The Daily Shuffle - February 2019

THE DAILY SHUFFLE FEBRUARY 2019

KATHERINE MCNAMARA

contents 05. Four of Diamonds 07. Jenna Raine 09. The Stolen 11. Katherine McNamara 17. Ruumer 19. Alec Benjamin 23. Merit Leighton 25. Alexa Curtis

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Vanessa Salles

CREATIVE DESIGNER Karla Silva

Follow us at

@thedailyshuffle

I LIKE ME BETTER Lauv

2:17

I DO Ashlee + Evan

3:10

LOVERS DO The Brummies

3:33

ALL OF ME John Legend

3:21

MINE Bazzi

2:17

BETTER Khalid

3:54

letter from the editor Hey, readers!

Happy February! I’m so excited to share this brand new issue with you, featuring the lovely Katherine McNamara as our cover star! We talked to the actress about the final Shadowhunters episodes, future projects, and what it means to be a badass woman in the entertainment industry.

In this issue, you’ll also find exclusives with emerging artists that you should definitely be keeping on your radar. From music to TV, we’re keeping you posted on what we’re loving and know you’ll love it, too!

Be sure to follow TDS on all social platforms to keep up with all our newest releases and let us know who you’d like to see featured in future issues!

XOXO

Vanessa Salles Editor-in-Chief

FOUR OF DIAMONDS

words by VANESSA SALLES

Primed for stardom, Four of Diamonds is about to dominate the new year. Comprised of members Lauren, Caroline, Yasmin and Sophia, the talented vocalists have been rising to the top since their XFactor debut!

Tell us about your musical journey! How did Four of Diamonds come together?

Lauren: We met through XFactor, where we formed the band! It was amazing how we formed such an amazing bond immediately. I couldn’t imagine doing it with anyone else.

What’s the story behind your newest song, ‘BLIND’?

Caroline: ‘Blind’ recalls a position that many people have been in at some point in their lives, where they are so infatuated by someone that they become oblivious to that person’s unacceptable behavior. In the verses, we are confronting the situation and are finally able to see our lovers’ deception.

Are there any memorable moments from the creating/recording process that you can share with us?

Yasmin: I think one memory we will never forget is when we went into the studio with Jonas for the first time. We were all so nervous because he’s such an incredible artist and producer. We all tried to make sure we were on top of our game because we wanted to make a good impression.

How did you guys come up with the concept for the music video?

Sophia: For the ‘Blind’ video, we really wanted to do something different and something that looked super cool, visually. We met Ana (the director of the video) and she completely got our brief – she totally knew how to bring the song to life. It’s really interesting to see how people interpret our music, so to come across someone that comes up with an initial idea that just clicks is really special.

When it comes to stage presence, which artist(s) do you take inspiration from?

Caroline: The two main artists I take inspiration from are J-Lo and Rosalia. J-Lo is just a massive pro and kills

every performance with her sass and amazing dance moves. Rosalia has such a strong stage presence that she manages to capture the attention of all the audience, despite singing in a different language.

In her interviews, she comes across as very soft and gentle but on the stage, she is so bold and confident!

Working in a group, how do you make sure everybody feels heard when creating?

Yasmin: We make sure everyone is heard when we’re creating by making sure we always ask for everyone’s opinion. No matter what. That way, if any one disagrees or has a different opinion, it can be voiced.

What’s something you’d like to see more of in the music industry?

Sophia: We’re all for female empowerment and it’s really nice to see more and more successful female artists on the scene. We always want to see more of that!

With a growing social following, what’s the best way for fans to get your attention online?

Lauren: I think it’s always really special when the fans do something for you, like drawings and artwork.

That definitely pulls on my heart strings. One of our fans actually got a tattoo dedicated to us recently and I couldn’t believe it. It’s the first time that’s happened and I think it hit home how much they connect with you and relate to you and that is the best feeling!

What should fans be expecting to see from Four of Diamonds this year?

Sophia: We have such an exciting year ahead and plan to release lots of amazing music! We will be doing lots of live performances and with the support of our amazing fans, we want to keep growing internationally.

