action Magazine
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March/April 2021
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Action Magazine 2021
It all started with Take Action Apparel & Gear. With first-hand knowledge that bullying has become a serious epidemic in schools across the nation, Gabriel L. Silva wanted to help give kids like him a voice! "I was a victim of repeated bullying. I am small for my age and kids would make fun of me for my size. Eventually, the verbal turned physical. I know that not everyone is going to like me, and I am actually okay with that. But disliking and mistreating someone physically, verbally, or emotionally for basically being different and not taking the opportunity to get to know them for who they are, is not okay. I had an opportunity to travel to LA for pilot season, when I came home, I found out that three of my friends had had an even harder time than I did at school. I knew what they were feeling, but I was helpless to help them. I wanted to do something. So, we got together with a group of experts and some really cool designers to create Take Action Apparel & Gear." Fast forward through time, and as a result of Take Action Apparel & Gear, Action Magazine was born, giving a worldwide platform for both adults and kids in the industry, who are passionate about taking a stance against bullying, a place to share their stories. Effects on children that either are the bully or that are being bullied go well beyond the school day and sometimes last a lifetime. Students who are bullied sometimes resort to suicide and the bullies often find themselves incarcerated by the time that they are adults. "Action Magazine is a great way to showcase amazing talent within the industry, while at the same time, giving them an opportunity to let kids know that they are not alone and help them to feel empowered. I found my voice through acting/modeling and practicing Tae Kwon Do, I stopped focusing on the negative and was able to discover the positive in me. If we help just one by sharing our stories, then Action Magazine is doing what we have created it to do."
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
pg. 26 photo and cover photo courtesy of Next Big Thing NYC.
Meet the amazing Laura Sharpe Who is in this issue's Entertainment News? Get to know The Next Big Thing NYC cast New Music Debut: "All Over Again" It's Movie Time! Remember those lost due to bullying Meet EOTM, Evan Urquhart What are you watching on TV? Pilar Scratch & River Mason dish exclusively Alyssa de Boisblanc is in our talent spotlight
Click on links, buttons, AND images throughout for an interactive experience!
Learn more about Action Magazine here!
AM Founder actor/model Gabriel L. Silva
BTS Photos and cast interviews!
NEW SITE, NEW ADVENTURES, ENTER HERE!
Catch up on Seasons One & Two. Season Three...drops March 3rd with new music by Edwrds!
Just talk with Gabe is a fun, laid-back opportunity to just talk with up-and-coming actor/model Gabriel L. Silva. Grab a snack, tune-in, and get comfy...you never know just what you are going to hear!
Laura Sharpe is the oldest of six children and was told early on that “if you want anything in life you will have to go out and get it yourself’. Her parents did not possess the financial assets to send any of their children to college. Being a joyful and adaptive spirit, she began to work and engage in enterprising financial and community opportunities as a young person; i.e., babysitting, newspaper routes, co-creating a comic strip sold to classmates, working in a family restaurant and closing out the shift books. She found work endeavors fun, and discovered her love of learning, people and connecting people and opportunities together, to be a rewarding, engaging life action. Laura engaged in competitive sports early and throughout her life. The combination of her passion for learning, joyful personality and active body fostered a lifelong environment to manifest learning experiences through discipline, research, planning, action, making mistakes, seeking answers and new avenues of perspective. Learning from her mistakes made her into a person who likes to produce, grow new perspectives, succeed, participate in community and make these opportunities a reality for herself, as well as others. In 2008, Laura’s family incurred a tragic life experience that deeply affected her entire family, and left her with significant life altering, disfiguring and disabling polytrauma injuries. Laura intimately understands the meaning of reinvent herself and how to metaphorically and actually create some-thing out of no-thing. She aims to see beyond present challenges, envisioning possibilities through the power of positivity and application of effort. Laura is a non-profit business Founder, CEO and Executive Director, mother of 2 daughters (29 years and 18-years-old) and a first-time grandmother. She is the wife of a highly successful, commercial construction business owner of 41 years; a leader among men who has successfully built many iconic Los Angeles high rises, signature brand commercial offices and hospitals. In 2012, she founded a 501c3 non-profit, Artists for Trauma (AFT), creating a signature brand of empowering, interactive, adaptive art and entertainment venues based on her personal healing through art recovery experience. She has been blessed with a diverse range of personal and professional learning opportunities and feels lucky to be guided and mentored by many successful businesspeople; some self-made, some highly educated, corporate executives, business owners and wonderful human beings. Laura has had the opportunity to experience work in difficult situations, with difficult individuals and results that were less than stellar. She feels confident that she lean in, making improvements in areas of business comprehension and applications; policies, procedures, costs, staffing efficiencies, risk management, clear communications, proactive conflict resolution with challenging personalities and complex situations, and professional management of people and assets that result in sustainability and profit while aiming for a valuable experience for all involved. Action Magazine caught up with Laura to get to know her a lot better. Take a peek at some of her inspiring answers to our staple game of Q&A. Don't forget to follow her journey on Instagram.
What are five things that you can't live without? Creativity. Connectivity. Community. Art and Purpose. What's your life's motto or advice that you live by? Life is sacred. None of us ‘do’ it alone. Stay grateful, flexible and open to grow the mindset. Support the family and friends who support you. More listening less talking. Know there are many perspectives of thought and life experiences on Planet Earth. Respect and Embrace and Diversity, Inclusion and Equity. What is your favorite color? All the colors of the Rainbow. What is your favorite movie? The Theory of Everything What is your favorite TV show? Little House on the Prairie and The Partridge Family Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what's their name? A rescue Persian blue cat with a damaged left eye. She and I share that in common. She is beautiful and a real lover. What is your favorite place that you've traveled to? La Paz, Mexico What is your favorite food? Kumamoto oysters. Predominantly, I’m a vegetarian/pescatarian, yet occasionally I crave an organic, grass-fed beef cheeseburger on a toasted, plain gluten free bun. Don’t forget the salt & peppered fresh cut French Fries and a side of ranch dressing! Said like a vegetarian right? Lol If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be with and why? With my best friend and husband. He is a brilliant design build business-man and artist who honors and values the impact of quality team relationship on success. He leads by example that life is a miraculous journey of creating heaven on earth. You have a truly inspirational story. Would you share it with our readers. I was gravely injured in a tragic helicopter crash on California’s Catalina Island that killed three other passengers in 2008 and suffered critical, near-fatal injuries that would change the course of my life and many lives forever. Importantly, this story, is not so much about me. It is about us, family, friends, amazing trauma specialists of UCLA Long Beach Harbor, USC, Cedars Sinai emergency rooms, Level 1 trauma doctors, concierge doctors, artists and community who saved not just my life yet other shattered bodies as well. All of these lives were dramatically altered by the explosive, 2008 tragic helicopter crash. This horrific life experience that began as a journey of celebrating life, family, friends and holiday. Members of my family and friends were traveling by helicopter and boat on May 24, 2008 to meet up on California’s Catalina Island to celebrate life on that Memorial Weekend holiday. The helicopter held six; myself, our eldest daughter, two dear friends, a staff member and the pilot. The boats were captained by my husband and other family friend in their respective vessels. We had just waved to our family boats below us when moments later, 9 minutes into the 14 minute flight, we exploded on impact, crashing onto the ground between Isthmus and Cat Harbor. My husband and our family friend saw the billowing smoke from their boats. Three sacred lives were immediately lost that day including the pilot, a young staff member and a dear family friend. Our eldest daughter, Skylar and other family friend miraculously extricated their broken bodies out of the burning inferno. Skylar in an adrenaline rush saw my burning body and tattered blond hair in the rubble and crawled back to save me. It may have been inches and minutes yet those inches and minutes saved my life. Her pelvis was broken yet in those critical few moments she superhumanly grabbed my hair and started pulling me with her to safety. The first responders arrived and while she was pulling me they were beating the flames out on my body with my melting purse. I was medevac’d to UCLA Harbor Long Beach where an amazing human, father of six and incredible Level 1 Trauma Specialist and Surgeon along with his amazing ICU team saved my life. You can see there is a lot to this story and so many heroes…I am grateful to God, the power of the Collective Universe, prayer, my husband, our daughter/s, family, friends, first responders, medical community experts and artists to be alive and thriving. The executive brief is I fought my way through four weeks in an intubated coma, endured 43 broken bones including significant spinal cord injury to my C4, C5, C6, L4 and L5 vertebrate and 12 broken ribs, a shattered forehead and left eye orbit, near loss of my left eye, 3rd degree burns over 40 percent of my lower body, multiple skin grafts, my shattered left foot was hanging by a thread after the crash and partial amputation of my left foot due to injury and contracted MRSA. The burning shrapnel resculpted my lower body, my liver was cut in half, other internal organs removed. For more than two years plus after this near-death experience, I somehow endured endless physical pain and 40 – 60 weekly hours of medical treatment and relentless therapies and a 100 lb weight swing within 1 year. How did this lead you to founding Artists for Trauma? Focusing on the future, and feeling grateful for all the love and support I was blessed to receive, I embarked on a journey of re-discovery integrating personal engagement with the arts and healthcare. The creative interaction between myself, artist friends and inspired by the physical, mental and emotional transformation that was miraculously happening, I collaborated with five incredibly talented and acclaimed artists to form the blueprint for a unique concept of healing and recovery. From my work with these artists in the areas of photography, film, dance, sculpture and music, I was able to positively distract myself, transcend and rise above and beyond the incomprehensible pain while dramatically improving the quality of my recovery and rehabilitation. I would not have been able to do this without the incredible partnership and collaboration to manifest my and our shared collaborative creative ideas from Photographer and Filmmaker Judy Starkman, Sculptural and Visual Artist Bill Lagattuta, we were subsequently joined by Sculptors Cheryl Ekstrom and Brad Howe, Cal Arts Institute National Scout and Dancer Zari Wigfall and team, and concert violinist Christopher Reutinger to present the diversity of healing through art interpretations. After my rehabilitation experience there was an overwhelming call to action to help empower other trauma survivors by forward sharing the healing through art model that dramatically impacted the quality of my recovery. Truly believing that others too might find some type of creative expression, release and strength in their long term recovery process. Judy, Bill and I from The Laura Project dreamt that others might regain a sense of hope and find the beauty in their tragedy or trauma. Why was it important for you to start an organization such as Artists for Trauma? To my and collaborative medical and artist team’s knowledge in the years 2008 -2011 there may not have been a non profit with a diverse, adaptive healing through art model for adult trauma survivors at the time. Especially one that embraced adapting all the arts to most disability or disfigurement challenges. Also, during 2008+ the whole world was simultaneously going through the Great Recession and recovering from that personally and professionally. Artists For Trauma (AFT) was implemented as I felt metaphorically possessed to channel and forward share the healing through art model that empowered me during my shattered physical and mental explosion. I was without a working body and in an altered state, comprehensively learning that our human bodies are truly electrochemical energy vessels. Our body is