action Magazine
An interactive entertainment & news experience
January/Feb 2023
We kick-off 2023 with 14-year-old gamer and content creator FabuRocks
Nathan Kendall is in our talent spotlight
Get to know singer Clifford in the news and on JTWG
Action Magazine 2023
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 Cover and above photo courtesy of FabuRocks
Meet the talented Trice T. Bailey Who is in this issue's Entertainment News? Get to know FabuRocks New Music Debut: "R.I.P. (dead 2 me)" What are we binging on Netflix? Remember those lost due to bullying Meet EOTM, Serena Laurel What are you watching on Disney+? An exclusive chat with Max Bartos Nathan Kendall 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
NEW SITE, NEW ADVENTURES, ENTER HERE!
Trice T. Bailey is a Jamaican actor, content creator and aspiring filmmaker, driven by determination and hard work to achieve his goals. He started acting in 2020, but he has quickly learned and absorbed so much from the industry. Trice is super thankful every day for the chance to do what he can in the industry and is extremely blessed to have and share his phenomenal gifts and talents. Action Magazine caught up with this amazing young man to get to know him a lot better. Take a peek at some of his answers to our staple game of Q&A. Don't forget to follow him on Instagram as you don't want to miss a minute of this journey that has just begun.
What are five things that you can't live without? God, food, family, money, love What's your life's motto or advice that you live by? Stay hustling. It may sound simple at first glance but it's a reminder for me that no matter the odds, I must keep working hard and keep pushing forward What's your favorite color? There is a few actually: blue, red and yellow. What is your favorite movie? Miracles from Heaven What is your favorite TV show? Stranger Things What is your favorite place that you've traveled to? A deaf village in Manchester, Jamaica. What is your favorite food? Chicken, chicken and more chicken If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be with and why? Tyler Perry - because of what he has achieved, and I believe there is so much I could learn from him about this industry and life overall. What made you want to start acting? Honestly, it was during Covid. I realized had what it takes to become an actor and I decided to try it out and here I am a now still trying to make it out especially since it’s much harder to get a break in Jamaica’s film industry. What is the most difficult thing about being an actor? In Jamaica the most difficult thing is finding gigs. How do you prepare for auditions? Well, I go over the script as much as possible and on the day of the audition, I ensure to pray and go give it my all. The industry is full of rejection. What is your advice on how to handle it? I go through life with what I call high hopes but low expectations so a when I get rejected or if things doesn’t go my way, I’m not actually disappointed. You have had many wonderful roles. What has been the one role that you relate to the most? When I played “Tray” in my short film Takira. If you could write the perfect role for yourself, what would it be and why? My character would be a Denzel Washington type character you know very humbled but wise and down to earth. 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? Charity for sure, even though I've never done a charity project. I have given back to charity on numerous occasions, not a lot, but I give what I can when I can, and I believe even helping a homeless person by offering some food or change is important... The good you put in the world always has a way of coming back to you. Who is your favorite actor/actress and why? Tyrese Gibson probably because he was such a huge inspiration to my mother. How would you describe your fashion style? Well, personally I think I can always put something together and rock it just fine...Haha. Who are some of your favorite actors that you have worked with? Wayshae and Daindra Harrison they are both young stars in the Jamaican film and media industry. What advice would you give other kids that want to break into acting? It's a very competitive industry but anything you put your mind to you can achieve and as one of my favorite teen influencers, Jahkil Jackson would say, don't wait to be great. Who would be your dream on screen collaboration and why?r Isaiah Russell-Bailey, ever since I’ve seen him act in Netflix's Family Reunion, I was just so fascinated by how he took control of his role and how he executed it well. What is one thing that nobody knows about you? My eyebrows raise automatically for a quick second whenever I see or hear something I am impressed with Have you ever been bullied? Fortunately, No. What is your advice to kids that are suffering from bullying? So, I've never had a bully and I know it's who feels it that knows but from what I have come to learn over the years is that a study shows that around 97% of bullies have problem at home so you could try taking a step further and do something nice for your bully as weird as it sounds positivity is contagious. If you could talk to your future self, what would you tell him? I would tell him thank you for never giving up.
Photo Credit: Call-jay Brown
Photo Credit: Antwanique Campbell
Photo Credit: Rickoy Miller
"I don’t lose, I either win or learn."
Photo Credit: Cathryn Farnsworth
New Music Q&A: Gabriella Stella. 82 YouTube Feature: Cocona (XG Official) pg. 92 JJ Whyte: pg. 96 Rising Star: Geianna Gonzalez pg. 104 Movie/TV Review: "Wednesday" pg. 124 Jason Zlatkus: pg. 134 Clifford: pg. 142 Caylene: pg. 166 Bourke Floyd: pg. 172 Megan Soo: pg. 180 Gemma Asfour: pg. 186 Faye Meana: pg. 194 Julia Culbert: pg. 202 Adrian Dev: pg. 210 PR Corner: pg. 224
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!
We wouldn't be us without them. Each issue you will get to know them and their clients better!
GTK PR Talent Agency Imagine PR Group Key Elements PR Lynk PR Millennium Public Relations
Learn more about our PR partners on page 224.
Photos courtesy of FabuRocks
What are five things that you can't live without? I can’t live without my parents, my phone, my dog, my computer and my Xbox. What's your life's motto or advice that you live by? I end all my videos and live streams saying Just be yourself, because that is fabulicious. I say this because I believe everyone needs to hear that they are fabulicious no matter what. What's your favorite color? My favorite colors are blue and red. What is your favorite movie? My favorite movie is Inside Out. What is your favorite TV show? My favorite TV show is Greenhouse Academy. Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what's their name? My emotional support animal is my pug Miss Cleo. What is your favorite place that you've traveled to? My favorite place that I have traveled to is Seattle. What is your favorite food? My favorite food is Sushi and fritas. Fritas are Cuban burgers which are made using ground beef and chorizo. They are very typical here in Miami, FL. 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 with Markiplier, who also has ADHD. I have been watching his content since I was very young and find him to be an inspiration for me. I believe he is an example of a content creator who has set a high bar on quality content that one can aspire to. Not to mention he is so funny and entertaining. How did you get started creating content? I started creating content when I was seven-years-old, to help me overcome my speech delay and cope with my ADHD daily. After years of conventional speech therapy, I was not improving. My parents found that once I started using gaming and creating content as a behavior therapy, I improved significantly. I started initially creating YouTube videos which then led to live streaming. What is the hardest thing about being a content creator? For me, the hardest thing about being a content creator with ADHD is consistency as well as all the sacrifices you have to make. What types(s) of content do you produce? I currently game during my live streams, make educational videos about ADHD, and have a podcast where I talk about gaming and mental health. Congratulations, you are the youngest Facebook Gaming Partner and content creator for Turtle Beach, ROCCAT, Neat Microphones and Epic Games. Tell us how that all got started. It did not happen overnight. It started with a lot of parent support, dedication and consistency. What is your favorite game to play and why? My favorite game genre of all time is horror, because I find them entertaining and as an ADHDer it’s pretty hard to keep my attention long enough. My favorite horror game of all time is Resident Evil 7: Biohazard. If you could create your own game. What would it be? I dream of this one day actually. It would be an action adventure game or a choice game where you get to choose the direction the game goes. The game would definitely be about a girl with ADHD and her daily adventures and struggles to cope with her mental health issues. 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 believe in using my platform to bring awareness to different charities who are making a positive impact in the lives of people. In the past, I used to donate my birthday to live stream for Extra Life and most recently I have participated in friendly tournaments which raised money for homeless families. I hope to in the future work more closely with charities who are focused on bringing awareness to mental health issues. Who is your favorite actor/actress and why? My favorite actor is Jennifer Lawrence. The female characters she plays are strong females and as a person she seems very genuine, authentic and down to earth. I loved her in Hunger Games, Don’t Look Up, X-Men and American Hustle. What advice would you give other kids that want to break into doing exactly what you do? I would recommend for all kids who want to get into live streaming and content creation to speak with their parents or trusted adult, because you need their support. We can’t do it alone. Who would be your dream collaboration and why? My dream collaboration would be with Markiplier because not only would it be fun but for me he represents what I aspire to be as a content creator. What is one thing that nobody knows about you? One thing people don’t know is that I can be socially awkward when I meet you in person for the first time. People often see me on stream as someone who is very social, talkative and confident and believe I am the same in person. However, in person it takes me some time to become comfortable and talkative. Have you ever been bullied? I have been bullied in several different ways when I used to attend school in person. I remember being made fun of and insulted when classmates found out I was a content creator. I was even pushed during PE by a bigger kid and fell into rocks cutting my elbow which left a permanent scar. What is your advice to kids that are suffering from bullying? My advice to kids who are being bullied is to first talk to their parents, guardian and teacher. I would also want to remind them that they are not the problem, the bully is the one who has issues and most likely are looking for attention they don’t get from their parents or family. If you could talk to your future self, what would you tell her? I would like to tell my future self that she should never forget how important family is and to remember to take time for herself without worrying about work/content creation.
FabuRocks, known to her family as FABU, has been creating content since she was seven-years-old as a form of therapy for her ADHD. This now 14-year-old Miami girl is the youngest Facebook Gaming Partner and content creator for Turtle Beach, ROCCAT, Neat Microphones and Epic Games. Action Magazine is honored to kick-off another amazing year featuring this truly talented young lady on our cover. Check our her answers to our staple game of Q&A. Don't forget to follow her on Instagram, you won't regret the journey!
continued on pg. 46
Twenty-three-year- old Gabriella Stella is a high octane singer/songwriter with a burst of pop energy in a very petite package. Her fierce choices of surprise and righteous raw sound leaves you desiring one more rift. With her previous skills of acting and modeling; it separates her from the wave of other pop artists. Her explosive performances are filled with original choices, possibly eclectic musical ears. Her musical influences are Miley Cyrus, Harry Styles and new upcoming artists. Gabriella has performed at The House of Blues, Disneyland, Grand ole Opry Mills, and local venues. Action Magazine caught up with this amazing musician to get to know her a lot better. Take a peek at some of her answers to our staple game of Q&A on pg. 82. Don't forget to follow her on Instagram. But first, make sure to listen to "R.I.P. (dead 2 me)" and let us know what you think!
Photo Credit: Gabriella Stella/@artsytaylor
Watch Now!
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
continued from pg, 28
Photo courtesy of FabuRocks/Variety/Getty Images.
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.
On the next page, tune into what we are listening to by clicking to watch the video!
Note: Some videos and/or music may not be suitable for all ages. Parental guidance suggested.
Our Top five favorite playlist tunes...