Any special message for fans?

Yasmin: We love and appreciate you so much! Thank you for always supporting us – so many of you stuck around since the very beginning and are all so loyal to us. We can’t wait to continue this journey with you guys!

jenna raine words by VANESSA SALLES

Lighting up each track with her infectious energy and insightful lyrics, singer-songwriter Jenna Raine is a bonafide star on the rise. Releasing her debut EP earlier this year, the artist is inviting listeners into her world with deeply honest tracks and a magnetic voice to match.

together for the background vocals. That was probably my favorite memory.

Overall, what do you hope fans take away from this release?

I really hope my fans and listeners get a taste of who I want to be as a singer/songwriter. I also wanted to connect with my fans and knew I could do it through my music. I made sure all of the songs and every single lyric could be relatable to everybody. I want someone to go back to a memory or someone in their life that they think of when they listen to each song.

Let’s talk about your debut EP, ‘Nen’! What kind of vibe can listeners expect to hear?

I think the whole EP gives off an acoustic vibe. There are slow, up beat, and acapella songs on my EP. Even though they all vary, they still include an acoustic guitar throughout the production. Instruments are a big part of me so I wanted to make sure I could strip You’ll be heading out on tour later this year; what down every song back to a live acoustic song. should fans expect from those live shows?

They should expect more music! I will be performing How would you describe your personal sound? new songs that I haven’t yet released.

Who are some of your influences?

From where I’m at right now, I would say pop and When it comes to stage presence, which artist(s) do acoustic but I’m sure it will change over the years. you take inspiration from?

Some of my influences are Ed Sheeran, Adele, Tori I saw the Reputation Tour last year and both Camila Kelly, Lennon Stella, and Sabrina Carpenter.

Cabello and Taylor Swift were phenomenal. They are both huge inspirations when it comes to stage presence Is there a track that’s the most significant to you? and interacting with the crowd.

My track “Nen” holds a lot of significance to me.

My nickname is Nen. Not many people know this With a growing social following, what’s the best way because only my family and really close friends call for fans to get your attention online? me by it. When I was little, I introduced myself as Comment on my posts or tag me in posts! I’m also Nenna because I couldn’t pronounce my J’s. My dad always DMing my fans so I can talk to them and get their decided to start calling Nen instead of Jen. My song opinions. All of my social media is @itsjennaraine!

“Nen” is all about home and how, no matter what, I always have a place to go. “Where it began, when it What’s on your bucket list for 2019? was Nen”. This song is definitely close to my heart.

Go on tour, release more music, keep writing music, book a movie or TV show, and learn the bass and electric Are there any memorable moments from the guitar! writing/recording process that you can share?

I co-wrote all of my EP with Candice Pillay and Edgar Any special message for fans?

Vargez. All of us had a blast and really connected To always be true to yourself. Never change. Let people while we wrote. I learned so much from the both love you for you! of them. In my song “Them,” we got to chant all

THE STOLEN words by VANESSA SALLES photo by MICHAEL PEREZ

Already making waves in the music scene, The Stolen have established a dynamic sound that’ll leave you hooked at first listen. Signed to Revival Recordings, the pop-rock foursome are about to top your favorite playlist.

Take us back to the start - when did The Stolen become more than just an idea for you guys?

It’s funny cause The Stolen was never an idea for us, and by that, I mean we never sat around and said “hey, let’s start a band!” We grew up together, playing music at 9/10 years old. It was always ‘let’s just have fun and jam together.’ As we got older, we got more into writing our own music, touring, getting on the grind, but we always did it because it was what we are passionate about.

What can you tell us about your musical journey so far and all the milestones that have gotten you to where you are now?

Our journey has been crazy. Our fans are amazing!

Even if we don’t have the biggest fan base, the people who support us are unreal and we love seeing them at shows. A lot of them have been following us for some time now and it’s great to see them returning and excited for what we are doing.

We have played a lot of cool shows and had so many great experiences, we’re really big on working nonstop. We’re always thinking of new ways to help this band grow, we’re always writing, everyone has to be working hard to get to the next level.