the physical circuit board. Everything is created from nothing. From an idea. A spark of insight. A spark of hope, of possibility. There is great opportunity for quality recovery following life altering trauma. Tell us about your own first artistic exhibition, The Laura Project: “Re-Membered” Interpretations of Reconstruction? After creating and collaborating with 5 incredible and acclaimed artists in their various disciplines; a blueprint was formed for a unique concept of healing and discovery. During this personal recovery process and being driven by the passionate desire to create a similar opportunity for others recovering from life altering physical trauma…these collaborations became known as THE LAURA PROJECT. I would not have been able to do this without the incredible partnership and collaboration to manifest my and our shared collaborative creative ideas from Photographer and Filmmaker Judy Starkman, Sculptural and Visual Artist Bill Lagattuta, we were subsequently joined by Sculptors Cheryl Ekstrom and Brad Howe, Cal Arts Institute National Scout and Dancer Zari Wigfall and team, and concert violinist Christopher Reutinger to present the diversity of healing through art interpretations. Our first artistic exhibition entitled, The Laura Project: “Re-Membered” Interpretations of Reconstruction, was showcased at the renowned James Gray Gallery in Santa Monica in 2011. The event featured the emotional works of collaborative art created by and with these artists during my miraculous recovery journey. It was a celebration of life, recovery and the value of the efforts of the village and my community. It was a beautiful, multi-media event of photography, film, sculpture and dance. What is the one word that you would use to describe this incredible journey? BEYOND What is the one thing that you have learned about yourself through this process? I am no one and everyone. In addition to what you are doing now, what other things are you are passionate about? (charity work, volunteering, etc.) Can you tell us about this work and why do you feel that it is it important? I’m passionate about loving and honoring my family, friends, community partners and the art world. They energetically inspired me when I physically, mentally and emotionally shattered after the explosive, tragic 2008 helicopter crash. I’m inspired and thrive on learning new things, reveling in discovery and wonderment. I’m tremendously passionate about finding ways to participate in the intersection of commerce, creativity, community and empowering others through public, private, and philanthropic collaborations in the health care industry. I believe this helps strengthen the chain of humanity, support and empower personal growth for the individual and their family this builds stronger leaders who might go out into the community and manifest leadership and nurture this new growth in others and so on and so on. This is the concept of good energy expanding. In addition to being Founder, Board President and CEO of Artists For Trauma, I'm a Board Member for Healthcare Foundation for Ventura County, a Board Trustee for The Riverside Art Museum and The Cheech. Who is your favorite actor/actress and why? Charlize Theron and Shia LeBeouf. I feel both these actors present fully prepared, immersed and/or merged with their respective character/s. I enjoy their intensity and translation of authentic rawness or control in every diverse role they play. How would you describe your fashion style? Eclectic yet sophisticated. Asymmetric in architecture, monochromatic with contrasting color for artful impact. Who are some of your favorite artists that you have worked with on projects? Richard Duardo, Kelly “RISK” Graval, Per Bernal Photography, Natily Gonzalez of MOBY ARTS, Eddie Donaldson, John Troxell, Tommy Hollenstein, Judy Starkman, Bill Lagatutta, Cheryl Ekstrom, Steve Sharpe, Brad Howe, Zari Wigfall Janko, Brian Kuhlmann Photography, Marisa Hamamoto, Chelsie Hill, Ford Austin, Aaron Baker, Karen Michelle, Richard Bell, Andrew Angulo, Cassandra Tang there are many more talented inclusivity artists and world renowned artists I’ve been blessed to collaborate with on healing through art and entertainment venues to benefit life altered trauma survivors. OTHER ARTISTS Emerson Barret, Shaheem, , Peter Cohen, Dr. Andrew Frankell, Dr. Peter Grossman, Grossman Burn Foundation, Kechi Okwuchi Melissa Allensworth, Aaron Baker, Adam Bice, my grandfather, inventor and sculptor Phil Benson, Shayna LeBeouf, Joseph Cohen, Melissa Richardson Banks, Luis Garza, Carmen Spera, Johnny Quintanilla, Pablo Damas, Paul Montenegro, illartpeace, Keith Mitchell… What advice would you give other kids that are facing difficult recoveries? You are not alone. There are many of us fellow travelers of life altering traumas in all shapes, sizes, ages, races, ethnicities, cultures, genders, sexualities, abilities, disabilities, disfigurements physically, mentally and emotionally. You have an opportunity to be creative with re-inventing the new you. Evolve, Grow, Transform, Transcend. Who would be your dream collaboration and why? My dream collaboration is working with Karen Michelle a Lifestyle Brand and Love Your Body Event Founder. Together we emphasize and empower INCLUSIVITY for people of all ages, shapes, sizes, cultures, abilities. I dream we will expand to collaborate with other national and international designers and brands. What is one thing that nobody knows about you? I sometimes get stuck in fear and have to reach out to my friends for help. They help me love and push myself through to the other side when I get stuck. Have you ever been bullied? Yes What is your advice to kids that are suffering from bullying? You are not alone. Slow deep breaths. Share what and who is bullying you with someone you trust. Stay safe until you can co-create with your trusted party a plan of action or no action for how to address it if it might happens again. Think about creating art to release your hurt, anger, frustration through journaling, dance, movement, music, graffiti art, expressive paint play on paper, canvas, fabric etc. If you could talk to your 15-year-old self, what would you tell her to remember about the person that she is and what would you tell her to strive for in the future? I would tell her she is amazing and in creative evolution and human development. None of us are perfect there is no such thing. Develop some type of discipline of start to finish follow through as this will help you succeed throughout your entire life. Build a strong network of healthy friends and mentors that she feels safe going to when she’s figuring out the next step or action plan. Nobody gets anywhere truly alone. We need each other. Success in Life is a team sport!
All photos courtesy of Laura Sharpe.
Photo credit: @directedbyrubio
Tonee Marino (NBT NYC) pg. 26 Mya Xeller (NBT NYC) pg. 48 New Music Q&A: Siena Bella pg. 82 YouTube Feature: Coming 2 America pg. 92 Peter Cestaro (NBT NYC) pg. 96 Rising Star: Jake Diaz pg. 104 Movie/TV Review: "AP Bio" pg. 124 DJ Alden pg. 136 Amber Krystal: The Beauty Coach pg. 162 Samantha Bailey pg. 172 Eden Wood (NBT NYC) pg. 186 Isabella Barrett (NBT NYC) pg. 196 Righley Engelhardt pg. 204 NBT NYC Behind the Scenes pg. 220
Our staffers all know where to find a story. From Tinseltown and beyond, they capture their "by-line" by talking to some of the most interesting people either already in the public eye or soon will be.
Get to know those in the news this issue. These talented individuals definitely need to be on your watch list!
The Next Big Thing NYC follows six teens on there quest to the top from rising star to international stardom. The cast is made up of three boys and three girls who have already achieved an impressive level of success in their individual fields. From music stars, business moguls to Olympic hopefuls, they all know it takes “hard work.” But, will that be enough to make them the Next Big Thing NYC. Action Magazine had the distinct privilege of interviewing this truly talented cast to get to know them better and we are glad that we did. Check out what they had to say. Don't forget to stop by the show's Instagram page and make sure to add yourself to their list of followers! We truly cannot wait to see what is next for each and everyone of them! (Note: All BTS photos are courtesy of Next Big Thing NYC unless otherwise noted.)
Photos courtesy of Tonee Marino/Next Big Thing NYC.
What are five things that you can't live without? Music, family, my notes app, my laptop, and God are five things I can’t live without. What's your life's motto or advice that you live by? Chase your dreams until they become reality, anything is possible. What's your favorite color? My favorite color is Black. What is your favorite movie? My favorite movie of all time is Scarface. What is your favorite TV show? My favorite TV show is Impractical Jokers. Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what's their name? I don’t have any pets. What is your favorite place that you've traveled to? My favorite place I’ve visited is Armenia. What is your favorite food? Ravioli is my favorite food. If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be with and why? I’d have dinner with Drake, so we could discuss future business collaborations. What made you want to start rapping? What brought interest to me was growing up listening to artists like 50 Cent, Drake, and Tupac. I loved the energy and lyricism that rap music had to offer. What is the most difficult thing about being a musician? The hardest thing for an independent artist is to get yourself out there and self-promote with no Industry connections. Where do you find inspiration for your music? Inspiration comes to me randomly, it’s very natural. It could be how I’m feeling at a certain moment, things I’ve experienced, stories I’ve heard, and so on. What do you hope people take away for your music? I want people to be motivated to chase their own goals through my music. I want people to relate to the lyrics at certain moments, and I want people to always enjoy listening. Tell us about "So Sad" and "Juice." "So Sad" is my number one streamed song on SoundCloud. People love and relate to the lyrics, I get messages about it every day. The song is about a heartbreak which I know many people go through, so I wanted to channel energy and emotions that people have during breakups through the song. "Juice" is a song that really came to me just through sheer positive energy. I heard the beat and the hook: “I got the Juice” just came to me immediately. Back when I was performing all the time before the pandemic, "Juice" was always the song that would get the crowd going crazy. In one word, how would you describe your sound? Powerful. In addition to music, what other things are you are passionate about? (charity work, volunteering, etc.) Can you tell us about this work and why do you feel that it is it important? I’m heavily involved in my church community. I also donate money to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. I love helping people in need. I council at the yearly summer camps at church, and I’m part of the church group. We’ve been to children’s hospitals to donate and spend time with the kids. One of my goals as a successful artist is giving back to people in need. You are also on the new Amazon Prime reality show, The Next Big Thing. Tell us about how you came to be on this project. I met the producer of the show Susanna Paliotta at NYFW in February, and she offered me my spot on the show. What do you want fans to take away from "who you are" as they watch you on the show? I want the viewers to see me for who I am, and see how hard work pays off. I also like giving the fans a taste of the "behind the scenes" to my work, as I always get questions about how I shoot videos, record songs, etc. Would you like to peruse acting in the future? Who are some actors that you'd like to work with? Yes, I would love to play roles in major movies. I’d like to work with Al Pacino, Mark Wahlberg, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Denzel Washington, they are some of the the best actors of all time in my opinion. Maybe even play in one of the Fast and Furious movies, I’ve watched all of them growing up.
Tonee Marino is a 17-year-old independent singer, rapper, songwriter, and producer from Long Island, New York focusing on Rap music, R&B, Hip Hop, and Pop in his songs. He started his singing career in 2015, and released his first single in July of 2016. Marino began writing his own lyrics, producing his beats, and co-engineering his tracks and has been more consistent with releasing music ever since. His career has been steadily growing with current views totaling over 10,000,000 on YouTube alone and current followers over 350,000 across all social media platforms. At 15, he did live performances in 2019 at venues such as The Legendary S.O.B.'s and Citifield Stadium. After his 16th birthday, he’s performed at DJ Magic's Hot 97 car show, the Living To Inspire Festival at the Knockdown Center, and created a theme song for the brand, as well as York College alongside artists such as Jay Critch. Marino has collaborated on a track with 4x Platinum recording artist Zay Hilfiger, called "Oh Wow."
continued on pg. 46
“You Can’t Be Us” dropped on January 29th.
Action Magazine is honored to highlight the music of one talented young musician. Teen sensation Siena Bella, is a 15-year-old natural born singer from Los Angeles, California. She is a singer, songwriter, music composer, SAG/AFTRA actress, model, and comic anime artist. Siena Bella writes, composes, and produces her own music, singing all vocal tracks, singing all genres from pop to R&B, Rock to Jazz, Hip-Hop to Rap, and Blues to Classic Hits. Take at peek at Siena's answers to our game of Q&A on pg. 82. But first, listen to All Over Again and let us know what you think! And make sure to check her out on Instagram.