Source: Billboard Hot 100
Lift Me Up by Rihanna
Made You Look by Meghan Trainor
I'm Good (Blue) by David Guetta & Bebe Rexha
Anti-Hero by Taylor Swift
Kill Bill by SZA
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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 credit: Greg Doherty
Multi-talent Serena Laurel is best known for her lead role as "Lucy" in the movie Summertime Dropouts and her award-winning music video "Gold." Serena garnered best actress awards for her starring roles in the thriller Nasty Habits, written and directed by Allisyn Arm and in Bird Song, a GOT short. Serena co-stars in the Brat TV series Total Eclipse and is the producer and creator of her own YouTube series, Record Rant. She is a series regular as "Jessica" in the NC-16 TV series. She has a supporting role in the short film It's Just A Story and in the award-winning fantasy film Phoenix Song as "Sarah." Serena Laurel's vocals and songwriting style carry an eclectic dreamy retro pop sound. Her clever lyrics mingled with unique melodies will have you listening intently to the story as it unravels. Serena’s current release "Heaven Let The Lights Go Down" lingers with an "easy beautiful bedroom pop vibe," Laurel’s voice is passionate with distinct tones that keep you pulled in for more,” writes Tongue Tied Magazine. The 22-year-old songwriter moved to Nashville from Los Angeles in 2020 to finish her degree at the prestigious Belmont University School of Music. Influenced by her jazz studies and broad musical tastes, Serena Laurel's style incorporates a variety of genres and styles in her magnetic sound. Serena entered the spotlight at age six with the Ford modeling agency. Her acting career started in local theaters in Jacksonville, Florida. She then moved to TV with a PSA for the non-profit organization Hubbard House and a recurring role in BJ's Teddy Bear Bible Story TV series. Later, she quickly became a recognizable face promoting girl's fashions for Bealls department stores in print, billboards, and TV commercials. She has been in regional and national commercial campaigns by Kohl's, Build-A-Bear, Arm & Hammer, Chase Visa, Cracker Barrel, and Bealls Department Stores. Serena danced with the Chipettes and Alvin in Alvin and the Chipmunks, Chipwrecked, starring Jason Lee as they filmed on board a Carnival Cruise ship for ten days. Serena Laurel uses her music and songwriting to mentor and supports others as a celebrity ambassador for BreakingtheChainsFoundation.org. Serena's partnership with BTCF encourages artists to share live performances while discussing the therapeutic process of making music and advocating mental health awareness focusing on using art as therapy in the healing process. Serena holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Songwriting and Music from Belmont University Curb College of Entertainment in Nashville, TN, and an Associates degree in Music Composition from College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita, CA. Action Magazine had the extreme pleasure to catch up with this truly phenomenal young entertainer. Take a peek at some of her answers to our staple game of Q&A. Make sure to follow her on Instagram for more of her amazing journey!
What are five things that you can't live without? My eyeglasses and/or contacts, a guitar, a portable speaker to listen to music, snowboard, and of course, ice cream. What's your life's motto or advice that you live by? Thursday's are the new Friday's. If it feels off, something is off. Never give up. Instead of thinking about all the ways your life could go wrong, think about all the ways it could go right. Always be well dressed. Don’t ever let yourself get too comfortable. Tacos are sandwiches and pasta is soup. What's your favorite color? Mint and violet…especially together *chefs kiss*. What is your favorite movie? Matilda has always been my favorite, I can't wait to see the musical version. Annihilation, the sound design in the ending is phenomenal. And most recently, Don’t Worry Darling, Florence Pugh is everything. What is your favorite TV show? Anything Game Of Thrones related. I was also a Whovian nerd, “long live The Doctor.” Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what is their name? I have one cat named Holiday. She arrived on Christmas day when I was seven-years-old. The naming options were Mistletoe or Holiday. I chose Holiday, after Christmas or the jazz singer. Holiday is a black and white adorable loving tuxedo cat who is the queen of our house. Where is your favorite place that you've traveled? Ireland! I wandered all around the island. And the beauty was astonishing as well as the lovely people I met. I also have a soft spot for San Francisco. What is your favorite food? I love Salmon cooked in every way; on Sushi, fileted, poached, baked, or broiled. If Salmon is on the menu, you know what I will select. Oh, and don't forget my true favorite, ice cream. It could be the main dish as well. If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be with and why? The chef who made the dinner. I would love to just have them tell me all about the process while eating the delicacies. If there is a third seat at the table, then I choose Nai Palm, the lead singer of my favorite band Hiatus Kaiyote. What made you want to start singing? I’ve always loved performing starting with rhythmic gymnastics to the theater. But in first grade, I started playing guitar at church and singing in the Jacksonville Children's Choir. Where do you find inspiration for your music? Living life. Everywhere, everything, everyone. Be aware, you may inspire a song -*wink*. What do you hope people take away from your music? I hope I can help someone put their feelings into words by listening to my songs or reading the lyrics. Maybe they will say, “YES that’s exactly what I’m going through”. It may make one feel a little less lonely knowing there’s a song out there expressing their emotions knowing other people feel or experience the same emotions and situations. I hope people feel connected when they listen to my songs. Maybe it will help them sort out their thoughts and feelings like writing songs is therapeutic for me. You are also an actress with a newly released music-based film that is now available on DVD, streaming with the complete soundtrack available as well. Congratulations on your lead role as Lucy! Tell us about Summertime Dropouts and your role in the film. I’ve been looking forward to this movie's release for a long time. Summertime Dropouts is a family musical dramedy. I’m so excited we finally get to share the music and good times these characters created. The lead characters are all actors and musicians. The director was very specific in hiring actors that were also real musicians that could play instruments, act, and sing. This set was exploding with talent in addition to the special appearance by the band Simply Plan. While filming and throughout the whole process I made friendships that have touched my heart and will stay with me for the rest of my life. The cast and crew spent every day with each over for a month and I cherish every memory with them from all-night shoots to writing songs in hotel rooms and performing on stage as Late For Curfew with my fellow Curfewer’s, Melanie Brooks and Crystal Lake Evans. This movie is a perfect time capsule of our time on set in Owatonna, Minnesota. My character Lucy is the spunky silly lone wolf lead guitarist in the Pop Punk girl band called Late For Curfew. She loves music, her friends, and her quirky fashion sense. As an only child, like myself, I think she radiates the only child's energy in the best way possible. She’s a go-with-the-flow and always down for an adventure kinda girl but may have something up her sleeve. You have a new music project, “Heaven Let The Lights Go Down,” tell us about this project. This came about during a five-person co-write in Nashville. We decided to write about a very specific type of relationship, a long-distance one. It was just one big therapy session with some amazingly talented artists and writers. The group got very attached to a lot of the sounds in the demo track and we ended up using them in the final project! In one word, describe your sound. Divulgence. In addition to music, what other things are you passionate about? (charity work, volunteering, etc.) Can you tell us about this work and why do you feel that it is important? I’ve struggled with body image for a lot of my life, especially starting out young as a model. I love being able to use music as therapy. As an ambassador for Breaking the Chains Foundation, I can do just that. BTCF focuses on using art as therapy for a meaningful healing process to help overcome self-image, eating disorders, and mental health. Who is your favorite musician and why? Hiatus Kaiyote. I have attended approximately ten of their concerts. I'm slightly obsessed with them, yes I'm a fan. Their music is a complex layering of magical sounds that make me feel like I'm in a different world. How would you describe your fashion style? Classically feminine and edgy at the same time. A look that is trendy but stands the test of time. Who are some of your favorite musicians that you have worked with? Kush Mody who produced “When It's Over.” He is a musical genius when it comes to production. Bill Macferson is my favorite music professor who I also worked with on my song “Car Talks.” What advice would you give other kids that want to break into music? Start young, don’t stop, listen to all types of music and never stop trying new things. And when you feel like you simply don't want to play the piano or guitar anymore because your fingers hurt, listen to your mom and don't quit. Who would be your dream music collaboration and why? Ummm....Hiatus Kaiyote of course. What is one thing that nobody knows about you? I’m an only child! Have you ever been bullied? Yes, middle school is not fun for me. To this day, I try not to think about it. I turned to music for therapy, it helped me get through this rough patch. What is your advice to kids that are suffering from bullying? Talk to someone you trust about the situation. For the people that care about you, awareness about what is going on with you, to you and in your space is very important. Don’t bottle it up, it only gets worse. In my case supervisors didn’t believe me about the situation which made it worse. They turned a blind eye and wanted to put blame on others. If this happens, talk to other people you trust. The more awareness the better the situation will be because you are not alone. Try using art as therapy. I wrote songs about the situations I encountered and used the bully's name in the song. It helped me work through a lot of the anger. If you could talk to your future self, what would you tell her? You’ll find your people wherever you are, don’t worry, and just be yourself, enjoy the journey and have fun!
Are you a budding actor, model, activist, musician, or more? Would you like to reach not only a national audience but an international one as well? Do you have a passion for helping to put an end to the bullying epidemic? Is there someone that you know who has lost their fight against bullying and you'd like to share their story? If so, we want to hear from you. Click here and send our editors your information for consideration to be featured in any of our content areas. If we don't cover it, we can always create it!
