “American Dream”

Resenviz sits down and reviews “Instagram isn’t too their profiles. fond of alcoholic So far, the brand has worked brands,” said Melisa with influencer Ricardo Enriquez, who goes by ricky.ricky.rickyyy, a Skingr, social media tequila influencer, with a following manager for Mexican- of 68,000 on Instagram. Tequilosa, owned tequila brand a digital creator and tequila influencer, has also worked with RG Legado. the brand, advertising to their However, the self-identified copywriter and graphic designer says curating the social media presence of RG Legado is “thrilling.”

With a following of 95,000 and 32,000 profiles each month reaching the account, Skingr says Instagram has opened doors for the brand.

“People don’t realize it takes a lot of work running a social media account,” Skingr said, “It’s like my baby.”

Skingr says Latino immigrants have been the key to their success online as Latin culture is at the core of what RG Legado represents.

“I am an immigrant myself,” Skingr said, “We have this brand in honor of a migrant hard worker and wanted that to be seen.”

“The company started with a dream and now we’re building a legacy,” said Nelson Gonzalez, who founded Tequila RG Legado in honor of his late father Ramon.

Unfortunately, death came early, taking away a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, leaving his son Nelson Gonzalez with the task of completing his father’s dream of planting agave.

“I called it Tequila RG Legado,” Nelson said.

RG stands for his father Ramon Gonzalez and Legado the legacy he left.

From running a staffing agency to going into the tequila business, “Business is business,” said Nelson, “Like any business everything takes time, a lot of dedication and you have to be passionate about it.”

For Tequila RG Legado, when it comes to choosing influencers to work with or getting approached by influencers for a collaboration, co-owner and director Fernando

56,000 followers.

These influencers are given their favorite bottle of tequila to post and record videos and tell people why it’s their favorite tequila.

One main thing is to get celebrities and influencers to try the tequila to help make the brand global.

When it comes to working with influencers, some influencers are “super approachable and open to collaborating and others are not too approachable and are not open to collaborating,” Skingr said.

“Some influencers are very picky,” Resenviz said, “sometimes difficult, making it a challenge.”

A few influencers reached out to RG Legado themselves for a sponsorship or collaboration, but not all of their profiles match their target audience at the moment.

Having a very unique brand, it’s important to have a strong connection with their followers always looking to get different inspiration and try to connect it to their feed for their followers.

“Not about the quantity, but the quality of the followers.”

Resenviz said their main audience is males between the ages of 30-65 with some women as well.

It’s very important they keep social media active and they post three to four posts a week to keep their page fresh and give their followers updates on what’s new.

With RG Legado in about 30 restaurants within California and in about 80 liquor stores, the business feels more secure about the product.

“We want tequila lovers,” Resenviz said.

Tequila RG Legado is an additive-free premium tequila,

Photos courtesy of Tequila RG Legado

making it hangover-free.

Not only does the making of the tequila process from the valley and highlands of Blue Agawaves from Jalisco make it unique, but the back story is inspiring.

One hundred percent Mexican-owned. The tequila is imported from Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico.

The agave takes about seven years to be matured and ready to jimar, or harvest.

Passed down from Don Ramon Gonzalez, an immigrant in the United States who worked hard and tirelessly for his family to achieve the “American dream,” RG Legado aspires to return one day to his hometown Barranca de Santa Clara Jalisco to fulfill his mission.

“You have to know how to balance life and business at all times especially if you have a family, always be supportive of the family and make sure your family is supportive of your business,” Nelson Gonzalez said. “They are the drive, they are the ones that also push you to do best in any type of business – just be passionate and don’t give up.”

Spring 2025 | WINGS | 25

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Social Media is a Weapon Cover Photo by Melanie Salguero Cutouts by Taaryn Cooper

26 | WINGS | Spring 2025

Melanie Salguero Staff Writer

“By the way, I got doxxed again today! So that’s great,” Taaryn Cooper said.

“Again? Isn’t that the second time?” replied Roman Ikram concerningly.

“Third!,” Cooper responded with a shrug.

The idea for Taaryn’s video game – Five Nights At Freddy’s: In Real Time – came from a conversation with his friend Roman about the original game that came out in 2014.