How would you guys describe the band’s sound?

Who are some of your influences?

I would definitely say we’re an alt-rock band with a jersey/80’s feel to us. It’s kind of hard to describe!

The music that we listen to is all over the place, so I

would say we have a wide range of influences. We love bands like The Eagles, The Doors, Fleetwood Mac, so many artists from that era. We jam Michael Jackson and Queen… we love Bruce Springsteen. We also listen to a lot of newer bands and artists that are coming out… like I said, it’s all over the place!

How would you describe the typical writing/recording process for you guys?

This is a process that has evolved over the years. Earlier on, Rob would typically bring a song to us on acoustic guitar and we would all jam it on the floor. Lately, we’ve all been sending ideas through our group chat late at night. We end up going back and forth for days on them. It is super fun and collaborative.

Working as a group, does it ever get difficult to make sure that everybody feels seen/heard?

When it comes to us working together, we’re all very together on what’s going on. Everyone has their opinions which are always heard out by every other member. We’ve been together for so long so we know each other well.

Who do you think is killing it in the music scene right now?

There’s a lot of awesome bands and artists out there.

Billie Eilish is amazing. The Band Camino is another band who is really making a lot of noise. On the smaller level, our friends in MILKK and Patternist are making moves and it’s good to see our friends crushing it.

Any special message for fans?

It sounds cliché, but we want to thank them for the constant support. We have a lot of amazing stuff coming and we’re excited to share it with them.

KATHERINE McNAMARA words by VANESSA SALLES photo by HUDSON TAYLOR styling by NATALIE HOSELTON make up by JENNA KRISTINA hair by JUSTINA MARJAN

A fan favorite in every project she’s involved with, Katherine McNamara is best described as a chameleon. Starring as Clary Fray on Freeform’s Shadowhunters, the actress isn’t afraid to push the envelope and take on a challenge.

“I’ll never forget when I first read the script for the pilot,” she recalls. “I knew instantly that it was a project I had to be apart of. Throughout your career, there are certain stories that connect with you and there are certain characters that you really feel a kinship with. As an actor, it’s rare that you come across those projects and it’s sort of magical that Shadowhunters was one of those projects for me. The reason that I love this story so much is because, even though these characters are warlocks, werewolves, vampires and shadowhunters, their heart and humanity makes them universally relatable. I love the overall theme of the story being that no matter who or what you are, and no matter what blood runs through your veins or what has happened in your past, you can be a hero and you can do something good for the world.”

Three seasons in, Katherine’s been able to take her character and develop her as the story went on.

“Clary’s character development has been so exciting to portray,” she says. “When you’re playing the main character for years on a show, the last thing you want is for them to become stagnant. You always want to play characters that grow and evolve, just as the seasons do. Clary’s evolution has been the biggest gift and I have to thank the writers and creators of Shadowhunters for it. Every season has been a different journey and it’s made me stop and think of how I could take my character to the next level. That’s all you could want as an actor.”

Showcasing a different side to Clary in the final season, Katherine admits it was thrilling to take on an evil persona. “Before Shadowhunters, I feel like I exclusively played ‘mean girls’ or the villain,” she explains. “I never got to play the hero until I was on Shadowhunters and now that ‘evil Clary’ is in play, it’s even more exciting. Getting to play a character that’s so different than you are and someone who’s so evil is what makes the challenge as an actor so great. What’s interesting about playing the villain is that they always have a duality to them. It’s really great to be able to explore that.”

Recalling her stand-out moments on set, Katherine credits every scene as her favorite. “It’s so hard to choose a favorite Clary scene,” she laughs. “They’ve all been so different but my go-to is at the end of season two. The scene ends with Dom and Alan, who are so wonderful to shoot with. We’ve been building up these characters’ relationships for years and to actually, finally, and truly bring them to life, especially being fans of the books, meant the world to us. To be able to share that experience with Dom and Alan was a really beautiful moment.”

Though she’s been able to share camera-time with all of the incredible cast members, the actress wishes she had more scenes with just about everyone. “I really do genuinely adore everyone’s work,” she says.