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Gabriella Stella
All photos courtesy of Destynie Paige
What are five things that you can't live without? My phone (everything I need is on it); My pets, I am a huge animal lover; Music! I don’t know where I would be without it; Lyric journal (I write my ideas/song lyrics etc); Headphones(need music constantly) What's your life's motto or advice that you live by? It may seem cliche but, Everything happens for a reason. It has gotten me through the darkest moments in my life. The universe has a reason for everything, you just have to believe in that. What's your favorite color? I am huge pink lover, any shade I just adore but I am branching out. But my love for pink never wavers. What is your favorite movie? My top three movies have to be Grease, Clueless, and The Wizard of OZ. What is your favorite TV show? I have watched The Vampire Diaries and Teen Wolf like 10 times. I will never get enough and they are both my comfort show. Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what's their name? I have 3 pets, one is a dog named Oreo. She has so much energy, and I am not sure where she get’s it from. I have two cats named Meatball and Mouse. They are my sister's cats but have become our family cats. What is your favorite place that you've traveled to? I am in love with Nashville, Tennessee. It has a great music scene and it’s affordable for a struggling musician. I love walking around the Gulch and hearing music while shopping. Broadway is a great lively place to go at night for music. There is always something going on and I love it. What is your favorite food? I am vegan; but there is an amazing Sushi place in Dallas, TX called Blue Sushi Saki. They have the best vegan options. I loved Sushi growing up so it’s cool to be able to find some I can still eat. If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be with and why? I would love to sit down with Selena Gomez, she has been so outspoken about her journey with mental health. She has handled it with such grace and that’s something I am still learning. Who knows maybe she will bring her pal Taylor and we can all talk music/life/etc. What made you want to start singing? I remember I was watching Hannah Montana and it changed everything. I loved the idea of being able to write music/perform/ and just do what I loved: music. I signed up for the 2nd grade talent show the next day. The rest is history; I begged my mom to help me to hone my craft. I took dance lessons, singing lessons, songwriting skills, guitar lessons, etc. I wanted to be a well-rounded musician. What is the most difficult thing about being a musician? The most difficult thing about being a musician is not comparing your journey’s. It’s easy to see others succeeding, and feeling like you aren’t keeping up. You have to realize in life everyone’s journey is different. The mountain they are climbing could be longer/shorter or smaller/larger than yours. You don’t know the struggles they have had to face to get to the top. Where do you find inspiration for your music? I like to keep myself open to when creativity can hit. I can be inspired by phrases, street signs, Instagram captions, new music/old music, etc. “Eat Cake” was inspired by the phrase “Let them eat cake”. I researched about Marie Antoinette and dove into that era. “Dirty Laundry” was lightly inspired by the idea of someone’s dirty laundry. “Paranoid” was inspired by an actual conversation I had with someone. What do you hope people take away from your music? I hope when they listen to my music, they feel less alone. When I decided to make music I wanted it to feel like my diary. I wanted you to feel like you could come up and tell me everything that is going on. I want you to feel like I am friend, music has always been that for me. You have a new project, “R.I.P. (dead2 me),” tell us about this project? “R.I.P. (dead2 me)" is a project that is my most vulnerable song I have ever released. I wanted to write about a relationship that needs to die. You have to let it die in order to heal and flourish in your life. I lightly touch on my relationship about my dad in this song. But I wanted a song where you can dance out your pain. In one word, how would you describe your sound? Honest 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 am passionate about mental health and taking care of the voiceless. It’s important to use your platform and privilege for good. I would love to be able to open a music center one day for people who struggle with addiction/mental health/etc. There are studies what music can do for the brain. Who is your favorite musician and why? I have a couple but the first one that came into my mind: Miley Cyrus. She has transcended herself into a rockstar. We all met her as Hannah Montana and she has been able to transform into so much more. Miley has always been unapologetically herself and I respect that so much. This industry will try to change you and mold you, she has just stayed true to herself. How would you describe your fashion style? My fashion sense is all over the place, but heavily inspired by my mood. I like to take inspiration from influencers or celebrities. Then I take my own pieces and create my own twist on the look. Who are some of your favorite musicians that you have worked with? I have been able to collaborate with some incredible writers/producers etc. The most amazing thing about collaboration is you learn so much. There is no right way to write a song or sing. What advice would you give other kids that want to break into music? I would say go for it and what do you have to lose? You never know what could happen and what could come out of it. I used to struggle with stage freight and when I was able to tune it out, it truly changed everything. I always tell myself what do I have to lose before stage and it helps so much. Don’t let yourself get in the way of something you truly love. Who would be your dream music collaboration and why? Hands down: Miley Cyrus! We have a similar sounding voice and her writing is incredible. I would love to see what we could create. I am manifesting this collaboration so come on universe! What is one thing that nobody knows about you? I am such a homebody so I am very much an extrovert introvert. If you gave me two options: would you want to go to a party or stay home and watch a movie? I would choose the movie and staying home. I struggle with social anxiety and sometimes my social battery is drained. Have you ever been bullied? I was bullied from 6-12 grade and it was a rough time in my life. I felt like I had nowhere to turn or I didn’t deserve to be alive. I struggled with depression and anxiety from it all. I became someone I don’t even recognize. I just wanted to blend in and tried wearing what everyone wore. I felt like I was wearing a mask or a costume at school. What is your advice to kids that are suffering from bullying? My best advice is to speak to friends and family for support. It’s easy to take on their anger as your own. You start to really take what they say to heart and believe them. You have to realize they are looking in a mirror. Whatever they hate about themselves is what you love about yourself. You have something that they want so don’t let that part die within yourself. It’s easy to start lashing out at others because you are on edge. But feel free to talk to professionals if needed; I have been there and you aren’t alone. If you could talk to your future self, what would you tell her? WOW, it’s crazy to think of my future self. I want to know that you are happy and able to living life fearlessly. I know she is touring with her music because I never let her gave up on our dream. I already know you have tons of animals or some sort of animal sanctuary. I hope you have healed from past traumas and know I am proud of you.
XG (Cocona) Surround sound (J.I.D) Cover Edited Long vers.
Enter Here
JJ Whyte is a 16-year-old actor, and influencer, known for playing "Liam" on Charmers, "Buddy" on Gordita Chronicles. Additionally, most recently, you may have seen him as "Matt" in Hulu's Christmas on Repeat. Action Magazine caught up with this talented young man to get to know him a lot better. Take a peek at some of his answers to our staple game of Q&A. Don't forget to follow him on Instagram. This is one journey that you don't want to miss!
All photos courtesy of JJ Whyte
What are five things that you can't live without? Five things I cannot live without are my phone because in this day and age, we use our phones everywhere; basketball because I'm a huge basketball fan; my computer because I'm into video games a lot, I've recently been playing a lot of Modern Warfare 2; Chick-Fil-A, that's the best place to eat when you just out and you just looking for something to eat. The final thing I would say is a pool. I love swimming, ever since I learned to swim and survival swim when I was younger. I've just loved the water ever since and I love to just relax and play around in the pool. What's your life's motto or advice that you live by? Except to get back what you put in, if you're really pessimistic, negative things and experiences will happen because that's the mood you're in. A lot of outcomes reflect the energy you put into it. What's your favorite color? My favorite color is, either royal purple or any purple or red. What is your favorite movie? My favorite movie has to be Toy Story, as a little kid I was obsessed with Toy Story, I was all about it. What is your favorite TV show? Favorite TV show, I'm not really sure about that. I haven't really been watching that many TV shows lately and if I had to pick one of the favorites have watched, it would either be Star Wars the Clone Wars, as I loved that show or Lab Rats that's another show that I really loved. Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what's their name? I have 3 pets, 2 dogs and a cat, my two dogs are a German Shepherd and a Cocker Spaniel and their names are Rambo and Daisy and my cat's name is Biscuit. What is your favorite place that you've traveled to? My favorite place that I have traveled to is definitely Barcelona. At the time, I was a really big soccer fan and I really wanted to see the FC Barcelona stadium. I did get to do that, and it was amazing. The sights there were amazing too and my favorite thing the food, was great too. What is your favorite food? Favorite food is kind of hard for me. I really like a lot of food and it would be hard to pick which one I find the best, but honestly, if I had to pick something it would either be Chicken Alfredo or a steak. 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 most likely be Lebron James, it would definitely have to be a Taco Tuesday too, it would seem to be fun to be a part of Taco Tuesday. What made you want to start acting? What made me start acting was just the support I got from doing plays as a young kid. It was just something I did for fun because somebody asked me and I was interested in it. While working a lot of people complimented me on my memorization skills, so after a while, I ended up getting into acting fully. What is the most difficult thing about being an actor? The difficult thing is staying persistent and wanting to keep working because sometimes it's a lot especially when you hit a dead spot when you aren't getting any jobs. How do you prepare for auditions? I usually for my auditions like to work on my side with an acting coach. I tell my acting coach what I'm thinking and how the direction of the character is in my eyes from what I know, and I get ideas from my acting coach to improve my understanding of the script. I work on it and get it done and then go do the audition. The industry is full of rejection. What is your advice on how to handle it? Just look at the rejection in a positive way because sometimes if you don't get a role it just may be that the role doesn't fit you. An audition alone can open many doors for you. You have had many wonderful roles. What has been the one role that you relate to the most? The role that I relate to the most is "Matt", in Christmas on Repeat. Sometimes the world is tough, things don't go your way and you feel trapped, but having people around have you realize that there is much more. Who is your favorite actor/actress and why? My favorite actor is Hugh Jackman. I feel like the range of the characters he can play is amazing. He can do musicals, action movies, and pretty much anything. I really enjoy the movies he's in. How would you describe your fashion style? To be honest not too sure how to describe it. It's really like I guess go with the flow with how I'm feeling. Who are some of your favorite actors that you have worked with? My favorite actors that I've worked with would are Devon Weetly, Marques Buford Chris "Bigpapa" Blevins. Everybody on the Charmer's cast was fun to work with as well. What advice would you give other kids that want to break into acting? The advice I give to them is to look for acting classes, those really help. An acting coach really helps you with your work, gives you new outlooks and classes allow you to meet new friends and fellow actors that can also help you become a better actor yourself. Who would be your dream on screen collaboration and why? Kevin Hart. Kevin Hart is amazing at comedies and I think it would be really be fun to be on a set with him. What is one thing that nobody knows about you? One thing I feel like nobody knows about me is that I actually spoke German for about 4 years when I lived in the Netherlands. Have you ever been bullied? Yes, I have been bullied before. What is your advice to kids that are suffering from bullying? The advice I can give to bullying is to make sure to tell an adult and not to let the people bullying you get to your head. There are people who are willing to help you, whether that be friends, family, or teachers. If you could talk to your future self, what would you tell him? If I could talk to my future self, I would tell him to keep working hard and don't let anything stop you from chasing your dreams.
All photos courtesy of Kira Reed Lorsch.
Geianna Gonzalez
All photos courtesy of Geianna Gonzalez/Kelli Schloemer
Geianna Gonzalez is best known as a model and athlete. Geianna has been turning heads since she first stepped on the scene. Setting her sights on the runway, she has walked in numerous fashion shows in Los Angeles and the Bay Area including, The Finer Things Fashion Show. Her charisma and charm shines bright whether she is strutting down the runway, modeling for various print campaigns, or acting in such shows as Pixie and Dust. As strong as she is beautiful, Geianna is a natural athlete currently training to compete in the Junior Olympics. The youngest of six, this young Influencerlets, nothing can stand in the way of her achieving her goals. When not training or smiling for the camera, Geianna enjoys dancing, traveling or hanging out with friends. Action Magazine caught up with this phenomenal talent get to know her a bit better. Here are her answers to our Q&A! Stay tuned, because we have a feeling that we will be seeing a lot more of this amazing young woman.