Stay-at-home and binge! Here are some of the top titles that are on our action picks for Netflix! Click on the thumbnail to view trailers. Some trailers may not be suitable for all ages. Trailers provided by
Follow Tonee on Instagram
What advice would you give other kids that want to break into acting/music? First, get ready to work hard. Hard work beats talent, so don’t think just because someone has a better voice, that you can’t succeed even more than they can. Try to be self-reliant. It’s one less thing to worry about for every thing that you do on your own. I would suggest to start a social media page on all platforms, such Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and YouTube. Be consistent with posting and spend time managing your platforms, responding to all feedback from viewers. Make sure all the content you put out is as close to perfect as you can make it, and always try to switch it up, trying new things. Who would be your dream on studio collaboration and why? My dream collaboration would be with Drake. He’s my favorite rapper of all time, and he has inspired/influenced me as an artist. We would make hits on hits! What is one thing that nobody knows about you? Not too many people know that I write my lyrics, make my beats, co-engineer my songs, and edit my music videos. People who didn’t know are shocked when I tell them that I do everything myself. Have you ever been bullied? I have never necessarily been “bullied”, but I have been hated on. I don’t let negative energy get to me, I never really have, and it doesn’t stop me from achieving my goals. What is your advice to kids that are suffering from bullying? The best advice I would give is to keep your head up and ignore it. If people have the time to waste to try to bring your energy and emotions down, then they’re just wasting their own time. Don’t let them waste yours too! Bullies are struggling with their own problems, so they try to make themselves feel better by bringing others down, don’t let it get to you. If you could talk to your 21-year-old self, what would you tell him to remember about the person that he is and what would you tell him to strive for in the future? I’d tell him that everything you did in the past is paying off. I’d tell him to keep doing what he has been doing, work harder, and grow! Try new things, and live life to the fullest!
continued from pg, 28
Photo courtesy of Tonee Marino.
What are five things that you can't live without? Five things that I can't live without are my family, friends, food, makeup, and eyelash extensions! What's your life's motto or advice that you live by? My life motto and/or advice that I live by is to continue doing you always, no matter how much hate is thrown at you because it may not be your time now, but those who wait for their time will see the best! What's your favorite color? My favorite color is either a bright blue or a bright pink! What is your favorite movie? I don't really have a specific favorite movie, but I love all scary things including scary movies! What is your favorite TV show? My favorite TV show other than Next Big Thing NYC is America's Next Top Model. Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what's their name? Yes, I have a dog, her name is Gracie and she is a Yellow English Lab! What is your favorite place that you've traveled to? My favorite place that I have traveled to is LA because it is totally the vibe that I want to live in at some point! But, I love NYC as well! What is your favorite food? My favorite food is either ice cream or Oreos! Definitely not the best favorite food to have when trying to eat healthy! If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be with and why? If I could have dinner with anyone in the world, it would be the President for sure. Not any specific President, but just in general. That is because I would love to hear their reasoning behind their decisions since the world has many people with many different opinions on the decisions made by the President. You are more than a triple threat...you model, do pageants, act, sing, and dance. How did you get started in it all? I first realized that I wanted to work in the entertainment industry after doing my first pageant when I was about 11. Although I had been dancing competitively since I was 2-years-old, the pageant scene was very new to me, but I definitely surprised even myself when I got up on that stage and took 1st runner up at my first pageant ever! After that moment, I realized how much I loved being in front of a crowd and getting to show who I truly was so I knew that my career in entertaining couldn’t end there. I then began entering in modeling competitions, competing in more pageants where I was taking the crown, and getting more familiar with the modeling industry. I was always a very entertaining person off or on a stage, but the glam and the dresses definitely helped bring out my inner shine! What is the most difficult thing about being an actress and a model? The most difficult thing about being an actress and a model is that when you are on set, you are on a job, so you can't allow yourself to let your emotions get the best of you or show in your personality or facial expressions. You constantly have to keep yourself together which can be very difficult sometimes. What has been your favorite character to portray to date and why? My favorite character to portray thus far has been myself on Next Big Thing NYC! I loved being myself 100% on camera for people to see. If you could write a character for yourself, what would it be and why? If I could write a character for myself, it would be a new Disney Princess but not the standard Disney Princess. I would write a character of a cool and less perfect Disney Princess to make the princess standards more realistic for young girls. What is your favorite genre of music and why? My favorite genre of music is pretty much all of them! I love all music and I can really vibe with anything. In addition to all that you do, what other things are you are passionate about? (charity work, volunteering, etc.) Can you tell us about this work and why do you feel that it is it important? In addition to all that I do, I have recently been crowned as the 2020 CT Royal International Miss Teen and with my title I have been participating in monthly service projects, as well as planning events with my organization All About Pink which has recently partnered up with a non-profit called More Than Likes. I head to Florida in July to compete at Internationals and I feel that all of my community service and fundraising is so important for the younger generations who look up to me so they can see a role model and hopefully follow in my footsteps. You are also on the new Amazon Prime reality show, The Next Big Thing NYC. Tell us about how you came to be on this project. The producer of the show casted me for Next Big Thing NYC last year before February NYFW and we began filming at NYFW! What do you want fans to take away from "who you are" as they watch you on the show? As people watch me on Next Big Thing NYC, I want them to look at me as the girl who is real and genuine. I didn't put on any acts for the show and I hope that shines through to all watching because sometimes it is hard to stay true to yourself in this industry.
Mya Xeller is a 16-year-old from Connecticut. She has held many National Titles and was the 2019 Miss Teen World America Connecticut & was 1st Runner Up at Miss Teen World America in Las Vegas. She is currently the 2020 CT Royal International Miss Teen and will be heading to Florida this July to compete at the International level! Along with her pageant career, she partakes in consistent acts of community service and soon will be holding fundraisers for her organization, All About Pink, which has partnered up with a non- profit called More Than Likes. She has modeled for NYFW with many designers and starred in music videos for upcoming recording artists. She has also appeared as a national cover model and print model for various magazines. As well as her pageant & modeling career, Xeller is also a singer and dancer and has performed at big venues including Citifield. Her face can be seen on social media advertisements for various pageants, makeup artists and photographers, and even billboards in Times Square!
continued on pg. 134
All photos courtesy of @martelli_photo/Next Big Thing NYC.
Speak up! Speak out! Step up!
1 out of 4 kids is bullied every month in the U.S. 1 out of 10 children drop out of school due to bullying. 160,000 kids miss school each day for fear of being bullied. Every seven minutes, a child is bullied on the playground at school. 4,400 deaths occur each year as a result of bullying. Bullying can be… physical, mental, verbal, and can occur in person or in cyberspace. The epidemic can be eradicated if we stand together and remember, silence can be deadly...
Suffer in silence no more
Victims of bullying are never anonymous.
The effects of bullying have lasting consequences that affect those involved for a lifetime. Together, we can bring an end to bullying.
Remember their faces. Know their names. Hear their voices. Tell their stories.
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on the move...
Whether they are actors, models, singers, musicians, dancers, or a combination of all of the above, these young entertainers are definitely on the move and you don't want to miss one step!
Entertainers
All photos courtesy of Evan Urquhart.
What are five things that you can't live without? I definitely can't live without my family, my work, music, hot showers, and smoothies. What's your life's motto or advice that you live by? Be a leader, not a follower. What's your favorite color? Black, black, and black! What is your favorite movie? Remember the Titans What is your favorite TV show? All American is my absolute favorite. Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what's their name? Yep, a fat and fearless feline named Baby (her name says it all). She thinks she is a dog though haha! What is your favorite place that you've traveled to? Germany What is your favorite food? I dig any kind of fruit, but also enjoy a nice medium rare filet. If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be with and why? Kobe Bryant because he was a wise man who was always purposeful with his words. What made you want to become a social media influencer? I love being ahead of the game in setting trends. What are some of the brands that you work with? I have worked with Nike, Puma, Bang Energy, NFL Shop, Monster Energy, Wish, etc... What are some of the brands that you would like to work with? I would love to work with Stance, Vans, St Laurent, NHL, NBA, Justin Beiber. What is your favorite social media platform and why? Right now, it's Instagram because the content is always of high quality. What would you say is the #1 thing that you have learned as a social media influencer that has helped you take your career to the next level? Puzzle your connections at the right time. Who are some of the influencers that you follow and why? I follow my innovative influencers, but I think David Dobrick and Casey Neistat because there content is engaging. In addition to acting, what other things are you are passionate about? (charity work, volunteering, etc.) Can you tell us about this work and why do you feel that it is it important? I am passionate about connecting with others in my field and helping them to grow as artists. I have had a ton of help and mentoring along the way and now I feel as if it is my turn to do the same. How would you describe your fashion style? Whatever...I don't give it much thought. Who are some of your favorite influencers that you have worked with? I truly enjoyed working with Nessa Barrett, Bryce Mckenzie, Jackson Dean, Katie Feeney, Ben Azelart, Chase Hudson, Avani Gregg, and Gavin Magnus. What advice would you give other kids that want to break into being a social media influencer? Keep an open mind, don't let others opinions trip you up, and have a goal. What is next for you? I am currently working on a degree in digital marketing and also have some awesome projects (content house, drive-in movie events, and music festivals) coming in the near future. Have you ever been bullied? Yes. What is your advice to kids that are suffering from bullying? First thing you need to do is to tell someone you trust. Then surround yourself with positive people who know you and support you no matter who's trying to pull you down. If you could talk to your 21-year-old self, what would you tell him to remember about the person that he is and what would you tell him to strive for in the future? You have a huge heart and always see the best in people. Stay focused and true to who you are.
In addition to being the the CEO/Founder of Vol Management, a Talent Management company that provides growth, guidance, and endless opportunity, Evan Urquhart is also a social media influencer and guru himself. According to his official Instagram account, he does something with social media as his job and helps influence with stuff. Action Magazine had the extreme pleasure to catch up with this young man to get to know him a bit better. Stay tuned because we have a feeling we will all be seeing and hearing a lot more from him in the future! After you take a peek at some of his answers to our staple game of Q&A, make sure to follow him on Instagram.
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Siena Bella
Photo courtesy of Maria Tornberg.
Photo courtesy of Mike Harris.