“There are so many people that I wish I had more scenes with! I would work with anyone on the cast again and I hope that I get the chance to! I’m excited to see what everyone does next because we have such massive respect for each other as artists and human beings. We all know what we’re capable of and we’ve all had conversations of things that we’re dying to do or never got the chance to.”

Something that might surprise fans about Shadowhunters set life? “The crazy hours that we work,” Katherine reveals. “There was a lot of night shoots and you become nocturnal very quickly! It was hard going back and forth with the scheduling and it’s almost like you lose all concept of time. Of course, working with people that you genuinely enjoy spending time with is what made it all worthwhile.

When it’s three a.m. and you’ve been up for hours, you can’t really hide behind a mask, even if you wanted to; you really get to know each other and that’s how we all became a family. I’ve watched the sunrise with the Shadowhunters cast more times in the past four years than I’ve ever had in my life.”

As for what’s to come with the final episodes, the actress assures fans that it’ll be a satisfying ending.

“Fans will definitely get answers to most of their questions,” she reveals. “I’m thrilled with how the final episodes came out. It’s such a wonderful way to bring the series to a close and the way that the writers wrote it all was very beautiful. I had the pleasure of seeing the last two episodes recently and it’s such a lovely way to pay homage to the characters and the relationships that we all know and love. The final scene

of the show is just me and Dom and it’s beautiful. It’s the perfect, bittersweet note to end it all. The finale does leave some questions unanswered because it’s open to interpretation. People are definitely going to have a lot to say and I’m very excited to see what the reaction is going to be.”

Describing the show’s incredibly loyal fan base, Katherine’s forever appreciative for their love and support. “I’m so grateful for every single fan of the show,” she gushes. “I think some of my earliest memorable experiences were at New York Comic Con, on our first year. No one had seen much of the show yet and we had kept a lot of things under wraps.

Showing up and seeing people dressed up as Clary already and to know so much and be so passionate about a show that they hadn’t even seen yet, was so astounding. It was so humbling and gratifying. I’ve been to Comic Cons all over the world now and it’s become one of my favorite things because I get to have conversations with these fans and hear their stories and to know them and why they love the show on a specific level. It’s such a beautiful and positive experience, because the fandom is such a beautiful and positive one.”

Like the fans, the 23-year-old starlet is walking away from Shadowhunters with lessons that she’ll carry with her forever. “The biggest lesson that I’ve learned from the show is to enjoy every single moment,” she says. “I learned to find ways to blend the art and the function of the show. These shows are so fast paced so you don’t always get to do all of the takes you want. That can be hard sometimes because, when you care so much about the story, you want to give it its due and give it the proper time and diligence that it’s owed. You have to be able to prioritize and take your time when you need it; that’s been the biggest challenge and biggest skill that I’ve learned throughout the process.”

For those eager for Katherine’s next project, the actress can be seen as Maya, a scrappy street fighter, on the seventh season of The CW’s Arrow. “I find it hysterical that I’ve gone from playing a woman who’s covered in tattoos and kicking ass to playing another woman who’s covered in tattoos and kicking ass,” she laughs. “It’s definitely not something I look for in scripts but I certainly appreciate being able to play such strong women. Of course, I think there are ways

to find strengths in any character. Even if it’s role that’s written to be someone who shrinks from violence, there’s still a way to find a strength in her and make her interesting. I think that’s the biggest job of an actor, in any role, to find more representation and to find creative ways to portray your character. Find ways to make women who are written to be victimized and find their strengths.”

Recalling her audition process for Arrow, Katherine reveals it all happened pretty quickly. “The audition process was very short,” she explains. “It was only one audition and what was so interesting about it was that it was only my second audition after finding out that Shadowhunters wasn’t moving forward. I was so excited to get back out there, get back on my feet, and audition for everything. At the time of the audition, I was coming home from a convention and was really sick and had lost my voice. Thankfully, they saw through the hoarseness of my voice and passed my audition tape on. I was getting phone calls that many different people had seen the audition and approved it and then I finally got the phone call that I was cast!”