What are five things that you can't live without? Five things that I can’t live without are my family, Chipotle, my phone, all of my clothes, and my favorite shoes. What's your life's motto or advice that you live by? Advice that I live by is that if you set your mind to it, you can accomplish anything. What's your favorite color? My favorite colors are purple and blue. What is your favorite movie? My favorite movies are the Harry Potter movies. What is your favorite TV show? My favorite show is Friends. Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what's their name? I have many dogs. Their names are Maxx, Chanel, Gucci, Nova, Blanca, Star, Jewel, and Bleu. What is your favorite place that you've traveled to? My favorite place that I’ve traveled to is New York. They have the best pizza. What is your favorite food? My favorite foods are tacos and pizza. 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 Zendaya or Jenna Ortega because I’ve always wanted to meet them! How did you get started as an influencer? I got started as an influencer when I started posting on Instagram and gaining followers. What is the hardest thing about being an influencer? The hardest thing about being an influencer is to create content hoping everyone will like it. What types(s) of content do you produce? Keeping “life” and “influencer life” separated is difficult. How do you do it? The type of content I produce is a variety of many different things. I try to keep it interesting and fun. Although my life and influencer life can be difficult, I make it work by taking the time to have fun in either situation to make the best out of them. You are also a model. Tell us how you got started modeling. Who have been some of your favorite brands so far to work with? I got started modeling when my mom thought that it’d be a fun experience for me. I agreed and since then, she’s been finding all types of opportunities for me. I haven’t really worked with any big brands besides "The Coldest Water". In addition to influencing and modeling, you are a serious athlete! Tell us about all of the sports that you are involved in. In my free time, I play basketball. I’ve also played flag football, volleyball, and did cheer. In addition to being an influencer, 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 sports and the career that I can have from them. I feel as if sports are important because they can take you very far in your future. For me, track and field is my passion. I, one day, hope to achieve the dreams that I have in the future for track. Who is your favorite actor/actress and why? My favorite actor definitely has to be Tyler Perry. I love the Madea movies and he plays his roles very well. He is a very good entertainer. How would you describe your fashion style? My fashion style is not always what you would normally see. I, personally, try to come up with something new. Be creative. I wear what I like. I put different styles together. Who are some of your favorite influencers that you have worked with? Some of my favorite influencers that I’ve worked with are Cherrish and Savannah. Fun people to be around! What advice would you give other kids that want to break into being an in the entertainment industry? An athlete? There’s always hope. Want to be an influencer? Work for it. Want to be an athlete? Work for it. Sometimes people say they “I can’t do it” but really, they know that they’re just hoping that they’re wrong. Who would be your dream collaboration either as an influencer, model, or athlete and why? My dream collaboration would be with Zendaya. She’s a model and actress. It would be nice to have a photo shoot with her. What is one thing that nobody knows about you? Something nobody knows about me is that I’m afraid of failing to achieve my goals in the future. Have you ever been bullied? I have never been bullied. What is your advice to kids that are suffering from bullying? Although I have never been bullied, I know for a fact that people on do such a thing due to jealousy or personal problems. There’s really nothing ever wrong with the people being bullied. Bullies just take it out on the most innocent people because they feel bad about themselves. If you could talk to your future self, what would you tell her? If I could talk to my future self, I’d tell her that I hope everything went as planned and that I’m proud about how far we’ve gotten.
Photo courtesy of Karen Michelle.
Geianna
Gonzalez
Now Live!
What are five things that you can't live without? I would say my cats, Phantom and Desmond! I adopted them after my family fostered them, and they are my pride and joy! Definitely, my guitar Krolock, named after Count Von Krolock from Tanz Der Vampire. I literally never go anywhere without it!!! My notebook for sure, sometimes lyrics strike me at random times, and I always need to write them down! I’d also say my headphones, music is my passion, so I always have something playing! But for me, the big #1 is Diet Coke!!! It’s my lifeblood! I’m actually getting a Diet Coke tattoo!! What's your life's motto or advice that you live by? A motto I always carry with me is We Accept the Love We Think We Deserve from Perks of Being a Wallflower. That movie has meant a lot to me for a very long time, and that quote has been always in my mind. I am a huge hopeless romantic, so this motto really hits me in my heart. What's your favorite color? I know this probably sounds like I’m trying to be “emo” or something, but I am emo, and my favorite color is black. I think there can be so much beauty in darkness, and it really allows the viewer of the color to experience their own interpretation of it. What is your favorite movie? I have 2!! My favorite movie is Dead Poets Society. My mom introduced me to it when I was like 13 and it has forever changed my life. But the other movie really close to my heart is the 1925 Phantom of the Opera with Lon Cheney. Phantom of the Opera is my favorite story of all time, in all regards (musical, movie, book) so it’s obviously my favorite movie!! What is your favorite TV show? My favorite TV show is It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia! I’ve probably watched the entire series like 12 times at this point!! I think Rob, Charlie, and Glenn are comedic and creative geniuses!! Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what's their name? Yes I do!! I have two little kitties named Desmond and Phantom, whose full name is The Phantom of the Paw-Purr-A!! My family started fostering kittens over COVID (we’re up to like 32 kittens that we’ve fostered) and these were two kittens from two different litters who really bonded so I adopted them! What is your favorite place that you've traveled to? Definitely Iceland!! It’s the most incredible, inspiring place I’ve ever been!! When I was there for two weeks, I actually wrote an entire album while we drove around the perimeter of Iceland! And that album is now on Spotify - It’s called "Such Is Life"! What is your favorite food? I don’t really have one!!! I usually don’t think too much about my favorite food, but right now it’s probably Chicken Bone Broth from Springbone Kitchen in NYC!! If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be with and why? Definitely Gerard Way from My Chemical Romance. He is my biggest inspiration in all aspects of my life, so I’d love to get the honor to meet him and get to thank him for all he has done for me. He and his band truly changed my life. What made you want to start acting? For a while, I thought my future lived in sports, but after a bike accident when I was in sixth grade, I quickly had to pivot my aspirations. I was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury at the time, which meant I could not do contact sports for the foreseeable future, so I took the advice of a close family friend that art and music will always be there for you in your times of need, so I started teaching myself how to play instruments and started doing theater! I am now fully recovered from that accident, and since then music has been my entire life and I am so happy! You started out your career both on and off Broadway. Tell us about being on the stage! Being in Sing Street and achieving that goal of Broadway was truly a dream come true. Being on stage is my entire life, and it is when I am the happiest! It’s the most beautiful thing to be on stage, exchanging energy with an audience, and knowing that what you are doing is having an impact! Additionally, you have had many exciting roles in film. Which character has resonated the most with your real personality? Probably when I played "Young Shane Dawson" in Shane Dawson’s YouTube short film The Lottery! I think it perfectly captured myself deprecating humor and unfortunately my body dysmorphia. If you could write the perfect role for yourself, what would it be and why? Would it be on screen or on the stage? I’ve always really resonated with characters like Quasimodo or the Phantom, because I struggle with body dysmorphia and hopeless romanticism, and unfortunately, those two things can sometimes clash in your head. So, I’ve always loved writing characters like that where they are a misunderstood monster looking for love, and I would love to play a character like that someday on stage! As much as I love TV and film, being onstage is where my burning passion lies. Additionally, you are a verified artist on Spotify. Tell us about your music. Well, after I sustained my bike accident, I learned that the head injury I sustained, gave me perfect pitch, so ever since that, I taught myself how to play instruments and quickly began writing music! Being a verified artist on Spotify is truly incredible and I never thought that would happen!! I like to say that I write music with the lyrical inspiration of My Chemical Romance, but with the chord structure of Green Day! I’m actually writing a new album right now which is more acoustic folk emo, and I’m really loving how it’s turning out! You play six musical instruments! What are they and which is your favorite? I play acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass, drums, piano, and mandolin! Guitar is definitely my favorite! I think probably acoustic guitar over electric guitar! 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 a big supporter of mental health advocacy, especially in teenagers, so over the pandemic, I decided to do some fundraisers for a organization called Aevidum, which is a great organization in my hometown dealing with that! I have depression, anxiety, and ADHD, and I think mental health is being talked about more, but it is still stigmatized greatly, I think we need to completely destigmatize it as a society. Who is your favorite actor/actress and why? My favorite actor is probably John Gallagher Jr. I am lucky enough to know him and that is still dreamlike to me. His career is something I want to achieve and all of the characters he has played are dream rolls for me! I would pretty much do anything to play Moritz in Spring Awakening!! How would you describe your fashion style? My fashion style is probably best described as “vampire emo musician.” I love dark color palettes, and emo eyeliner and all that, but also theatrical clothing pieces from the Victorian era, like capes are a must have!! Who are some of your favorite actors/musicians that you have worked with? I absolutely loved working with the Sing Street team, and I still keep in touch with the entire cast and creative team! Aside from them I have loved working with Adam Sandler on Uncut Gems and I loved working with Lea Salonga, Sophia Anne Caruso, Colton Ryan, Alice Ripley, Javier Muñoz, Eric Anderson and the rest of the cast from The Song of Bernadette!! What advice would you give other kids that want to break into the entertainment industry? Do it!!!! I know it seems daunting, but I promise it will be the most fulfilling and exciting thing, and it’s absolutely worth it!!Start collaborating with your friends and keep creating stuff!! Who would be your dream collaboration and why? My dream collaboration would be with My Chemical Romance. Their music has shaped me so much as an individual and I would love the opportunity to record a song with them! What is one thing that nobody knows about you? I am completely red/green color blind! It is something that most men in my family have. Have you ever been bullied? I have. I was actually bullied out of high school in my sophomore year for being Jewish. It was one of the hardest experiences of my life, and it is still traumatizing to this day. The antisemitic bullying I faced was scarring. What is your advice to kids that are suffering from bullying? I know it seems like you are stuck right now, but I can promise you that one day things get better,and you meet the people who will love and except you for exactly who you are. The repercussion of bullying is something that sticks with you, though, but you will find a group of people to recognize that, and make you feel happy and safe. If you could talk to your future self, what would you tell him? I don’t think I would tell him anything, but I’d ask him if I found “the one”. Like I said, before, I am a huge, hopeless, romantic, and I am ever on the search for true love, so I would ask him if I will find somebody to love me and accept me.
Max Bartos is best known for originating the role of "Darren" in Sing Street, the musical both on and off Broadway. At 11-years-old, Max was involved in a life threatening bike crash which caused traumatic brain injury and sidelined him from playing sports but miraculously gave him the ability to have perfect pitch jump starting his Broadway career. Max has participated in many pre-Broadway workshops including the new Frank Wildhorn musical, The Song of Bernadette. In addition to his work on the great white way, Max has been in such films as Uncut Gems with Adam Sandler, The Most Dangerous Man with Paul Logan and as "Young Shane" in Shane Dawson's film, The Lottery. A self taught musician, he plays six instruments including both acoustic and electric guitar as well as piano, drums, bass, banjo, and mandolin. He is a verified artist on Spotify, releasing one single and the concept rock opera "Such is Life". A frontman for several emo/pop punk bands, Max performs and tours consistently all over the East Coast. He is the lyricist, composer, and book writer of two new musicals including an adaptation of HG Wells' The Invisible Man and a musical adaption of the Spoon River Anthology. When not working, Max enjoys boxing, practicing magic, and building Legos. Action Magazine caught up with this phenomenal talent to get to know him a bit better. Here are his answers to our Q&A! Stay tuned on Instagram for what Max has coming up next.
Photo Credit: Mia Rossi
Photo Credit: Max Baratos/Kelli Schloemer
FadeLife Clothing-Intoxicating Style
and sometimes TV
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More About Wednesday: Wednesday is an American coming-of-age supernatural comedy horrors treaming television series based on the character Wednesday Addams by Charles Addams. Created by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar. Wednesday it stars Jenna Ortega as the titular character, with Catherine Zeta-Jones, Luis Guzmán, Isaac Ordonez, Gwendoline Christie, Riki Lindhome, Jamie McShane, Fred Armisen, and Christina Ricci appearing in supporting roles. Four out of the eight episodes are directed by Tim Burton, who also serves as executive producer. (Per Wikipedia.org)
So, what do we think: This Netflix hit is unquestionably a must-see. We highly recommend this new take on a classic hit. jenny Ortega is definitely a natural as Wednesday Addams and we cannot wait to binge Season 2! So if you check it out, make sure to let us know what you think! Our vote...10/10! We wish that we could give it more!