What are five things that you can't live without? I definitely can't live without God, my parents, music, my drawing tablet, and my Acai Berry smoothie. What's your life's motto or advice that you live by? Don’t let the world change you because you were born to shine! What's your favorite color? My favorite color is pastel purple because when you mix my 2 other favorite colors which are blue and pink, you will get a pastel purple. What is your favorite movie? My favorite movie is The Lake House. It is about being patient with love. What is your favorite TV show? I don’t really watch TV most of the time, but if I did have time, it would be My Hero Academia. Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what's their name? I do have 2 cute pets. They are my Hermit Crabs and their names are Spiderman and Cocoa. What is your favorite place that you've traveled to? I loved visiting Hawaii. The scenery was breathtaking. I got to swim everyday at the beach and I also collected lots of seashells! What is your favorite food? I am definitely a foodie. I love caviar and pizza. If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be with and why? It would have to be God because I have a lot of questions to ask him. You are a singer, songwriter, model, actress, dancer, and comic anime artist. Tell us how you got started in the entertainment industry. When I was 2-years-old, the first thing that came out of my mouth wasn’t words, instead they were melodies. Then I couldn’t stop singing and wrote my first song at 5-years-old. From there, I sang and acted in musical plays and loved drawing. I am also passionate about drawing a lot of comics and anime portraits. I hope to finish my web comic as well as my first music album. What is the one role that you have portrayed that is the most like you? What is the one that is the most different from your personality? The role that I find is most like me, is when I played the role of the bubbly and funny cheerleader. The role that I have portrayed that was most different from me, is when I played the sad girl who carries a dark aura. How did you get started in dance? What genre of dance do you like the most? I started dancing when I was 4-years-old. I would perform tap and ballet dances for shows. I loved it when I had to dress up in costumes for each performances. My favorite costume was the black velour hat, glitter dress and tap shoes. I enjoy freestyle dancing and hip hop. As a singer/songwriter, were do you find inspiration for your music? I find my inspiration from my everyday life experiences. Whatever I am feeling, I gather those thoughts and write them down. Whether I am feeling happy, sad, angry or even excited, the feeling in my heart at those moments are most creative and inspirational for my music. In one word, how would you describe your sound? Captivating…I sing with expressing my feelings and I'm passionate about every note. How did you get started as a comic anime artist? What is your favorite piece that you have done? I started drawing when I was in kindergarten and got serious at 12-years-old. I could not put my pencil down. I would draw anime portraits of family and friends. My favorite piece that I have done were drawings of the anime character Todoroki from My Hero Academia. Currently, I am excited to do a live drawing session for Nami OC’s Happy Hour. In addition to all that you do, what other things are you are passionate about? (charity work, volunteering, etc.) Can you tell us about this work and why do you feel that it is it important? I am passionate about being an ambassador for Nami OC. It is important to me because I want to help and be part of an organization that offers support and connects people to the help they need everyday. Who is your favorite actor/actress and why? Of course! My favorite actress would have to be my mom. She is a SAG/AFTRA actress and has been my mentor and my inspiration! How would you describe your fashion style? I would say my fashion style would be classy, elegant yet trendy. I love wearing dresses and chokers. Who are some of your favorite actors that you have worked with? I would have to say, I enjoyed working with Peyton List. She has always been very nice to me. What advice would you give other kids that want to break into the entertainment industry? First, I would tell them find what you are passionate about. It takes a lot of discipline, hard work, and strong will. Don’t lose yourself and know your worth. What is one thing that nobody knows about you? The one thing that nobody knows about me would be that I also love playing video games. Have you ever been bullied? Yes, I have been bullied. When I was in kindergarten, I was called mean names. It was very hard and hurtful, but I got through it and I am glad to have understanding and supporting parents. What is your advice to kids that are suffering from bullying? My advice would be to tell them not to be afraid, stick up for yourself, and don’t let the negative words dwell in your mind or bring you down. Have someone to talk about it with that supports you so you don’t bottle up your feelings about being bullied and that you are not alone. If you could talk to your 21-year-old self, what would you tell her to remember about the person that she is and what would you tell her to strive for in the future? I would tell my 21-year-old self to have fun don’t lose that inner child and don’t lose your passion of what you love to do. Don’t let money get to you, have an imaginative and creative mind and humble heart. Keep striving for successful and positive music. Perform all over the world. Keep drawing and no matter what, keep doing what you love to do.
Photo courtesy of Issei Morrissey.
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" Coming 2 America" Trailer Arrives to Prime Video March 5th!
What are five things that you can't live without? Five things I can’t live without are music, family, friends, God and my phone. The reality answer would be air, water, food, shelter, clothes. What's your life's motto or advice that you live by? We all have a purpose in this world, don’t ever give up until you find yours. What's your favorite color? Red What is your favorite movie? Superbad What is your favorite TV show? Arrow Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what's their name? I personally don’t have any pets. My twin sister Mercedes has over 40 animals, that I get to play around with. My favorite is a French Bulldog named Theodore and her Sheep named Anthony (She also has 4 dogs, snakes, ferret, 4 different turtles, birds, lots of chickens and ducks.) What is your favorite place that you've traveled to? I have been lucky to see a lot of places, my favorite place was Dominican Republic Puerto Plata, LifeStyle Resort. We went with a bunch of family and friends, and had the best time ever. What is your favorite food? My favorite food is Paella and Spanish rice. If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be with and why? I would like to have dinner with Leonardo DiCaprio. I would like to talk about his foundation, and how I can help address the urgent threats to our planet's Life support system. What made you want to start singing? I have been singing as long as I can remember. The first time, I was at a birthday party with a DJ and I asked him if I could sing Apple Bottom Jeans. The DJ gave me the microphone and the entire party formed a circle around me cheering me on. Ever since that day, where ever there was a DJ, I would ask to sing. I would jump on the mic every Saturday at our local restaurant and sing Frank Sinatra oldies and Bruno Mars Covers. I always wanted to go as a young kid, not only because I loved to perform, but because I made mad tips. What is the most difficult thing about being a musician? The most difficult thing about being a musician, is getting my music outside my town. Marketing and networking is nonstop work. You are also a songwriter, where do you find inspiration for your music? I just started writing my own songs this year. I have a clear head for writing, when I am near the water. Everyone creates differently. I start a hum with the piano and get a vibe going, then I add the words. What do you hope people take away for your music? I plan to be in this for the long run. I want to do more than influence the music. I want to be a household name. Tell us about your songs, "Cyber Love" and "Cup Full of Jenny." I am sitting on so much unreleased music. "Cyber Love" Is not out yet. "Cup Full of Jenny" is a fun song to perform. I was able to sing it at Big Venues such as CitiFied in New York for a Queens Youth Music Festival, and at the Dunkin Providence Arena. I am starting to get radio play in Rhode Island. Those songs were written for me by my management team GStarr Management. This year, I started writing all my newest releases. My personal favorite is "Rowdy" on Soundcloud. We will be releasing it to all platforms soon. In addition to singing, what other things are you are passionate about? (charity work, volunteering, etc.) Can you tell us about this work and why do you feel that it is it important? I have been volunteering for as long as I can remember. I help out at our local food pantry unloading and passing out food. Over the years, they have fundraisers that I perform at. I have played the piano and performed at many different local convalescent homes. I get asked to perform at many different fundraisers within my community, and never pass up the opportunity to help. The biggest fundraiser I performed at was The Dream Ride for Special Olympics. It is truly rewarding helping others. You are also on the new Amazon Prime reality show, The Next Big Thing. Tell us about how you came to be on this project. I go way back with Isabella Barrett and her mom Susanna, the producers of the show. I have been modeling with them and performing at NYFW after parties for over 7 years. My first performance was at Dylan's Candy Shop. Then, they brought me to Orlando and California. We always have a great time. What do you want fans to take away from "who you are" as they watch you on the show? I want the fans to know me as the fun guy. I love to have a good time. I am friends with everyone, despite all the drama. Would you like to pursue acting? Who are some of the actors that you'd like to work with? I have done a lot of background acting jobs. I did a Nickelodeon National commercial, a back-to-school JC Penny commercial, I worked on BlackList, Power, Orange is the New Black, and a pilot with Debra Messing, I would love to land a big acting job. I really enjoy being on set. Some actors I would like to work with would be Adam Sandler, Marc Wahlberg, Leonardo DiCaprio, The Rock, Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen, and James Franco. What advice would you give to other kids who want to get involved in the entertainment industry? If I was able to give advice to other kids that want to get involved in the industry, I would advise them to research different dance and singing schools, that offer a yearly show, so you have a platform to show off and build your skills. It's not just singing. You have to learn how to breathe and pull from your stomach and transfer into your head voice. If you don’t want to go to a school you can self-teach, and do amazing vocal training from YouTube. Just search basic singing scales and practice daily. Practice is key to anything you want to be good at. Who would be your dream studio collaboration and why? My dream studio collab would be Drake. He has been in the game for a long time now, and can make any song a hit, whether it's his or mine. I was on stage twice with Drake and watching his live performances as a young kid, I always envisioned myself working with him. What is one thing that nobody knows about you? I personally serenaded Khloe Kardashian a John Legend cover when I was younger. Have you ever been bullied? I think everyone experiences bullying. I have thick skin, so it never bothered me. What is your advice to kids that are suffering from bullying? Ignoring it, doesn’t make to problem go away. Don’t ever put yourself in danger. Every situation is different. If you are really going through something bad, talk to an adult that you can trust, like a parent or teacher. If you could talk to your 21-year-old self, what would you tell him to remember about the person that he is and what would you tell him to strive for in the future? Stay trued to you, and never stop that focus! Never forget, how you got to where you are at, and Stay Humble!
All photos courtesy of Brett Martelli./Next Big Thing NYC.
Peter Thomas Cestaro is a singer, songwriter, actor, model. He was born on February 21, 2003, in New Haven, Connecticut. He is a High Honor student at Notre Dame High School. Peter is an up-and-coming 17-year-old independent Artist. At the age of 10, Peter Released his first original single "Yes No Or Maybe". Cestaro took 1st place in local singing competitions, and closed big talent shows, and received awards and gifts from his performance at CitiFied for a Queens Youth Music Festival. Peter is known for his stage performances, retro showmanship, and for performing in a wide range of musical styles, including pop, R&B, Hip Hop and Oldies. Peter has done international print work for DKNY, and has worked on major TV networks such as Lifetime and ABC along with many commercials. He is managed by GStarr Management. Peter is one of 6 cast members on a New Hit Reality Show called The Next Big Thing NYC.
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Exclusive First Look Next Big Thing NYC BTS Photo for Action Magazine!
Jake Diaz
Jake Diaz was born in 2009 and adopted into a fun loving and slightly kookie family! He began acting at age 9 and has been seen in such movies as Hope for the Holidays and is the voice of Harley in Mobile Legends. He is in 5th grade and does charity work with small senior and disabled dog rescues. Jake loves to build advanced level Lego sets, is an intermediate level gamer and is currently training to be a staff spinner in hopes of getting into some Martial Arts style movies in the future! Action Magazine caught up with this phenomenal young man to get to know him a bit better. Here are his answers to our Q&A! Stay tuned, because we have a feeling that we will be seeing a lot more of this talented and truly gifted rising star.
What are five things that you can't live without? God, family, my pets, my career and of course my Nintendo Switch! What's your life's motto or advice that you live by? I like to remember that, When we were crying because we had no shoes, someone else had no feet. It helps me appreciate all my blessings and never take anything for granted. What's your favorite color? Aqua What is your favorite movie? The Main Event What is your favorite TV show? Tiny Creatures and Spongebob Squarepants Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what's their name? I have several small senior and disabled dog rescues. Too many to name but the sassy one is named Little Skadoo! What is your favorite place that you've traveled to? The Bahamas for sure! So fun! What is your favorite food? Sushi, yum! If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be with and why? My friend Reese Warren because she is beautiful, talented, funny and loves to play video games! She's also my Valentine this year! You are an actor, model, voice artist, and influencer...what made you want to start acting? I needed a creative outlet and being that I'm not super sports oriented, my mom started me in background work. I loved it and things took off from there. What has been your favorite role to date and why? I love being the voice of Harley in the video game Mobile Legends. I am a gamer so its perfect! What made you want to become a voice artist? It kind of fell in my lap like an apple from a tree lol. I got an audition and I enjoyed being alone with the role in a voiceover studio. There is also a level of personal creativity I can bring to the table. Tell us about being an influencer. How has the journey been? The journey is exciting but a little slow as it's one of the last things I get to do when time permits. I am enthusiastic and passionate about products I enjoy so it works well for both ends I suppose. In addition to all that you do, what other things are you are passionate about? (charity work, volunteering, etc.) Can you tell us about this work and why do you feel that it is it important? My family has a small senior and disabled dog sanctuary so I have been working with rescues most of my life. I also would like to get involved with "The Ocean Clean Up Project". Who is your favorite actor/actress and why? My favorite actor is Voice Artist Tom Kenny who is the Voice of Spongebob. I have watched him at work and love his fun personality, skill and work ethic. I would LOVE to work with him someday! How would you describe your fashion style? Eclectic! I wear whatever I want pretty much and somehow make it work. My favorite accessory is my pair of lense-less glasses which can be seen on several of my Instagram photos. Who are some of your favorite actors that you have worked with? When I worked on How to get away with Murder, I had the pleasure of not only meeting but also hanging out with Powerhouse VIOLA DAVIS and her daughter, Genesis. It was truly a day I will never forget! What advice would you give other kids that want to break into the entertainment industry? It will be a fantastic time, however, be ready to work HARD and also give up some of your freetime and weekends. It takes a lot of dedication. time and work. There is constant training to improve your craft but once those lights are on you, it is the best feeling in the world! Who would be your dream on screen collaboration and why? Again, I need to circle back to Tom Kenny. Maybe Spongebob is ready for a new friend in his crew! What is one thing that nobody knows about you? I've been told I am high functioning on the Autism Spectrum. I always thought I was just Magnificently different. I tend to agree with myself on this one lol. Have you ever been bullied? I was bullied for a short time in school because I am different and learn differently as well. I was having trouble keeping up with the timed lessons which led to some serious frustration. Kids started to pick on me because of it. That is when my mom pulled me out and started to homeschool me and started me in background acting work. What is your advice to kids that are suffering from bullying? My advice would be to have your parents figure out if you need to learn in a different environment like homeschooling or even a hybrid program. Sometimes if you don't have the right learning environment, it can lead to stress or acting out. Don't hold your feelings inside and let your family know what's going on inside of you.