Joining an already well-established series, the actress admits to feeling hesitant. “I was very nervous to be going into a show that’s been around for so long and is so beloved by the fans,” she reveals. “Coming from Shadowhunters, I understand what that means.

Whenever you go on a new job, it’s like the first day of school; you’re the new kid. You want to have fun, make friends, and do your job well. So, with a show that’s already been on for seven seasons, I was worried about fitting in with the cast. That worry quickly went away because I was instantly welcomed by the fans, cast, and everyone on set! It’s been the best and the warmest welcome that I’ve ever received.”

“When I met Stephen [Amell], he was in the middle of a work day,” she says. “He had popped into hair and makeup to get something fixed or done and I’m sure he was exhausted because he was in the middle of a fight scene but he stopped what he was doing and came right over to talk to me. He made sure that I felt really welcome and that was just the biggest gift for me. Having everyone be so kind and treat me as part of the group has really been so amazing. I have nothing but gratitude for the Arrow family.”

When it comes to future roles, Katherine’s a big believer that what’s meant for her will always find its way to her. “Something I learned in my crazy life, in the past few years, is that if you want something in the world, it will come to you,” she explains. “It just may not come to you in the way you expect. You have to be open to it coming to you in some backwards way and maybe not expect it to look like what you envisioned. When I think of my dream role, I don’t think of anything specific. My favorite scripts are the ones that challenge me. The ones that push me and the ones that make me go, ‘I don’t know if I can pull that off.’ I know that when it comes down to it, I’ll rise to the challenge and figure out a way to accomplish the goal.”

“Something I’m starting to see more and more of, and it’s something I miss, are stories about humanity and the human experience,” she says. “Stories that really hold up a mirror to what is that we all go through and make us think about it. As artists, the job of art is to hold a mirror up to what it is we go through everyday. To the human experience, to life, and to society. Whether in a very grounded, realistic way or through an abstract view, we should be able to say, ‘this is where we are and this is where we’re headed.’

It forces us to look within ourselves and, at the same time, it forces us to look at someone else’s experience in a new light and see things in a new perspective.”

Her special message to fans? “I want to say the biggest thank you to the Shadowhunters fandom and for the Arrow fans for welcoming me,” she says. “The fans are truly the best part of any job. The positivity, love and support that I’ve received has been astounding and I truly appreciate every second of it. To the Shadowhunters fandom specifically, you should all be so proud of everything you’ve accomplished in this amazing community that you’ve created. The way in which people have found a collective and connected base, in a world that’s so divided, I can only hope this community continues to grow and outlive the show and any of us. I’m so honored to be a small part of this beacon of positivity, love and light.”

RUUMER If indie-pop sister duo RUUMER isn’t already on your radar, it’s time to change that. Cultivating a message through their music that is deeply rooted in empowering women, the emerging artists’ alternative sound will transform any first-time listener into an instant fan. Coming from a musical family, Melis and Jess knew right away that music was their destined career path. “We always felt most comfortable and confident when performing,” they shared.

As for the origins of their moniker, RUUMER, the girls credit their longing for music as escapism. After coming across the name “Rumer,” which means gypsy, Melis and Jess felt it explained them perfectly. “We have always identified with being gypsies so the name felt really authentic to us and to the music. We added another ‘U’ for the two of us and that’s how we became RUUMER.”

words by VANESSA SALLES photo by MEGHAN CUMMINGS

Take us back to the beginning – what can you tell us about your musical journey and how RUUMER came to be?

Music has always been our passion; we knew from a young age that this was our path in life. We grew up in a musical household and were always singing and dancing around the house. As we grew as artists and as individuals, we never wanted to limit ourselves creatively to fit a certain sound or mold. We rebranded as RUUMER and we truly feel like this is the music we’ve always wanted to create and put out into the world.

What’s the story behind your latest single, “Gimme Some”?

“Gimme Some” is a laid-back anthemic record that’s all about empowering women’s sexuality. It throws a wrench in the stigma that women should be ashamed to talk about our desires. Inspired by our Catholic school upbringing, it is essentially a satire on the sexually oppressing environment of our youth.