Synopsis: According to IMDb, here is a brief synopsis of what to expect from our Jan/Feb 2023 pick! Wednesday follows Wednesday Addams' years as a student, when she attempts to master her emerging psychic ability, thwart and solve the mystery that embroiled her parents.
Please note, some trailers on the following page may not be suitable for all ages.
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
What are five things that you can't live without? My wife, coffee, acting, video games and toys! What's your life's motto or advice that you live by? Don’t take life too seriously. This too shall pass. What's your favorite color? Philadelphia Eagles Green What is your favorite movie? Young Guns What is your favorite TV show? Lost. I love the characters and the concept. Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what's their name? I have a 20-year-old short hair cat named Chaton. What is your favorite place that you've traveled to? Paris, France What is your favorite food? I love Sushi! If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be with and why? Barack Obama. I think he’s a great leader and a very smart individual. I think he’d have a lot of interesting things to talk about. What made you want to start acting? I started as a model and was cast in a movie. I loved that experience so much I knew it was something I wanted to do the rest of my life. What is the most difficult thing about being an actor? Landing auditions and then waiting to find out if I got the job. It’s hard to just let it go into the abyss. How do you prepare for auditions? I start with memorization and developing a character. I try to stay as relaxed as possible and eliminate distractions during that time. The industry is full of rejection. What is your advice on how to handle it? It’s tough at first but I’ve learned that when I’m right for a role I will land it. Sometimes it’s a bummer to not a get a role I’d really love to play but I figure the universe has a reason that I didn’t get it. You have had many wonderful roles. What has been the one role that you relate to the most? I played a dad concerned about his son’s friends and drug use in a movie called Remedy. I could relate to it because I was that kid once, I played it as though I was my own dad. If you could write the perfect role for yourself, what would it be and why? I’d love to the hero of an action Western. I have always thought the old west had great lore and cool stories. Getting to play a hip gun slinger or Bat Masterson type would be a dream. I love the outfits and the rawness of life. 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 try to give back as often as I can. I work with Feeding San Diego to raise awareness of the need to prevent food over production and food waste. I have personally needed food banks before and want to let people know it’s ok to ask for help, especially during these tough times. It’s not a bad thing to ask for help. Who is your favorite actor/actress and why? Currently I’d say Jeremy Renner. His performance in the Hawkeye show was exceptional and it inspires me to be a better actor. How would you describe your fashion style? Haha. I guess I would say I’m a cool dad. I wear a lot of suits but I also wear jeans and a t shirt when I can. Who are some of your favorite actors that you have worked with? Daniel Roebuck for sure. He’s a true actor and a great guy. Miyoko Sakatani as well, we worked on The First Rule together and she is a great talent and fun person. What advice would you give other kids that want to break into acting? Get trained! And don’t give up, it’s hard and takes a lot of work but it’s very rewarding. When you don’t cast, create something! Who would be your dream on screen collaboration and why? I love Eli Roth and getting to work with him would be amazing. He’s a lover of movies and he shows it in his work. I’m also a lover of movies and would love to share that! What is one thing that nobody knows about you? I used to weigh 300 lbs. I was inspired by the movie Thor to get in shape and I did. It took many years and much sacrifice but I feel it was worth it. Have you ever been bullied? Yes, horribly. I hated my school years because of this. What is your advice to kids that are suffering from bullying? Hang in there. Be yourself and be proud of who you are. I noticed as I got older, the bullies didn’t end up happy and I did. If you could talk to your younger self, what would you tell him? Stay strong because everything changes. It may seem like it when you’re in it but this situation won’t last forever. Good or bad, things change and people grow up.
Jason Michael Zlatkus, (born in San Jose, CA), is an award-winning American film actor who has appeared in a number of films including The First Rule, A Killer Rising, Near Enemies, and Forever Young (2020). Zlatkus is an experienced commercial actor with lead roles for powerhouse companies such as Marvel, Every Man Jack, Philips, Ford, Cisco and 1-800Flowers. Standing 6'4," with a lean athletic build, he is also a trained, known runway elite, Men's Wearhouse model and published print model. Zlatkus portrayed Hunger Halter, a hero created by Feeding San Diego and The San Diego Comic-Con Museum to bring awareness to ending over production and food waste. Located in Los Angeles, Jason has continued to train and hone his acting skills including training with Duane Whitaker, Daniel Roebuck, John Swanbeck and Harri James among others. Jason hosts a live weekly podcast/show for actors with working actors as guests, called, "Coffee Breaks Thursdays with Jason Zlatkus." The show is seen and followed all over the world by aspiring actors and fans. Action Magazine had the extreme pleasure to catch up with this amazing talent to get to know him better and we are extremely glad that we did! Check out his interview and don’t forget to follow him on Instagram. You don't want to miss a minute of this amazing journey!
Last two photos provided by Shakondi Lee.
All photos courtesy of Jason Zlatkus
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Clifford is a US/UK citizen living stateside. He speaks English, French, Arabic, with twangs of rural Maryland and his music, through genre bending, incorporates nuances of all four. Clifford says, "I've been told we use the same part of our brain to learn languages as we do music and I think that's why both feel natural to me. My goal is to encourage progress, change, equity, inclusivity, and diversity." Clifford creates music to communicate messages. Messages that he hopes will resonate with everyone, but in their own way. When he writes he tries to leave gaps, or you could say blank spaces, so the listener can fill them in with their own personal experiences. Clifford writes, performs and produces all of his music in a small home studio with the help of a creative team that he "couldn’t live without." Check out his answers to our Q&A and don’t forget to follow him on TikTok. This is one journey that you don't want to miss!
All images are credited to Reeves Productions.
What's your favorite color? Magenta What is your favorite movie? To Sir, with Love What is your favorite TV show? Love Sick Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what's their name? I live on a farm and have many pets: Draft horse-Jesse; Mammoth Jack-Buddy; Standard Donkey-Possum; Standard Donkey-Willy; Cats- Luna, Poppet, Misty, Scout, Chester, Lucian, Echo, Ramsey, & Suede What is your favorite place that you've traveled to? Edinburgh, Scotland What is your favorite food? Carbonara If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be with and why? Diana Ross because she has such a great vibe, a wealth of music and entertainment knowledge, and has strong family values. What made you want to start singing? Singing has always been an emotional outlet for me. What is the most difficult thing about being a musician? Not getting in your own head and overthinking. Where do you find inspiration for your music? From every day thoughts and experiences. Sometimes social and political current events influence the direction of my songs…and then there’s love. What do you hope people take away from your music? I hope that people can imprint themselves in my music and almost make themselves a character within the song. You have a new project,“Mariana,”tell us about this project? “Mariana” was influenced by my fascination with the Mariana Trench. It’s like another world, an outer space on Earth. Finding true love is a deep concept and finding your one true love is scary. It requires delving into the unknown with a constant potential of getting hurt, much like diving to the depths of the ocean. In one word, how would you describe your sound? Passionate. 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? Through my music I promote diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA). I try to offer a different culture within the music industry, a different option so to speak, one where DEIA is the guideline. Who is your favorite musician and why? David Bowie because he was a chameleon. He figured out a way to push the limits of the music industry lyrically, instrumentally and visually while being successful in it too. How would you describe your fashion style? I like to incorporate many different styles based on what the creative project requires. Genre bending has allowed me to experiment with my style and what I’ve come to realize is it’s okay not to conform to any one idea of the self. Being multi-faceted is okay. Who are some of your favorite musicians that you have worked with? Grammy Award Winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Jerome “Bigfoot” Brailey. He is also one of the top 100 drummers of all time according to Rolling Stone magazine. I’ve been extremely fortunate to have collaborated with him. What advice would you give other kids that want to break into music? Find that spot within yourself where your mind and soul meet because that’s probably where your creativity lives. From there believe in yourself and don’t give up. Who would be your dream music collaboration and why? Max Martin because he has the ability to bring out a vocalist’s best performance possible. What is one thing that nobody knows about you? When I was seven my sheep won Grand Champion Fleece at the Virginia State Fair. Have you ever been bullied? Yes. What is your advice to kids that are suffering from bullying? Unfortunately there’s no one-size fits all solution when it comes to bullying. I’ve found that with most bully’s you can talk your way out of the situation. Try to walk away first, if you can’t, defend yourself as best you can in a non-hostile way. I learned recently in psychology that bullying is instead called “dominance behavior”. Step back from the situation mentally and figure out what angle they are trying to feel dominant over you and then deflect from that angle. The most difficult part about being bullied is when you start to close up and not be able to see what’s happening to you from a third person perspective. If you teach yourself how to be able to have a clear vision while being bullied, you can better learn and practice defending yourself. I actually recently released a song called “Too Big Too Strong” which touches on the subject of bullying. I wrote it for the purpose of self-empowerment. If you could talk to your future self, what would you tell him? Love this question. As someone who doesn’t really wish to know the exact details of my future, I would simply ask, “How’s life going?”
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Photo courtesy of Walter Tabayoyong.
Talent
Nathan is a 17-year-old actor, model and athlete, best known for his work on popular YouTube series Dhar Mann Studios, as well as a featured role on The Goldbergs. He is a 3rd degree Black Belt in Taekwondo, holding State Titles and previously ranked top 10 in the World. You can see his love of martial arts, friends and traveling with family on his socials and follow along with his positive content and career experiences. Action Magazine had the opportunity to catch up with this amazing talent for an exclusive interview in our talent spotlight. Check out what he had to say and add him to your watch list. You won't be disappointed!