All photos courtesy of Jake Diaz.
I like to remember that, when we were crying because we had no shoes, someone else had no feet. It helps me appreciate all my blessings and never take anything for granted.
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Enter The House Here.
First three photos courtesy of Pilar Scratch & River Mason Eromosele.
Pilar Scratch & River Mason Eromosele are one dynamic mother/son duo. If Pilar's face looks familiar, it should. She is a seven-time award-winning celebrity wardrobe stylist and best selling author. Additionally, she is the EIC of Fashion Gxd Magazine. River, only 10-years-old, is already an award-winning actor and model, in addition to being a best selling author as well. Action Magazine had the extreme honor to catch up with this talented pair to get to know them better and we are glad that we did! Check out their exclusive interview and don’t forget to follow both Pilar and River on Instagram. You don't want to miss a minute of their amazing journey!
What are five things that you can't live without? River: The five things that I cannot live without are my family, my PS4, my cat Garfi she helps me not be afraid of the dark, my Nana's spaghetti, it's the best ever and my iPad. Pilar: The five things I cannot live without is my son, River Mason Eromosele, a good maroon lip, my laptop, Veggie Grill, and a nice comfortable blanket. What's your life's motto or advice that you live by? River: Never give up and keep trying. Pilar: Weakness is purely choice; you can never fail if you never give up. What's your favorite color? River: Teal and black Pilar: Black, Yellow, and Maroon What is your favorite movie? River: My favorite movie is Undecided. Pilar: My favorite movie is Practical Magic. What is your favorite TV show? River: Gumball and Psych Pilar: Psych Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what's their name? River: I have a cat names Gafri and Dog named Oddie based on the cartoon Garfield. Pilar: They're River's pets. What is your favorite place that you've traveled to? River: My favorite place I have traveled to is Disney World in Florida. Pilar: Thus far, my favorite place is San Juan and Talum, Mexico. What is your favorite food? River: My Favorite meal is my Nana's spaghetti and Nigerian Jollof rice. Pilar: Right now veggie tacos from The Wicked Lily in San Juan, Puerto Rico. If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be with and why? River: If I could have dinner with anyone in the world it would Jim Carey. He's a great actor. I look up to him and I could learn a lot from him. Pilar: If I could have dinner with anyone in the world it would be Kris Jenner. She's an amazing marketing guru. She created a dynasty from a mistake. River, what made you want to start acting? I started acting when I saw Stranger Things. I wanted to be one of the children in the show. I told my mom and she started working on that acting side of my career. What is the most difficult thing about being an actor? The most complexity that comes with acting is remembering lines. I'm also a naturally silly kid. Also, trying not to laugh and remain in character is difficult. River, how do you prepare for auditions? I prepare for auditions by rehearsing with my mom and studying really hard. River, what has been your favorite project and why? My favorite project would be a movie or once I get my recurring role. I'm going to land a gig like Stranger Things; just watch. Pilar, what made you want to become a stylist? I became a wardrobe stylist because I was a young mom and a fashion designer at the time. Being a designer was very time consuming so I switched careers. What is the most difficult thing about being a stylist? The biggest mountain I faced with wardrobe is unearthing the right designer. Finding a designer that merges with the talent can be difficult. Especially if it's a new designer the individual has never worked with before. It becomes a challenge. Pilar, how do you find the perfect style for your clients? The perfect client is a client that allows me to have creative freedom. Pilar, who has been your favorite client to style and why? My favorite client to style has been Musiq SoulChild. He's the epitome of amazing and one of the most amazing people. Pilar, who are some of your favorite designers to work with? Some of my favorite designers to work with are Sheena NYC, Afrooklyn, Velz Monroe. In addition to music, what other things are you are passionate about? (charity work, volunteering, etc.) Can you tell us about this work and why do you feel that it is it important? Volunteering is important for us. We have been through a vast quantity of trials and tribulations ourselves. Being able to give back and to be kind with people. Every year River and I donate to our local shelters. Who is your favorite actor/actress and why? River: My favorite actor is Johnny Depp, Jim Carey and Adam Sandler. They're all phenomenal actors. How would you describe your fashion style? Pilar: My style is very eccentric. I love to mix patterns and use bold statement pieces. River, who are some of your favorite actors that you have worked with? My favorite actor that I worked with is Keke Palmer in the Hustlers movie. We shot a scene together and she was very nice and funny. She kept the crew laughing and made us all feel comfortable. River, what advice would you give other kids that want to break into acting? The advice I would you give other kids that want to break into acting is that its really challenging. Yes, it's a cool to see yourself of TV but it's a lot of work. River, who would be your dream on screen collaboration and why? My dream collaboration would to be to work with Drake or Lebron James or Drake. I wouldn't mind shooting a commercial or a modeling campaign with them. They're my role models. What is one thing that nobody knows about you? River: One thing that no one knows about me is that I can move both my ears without touching them. Pilar: One thing that no one knows about me is that I'm secretly obsessed with everything Amy Winehouse. Have you ever been bullied? Pilar: As a child, I was consistently teased. After a while, I stopped taking the bullying. It taught me to learn how to fight and stand up for myself. What is your advice to kids that are suffering from bullying? Pilar: The best advice I can provide is to speak up. Tell a proper adult and never let anyone take advantage of you. Never be afraid to protect yourself properly. River, if you could talk to your 21-year-old self, what would you tell him to remember about the person that he is and what would you tell him to strive for in the future? I would tell my 21-year-old self it would be that your living a great dream because of hard work I'm doing now. I'm happy we didn't give-up. Pilar, if you could talk to your 15-year-old self, what would you tell her to remember about the person that she is and what would you tell her to strive for in the future? I would tell my 15-year-old self, it gets better. It's always worth it eventually.
Photo courtesy of @hailey_photography.
and sometimes TV
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More About AP Bio: The main cast of AP Bio includes: Glenn Howerton as Dr. Jack Carson Griffin at Whitlock High School; Lyric Lewis as Stef Duncan, a history teacher at Whitlock High School; Mary Sohn as Mary Wagner, an art teacher at Whitlock High School; Jean Villepique as Michelle Jones, a home economics teacher at Whitlock High School; Paula Pell as Helen Henry Demarcus, Principal Durbin's secretary (season 2–3, recurring season 1); and Patton Oswalt as Principal Ralph Durbin.
So, what do we think: Since we have all been basically at home in front of the television for a while now, many of us have found pearls for binging. If you missed AP Bio back in 2018, we suggest you binge now! Available on Peacock, every episode will have you in stitches fast-forwarding to get to the next show. In our opinion, if we could give this more than a 10/10, we would. We want to hear from you! What did you think?
Synopsis: A former philosophy professor who takes a job teaching AP biology, uses his students to get back at the people in his life who have wronged him.
About Double Entente Films: Double Entente is an international production company with offices in Paris and Los Angeles, specializing in luxury, high tech, and celebrity clients such as Louis Vuitton, BMW, Google, and Kanye West.
Double Entente is an international production company with offices in Paris and Los Angeles, specializing in luxury, high tech, and celebrity clients such as Louis Vuitton, BMW, Google, and Kanye West. About Bailey Kobe: Bailey Kobe is a graduate of the University of Southern California, well known for his commercial work, music video work, as well as the films Caterpillar’s Kimono (Ben Savage, Joey Kern), and The Babymoon (Shaun Sipos, Julie McNiven, and Jessica Camacho). He is currently adapting a high profile novel on the Must Read lists of Library Journal, Marie Claire, and Oprah magazin
Who are some of your favorite actors that you have worked with? One of my favorite actors that I have worked with is Isabella Barrett. When we first started filming for the show, we knew of each other, but we were not really friends. After just one day of filming together our bond instantly clicked and now were so close! What advice would you give other kids that want to break into the entertainment industry? I would tell other kids who want to break into the entertainment industry to just go for it. Don't worry about what anyone else thinks or has to say, just follow your dreams and don't stop until you get to where you want to be. What is one thing that nobody knows about you? One thing that nobody knows about me is that I have struggled with self-image problems. I wear my confidence on my sleeve like a shirt, but I have had self image problems before and still do struggle with it sometimes. Have you ever been bullied? I wouldn't say that I've been bullied before, but I have had people make fun of me for following my dreams, but I never let it get me down because I am strong and I know my worth! What is your advice to kids that are suffering from bullying? My advice to kids that are suffering from bullying is to hold your head high and keep doing you because bullies always end up realizing that they bullied a person who went on to do awesome things in life, not to mention, bullying someone never got them anywhere or anything. If you could talk to your 21-year-old self, what would you tell her to remember about the person that she is and what would you tell her to strive for in the future? If I could talk to my 21-year-old self, I would tell her to remember how strong I was as a 16-year-old, and how I got through all obstacles thrown at me when it came to self image and self pressure that I put on myself. I would tell her to stop being so hard on herself in the future and to keep living her dreams.
continued from pg, 50
For even more Mya, check out her interview on Just Talk With Gabe.
Fox Hollow Hotel: Long Island, New York
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The career of Alden Song begins at 8 years of age, in the year 2014, when he made his professional debut at the Pink Elephant Nightclub in NYC. His story and love for electronic dance music begins much earlier. He has been hanging around the DJ Booth his entire life. Coming from a musical family with strong ties to NYC nightlife, Alden celebrated his first birthday at the legendary Cielo Nightclub. Eventually, captivated by the energy and drive of House Music, he began DJing and taught himself how to produce and compose music. The years since have kept Alden busy and he is always in demand for fashion shows, corporate events and parties. Alden has DJ’d for international brands like Diesel, Gap, and Vans. He has been the resident DJ for CirKiz, A Cool Kid’s Dance Party since 2014 and regularly plays to large crowds at some of NYC’s most exclusive nightclubs. In addition, he has DJ'd many events in L.A. and Miami. Alden and CirKiz has captured attention from major press over the years including: Billboard Mag, Forbes.com, NY Magazine, NY1, NY Post - just to name a few. Looking at 2021, Alden believes in continuing to live life to the fullest. He kicked off the year by releasing his first track “Keep Dream’n” co-written with Eden Wood. His fans will be excited to see him in the new teen reality show Next Big Thing NYC on Amazon Prime Video. Alden has been upgrading his home studio and continues to do what he loves most: make music. It’s this insatiable appetite to “use music to make people happy” that ensure that this teen has a lifetime of success ahead of him.