“That feeling of nostalgia and remembering our imagination as kids – I always wanted to see the animatronics move...” Taaryn said.

FNAF in Real Time began its full development around August of 2023, going through some strong efforts of trial and error the first few months of development, looking for any way of making the project work.

In all the excitement and anticipation while creating the video game, Taaryn had no idea the negative weight that social media would carry later down the road and the impact it had on him as a person.

The process began with Taaryn reaching out to people on social media and asking if they would wanna collaborate and create a game together as one.

In its early stages of development, social media played a big role in bringing people together and it was how Taaryn was able to reach out to people such as coders, animators, etc. and invite them to all collaborate on FNAF in Real Time.

Social media played such an impactive role in the development of the game as well as Taaryn’s life throughout the almost two years he spent working on the game from his bedroom at home.

It allowed for many opportunities to come through the door and it helped him grow into a sort of icon within the FNAF community.

It also took a great toll on his day-to-day life and the way that Taaryn’s full perspective on social media and the influence it can have.

“There’s a lot of things that I that I got from that [social media] that I wanted to do, and I think that it was my first step in honestly

being able to see how any of my ideas could turn into something that could be kind of realistic, that was really fun,” Taaryn said.

“But then I also kind of very quickly realized that to do anything like that, you really need a strong sense of barrier security, no matter what, because all I did was make a Five Nights at Freddy’s game, and I got doxxed.”

Even through it all he holds appreciation for the positive impacts social media has brought to his project and continues to do so with new projects he is working on.

On the topic of “new projects,” Taaryn is developing a new video game, which he has organized a Kickstarter essentially connecting creators with backers to fund projects.

However, he also recognizes as good as social media can be, it can also rip into you, and the way you handle yourself can really define the outcomes of things. Taaryn knew he had to keep a strong sense of self when developing the game, especially when a community formed around it and faced so much criticism.

“I think at the end of the day, I have to talk about my experience with social media as it has been the worst years and the best years of my life. It has been some of the most terrible and hurtful things that I’ve ever experienced,” he explains.

“So much assault and harassment from social media, I have had my worst depressive episodes ever and hit my limits, like, five fucking times, it shouldn’t have happened. God damn you, Five Nights at Freddy’s,” he said with a laugh.

But he does not let that back him into a corner, as he knows that this is just something you have to learn how to deal with because there will always be a few people trying to poke at you for a mere reaction.

“I think the general term I’ll use is that social media is a weapon,” said Taaryn.

“So at the end of the day, we can’t keep, keep crying about that shit. The harder we cry, the more that they’re gonna be like, they’re gonna want to like, hear us cry even harder, you know,” he said.

“So let’s just celebrate how much cool shit we’re doing. So I think that’s my overall perception.”

Spring 2025 | WINGS | 27

Karina Soriano Staff Writer

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Photo courtesy of Brenda Ortiz

In Los Angeles, a city bursting with talent, there are a few rare individuals like Kyee who have mastered an effortless blend of style, music, dance, and design.

Kyee is more than a fashion influencer. She is a true creative powerhouse.

From her impeccable styling to her soulful musical artistry, every move Kyee makes is a raw expression of innovation and relentless passion.

Meeting Kyee years ago, initially as a singer, and witnessing her evolution into the realms of fashion and design has been nothing short of inspirational.

Her journey is a testament to the value of authenticity and the courage to pursue multiple creative avenues.

As Kyee reflects on her path, she explains how social media has pushed her voice forward “Social media has challenged me to show up in ways I never thought possible,” she states. “It’s about connecting with people and letting them in on the daily moments that define who I am.” She learned that vulnerability can be a strength.

“Take risks, don’t be afraid to explore who you are.

Don’t allow other people’s opinions to shape your vision. Show up boldly, even when it’s challenging.”

This fearless declaration is at the heart of Kyee’s creativity. She embraces the continuous struggle between competing passions, music and design while always returning to the call of her artistic soul.

With each new day, whether she is sewing a piece of clothing or performing on stage, Kyee finds innovative ways to balance her diverse talents, proving that the pursuit of excellence spans every creative medium.

Beyond her impressive artistic versatility, Kyee’s commitment to self-growth and authenticity shines through. Reflecting on her personal evolution, she shares how embracing her imperfections and building unwavering confidence has allowed her to “press through the space of not feeling good enough” and truly manifest growth.