Are there any memorable moments from the creating/recording process that you can share with us?

We had a version of “Gimme Some” with us on the 2nd verse, but it just felt like something was missing.

We thought a rapper would sound dope on the track, and we thought of Sammy Adams. We had met him

through our producer SmarterChild, and collaborated with him on another track of ours. So we sent him “Gimme Some” and told him our inspiration behind the song. He wrote his verse on the way over to the studio and he killed it in like one or two takes. Once we heard him on it, the song just felt right.

How did you guys come up with the concept for the music video?

We were both super hands-on with the creative direction for the visual. We worked with a killer female director, MK Schneider, to create the video for “Gimme Some”. We started a Pinterest board and pulled in a bunch of images for inspiration, which we showed to our director. We’ve always been obsessed with neon, so we wanted to incorporate that aesthetic into the visual. One of the main things we wanted to create was an underground “girls club” type feel. MK really helped us bring our whole vision to life. There are competing visuals of women being traditionally feminine and the new age confidence in being who you are no matter how you look, no matter what you like. It embraces all angles of the modern woman and shatters the stereotypes that they are given.

How would you describe your sound? Who are some of your influences?

Indie Pop with an urban vibe. Gwen Stefani is one of our biggest influences. She was the ultimate cool

girl when we were growing up, so she’s definitely influenced us and our music. We’re also super inspired

by The 1975; they’re our favorite band.

Working as a group, how do you make sure you both feel heard when creating?

We both bring something different to the table when we’re creating. We really thrive off of each other and work the best when we’re together. Jess is very musically inclined, she has a great ear. She also plays piano, so she’s really hands on with our producer regarding our sound. Melis is more on the lyrics and topline/melody side when it comes to our music.

After years of working together, each of us know our niche. We have made our creative environment a safe space for self expression. We really know each other’s strengths vocally and it’s always a super collaborative experience. Most importantly, we have great chemistry and energy between the two of us.

Who do you think is killing it in the music scene right now?

Halsey and Dua Lipa for sure. They’re both such bad ass women and artists. So inspired by both of them!

Also, have to say Ariana Grande. She’s just pumping out hit after hit!

What’s something you’d like to see more of in the music industry?

We would love to see more women in the music industry as a whole. We make it a point to work with as many women as we can, whether that be female directors, photographers, or songwriters. But honestly, the industry is still very male dominated. We would love to see more female writers/producers, female A&Rs, etc.

What should fans be expecting to see from RUUMER this year?

Definitely more new music! We’re releasing a new single called “Downtown” late this month, which we’re super excited about! We just shot the music video for the record a few weeks ago... the first cut looks sick, so we’re pumped about that as well. We’ll also be doing some shows in NYC and LA, so keep an eye out for those dates!

Any special message for fans?

Thank you for being on this journey with us, we’re forever grateful for your love & support! We love seeing you guys share our music and join in our girl gang revolution. There’s so much more coming from us this year, so stay tuned!

alec benjamin words by VANESSA SALLES photo by HALLE MCFADDEN Best described as a “narrator,” Alec Benjamin’s cinematic, lo-fi sound has solidified the singersongwriter as an artist to watch. Balancing relatable yet mature lyrical content, the story teller has created an incredibly loyal fan base who are eager for more.

Heading out on tour in a few months, Alec’s taking the music scene by storm this year!

Tell us about your musical journey; you recently performed on The Late Late Show - what was that like for you?

My musical journey has been an interesting one!

I’ve worked hard to get my music out into the world and I’m very happy that people are listening and connecting to it. Being able to perform on a late night talk show like James Corden was a dream come true for me.

How would you describe your sound? Who are some of your influences?

I’d say my sound aligns with that of a singer-songwriter.

Growing up, I was definitely influenced by Jason Mraz and John Mayer.

What can you tell us about your writing/recording process?

I write songs about things that I’ve experienced in my life or others around me have experienced. I usually will write and come up with an idea or hook and record on voice notes so I don’t forget before heading to the studio.