What are five things that you can't live without? My family, music, pizza, my phone, and video games! What's your life's motto or advice that you live by? Do what you love and you will never work a day in your life. What's your favorite color? Blue and black What is your favorite movie? Current movie: Tenet and all time favorite: Avatar. What is your favorite TV show? I don't watch a lot of regular TV, but one of my favorite shows on Netflix is Beastars. Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what's their name? I don't have any pets because I'm allergic to most... which sucks... LOL. What is your favorite place that you've traveled to? I'm from NYC so it probably doesn't count as "traveling" there, but my favorite place is NYC. What is your favorite food? Pizza and burritos If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be with and why? I would love to meet Martin Garrix and having dinner with him would be absolutely amazing because he's been one of my biggest inspirations in my musical life and it would be amazing to get to know him. What made you want to to become a DJ? The biggest factor of me wanting to become a DJ is my dad who has been a DJ himself for over 30 years and I was intrigued since I was very young. I just fell in love with the art of mixing and music in general. Actually, my whole family inspired me to love music. What is the most difficult thing about DJ-ing? Probably reading the crowd and knowing exactly what they want to hear but this is something that is becoming easier as I get more experience. What is the most most rewarding thing about DJ-ing? The experience of being able to play music and perform but mainly seeing everyone have a good time hearing my music. What is your favorite genre of music? I love all genres of music but if I have to choose one, it's Electronic music. How would you describe your style when you spin? Predominantly, I like to play and mix dance music. On the technical side, I'm very particular about mixing properly, like matching BPM, watching out for key levels and making sure songs compliment each other when mixing. You have DJ'ed for some of the most posh events on both coasts. What has been your favorite event and why? Yes, I have done many events and I can't say I have just 1 favorite event but if I have to choose one: It's my dance party, CirKiz Events, where I'm one of the event producers and a resident DJ for 7 years. In addition to what you do, what other things are you are passionate about? (charity work, volunteering, etc.) Can you tell us about this work and why do you feel that it is it important? School and music take up most of my time so I'm going to talk about my passion with producing music. So aside from DJing, I've been producing music for a few years now and I love that side of music also. I feel it's important to make music since it's such an important part of everyone's lives...the artist makes music for the listeners and not just for themselves...making music is nothing without listeners. You are also on the new Amazon Prime reality show, The Next Big Thing. Tell us about how you came to be on this project. I have known the executive producer, Susanna Paliotta, for many years. She's awesome! We have done many events together: Teen Choice awards events, NYFW shows, MTV events... just to name a few. She asked me to be one of the cast members of NBT and, of course, I said "yes"! Also, I have known all of the cast members for a while, some longer than others but we've all done events together at some point or another. I have known Bella and Peter the longest so it's pretty cool that I got to film with them on the show. What do you want fans to take away from "who you are" as they watch you on the show? First, I want people to know that I'm a genuine person and a good friends. Also, that I'm very focused on music and my passion for music supersedes everything I do. Would you like to pursue acting in the future? Who are some actors that you'd like to work with? Yes, totally! Acting is pretty cool! There are many I can name but again if I have to choose I'd like to work with Tom Holland and Millie Bobby Brown. What advice would you give to kids who want to follow in your footsteps as a DJ? With anything that you do, you have to be wiling to work hard at it and keep striving to be your best self. And, you can achieve anything you put your mind to at any age. Who is the one celebrity that you'd love to DJ a party for and why? I think it would be pretty sick to DJ for Martin Garrix/s party since he's my favorite DJ and music producers. What is one thing that nobody knows about you? Most people don't know that I'm part Hispanic: 50% Korean, 25% Japanese and 25% Mexican! Have you ever been bullied? I've been lucky for most of my life and have not been bullied until recently. There was a group of guys that harassed me on social media. They made a fake inappropriate Instagram account under my name and was messaging me with really stupid stuff. What is your advice to kids that are suffering from bullying? Any type of bullying should be reported and never think that it's your fault. If people are bullying you, most of times, it's because they are jealous. If you could talk to your 21-year-old self, what would you tell him to remember about the person that he is and what would you tell him to strive for in the future? Just keep being true to yourself, believe in yourself and don't let anything get in the way of reaching your goals in life.
Photo courtesy of Brett Martelli.
continued on pg. 142
Photo courtesy of DJ Alden.
Dewey Does is doing big things in 2021 make sure to visit the new website and...stay tuned!
Enter Doesville here!
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Next Big Thing NYC BTS Photo Ep. 2: Peter's Release Party
Next Big Thing NYC BTS Photo Ep. 4: Gardner Lake
Talent
Photo courtesy of Bonnie de Boisblanc.
Alyssa de Boisblanc is a talented 15-year-old, soon to be 16, who lives in sunny California. She booked her first feature film, Flying Lessons, at the age of four. Flying Lessons was the featured film at the Santa Barbara Film Festival. Some of her TV credits include the role of Christina on ABC’s Modern Family, Anna on Disney's Special Agent Oso Three Healthy Steps, Alien Encounters and Jimmy Kimmel Live. She has also worked on Brat's Crown Lake and on Awesomeness TV's How To Survive a Breakup. Her passion for singing and love of theater brought her to the stage in productions including Les Misérables and A Christmas Carol the Musical. She can also be heard in numerous voiceover roles for American Girl commercials, Old Navy radio spots with Snoop Dog, as well as in the Netflix animated series Word Party. Alyssa has been writing music and and taught herself guitar and ukulele and she is in the process of recording new music to be released soon! Besides music and acting, She also has a passion for make-up, both for beauty and special effects. Action Magazine had the opportunity to catch up with this amazing young lady for an exclusive interview in our talent spotlight. Check out what she had to say and add her to your watch list. You won't be disappointed!
What are five things that you can't live without? My phone, music, my family and friends, Netflix and my black eyeliner What's your life's motto or advice that you live by? I love the quote To be unique is to be free, and to be free is what it means to be successful to me. - Yungblud That to me rings true to my life's motto. What's your favorite color? Purple What is your favorite movie? The Goldfinch What is your favorite TV show? Nancy Drew or Akame ga Kill What is your favorite place that you've traveled to? The town of Sleepy Hollow in New York. What is your favorite food? I can never decide on which is my favorite between Sushi and spaghetti. Depends on my mood (lol). Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what's their name? Yes I do. I have a dog named Bella and she is a Malshi, which is a mix of Maltese and Shitzu. I also have a goldfish named Spot. If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be with and why? Harry Styles. He seems like such an interesting person and I'd love to just be able to sit and talk to him. I've always loved his music and admired the way he breaks society standards. Getting his input on music would be amazing! So most definitely Harry! What made you want to start acting? I was really little when I started but I remember that my best friend was acting and I thought it was so cool. So I asked my parents if I could try it. I first began modeling and then moved right into acting. My first acting job was a feature film Flying Lessons in 2010 when I was 4. What is the most difficult thing about being an actress? I would probably have to say the audition process. Breaking down the characters, taking risks that can sometimes take me out of my comfort zone, but owning that character. Also, definitely making sure to stand out! You play Christina on Modern Family. How similar or different is your character to your real personality and why? "Christina" and I are actually kind of similar. We both like hanging out with our friends and playing little pranks. She was definitely a fun character to play. Working with everyone on Modern Family was so much fun! You are also a model. Who are some of your favorite brands that you have worked with? Who would you like to work with? Sugar Thrillz, Delia's and TrippNYC are few of my favorites that I have worked with. I would love to work with Hot Topic and Demonia and of course a brand like Gucci would be a dream! In addition to acting and modeling, your are also a singer. How did you get started singing? I've loved singing ever since I was very little, basically since I first started talking. I went to my first concert to see my mom's favorite band Cheap Trick when I was probably 3 and I loved it! As I got older, I started doing covers and performing for my school and doing live theater and realized just how much I loved music! It is one of my biggest passions now! How would describe your sound? What do you hope people take away from your music? In terms of the type of music I cover, it's really all over the place. However, my original music is going to have much more rock/alternative influences. I just hope that people will be able to relate to my music, and hopefully enjoy it too! In addition to acting, what other things are you are passionate about? (charity work, volunteering, etc.) Can you tell us about this work and why do you feel that it is it important? I have always loved giving back. I have worked with numerous charities over the years, but right now I am working with LLS, or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. This charity helps families impacted by cancer and helps advance the treatment options available for patients. Who is your favorite actor/actress and why? My favorite actress is Florence Pugh, and favorite actor is Leonardo DiCaprio. Both of these actors are so amazing in their ability to convey every emotion so perfectly. They both become the characters so incredibly true to life. How would you describe your fashion style? I really don't have one set style, and it also really depends on my mood. Although, I would say right now that it is more on the "alternative" fashion spectrum (especially my shoes, mostly platforms...lol) Who are some of your favorite actors that you have worked with? Maggie Grace, Nikki DeLoach, Sean Astin, Eric Stonestreet and Jesse Tyler Ferguson, just to name a few. What advice would you give other kids that want to break into acting? This is not an easy industry and you need to have thick skin. Be prepared for rejection and many "no's" before the "yes's". Always be training whether it is in acting classes or workshops, watching and studying your favorite actors on tv and movies can help you hone your craft. Having a strong support circle (your parents, family, friends) around you is also very important. If you enjoy what you're doing, don't give up! Who would be your dream on screen collaboration and why? Who would be your dream studio collaboration and why? My dream "on screen" collab would have to be Leonardo DiCaprio. I have always loved him and he is such an incredible actor! He is so believable in all his roles. My dream "music" collab would be Yungblud. He has such a unique sound and is an amazing writer. He just seems like a fun person too! What is one thing that nobody knows about you? Well, I feel like everyone already knows pretty much everything about me. But a fun fact is that I have taught myself guitar and the first song I learned was "Meet Me in the Hallway" by Harry Styles. Have you ever been bullied? I fortunately haven't been physically bullied but I have seen it happen a few times to others. I would stand up for the person being bullied or be there for them if they needed to talk. I have had a few online comments made towards me but I was able to deal with it and then move on. What is your advice to kids that are suffering from bullying? Don't be afraid to speak up! Hiding that you are being bullied, whether it is physical or online, you need to tell someone. Holding it all in can cause depression and anxiety. There are also many anti-bulling resources that you can reach out to for guidance and to talk to. If you could talk to your 21-year-old self, what would you tell her to remember about the person that she is and what would you tell her to strive for in the future? To always respect yourself! When you have respect for yourself, the choices you make, your successes and failures, are all related to how you feel about your self. Get out and make things happen!!
Talent Spotlight with Alyssa de Boisblanc
Photo courtesy of Sarah Huang.
Living Your Best Life What does it mean to live your best life? For some people it means having a great job, a perfect mate or a lot of money. Living your best life means different things to different people, but you have the power to create the kind of life you desire to live. Your best life consists of a healthy, balanced lifestyle. Prioritizing your life, sets you up for success. People's lives change from day to day and the more experiences you encounter in life, the more your perspective changes in life. There is a quote that is very dear to me and it states, ‘’The secret to change is to focus all your energy not on fighting the old but building the new.’’ As you begin this journey of living your best life, strive to focus on just that. Having a strong sense of who you are and what you want out of life introduces you to your best life. Don’t let distractions, negative thoughts and reminiscing about the past keep you stagnant, complacent and comfortable. Living your best life requires a lot of hard work on your end. You can’t strive to live your best life without a plan. Focus on beneficial and realistic goals to ensure you manifest your best life.