What are five things that you can't live without? My friends, family, food, Starbucks, shoes. All pretty self explanatory I think for a teenager, and if I had to add one more, maybe my car. What's your life's motto or advice that you live by? I live by the saying my dad says go and do great things. What's your favorite color? I have three favorite colors because I really can't choose. They are pink, dark blue and black. What is your favorite movie? It’s really hard to choose, but I would have to say The Fast and the Furious because I love cars and the action is great. What is your favorite TV show? My favorite TV show at the moment is Young Sheldon because it is really funny. For more dramatic shows, I also like 9-1-1 because of the action and crazy situations. What is your favorite place that you've traveled to? I very much liked Alaska because it was nice and cold and a very different experience from where I live. I got to go in a helicopter that took my dad and I to a glacier where we were pulled by Huskies. It was one of the coolest experiences I’ve had. What is your favorite food? I love mac and cheese! Even though it is basic, it's simple to make and I pretty much like it any way it’s made. If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be with and why? I would either have dinner with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson or Ryan Reynolds because I look up to them a lot for their careers. They seem funny and the kind of people I could have a good time with but would learn from them too. What made you want to start acting? I started acting at first because I had asked my mom to buy me an Apple watch one day and she said I had to buy it myself. She helped me find jobs, and get an agent, and after my first job I bought my watch! After a few jobs though I found I really loved it, and have kept going ever since. What is the most difficult thing about being an actor? Most difficult thing for me is managing my time between work and school because I get busy a lot and sometimes I miss school. We have school time on set, but a lot of my work is hands on in my school so it can be hard to make up, but I always try my best and let my teachers know what’s going on. I’m glad my school is supportive of my acting. For your role in the YouTube series, Dhar Mann, tell us about your character. How similar and different is he to your real personality? Playing Lewis Howes was very similar to my real life experience in middle school because I was bullied a lot for being dyslexic, and I was in Special Education too. I still struggle with dyslexia all the time but thankfully we have spell check and Siri! I admire Lewis’ perseverance to keep going after his struggles and I try to stay positive like that too. If you could write the perfect role for yourself, what would it be and why? I think the perfect role for me would be something similar to a character in Fast and the Furious, driving super fast, doing action stunts, and having the whole movie related to family. Family is very important to me and I love fast action! You are also a 3rd degree Blackbelt in Taekwondo. Tell us about this awesome fun fact! I have been doing Taekwondo for over 10 years now and I enjoy it very much. One fun fact is that I have previously been California State champ multiple times, and have competed in World Championships. In addition to acting and Taekwondo, you are also a model. How did you get started modeling? I haven’t done too much modeling, I would love to do more because it’s so fun. I am a brand ambassador for an athletic clothing company, and they asked me to do a photoshoot for their clothes, so that was the first time I modeled professionally. After that I was able to do runway modeling in 2 fashion shows, one of those was for LA Fashion week and I learned a lot! It’s something I would like to more of some day. Who have been some of your favorite brands to work with so far? McKee Performance Wear for sure because their clothes are super comfy and I wear them on almost a daily basis at home. They are a small business and have ties in the military community. Plus they like to give back to the community as well and I like supporting companies that have a positive vision. In addition to all that you are involved in, 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 helping out when I can after school or on weekends at my local food share warehouse. It is important because it gives food to people who are in need of it and no one should have to go through food insecurity. Who is your favorite actor/actress and why? My favorite is Ryan Reynolds because of all the super cool movies he has done and the very different characters and roles he has played. I think he does a lot of his own stunts too which I really admire and I would love to do my own stunts too. How would you describe your fashion style? My style would be very teen angst-y with ripped jeans fitted shirt and oversized hoodie or flannel. I like to be comfortable but not a total slob, most of the time. Sometimes slob is the way to go, which is ok too. Who are some of your favorite actors that you have worked with? One of my favorite actors I worked with was actually directing this project, but Derek Waters was one of the coolest people I was able to work with. I was doing Taekwondo in the scene, and he was just like watching me do my form for the shot and got so excited with the skills I could do. It felt really great to get really positive feedback from such a well known guy. What advice would you give other kids that want to break into the entertainment industry? I would say to be prepared to work long hours because filming takes a lot longer than you might think. Sometimes it’s fast, or just one scene, but then you still have to do school. Or sometimes it’s all day. Another thing is to manage your time with school well so you don't fall behind. Who would be your dream on screen collaboration and why? It would be a dream come true if I got to work with Ryan Reynolds in an action movie and we did a bunch of stunts together. It would be super awesome to even just meet him, but then be on screen together, and learn from him, and look super cool doing it, that would just be a dream. What is one thing that nobody knows about you? Nobody knows that I am actually very bad at cooking! I can make scrambled eggs and frozen pizza, but that’s about it. Have you ever been bullied? Yes, I have been bullied. I was bullied in elementary school and middle school for my learning disabilities, or just because sometimes kids are mean. I used to get hit by basketballs, or kids would say mean things, or ignore me. What is your advice to kids that are suffering from bullying? My advice is if people say mean things about you, just let them and don't let it get to you. In the moment, it might really hurt or make you feel really bad, and it’s not easy to just ignore it. But really it’s just words, and you need to keep going because you are awesome and can do great things. Find your people, find the people that like you for you, and will be there for you when bullies make you feel bad. Maybe it’s friends, or your parents, or a teacher, just find someone who will remind you how great you are and don’t let the bullies win. If you could talk to your future self, what would you tell him? I would tell him to keep pushing. Great things will come and you need to keep working hard to achieve them.
All photos provided by Kai Kendall/Kelli Schloemer.
Talent Spotlight with Nathan Kendall
Photos provided by Mandy Corrente.
What's your favorite color? Not sure if this is considered a colour, but I love Black and I also love RED. What is your favorite movie? I have so many favourite movies! I love watching movies in general so I will tell you a couple haha. Scarface; Call me by your name; American Psycho; The Batman Trilogy; Get Out What is your favorite TV show? I haven’t watched any shows in a while but i was hooked on TOP BOY for ages, heaps keen for the next series! Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what's their name? Unfortunately no What is your favorite place that you've traveled to? Where my background is, THE PHILIPPINES. What is your favorite food? I have celiac disease so i cannot eat this anymore, but I actually love KFC haha! Other than that a really good steak, I love Italian cuisine and Asian too! If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be with and why? If she was still alive, my LOLA (grandma) What made you want to start singing? I’m not sure what exactly made me start singing because I was always doing it when I was younger but I think growing up listening to music and watching artists on TV I just wanted to do it myself, it inspired me. What is the most difficult thing about being a musician? I think for me the most difficult thing would be comparing myself to other musicians and from that comparing myself which then leads to self doubt. Also there are a lot of things in the music industry that just don’t seem that fair, but do not want to get that into it. Where do you find inspiration for your music? Hearing new albums from artists I look up to, learning about music, seeing and learning the other parts of music, like watching a YouTube video on how producers work, how people write etc. Also going to events and watching live music! What do you hope people take away from your music? I hope that when people listen to my music, they feel safe and less alone if they relate. You have a new project,“Don’t Take It Personal,” tell us about this project? I actually started wrote and recorded "Don’t Take It Personal" at the end of 2019. So it has been a long time coming for this single to come out. I had a big break from releasing music due to personal reasons and wanted to start sharing what i created during that time. In one word, how would you describe your sound? Passionate. 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 studied psychology for 3 years and did not complete the degree, but I have always been passionate about helping others. I feel like that's one of my main purposes in life is to help others. I also love dancing and acting. I actually used to be a dancer in a dance crew for about 6-7 years. Who is your favorite musician and why? I have so many different favourite musicians, old and new. Some ones from growing up are Freddie Mercury, Michael Jackson, Etta James. I also love (singers) SZA, Summer Walker that's my main 2. They inspire me as an artist myself and always get motivated to do more and try out new things when I listen to their music. Who are some of your favorite musicians that you have worked with? ETHAN, Deja Miru, YoungNato, Kuda Beats, Jimmy McCanas What advice would you give other kids that want to break into music? Definitely go for it! The world is yours, try everything, don’t be afraid, who cares what people think! Enjoy your art and remember why you started it in the first place, that will keep you going. Who would be your dream music collaboration and why? SZA, Summer Walker, Tyler the Creator, Drake, Brent Faiyaz What is one thing that nobody knows about you? It’s hard for me to answer this because I feel like a lot of people already know about me, I'm a really open book. Have you ever been bullied? Unfortunately yes I have been bullied, both online and in real life. What is your advice to kids that are suffering from bullying? One thing that helps me now is to remember when someone says something mean and harsh to you, it's a reflection of them. Do not take it personally. If you could talk to your future self, what would you tell her? Don’t give up.
Cool, calm, collected yet full of feels is the best way to describe rising R&B singer-songwriter Caylene. Growing up in Sydney, Caylene makes music way beyond her years, channeling the vibes of artists such as Tinashe, Doja Cat and Justine Skye. It’s a sound she describes herself as “feeling” music. The talented 23-year old Aussie artist is excited to get people movin’ and groovin’ with her catchy and funky fresh soul and trap tunes. Caylene’s imagination will take you to a place that dwells deep into love, relationships and heartbreak. She is passionate about her craft and lives and breathes music. She studies different artists and genres that have influenced her to blend everything into her own style. She can sing, dance and write, describing her music style as a fusion. Action Magazine had the opportunity to catch up with this amazing person to get to know her a little better. Check out what she had to say and add her to those who you are following on Instagram. You will want to be a part of her journey!