This journey has inspired others to live boldly and create without fear.

Every performance and design, Kyee’s signature blend of spirituality and artistry comes to life. As she puts it, “When I get on stage, I’m tapping into God’s goodness and a power that propels me to give everything I have.”

This fusion of faith and art creates a profound connection with her audience, reminding us that every creative endeavor is an opportunity to shine light and inspire transformation.

Kyee’s artistic intention is also strongly rooted in her own spirituality. When she performs on stage, she is not just acting she is bringing forth her truth. Every time she performs, she taps into this divine energy that elevates her work beyond entertainment.

With each project and each social media post, she not only redefines what it means to be a multitalented artist in Los Angeles but also challenges us all to embrace our unique journeys and pursue our dreams fearlessly.

Kyee’s story is more than just a narrative about fashion or music it is a celebration of the creative spirit that dares to dream and evolve.

She found inspiration in the beauty of the urban landscape, whether she’s crafting visual narratives on her Instagram page, launching innovative capsule collections, or electrifying her audience with live performances, she is in constant motion evolving, adapting, and ultimately transforming the creative scene around her.

According to Kyee, social media has played a significant role in her journey. It’s not just a platform to share her voice; it’s a space where the beauty of authenticity comes to life.

This genuineness connects with her audience.

For Kyee, every post is a real window into her own development. In a society where perfection is the standard, Kyee is not afraid to be really her. Her offbeat confidence has created a following that supports risk taking.

She’s an advocate for the beauty of having multiple passions. To aspiring creatives, Kyee’s words of encouragement hold true: risk everything, embrace your individuality, and never be afraid to experiment with every part of yourself.

Her advice isn’t exclusive to those working in creative industries; it’s a universal challenge to trust in your own unfolding journey and to relish every facet of self expression that comes with it.

Shifting the rules of contemporary art. Her online life on Facebook, official website, Instagram, and TikTok depicts a life well lived and intentionally at each moment. Every post, every song, and every piece of design reflects the ethos of a maker who does not hesitate to tread her own path.

Spring 2025 | WINGS | 29

Social media’s normalization of porn Jonathan Diaz Staff Writer “Yeah absolutely I would say it is a pretty good percentage – it’s not rare,” said Pastor Dan Dutch of Desert Reign Church in Downey when asked if he gets a lot of people confessing their porn addiction.

When we talk about addiction, what is the first thing you think of? Many would say drug addiction, alcohol or even social media. However, an overlooked addiction that doesn’t get talked about enough is porn addiction.

With the many different things people may be addicted to it seems like porn is the most uncomfortable addiction to talk about as a society. In today’s world, it looks like we’re too desensitized with lust and porn as a whole with porn being accessible compared to any addiction compared to 30 | WINGS | Spring 2025

drugs and alcohol.

According to a 2019 study from addiction help, 11% of men and 3% of women are addicted to porn. Furthermore, 2023 data found that about 69% of American men and 40% of women viewed online pornography annually, with Pornhub alone reporting over 2 billion visits in a single month.

The porn industry itself rakes in billions of dollars every year.

According to the Guardian, the porn industry makes an estimated revenue of $9 billion to $97 billion a year, but they have a conservative estimate of $15 billion. The conservative estimate of $15 billion a year makes it more profitable than Netflix ($11.7 billion), but also Hollywood as a whole ($11.1 billion) and Viacom ($13.3 billion).

According to a 2012 study from the University of Georgia, 15% of ads used sex to sell products in 1983. That percentage grew to 27 percent in 2003 and the trend continues with apps such as TikTok and Instagram becoming what some call a festing pool of sexual contact.

However, sites such as Reddit, Discord, X (formerly Twitter) and more are now synonymous with explicit content.

Fighting addiction “All good sites become porn sites,” said Austin Hamilton, founder of the social media account pxrncoach where he speaks on the dangers of porn and his battle against porn addiction.

The account currently has around 40,000 followers on TikTok and Instagram.

According to Webroot, about 35% of all internet downloads are porn-related and on top of that 34% of people have experienced unwanted exposure to pornographic content through ads, pop-up ads, misdirected links, or emails.