We first met Amber Krystal in our September/October 2020 issue. We loved her wisdom and dedication to helping others mentally, physically, and emotionally so much that we asked her to join us each issue with a bit of advice from The Beauty Coach. Check out what she had to say below and stay tuned for more. If you have a question or want some advice from The Beauty Coach, email us and let us know!
Content provided in this column is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, medical, etc. advice. This column should not be relied upon or acted upon without first proper consultation of industry professionals.
Amber Krystal: The Beauty Coach
Next Big Thing NYC BTS Photo Season Finale: Times Square NYFW
Next Big Thing NYC BTS Photo Season Finale: Billboard Shoot
What are five things that you can't live without? My phone so that I can keep in contact with my friends and family, my 4 puppies, my car, my friends and family. What's your life's motto or advice that you live by? Always give everything you do a 110%! What's your favorite color? Rose gold. What is your favorite movie? Tangled What is your favorite TV show? Any baking shows like Cupcake Wars, Cake Wars, Great British Bake Off, etc. Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what's their name? I have 4 chihuahuas. Shadow is my oldest, next is Gizmo, then the baby brother and sister are Psycho Nugget and Princess Pepper. Funny thing is that my dad wanted to call them Psycho and Pepper and my sister and I wanted to call them Nugget and Princess. We couldn't decide so we compromised and named them both. They usually go by Nugget and Pepper though. What is your favorite place that you've traveled to? Nashville, Tennessee What is your favorite food? Any type of Sushi. If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be with and why? Harry Styles! I have been a fan of his since the beginning of One Direction. I think is fascinating, influential and inspiring! What made you want to start acting? When I was 4, I begged my parents for 6 months straight to be on TV. I have always been an entertainer and love making people laugh. What is the most difficult thing about being an actress? Dealing with rejection. There are some parts that I have auditioned for that I wanted really bad but didn't get. You are also a model. Tell us how you got started modeling? When I was a baby, I did some natural non-glitz style pageants with my aunts. I had a ton of fun being on stage and modeling the clothing. Who are some of the brands that you have modeled for? Who would you like to model for? Some brands that I have modeled for are Disney, TeeTots, and Hawaiian Tropic. I would love to model for Sherri Hill since I am obsessed with their dresses! In addition to acting and modeling, you are also a dancer. How long have you been dancing? How did you get started? My mom always jokes that I came out dancing. I actually started when I was 1 by following my aunts to their dance classes. I would put on my ballet or tap shoes and try my hardest to follow along in the corner. I even got to perform with them a couple times. What is your favorite genre of dance? It's a tie between ballet and tap. In addition to being a triple threat in the industry, what other things are you are passionate about? (charity work, volunteering, etc.) Can you tell us about this work and why do you feel that it is it important? I have been involved with the JDRF since I was little. My dad is a Type 1 diabetic and both of my parents work for Medtronic Diabetes. I have worked on fundraising for the JDRF and attend their walks each year. I also love working on the Kindness Rocks project with my friends. My friends and I paint rocks with meaningful messages and leave them around town in hopes that when people see them, it may make someone's day a little brighter. Who is your favorite actor/actress and why? My favorite actor is Leonardo DiCaprio because he has such a range and is fully committed and believable in every role he takes on. My favorite actress is Kristin Chenoweth because she is just amazing and so much fun! How would you describe your fashion style? I have such a range of style on a daily basis. I can go from sweats or workout clothes one day to comfy jeans and flannels the next to complete dress up with rhinestones and glitter the next. It depends on my mood and where I am going. One thing my closet does have a lot of is pink! Who are some of your favorite actors that you have worked with? Michelle Stafford, Christian Leblanc, & Josh Morrow from The Young & The Restless, Sean Brosnan from 63lbs, Olivia Sanabia, Abby Donnelly & Aubrey Miller from Just Add Magic, and Jenna Ushkowitz & Laura Ashley Samuels from 1 Night in San Diego. What advice would you give other kids that want to break into the entertainment industry? Never give up! Study hard! There is always room to grow and improve your skills. Don't be afraid to try new things at least once. Make lots of friends and don't forget to support them on their journeys too. Who would be your dream on screen collaboration and why? Harry Styles and me! That really would be a dream! Now that he is getting in to acting, I think it would be such a fun experience to work with him. What is one thing that nobody knows about you? I can't keep plants alive. I have tried. I have killed cacti, air plants, and other plants that aren't supposed to take much work to keep alive. I'm not giving up though! I will figure this out! Have you ever been bullied? I have when I was in high school. I didn't let it get to me though and I don't hold a grudge against the person that was doing the bullying. What is your advice to kids that are suffering from bullying? Don't be afraid to reach out to an adult or someone else that you trust. There are people that will help you. It is not OK to bully anyone. If you could talk to your 21-year-old self, what would you tell her to remember about the person that she is and what would you tell her to strive for in the future? I would tell her to don't forget where you came from and the people who helped you along the way. Strive to be the best version of yourself that you can be proud of to show the world.
Samantha Bailey is a 19-year-old actress, model, dancer and social media influencer based in Los Angeles, California. She started acting at the age of 4 1/2 and has absolutely loved it ever since! She has been in a variety of TV shows, movies, and theatre productions and commercials. Some of those include the soap opera series The Young & The Restless on CBS, Just Add Magic on Amazon Prime, Bizaardvark on Disney Channel, along with others. She has a real passion for the arts and hopes to continue her journey for as long as she can! Currently Samantha is working as a performer in the Stranger Things: Drive-Into Experience in Downtown LA. When not on stage or in front of the camera, Samantha is studying for my Bachelor's Degree in Theatre Performance and Communications in college. Eventually, she would like to try out some behind the camera work with writing, directing and producing. Action Magazine had the opportunity to catch up with this amazing talent for a look into her world, and we are so glad that we did! Check out what she had to say and add her to your Instagram list of those who you are following!
All photos courtesy of Samantha Bailey.
Next Big Thing NYC BTS Photo
Next Big Thing NYC BTS Photo BTS Confessionals
Photo courtesy of Beccas Photography.
Eden Wood is a multi-talented entertainer who got her big break on the hit show Toddlers and Tiaras. Eden went on to star as Darla in the Universal Pictures movie, Little Rascals Save the Day. From acting to modeling to musical theater, Eden has over 65 TV show appearances and 2 chart topping songs. Eden is hoping to make her return to pageants this year at Miss Teen USA.
What are five things that you can't live without? First off, I have to have mascara, second I always need swaggy new shoes, third is Dunkin's iced coffee to start my day off, fourth is my family, and last but definitely not least is my Chihuahua Bella. What's your life's motto or advice that you live by? To always dream big and work hard. What's your favorite color? Hot Pink for sure. What is your favorite movie? All of the High School Musical movies are my faves because they're so fun and the music is AMAZING. What is your favorite TV show? I would say my favorite show that I've watched so far was the Vampire Diaries. It was so so good. Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what's their name? Yes! I have an eleven-year-old Chihuahua, Bella, and a brand new Pomeranian puppy named Snookems. What is your favorite place that you've traveled to? My favorite place was England because there were so many castles and great food. What is your favorite food? My favorite food is Sushi or any kind of Chinese food. I love it. If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be with and why? If I could have dinner with anyone I would want to have it with Selena Gomez. She has been someone I've looked up to since I was a little girl. She is so strong and so talented, I would love to be able to talk to her. You got your start on the hit television show, Toddlers and Tiaras. Tell us about that. Being on Toddlers and Tiaras was amazing. The show itself opened so many doors for me and was such a positive experience! It literally took me out of small town America and put me on a path to have million opportunities that I would have never had otherwise. You have gone on to become a successful actress, what has been your favorite role to date? My all time favorite role as an actress so far has been Darla in The Little Rascals Save The Day. It was something very different from pageants and brought my love for acting into a clear focus. In addition to acting, you are also perform in musical theater. What is your favorite part about being on stage? It doesn't matter if it was me playing Peter Pan on a stage, wearing a pageant gown and competing on a stage, or walking down the runway stage at New York fashion week, the word stage is what excites me. What has been the character either on stage or in front of the camera that you can relate to the most and why? I don't think that there is any one that I can single out but through each one I've learned so much more about my craft as an actress, as a performer, and as an entertainer. What has been the character either on stage or in front of the camera that you can relate to the least and why? Like I said, I don't think that there is any single role or performance that I regret or would change. You are also a singer with two chart-topping songs. Tell us about your music. In one word, how would you describe your sound? I guess the best way for me to describe my music is that it is from my heart because I wrote them each about different things I was feeling as a teenager and hope that others can relate to them. One word to describe my music is heartfelt! In addition to all that you do in the industry, what other things are you are passionate about? (charity work, volunteering, etc.) Can you tell us about this work and why do you feel that it is it important? Well, I was brought up to do unto others as you want done unto you. We are all on this third rock from the sun and need to show a lot more love and concern for each other. You are also on the new Amazon Prime reality show, Next Big Thing NYC. Tell us about how you came to be on this project. Next Big Thing NYC you might say was a gift. I was cast along with many other talented teens, but especially my good friend Isabella Barrett which goes all the way back to Toddlers and Tiaras. So how cool is it that now as teenagers we are on another show together. What do you want fans to take away from "who you are" as they watch you on the show? The one thing I want fans to take away is that no matter how small your hometown is never stop reaching for your dreams and ambitions. I am a country girl, I keep it real, and I'm ready to take on the world. Who are some of your favorite actors that you have worked with? I love Jenna Ortega, Jet Jurgensmeyer, Nikki Hahn, Grant Palmer, and of course performing on stage with Kelly Osbourne was the bomb.com. What advice would you give other kids that want to break into the entertainment industry? Some advice I would give is that you should always be prepared, even for the unexpected. Never go into an audition without practice, never get on stage without confidence, and never let anyone tell you that you aren't right for a role or a performance. Always have the "Ill show you" attitude and go for it anyway. Who would be your dream on screen collaboration and why? Who would be your dream studio collaboration and why? I would love to be in a movie with Louis Partridge because he is so cute, like oh my goodness and he's so talented. On the musical side of things I'd want to collab with Justin Bieber on a song for sure. He is the pop king and makes amazing music. What is one thing that nobody knows about you? A lot of people don't know that I am actually a drummer. Have you ever been bullied? Yes, indeed, from being in the public eye as a child to being an influencer on social media, you have to learn to stand your ground. The bottom line concerning bullying to me is that I know who I am, and though everyone is entitled to their own opinion, their opinion doesn't define me. What is your advice to kids that are suffering from bullying? The best advice that I can give would be to talk with your family and be proud of who you are, simple as that. If you could talk to your 21-year-old self, what would you tell her to remember about the person that she is and what would you tell her to strive for in the future? I would tell her to never forget that happy little girl from the country and that Jesus got her to where she is. I would tell her to strive for happiness, love, and success.