C A Y L E N E
All photos courtesy of @Jadedamico
What are five things that you can't live without? I can’t live without my family, my dogs, music, laughter, Diet Dr Pepper What's your life's motto or advice that you live by? My life’s motto is the same boiling water that hardens an egg softens a potato. It’s not the circumstances but your reaction to them that define you. And to always be kind. What's your favorite color? My favorite color is royal blue. What is your favorite movie? My favorite movie is Goonies. What is your favorite TV show? My favorite TV show is Top Chef. Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what's their name? I have two dogs, Storm and Dobey Maguire. What is your favorite place that you've traveled to? I love traveling and sharing those travels with my family. Watching my children see an amazing place for the first time is just the best. I think my favorite place to travel has been Hawaii, it never ceases to amaze me with it’s beauty and the entire positive vibe of the people I’ve met there. What is your favorite food? My favorite food is salad with a bright citrus vinaigrette. If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be with and why? I think there is so much to learn from anyone and everyone we come in contact with so I would have a good time at dinner with so many people, however I think I would really enjoy having an opportunity to spend a couple of hours in conversation with James Cameron. I’d love to hear how his stories and characters originate and of there were any he hadn’t developed that he wish he had. What made you want to start acting? I think that being an entertainer or performer came naturally to me and I don’t know that I will ever fully understand how or why. Having said that, I wanted to start acting because I was fortunate enough to have had a terrific theater program, The Shoestring Players, during high school led by Mr. Jeff Saunders. Mr. Saunders was welcoming and patient with me giving me a creative outlet. My junior year of high school, I participated in SPARC (Schoolof the Performing Arts in the Richmond Community) and booked several commercials, I knew I would always be involved in performing one way or the other, professionally or through community theater. What is the most difficult thing about being an actor? There are so many things that can be challenging about being an actor but finding success in any competitive career comes with challenges. I try to focus on the wins I get in my career, no matter how seemingly insignificant and my passion for acting and the opportunities I have been fortunate to have had make it easier to keep at it. Having said all of that, I think the inconsistency of work is the most challenging part of being an actor for me. I am humbled by the amount of work I get but I am constantly auditioning and working towards the next job each step of the way, this can also be the most fun about being an actor for me. Because I am constantly beginning new jobs, I’m creating different characters and working with different people all the time and that is so incredibly rewarding. How do you prepare for auditions? Almost all first auditions are via self-tape or virtual these days and the time line from when I receive the audition notice from my agent to when I must submit it can vary from several hours to several days time. Even though my focus will always be on the role I am currently performing, I also try to make auditions a priority in my schedule. I review the entirety of my audition notice and character breakdown and read the sides several times. I have a few tools I always have with me including my laptop, Iphone and ring light with the mount for my phone as well as a collapsible back drop. My wardrobe isn’t something I worry too much about, I try to keep it simple and just basically suggestive of the role. My wife is just about the best reader ever but, when she isn’t available I have several friends who have saved the day by being my remote reader via FaceTime or Zoom. Honestly, be well lit, make sure you can be heard have a background that isn’t distracting and stay honest to the material and, once an audition is submitted, forget about it. The industry is full of rejection. What is your advice on how to handle it? First and foremost, when you are asked to audition you have already been chosen out of a long list of talent who have been submitted. Treat the audition as an opportunity to perform and the role as your own while you are performing it. Casting Directors WANT you to be just right for a role, it makes their job so much easier when they find the right fit for a role but being that right fit is beyond your control and theirs. So many different elements go into being booked for a role so just be prepared, do your best, be grateful for the opportunity and have fun. Also, it’s very helpful to remember that rejection is God’s protection. When you do book a role, you know you were the best fit for it and it was a role meant to be yours. You have had many wonderful roles. What has been the one role that you relate to the most? I have been so fortunate to play so many different fun roles on some amazing projects and with some incredible teams of directors, actors and crew. Of all of the roles I have played, I most related to the role of "Will" in the Anomaly Pictures film Placebo. Placebo is a coming-of-age story about a group of best friends in their mid 20’s coming to terms with so many of their inner demons and facing the pain in their lives. I loved working on that film and the rest of the cast were so incredible. I really loved my time on Dawson’s Creek also. We filmed in Wilmington, NC where, coincidentally I was born, some of my castmates and I are friends to this very day and we were telling stories so many of my friends were watching in real time every Wednesday night, it was just incredibly humbling. If you could write the perfect role for yourself, what would it be and why? A perfect role for me, at this point in my life, would be a series regular on a sitcom. I would love to play the dad on a family-based sitcom, think Phil Dunphy from Modern Family (played brilliantly by Ty Burrell). Modern Family is such a terrific example of what can be great about the classic family sitcom, it shows the family unit wrapped in love, accepting and inclusive and celebrating each other through conflict all while making us laugh. 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 had so many gifts and blessings in my life including personal health and success in a career about which I am truly passionate. I believe it is my duty to try and be of service to those who face struggles in this world, and I find it so rewarding to see people achieve goals or better themselves, so volunteering is far from selfless for me. I work closely with the American Leukemia Lymphoma Society, Alzheimer’s Association and several veterans' groups including Irreverent Warriors. We all have experienced pain and loss in our lives, myself included, and I just think that, as long as I am drawing breath, I want my life to be in service of others. I count myself so blessed that my career has afforded me a platform to assist these organizations and others. There is a poem by Merrit Malloy called "Epitaph" and the final line is, “So, when all that’s left of me is love, Give me away.” That line constantly inspires me to continue to reach for kindness and deliver love whenever I can. Who is your favorite actor/actress and why? I am simply humbled by the talent of so many actors and actresses today and I think it would be impossible to choose just one as my favorite. I think I’d love to take this opportunity to celebrate an amazing young actress who has already had some remarkable performances and is one of our favorites, Paris Berelc. Our family first discovered Paris on the Disney Channel and then we loved her work on her Netflix series Alexa & Katie. Most recently she was in the Netflix film Do Revenge and that is an instant classic. Paris also does so much work bringing attention to the fight against Human Trafficking. How would you describe your fashion style? When it comes to my fashion style, it’s pretty simple, I wear what my wife Lee tells me. Honestly, I trust her to pick out my wardrobe for events and even my day to day but, in the end, I think fashion is really all about being confident and comfortable. Who are some of your favorite actors that you have worked with? I have had the great fortune of working with some icons of entertainment including Michelle Williams, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Bruce Willis and Tom Cruise but I’d love this opportunity to share some of the monumentally talented individuals I have had the pleasure of working with who have yet to become household names (although I am of the opinion that it is inevitable because this level of talent cannot be denied). Recently, I had the great fortune of guest starring on The Cleaning Lady (FOX) and worked with a talent named Chris Cortez. Chris is an accomplished stunt performer including an appearing in the recently released Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, but Chris as also a formidable actor and I am certain his roles will continue to show more of his talent as an actor. I also had a role in the recently released Lifetime Movie My Nightmare Office Affair and the young lady who played my daughter, Alyson Halbreich has got so much natural talent I have every confidence we will be seeing a lot of amazing work from her in the future. What advice would you give other kids that want to break into acting? Acting is not for the faint of heart as a career but don’t let that scare you away from exploring the craft and putting your talent and passions to use. If you feel called to be a performer, make sure that you exercise a creative outlet for performing regularly somehow, even if it's not something that is going to be your career. Get involved in theater at your school or place of worship, there are so many really fantastic community theaters throughout the country too, audition and take a shot. Working musically with vocal lessons or taking dance is also a great way to hone skills and also stoke the performing fire that is inside of you. Be prepared to not book every role you dream to book and even be prepared to lose those roles to your friends. Remember to support your friends and root them on throughout the process and save the “drama” for the stage, don’t participate in negativity. People can’t be your competition if you’re rooting for them! If you do want to make acting your career and primary source of income, the most important thing is to stay dedicated and committed and never quit. Trust the process and focus on that over the outcome. If every time you are given the opportunity to perform, even if it’s an audition, treat it like the role is yours for that space of time. Be prepared, be on time, know your lines and MOST IMPORTANTLY be kind to others and yourself. Who would be your dream on screen collaboration and why? I would really love to have the opportunity to work with two of my closest and longest standing friends, Craig Robinson (The Office and Killing It) and Grant Harvey (Emancipation and Secret Lives of the American Teenager). Doing a buddy comedy with those two would be an absolute dream for me. What is one thing that nobody knows about you? I graduated top of my class with a BS in Applied Mathematics from the Honors College at the University of South Carolina. Have you ever been bullied? It is sad and unfortunate but, I think no one makes it through life without experiencing bullying at some point. Some of us are bullied by peers in school, some by siblings, plenty of people have been bullied by their parents and so many have been bullied by those in position of authority over them. I was pretty awkward growing up and wasn’t readily accepted into cliques at my school, I never felt like I belonged. Even in high school when I was relatively popular, an athlete and Student Council President, I still had a hard time feeling comfortable just being myself and, on occasion people would play on that and use it to further diminish my self-esteem. What is your advice to kids that are suffering from bullying? To be clear, I am no expert, however when you are being bullied one very key thing, in my opinion, is to first remember that the words and actions of others don’t define who you are and secondly, to try and find empathy for the individual who feels compelled to bully you or others because that negativity is festering inside of them and has been planted there by someone or something else. We aren’t born to hate, we aren’t born to bully, those things grow out of fear. Do your best to know who you are and try to find others with whom share common interests. Please be kind to yourself and share with an adult you trust what you are experiencing and how it makes you feel. You are never alone, and I know you will be shocked by the strength inside of you. If you could talk to your younger self, what would you tell him? If I could talk to my younger self, I would remind him to be patient and to forgive himself for things that may not have been in his control. I think it is so important to simply try and be better than I was the day before and to shine kindness on others. When I was younger, I wish I knew better how to do that and had applied my energy to bringing positive attention to the needs and accomplishments of others. There is so much available to us in the world and the world is actually a very small place. Kindness can have a ripple effect beyond our immediate purview and you simply never know what someone else may be going through at any given time. I wish I had been more self-aware and I would share that with my younger self.
Bourke Floyd is best known for his recurring role as "Brady" on the hit WB show Dawson's Creek as well as guest starring roles in Spin City opposite Michael J. Fox and One Tree Hill with Chad Michael Murray. Most recently, he has guest starred on the Apple TV+ series Swagger with O'Shea Jackson Jr, The Cleaning Lady with Oliver Hudson, American Tragedy: Waco the Aftermath and the Shonda Rhimes series, Station 19 as well as a series regular role in the VetTV comedy A Grunt's Life. Bourke's talents extend to the big screen with supporting roles in Big Momma's House 2, Minority Report, Tears of the Sun, Gods and Generals, Hearts in Atlantis, and the upcoming film, The Locksmith alongside Ryan Phillippe, Kate Bosworth, and Ving Rhames. Bourke started out his career in New York as a model in print campaigns for Abercrombie & Fitch, Valentino, and Calvin Klein then transitioned into commercials with national campaigns for The Gap and Quizno's. He even had a turn performing on Broadway in the role of "Roger" in the Tony award-winning musical, Rent. A world-class stunt man with expertise in high falls, precision, and high-performance driving as well as close quarter combat and weaponry, Bourke trained at the Bondurant Driving School and The Academy of Movement Arts and Sciences Los Angeles. He lends his star power to help charities near and dear to his heart such as the Leukemia Lymphoma Society and the Alzheimer's Association. When not working or giving back, he enjoys cooking, karaoke, and spending time with his family. Action Magazine had the opportunity to catch up with this amazing talent for a look into his world, and we are so excited that we did! Check out what he had to say and add him to your Instagram list of those who you are following because you don't want to miss one minute of his exciting journey!