Let’s talk about your recent collab with Alessia Cara - how did that come about?

We met on Twitter actually! Both of our fans kept saying we should work together. We worked on ”Let Me Down Slowly” together and I’m so happy with the way everything turned out.

You’re heading out on tour later this year; what should fans be expecting from your upcoming live shows?

A lot of great energy and story-telling! It’s going to be a good time!

What song(s) are you most excited to perform live?

I love performing “Let Me Down Slowly” and my cover of Eminem’s “Stan”.

Any special message for fans?

I’m looking forward to playing for all of you on tour in the next few months!

merit leighton words by VANESSA SALLES photo by SUZETTE TROCHE STAPP

Starring on Netflix’s Alexa & Katie, Merit Leighton delivers some of the show’s best laugh-out-loud moments. A true star-on-the-rise, the actress will quickly become one of your new faves!

Take us back to the beginning! When you sat down and read the script for Alexa & Katie, what is it that drew you to the show?

I didn’t really know what to expect at first, but the script was so fresh! It handled a subject that touches so many people so well and with the perfect splash of comedy. Hats off to the writers. They have done a tremendous job with such a difficult task.

What can you tell us about your character?

Hannah is a free thinker whose ideas are not like anyone else’s. She is a good and loyal friend, who will always surprise you. This season, she starts cheerleading!

Are there any memorable behind-the-scenes moments from filming season 2 that you can share with us?

Season two was like a long-time-no-see get-together with your family. One morning on set, Paris [Berelc] saw that I was getting tired, and she asked me what was wrong. I told her I didn’t have a chance to finish my morning cup of tea. So, because she is the sweetest, she gave me the rest of her Starbucks coffee! That was my first coffee, EVER. Why did no one ever tell me that coffee could taste like a warm blanket with chocolate on top? Haha!

If you could have anyone guest-star on the show, who would it be and what would their role be?

Anyone in the world?! I would love to have Baekhyun from the K-Pop group EXO. He’s a fantastic actor, and he has great comedic timing! Maybe one of Hannah’s parents could work for SM Entertainment, and he could play himself! Or perhaps a foreign exchange student?

The writers do an excellent job on their own but are there any storylines that YOU think would be fun to explore in future episodes/seasons?

Yes, the writers are excellent! It would be nice to meet Hannah’s family in the future, she could become

Jack’s babysitter (then I could have more scenes with Finn), and maybe the show could introduce some other medical conditions that teens are dealing with.

Also, inside tip, there’s a party at Hannah’s house this season, so watch for that!

Overall, what kind of message do you hope viewers take away from watching the show?

Alexa is just like all the other teens you might know, only she has an extra battle to fight. Alexa and Katie is about real friendship and making a choice to live life to the fullest, no matter what.

Tell us about your show, She-Ra Princess Of Power - how did that come about for you? How did you know you wanted to be involved?

Well, I’ve always wanted to be a magical princess! I originally auditioned for the role of She-Ra, and when I got the audition for Frosta I was like “okay, I have to have this part!” She’s so amazing to play! When I’m preparing to record, my favorite warm-up ad-lib to scream is “ICE FISTS!” For those who haven’t watched it yet, what should they expect from season 1?

She-Ra and The Princesses of Power has an incredibly well-written story with twists and turns, and lots of powerful female characters who lead kingdoms. It’s action-packed, and terrific for both kids and adults.

When you think of your ultimate dream role, what comes to mind?

I’d love to voice a lead character in an animated film.

I have so many crazy voices left in me that need to get out. One day, I hope to follow in Tara Strong’s footsteps and voice hundreds of characters.

With a growing following on social media, what’s the best way for fans to get your attention online?

I really try to interact as much as I can, but if you want to catch my attention, just make me laugh or talk about EXO! Any special message for fans?

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you do. Sending happiness, joy, and virtual hugs to you all!