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Isabella Barrett is best known for her break out starring role on the hit TV series, Toddlers and Tiaras. From there, she went on to star in NBC's Game of Crowns, and then on to her own series in Germany called, Beauty Queens. In 2012, at age six, after developing several business ventures around her initial TV successes, Isabella was named one of the youngest self-made millionaires in the United States. Isabella ultimately left the world of reality television at the age of nine, and spent her tween years becoming a successful model and actress. She has appeared in many ad campaigns and TV commercials for Toys R US, Bergdorf Goodman, American Girl Doll, among others. Ultimately Isabella's new business adventures would become her passion as she returned to TV in a documentary series, Get Made Global, where she helped other kids start companies. She also appeared on Kid Entrepreneurs, How Did You Get So Rich and Teens Who Made Millions. In her spare time, Isabella is heavily involved in the Young Entrepreneurs Conventions and speaks at their annual event. In 2019, Isabella took on the world of beauty and became a beauty Influencer and appearing in the national series Billionaire Babies. So what's Isabella's latest successful venture-fashion. The young superstar has created a teen business suit line called the "House of Barretti". In additon to her new clothing line, Isabella is currently writing a teen guide to business book and is one of the famous faces in Next Big Thing NYC. (Note: Isabella's interview is pulled from her January/February 2020 Action Magazine interview.)
What are five things that you can't live without? Cell phone, Ava my baby sister, my mom, sneakers because I have a sneaker addiction, and make-up What's your life's motto or advice that you live by? JUST DO YOU, It's simple, but true and don't worry about what others think or say...be your authentic self and you will be happy. What's your favorite color? Blue gray What is your favorite movie? The Devil Wears Prada What is your favorite TV show? Criminal Minds Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what's their name? I have a cute little Chihuahua named Sophia Maria and a white bunny named Bun Bun. What is your favorite place that you've traveled to? I have traveled most of my life, but the place we go to every year and I never get sick of it is the Four Seasons at Disney World, they have a mile long lazy river at the hotel and it's AMAZING. What is your favorite food? Pasta with Chicken If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be with and why? Kylie Jenner simply because she has done a great job of navigating fame, business and family. What made you want to start modeling? What made you want to start acting? I started modeling and acting as a progression from pageants. I had/ have a lot of energy and love to perform both acting and modeling let you explore being, doing and trying something new. How did being on Toddlers and Tiaras and NBC's Game of Crowns help mold your own television show Beauty Queens? I think being on TV, you end up forgetting the cameras are there and you're not very nervous or shy, but I learned Reality TV is not real. It's like a phone convo with your girls, you really only give the highlights of your day and it's the same for TV, it's 17 hours edited down into 25 mins. But it's also a lot of fun and you get to have a lot of your amazing memories documented in time. What made you want to become an entrepreneur? I didn't really know I was becoming one at first, I just had a great idea that me and my mom made some samples of. When the business took of, it was a total surprise! We were just doing something we loved but making jewelry. You have been on several television shows that help other young people become entrepreneurs. Why is that important to you? This is such a good question! When you're young, you can feel like you don't have a voice or your parents are doubtful of your idea and you need someone else to say "this is amazing" and kinda be your cheerleader. The 2 things stopping most teens from starting a business is lack of funding and a support system so getting to offer those 2 things is an amazing feeling. Who are some of the entrepreneurs that you look up to and why? There are so many Kim K, Kylie, Cardi B, Jeffery Star, Nikki and Gaby, my mom, and Laurie Gunear from Shark Tank. You have an upcoming clothing line hitting the market soon. Tell us about your new line and what makes it special and unique? This is my 3rd season at NYFW with "House of Barretti" Teen Suits. We use a slightly different approach with test markets, so we sell all the suits from the collection first before making them. Once they show, we then see a second wave of most requested designs and only make them. So, out of 50 designs that will walk the runway in February, we will end up actually making and stocking the top 10. What other things are you are passionate about (organizations, charities, etc.)? Can you tell us about this work and why do you feel that it is it important? I love working with children's charities. I have raised money for many organizations including St. Jude's Children's Hospital, Toys For Tots, and Hasbro Children's Hospital. I am definitely inspired to go into nursing for my major. Who is your favorite actor/actress and why? Jennifer Lopez. I love strong empowering women and she is another great example of a boss. She's a mom, singer, actress, dancer, family is one of the most important foundations in her life and she works extremely hard for all she has. How would you describe your fashion style? I love comfortable clothing and have 2 very different vibes. For school and friends, I love Nike sweatsuits, Fashion Nova Jeans a tank top and Gucci belt. My working and NYC modeling vibe is more classic couture with riding coats and stretch pants with a cool boot or a skort with cute top. Who are some of your favorite models that you have worked with? I can't choose, all my model friends! What advice would you give other kids that want to break into modeling/acting/entrepreneurship? DO it! Now is the best time for teens to do modeling, become a business owner, or social media influencer. Remember that a lot of famous people on YouTube have been doing it for YEARS, so be willing to put in the time. Be authentic to you, for example, if your normal day is school/work/gym, then show that. You don't have to make a lot of things up to impress your audience just be real. Who would be your dream collaboration be with either on the screen, on the runway, or fashioning the next amazing business model and why? I would like to design and dress some of the other celebrity kids out their like, North West, Suri Cruise, and I would love help other teens get their products to market. Have you ever been bullied? Sure, I think if you have any social media, you have faced at least one troll. What is your advice to kids that are suffering from bullying? Please keep your head up, know everyone gets bullied and I promise you things will get better. If you could talk to your 21-year-old self, what would you tell her to remember about the person you are today? What advice would you give to her overall? Enjoy life always, take time for the small things, and give back when ever you can.
Follow Isabella on Instagram
All photos courtesy of Bennett Raglin.
For even more Isabella, check out her interview on Just Talk With Gabe.
Next Big Thing NYC BTS Photo House of Barretti
Righley is a 13-year-old award-nominated actress, model, director, and influencer. She decided upon a home education so that she can dedicate more time to her acting and creative pursuits where she is two years ahead and studies Mandarin Chinese. Her goal is to begin dual enrollment next year to begin working on her Associate's degree so she has more opportunities and can attend Tish University when she turns 18. She has many film projects booked for this year and is in the process of writing another short script for a local film festival. Action Magazine had the opportunity to catch up with this amazing talent for a look into her world, and we are so glad that we did! Check out what she had to say and add her to your Instagram list of those who you are following!
What are five things that you can't live without? My cousins, my best friend, my family, Starbucks, and anime What's your life's motto or advice that you live by? Every bridge you burn has scraps to make a new one. What's your favorite color? Neon green What is your favorite movie? Just Friends What is your favorite TV show? Hunter X Hunter Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what's their name? I have three bunnies. A white one named Ivy, A black one named Nova, and a grey one named Thea. What is your favorite place that you've traveled to? Once I went to Mexico for winter break with my cousin and I had the time of my life. What is your favorite food? Any Chinese food. If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be with and why? Zendaya because she is the love of my life. What made you want to start acting? When I first moved, me and my mom wanted to get involved more in the community so we signed up for a play and I ended up getting one of the leads so I knew that was what I wanted to do. What is the most difficult thing about being an actress? It can be very stressful and hard, I tend to overthink a lot so sometimes I can get really down very easily. Sometimes the classes and training can last up to 6 hours at a time and I would leave crying because I messed up on a little thing. There is a lot of competition so you want to train and be the best but juggling a social life, home, and on top of all of that, high school. It can be a lot but there is no greater feeling than when you are finally in front of the camera. How do you prepare for auditions? First, I read over the script a few times to get a good idea of my character and their relationships with the other people in the scene if there is any. I then get dressed for the role and start rehearsing my lines in the mirror to get facial expressions down. I memorize very easily so I don't have any tips on that but once I've gone through my process I'm all set. How do you handle rejections? I never have handled rejections well even before I started acting. Anytime I am rejected I think that I messed up and I did something wrong like I didn't try hard enough, I tried too hard, I wasn't dressed for the role, all these little things worry me very easily cause I never know what I did wrong. I've started getting better with them recently and learning to accept it and better myself. What has been the role that is most similar and most different to your real personality? I haven't gotten any roles similar to my personality. The one most different was a very fowl character named Lucy. She was a very troubled girl who did drugs and bullied. What is has been your favorite moment on the set? My favorite moment on set is when we were filming When Sharks Attack from National Geographic and me and the girl I was shooting with got to watch how the underwater filming with blood looked in real life vs. on camera. In addition to acting, what other things are you are passionate about? (charity work, volunteering, etc.) Can you tell us about this work and why do you feel that it is important? One thing I am very passionate about is equality. I completely and whole-heartedly support LGBTQ+ and BLM. I also believe in abortion and that woman can do what they want with their body. Anytime I see someone talking down about stuff like that I always step in because it is really just a basic concept that people need to understand. You may find ways to control some things but you can never control the heart. Who is your favorite actor/actress and why? Zendaya because she is so inspiring and talented and I also just love her. You are also a model, how would you describe your fashion style? I like a grunge/city look, many of my styles are unique and usually include layers. I am always shopping for more clothes it's kind of an addiction. I like very simple colors like white, black, tan, and usually add a splash of color to every outfit. Who are some of your favorite designers that you have worked with? My top 2 favorites are BraBar and Lazy Pants. What advice would you give other kids that want to break into acting/modeling? Start with some local plays and eventually you will find more connections, look for acting classes with people who have real experience and classes are filled with serious actors, not just kids who want something to do in their free time. It's going to eat up a lot of time so you have to weigh out your options. You might have to cancel plans for an audition. Making connections is very important and it's good to build a local name before you start spreading out to other places, build up your resume before heading out to big places like Atlanta and L.A. Who would be your dream on screen collaboration and why? Who would you like to model for and why? I would love to collaborate with Forever 21 because it has a style aesthetic for everyone and I always shop there. Once I walk into that store, I never leave empty-handed. What is one thing that nobody knows about you? One thing nobody knows about me is that I don't actually have a lot of close friends. I have a lot of acquaintances but not a lot of friends. I'd say I only have about 2-3 friends that I really trust because making friends can be hard for everyone. All of my close friends are actors because they understand what the life is like. Have you ever been bullied? I actually did deal with major bullying problems in the 5th and 6th grade. What is your advice to kids that are suffering from bullying? Tell an adult, not a parent, tell the principal, if the kids bully you for telling on them, tell the principal that too. They don't have any power in a situation like that. If you could talk to your 21-year-old self, what would you tell her to remember about the person that she is and what would you tell her to strive for in the future? I'd tell her to remember that you don't need a ton of decent friends. You only need a few close ones.
All photos courtesy of Righley Engelhardt.
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Last look at exclusive BTS photos of Next Big Thing NYC. Stream the show today on Amazon Prime!
Next Big Thing NYC BTS Photo Ep. 6: Car courtesy of Cloud 9 Exotics
Next Big Thing NYC BTS Photo Ep. 4: Mya & Bella jet skiing
Next Big Thing NYC BTS Photo Ep. 3: Mya & Peter Make up at the Beach House
Next Big Thing NYC BTS Photo Ep. 1 New York Fashion Week
Next Big Thing NYC BTS Photo Next Big Thing Cast, Gardner Lake
Next Big Thing NYC BTS Photo Next Big Thing Season Finale
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Action Magazine is a bi-monthly, digital, interactive online entertainment piece that not only highlights pieces from the TAAG collection, but it shines the spotlight on young entertainers spanning, all genres from acting to YouTube personalities, and beyond. These individuals are all making a difference, putting into action the words-together, we can change the world! Demographic, Distribution, Readership: Age: 8 and up Gender: Male & Female Interests: Anti-Bullying, Acting, Modeling, Music, Fashion, Sports, Books, Poetry, Entertainment Social Media Outlets: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter Distribution: Action Magazine is exclusively available online via the Action Magazine website at www.actionmagazine.org. Visitors may also access the magazine through our social media links and the website of Gabriel L. Silva,www.gabelsilva.com. Readership: Action Magazine has both a national and international readership that is tracked across all distribution mediums including direct views, shares, additional websites, and social media links.
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