Hamilton described just how easy it is to find porn now compared to his youth in the ‘90s.

“I had a computer in my room at 10 years old roughly with unrestricted access to the internet and I came across pornography and I got hooked.”

Austin is a recovering porn addict with him being addicted to porn for 20 years which led to something worse.

“I couldn’t stop, which also persisted into my marriage. I got married at 26 years old and in my case, my addiction led to physical cheating with other women while I was still married.”

A 2016 study from science.org found that people who started watching porn were more likely to split with their partners during the survey. For men, the chance of divorce went from 5% to 10%. For women, that number jumped from 6% to 18%.

However, Austin is still with the same woman and has been married to her for 14 years, but his infidelity opened Austin’s eyes.

“What I’ve realized when I unpack my life and my story – this had much more to do with just me struggling to look at pornography, this had more to do with my whole sexual life story,” he said. “[It] had to do with a lot of loneliness, abandonment, rejection, questioning my identity and all that.”

And at 36 years old, Austin did what he would call a complete 180 in his life, saying that porn was getting in the way of him becoming better as a husband and father.

Social media accounts dedicated to recovery from porn addiction are not uncommon. Another person who overcame his addiction to porn is TikToker Dr. Spice who has over 100,000 followers on TikTok. Dr. Spice is a self-help TikToker who has battled addiction. Dr. Spice was first exposed to porn at 10 years old.

15% of teen respondents said they first

In a TikTok video back in 2023, Dr. Spice stated that he was addicted to watching porn and would masturbate one to four times a day affecting mental health and killing confidence.

The biggest turning point from this was the death of his grandma where he said he hated that his grandma saw him at his lowest and weakest point in life.

Now Dr. Spice is clean from porn and his advice is to keep yourself busy with other hobbies. In his case, he picked up martial arts to get away from his urges.

Overcoming lust with faith Lust is one of the seven deadliest sins with Matthew 5:28-29 saying, “But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish than for your whole body to be cast into hell.”

Pastor Dan Dutch elaborated on this verse, “That scripture is really pointing out the importance of what damage sin is going to cause in the long run.”

Dutch has been pastoring at Desert Reign Church in Downey since 2018 and during those seven years, he had many people confess their issues with lust and porn addiction.

“When it comes to lust it’s different and I’m going to talk specifically about males that we flee from.

Pastor Dan continued from that saying, “That’s one of the ones we don’t fight, one of the ones we don’t use our willpower.”

Dutch says being open about the struggle is the key to overcoming it.

“I think healing comes with the words that say confess your sins and pray with each other you will be healed because these are behaviors that aren’t healthy,” he said. “God wants healing for all of us and one of the ways that we can be healed is to open those places up for others to know about and pray about.”

$15 billion – $97 billion

saw online pornography at age 10 years or younger. The average age reported for first viewing pornography is 12.

is made by the porn industry each year, which is more than the combined revenues of ABC, NBC and CBS.

Source: Commonsensemedia.org

Source: Lifeplan.org

All good sites become porn sites Discord

Discord is an app popular with young teens and young adults where they connect mainly through gaming. However, it’s been plagued with easy access to adult content. Many users also report cases of revenge porn and child porn.

X

Porn on X (formerly known as Twitter) has always been an issue. However, explicit content is now allowed on the platform. According to nonprofit organization Fight the New Drug, X estimated that 13% of all its content featured adult content.

Telegram

Telegram is a messaging app that has had many issues with porn. In August 2024, CEO of Telegram Pavel Durov was placed under formal investigation for organized group distribution of pornographic images of minors.

Durov is being accused of knowingly allowing child porn on the platform.

Reddit

In recent years, Reddit has been synonymous with porn use with multiple subreddits solely allowing porn, especially leaks of nude content of celebrities and OnlyFans models. A 2017 article from Vice showed how easy it is to access adult content on Reddit.

OnlyFans

OnlyFans was originally for celebrities to interact with fans and monetize their content and interactions. However, OnlyFans is now more known for sexual content with models selling explicit photos and videos.