GETTING REAL WITH ALEXA CURTIS Best described as an entrepreneur, Alexa Curtis is a total girl boss. Host of weekly podcast “This is Life Unfiltered with Alexa Curtis” and Radio Disney’s “Fearless Every Day,” the young influencer discusses important topics such as mental health, social media, and the importance of being a positive role model.

Having started a blog at age 12, Alexa used the outlet as a form of expression and an escape from bullies at school. What started out as a fashion blog has since turned into a full-time career, with incredible milestones along the way. words by VANESSA SALLES

Take us back to the beginning! What can you tell us about your podcast, ‘This is Life Unfiltered” and what inspired you to start it?

I started This is Life Unfiltered over 1 year ago when I was living in Boston. Over the past year I’ve had 2 co-hosts and now I run the podcast on my own. The reason I launched a podcast was because I felt like I had so much to say but was restricted in what I was allowed to say (you can’t voice all your opinions on a TV show) along with my interest in learning about other entrepreneurs’ stories and how they got to where they are. I figured if I’m interested in that topic, others are too. I’m so glad I started TILU because I don’t know I would’ve landed the Radio Disney show if I had no experience with that type of on-air conversation!

How do you come up with topics to discuss?

I truly pull from what I’m dealing with at the time or what my fans are reaching out about. Usually the messages I get fall along similar lines of discussion, so I’ll bring in experts to talk about those topics using their own unique experiences. Sometimes I’ll just meet someone super rad with a neat story or find someone online whose story I think deserves to be shared and I’ll come up with a topic based on that.

Who’s been your favorite guest on the show so far?

Such a tough question! Between Fearless Every Day and This is Life Unfiltered I’ve met some pretty cool people. I’d say Andy Puddicombe (Headspace founder) was a solid dream guest I landed, and I’ve become really good friends with almost all of the guests I’ve had on which is awesome.

Who are some of your dream guests to have on the podcast?

Michelle Obama, Halsey and Joanna Coles. I’d love to have Karlie Kloss and Scooter Braun on too.

Tell us about your new Radio Disney show, Fearless Every Day! How did that come about for you?

I moved to LA in 2018 for 3 months with my best friend, pitched 466 producers on 1 email and got a reply from the main VP at Radio Disney. It’s been a journey since then, to say the least!

How would you describe the show? What should listeners expect to hear?

This is Disney’s first on-air show with “deeper” topics about bullying and social media, so the pressure from the get-go for me to perform was definitely there and still is. It’s difficult to expose these topics on such a

major network without getting too deep or boring people with a sob story, so I find an even balance between each guest. I’m lucky that the team behind me is so adamant about me choosing the guests on my own or approving guests they have in mind.

What’s the reaction been like from listeners?

Positive. I honestly haven’t gotten one bad response from the show which makes me insanely happy. It also makes me realize how desperate the world and kids are to hear these celebrities and influencers share their stories of hardship, which many of them aren’t doing or don’t have a platform to do so.

How important is it to you to use your platform to address important topics like social media/mental health, etc?

It is my life. I have battled with mental health issues on my own and because of that, I know I have the power to share mine and help other people’s stories.

It’s really simple for me to be honest and vulnerable because that’s me online and offline.

What’s on your bucket list for 2019?

Dubai! Planning my Fearless Summit and people showing up. Working with DoSomething on a fun

opportunity. Having my book come to life!

When you think of your ultimate career goals, what comes to mind?

I have so many goals and so many things that I want to accomplish. When I think of my ultimate career goals, I want to be the next ELLEN or OPRAHthey’ve really done it all and the end goal for me has always been a live show on a network. I think it’d be so amazing to have that sort of platform and be able to talk about all the things I’m talking about now, to a bigger audience.

Any special message for your listeners?

Don’t give up- the rejection will bring you down, but you can’t let it get to you. And who cares what people think?! Be yourself and go after whatever it is that you want.

What to watch ...

Miss Bala, 2/1

What Men Want, 2/8

Isn’t it Romantic, 2/14

What to listen to ...

Ariana Grande - Thank U, Next 2/8

Betty Who - Betty 2/15

Avril Lavigne - Head Above Water 2/15

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JANUARY 2019

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