Spring 2025 | WINGS | 31

City Pop Japan’s big wave of retro music Duran Ventura Staff Writer

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W

hen people think of Japan, anime, technology and baseball might come to mind, but what about City Pop? “It is a mixture of funk, soul, jazz, and disco,” Thuy Phan, who is a vinyl vendor in Southern California said.

Phan works for Helix Sounds and sells vinyl at the Los Angeles Records Fair and OC Records in Buena Park.

In the 70s and 80s, Japan was in an economic boom when Mariya Takeuchi dropped her fifth studio album “Variety” on April 25, 1984.

It was number one on the Oricon Weekly LP Albums Chart.

Despite the album’s popularity, “Plastic Love” was not a hit, it was number 86 on the Oricon Singles chart.

In 2017, a YouTube account called Plastic Lover uploaded a remix of “Plastic Love” and it became a hit with 22 million views to the video.

After the song was uploaded it reintroduced not only Takeuchi’s city pop music, but also other artists like Miki Matsubara, and Taeko Onuki.

In February 2021, the video had 55 million views, but due to copyright, it was taken down.

Nory and Ira own Boogie Maru Sounds and have worked with their kids, daughter Lola and son Jum Ukira in Torrance, CA. “It definitely expanded a lot more artists’ names towards users of social media platforms,” Jun Ukira said.

Likes of YouTube, Instagram and TikTok users use City Pop songs for their photos and videos.

“I kind of think that city pop does have potential, especially with most listeners nowadays focusing more towards rhythm,” Jun Ukira said.

Miki Matsubara released her first album “Pocket Park” on Jan. 21, 1980. The song “Mayonaka no Door [Stay With Me]” reached number 28 on the Oricon chart.

Matsubara released 10 more studio albums, but in 2000 she announced that she would stop making music, Matsubara lost a

battle with cervical cancer and died on Oct. 7, 2004, in Sakai, Osaka, Japan.

Sixteen years later the song “Mayonaka no Door [Stay With Me]” became the most popular City Pop song on TikTok. In Feb. 2021 the song had been used in over 200,000 social media posts.

In city pop jazz, Taeko Onuki Mignonne was a pioneer. Her third album was released in 1978.

It is one of the top city pop albums with an iconic black and white cover and songs like “Jajauma Musume” and “4:00 A.M.” Many city pop artists also saw a spike in their music including, Tomoko Aran’s “Midnight Pretenders”, Junko Yagami’s “Bay City”, Junko Yagami’s “Telephone Number”, Meiko Nakahara’s “Fantasy”, Kaoru Akimoto’s “Dress Down”, Yurie Kokubu “I wanna be with you” and Yasuha “Flyday Chinatown”.

Surprisingly some city pop artists have only just done one album have disappeared after that. Yet their work is finally being recognized by new Japanese American fans.

Takako Mamiya is known as lost city pop artist. She released her first and only album “Love Trip” in 1982 and then retired. In the city pop resurgence movement, her original and re-released vinyl is hard to find. The song “Mayonakano Joke” is her most listened to on the album. Receiving 2.8 million views on YouTube.

After the rebirth of city pop Takeuchi, Matsubara, Ohnuki and more Japanese artists and studios are re-releasing their music albums on digital platforms, CDs, and vinyl records from Moon Records, Pony Canyon and RCA. The city pop vinyls are sought after by vinyl collectors, with the addition of Obi strips.

The Obi strips were added to the new album with Japanese lettering detailing the album in their language.

Today, popular music artists in other genres have used city pop beats in their songs including, Tyler, The Creator, “Gone Gone/Thank You,” Jenevieve, “Baby Powder,” and The Weeknd, “Out of Time.”

Spring 2025 | WINGS | 33

Anri’s album “Heavy Beach and Timely” was shot in Santa Monica, and Makoto Matsushita’s “First Light” was photographed in Hollywood.

With the popularity of City Pop around Japan started to do copyright claims around social media platforms.

Tasturo Yamashita is known as the city pop king in Japan and his wife is Mariya Takeuchi.

Yamashita doesn’t believe in digital like Apple Music and Spotify. He makes millions on CD sales in Japan. The original vinyl of his music is hard to get and his re-release immediately sold out.

With today’s digital platform of music, people have a chance to discover new genres from all over the world.

To the point of downloading the song on an app or going to a vinyl shop and buying the record.

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