Photo credit: Robert Kazandjian
Photo credit: Brian Doherty
All photos courtesy of Megan Soo
Megan Soo is a multiracial Asian-Canadian born actress, singer, and Internet personality making waves through her music and digital content. Born in Toronto, representing Korea and Trinidad and Tobago, she fused both cultures into her music, called K-Hall. A mix of K-pop and elements of Dancehall and Soca. Her debut film appearance was in xXx: Return of Xander Cage, starring Vin Diesel. Her most known appearance was in the series, Weirdos playing "Sam". Megan is creating her own opportunities and sets out to pave the way for multiracial Asian actors and artists beyond the one race castings and stereotypical supporting roles. She wrote, directed and starred in TALES as "Isabelle", a feature film she created for herself due to the lack of auditions for ethnic roles. Megan continues to create comedic and relatable content on her TikTok, Instagram and YouTube, sharing her life and the behind the scenes of being Megan Soo. Action Magazine had the opportunity to catch up with this young rising star 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? Family & closest friends, my phone (sadly lol), mascara, sunglasses, Bubble tea What's your life's motto or advice that you live by? Do what makes you truly happy and protect your peace; don’t be afraid to say no or cut bad energy other from your life. This is my life’s motto but do my best to live by it everyday, I’m always working on finding what makes me truly happy and what needs to go. What's your favorite color? Pink What is your favorite movie? Burlesque What is your favorite TV show? Ginny and Georgia What is your favorite place that you've traveled to? South Korea What is your favorite food? Sushi If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be with and why? Diplo, to apologize for my fan girl-ing phase when I met him for the first time and hopefully make some awesome music together (I still cringe to this day, I was like Ronnie in Baywatch when he met CJ for the first time, words nor English came out of my mouth.) What made you want to start acting? Being on my first set ever, I fell in love with the magic happening behind the scenes and on camera. How it all translated to screen to tell a story, it had me hooked instantly. What is the most difficult thing about being an actor? Hearing no’s or even worst, nothing haha. In a way there’s a lot of rejection you face as an actor and it can be upsetting especially if you see a room full of people auditioning for the same role and we all kinda look similar. You really have to know your worth, your strengths and what makes you unique - and stand by this. For your role in the YouTube series, Weirdos, tell us about your character. How similar and different is she to your real personality? Honestly, I wish I was as brave as Sam in my junior years haha. She really just embodies being herself and standing up for what’s right. Even if it may not be the right way, she’s unapologetic and doesn’t care what others think of her, which I love. What is has been your favorite moment on the set Weirdos? Honestly, being on set everyday with everyone was amazing, but I have this one vivid memory of this day we were filming outside and had to cut multiple times because of a dog in the distance, every time the director would say action, the dog would bark and we couldn’t help but laugh every time. You are also a singer. How did you get started singing? Honestly, it happened unexpectedly, I was competing in Miss Asia Canada, and as part of our training we had to take vocal lessons and there was a singing/performance component to it. I was terrible at singing but when we had to perform on stage, I fell in love with performing, dancing, singing and putting on a show for the audience. So, I got back into vocal lessons and started working on my own music from there and I guess, here I am! Tell us about your project,“Michigesso”. In one word, how would you describe your sound? K-Hall (a fusion of K-pop and Dancehall) 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 suffer from generalized anxiety and depression, I’m a huge advocate on taking care of your mental health and speaking out about it. My goal is to create films/shorts that bring awareness to different forms of mental health illnesses and how it can effect our daily life and relationships. Who is your favorite actor/actress and why? Christian Bale, I mean have you seen American Psycho?! That’s all I gotta say! How would you describe your fashion style? Oh man…. honestly I don’t know if I have one haha I just wear whatever I feel like, but if I had to try and describe it, I would say comfy-chic like sweats but dress is up with accessories or a hoodie matched with a cute skirt. Who are some of your favorite actors that you have worked with? Vin Diesel, he’s very down to earth, genuine and kind. What advice would you give other kids that want to break into the entertainment industry? Go for it! You’ll never be fully “ready”, just literally go to that audition or take that acting class. Who would be your dream collaboration both on screen and on the mic. Why? Diplo hands down for music, I love his energy but also his talent, fusing Caribbean culture and music into mainstream Pop/EDM with Major Lazer, and just always having a unique sound. For on screen, I’d have to say Ryan Ryenolds - I love how he plays himself in most roles and just seems like an awesome person to be on set with. What is one thing that nobody knows about you? That's a tough one but I’d have to say most people don’t know that I have anxiety and at times social anxiety, I can usually hide it well. Have you ever been bullied? Yes, I was bullied for being the foreign kid when I lived in Trinidad and Tobago for a bit, kids would make fun of me for being Asian and having a “white” accent. Then, when I moved back to Toronto, I got made fun of for the Trini accent I picked up. What is your advice to kids that are suffering from bullying? Speak up - I wish I had just told someone and confronted those that did bully me and not in an aggressive way but just standing up for yourself. If you could talk to your future self, what would you tell her? Don’t ever forget where you came from and where you started; don’t forget who you were before where you are now and don’t forget about the ones who were truly there for you. Spend time with the ones you love the most and don’t forget to give yourself credit on how far you’ve come!
What are five things that you can't live without? One of the five things I cannot live without is obviously dance. It is the way I express myself and clear my mind. The second thing I cannot live without are my family and friends. Having people that I connect with and support me is truly a blessing. I am so grateful to have found my people. The third thing I cannot live without is music. Music is not only what I dance to but something I create. I love listening to different genres and the amazing melodies, beats, & lyrics. The fourth thing I cannot live without are books. I am an avid reader and it is has always been my favorite past time. The last thing I cannot live without that I hate to admit is my phone. It’s just the way I stay in touch with the people I care about, make content, and create connections. What's your life's motto or advice that you live by? My life’s motto and advice that I live by is that everything happens for a reason. My mother has been telling me that from a young age and I have been trying to remind myself that some things aren’t meant for me when I think they should be. So letting go and letting the universe sort that out helps me to keep moving forward with gratitude. What's your favorite color? My favorite color is blue. It has always been blue and I think it is because my birthstone is also blue. I like many different shades of blue but navy or a baby blue may be my favorite. What is your favorite movie? My favorite movie is probably Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2. I do love any Harry Potter movie though. I have many other favorites like Little Women, and Where the Crawdads Sing. I recently saw The Fablemans and that can be added to the list. What is your favorite TV show? My favorite TV show is Schitt’s Creek. I think it is my favorite because it is just a positive and accepting show. What is your favorite place that you've traveled to? My favorite place that I have traveled to is Mexico. My answer always used to be Los Angles but now I live here so that can’t be my answer anymore. I think the Mexican culture is so beautiful. But I would love to go to Europe and see the different dance/art scenes there. I also would love to visit New York! What is your favorite food? My favorite food is probably vegan grapeleaves. I love all different sorts of cuisines. I am vegan so I always love trying new vegan groceries and different items. I am not a picky eater so I will try anything that is vegan! 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 Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. She is always my answer to this sort of question. She is such an inspiration to me and her words motivated me to start my social activism campaign “Society Inspired.” I admire her intelligence and how she is such an independent woman. What made you want to start dancing? I am not sure what made me start dancing. I think I came out of the womb dancing, honestly. I just remember from a young age always wanting to move to music. Dancing has always been the thing that has healed me and helps me clear my mind. It just has always been the one thing that makes me, me. What is the most difficult thing about being a dancer? The most difficult thing about being a dancer is the aspect of comparing yourself to other dancers. It takes a serious mental switch to appreciate and not compare at the same time. I am in the process of trying to only appreciate and look at fellow dancers as inspiration rather than thinking “I should be dancing like them.” What is your favorite genre to dance to and why? My favorite genre to dance to is either Hip Hop or Indie. A nice Hip Hop track and combo is such a good combination. I also love doing contemporary fusion to Indie music. People may not know this about you, but you are also a drummer. How did you get started playing the drums? I got started in drumming when I joined middle school band in 5th grade. I played piano before that for three years. I tried a bunch of different instruments and percussion just always stuck with me. From there I started playing on the drum set and it is just something I love to do and strive for continued growth in. Hands down, who is your favorite drummer and why? My favorite drummer is Travis Barker. He is such an inspiration and is crazy talented. I would love to work and learn from him someday. Whether it is drumming or producing. 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? Other things that I am passionate about is activism. I run a campaign called “Society Inspired” where I interview activists on different issues in our world to create conversations in our community. I love learning about all the different things we can do to create change and better our world. Other than that, I love practicing photography and reading. Who is your favorite actor/actress and why? My favorite actress is Emma Watson. Every movie that I watch that she is in, she is just amazing and such a storyteller. I also love her passion with activism and how she doesn’t let anyone prevent her from speaking out. How would you describe your fashion style? I would describe my fashion style outside of dance clothing as a mix between Boho and 90’s. I feel like dance clothing doesn’t really count because you need to be in comfortable while you are dancing. But I love both Boho and 90’s style so that is what I lean towards. Who are some of your favorite entertainers that you have worked with? Some of my favorite entertainers that I have worked with are the Minnesota Timberwolves, Tone Loc, and Capri Everitt. They were all super fun jobs and amazing people to work with! What advice would you give other kids that want to break into the entertainment industry? Advice that I would give other kids that want to break into the entertainment industry is remember why you are doing what you are doing. Being an artist in the industry, there are a lot of side factors that apply with whatever job you are doing. Keeping your authenticity and remembering why you are pursuing what you want to do will help you stay grounded and grow. Who would be your dream collaboration either in dance or music and why? A dream collaboration in dance or music would probably be Janet Jackson. I have always wanted to be a backup dancer & choroegrapher for Janet Jackson. It is such an intense job to have and I really strive to work to that level. In music, I would love to work with DTA records in producing some day. That is something I definitely want to learn more about. What is one thing that nobody knows about you? One thing that nobody knows about me is that I love baking. I used to talk about it a bit, but I haven’t done it much recently. But whenever I find a new vegan recipe, I love trying it and challenging myself in that way! Have you ever been bullied? I have been bullied before. It is really difficult. I was bullied when I went to Catholic School about being vegan and working in the industry. It was mainly about being vegan. A lot of people made jokes about it to me, yelled things in the hallways, made snarky comments about it at me, even sent me videos of animals being killed on social media. It is a difficult thing to experience. What is your advice to kids that are suffering from bullying? My advice to kids being bullied is to remember who you are. It is really difficult in the moment, I know it is because it makes you question yourself. If you can remember who you are, and stay grounded in your truth, it can be a bit easier to silence the bullying. Trying to remember that the bully doesn’t know who they are and what they stand for also helps. Always ask for help/guidance from an adult if it is too much or ANY sort of violence happens. If you could talk to your future self, what would you tell her? If I could talk to my future self, I would tell her thank you for being such an inspiration. I use my older self as a source of inspiration because I imagine her doing and completing all the different jobs I strive to do. I try to visualize future me having completed each goal.
All photos courtesy of @shotbytal_
Gemma Asfour is best known as a dancer and member of Creation Global. While classically trained in all styles of dance, it is her expertise in underground/street styles, particularly, Chicago Footwork which is setting the dance world on fire. Her dynamic style has been showcased in an NBA halftime show for the Timberwolves alongside Tone Locas well as Capri Everitt's upcoming music video "On Site". Passionate about making the world a better place, Gemma started the Society Inspired campaign in which she interviews various activists and artists about social issues in the community and the world with the goal to deepen the knowledge of her peers and start conversations about difficult topics. She is passionate about veganism, climate change, LGBTQ+ rights, women's rights, BLM, equality and Middle East peace. In her free time, this unique young teen enjoys playing the drums and photography. Action Magazine had the opportunity to catch up with this amazing young woman 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!
Photo Credit: Hamzah Saman.
What's your favorite color? Blue What is your favorite movie? Catch Me If You Can What is your favorite TV show? Breaking Bad Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what's their name? I have a PomChi called Biffy. What is your favorite place that you've traveled to? Costa Rica What is your favorite food? Poke If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be with and why? Rosalia, because I feel like she would be very entertaining. What made you want to start singing? I’ve always sang my whole life, I guess it’s something that makes me feel at home in myself. What is the most difficult thing about being a musician? Perfectionism and the feeling of thinking you could’ve done better. Where do you find inspiration for your music? I find the most inspiration in variation; doing something differently, going to different places, listening to different things, reading books I wouldn't have thought of reading naturally. I think as soon as I mix up my daily routine or change default behaviours, then I always feel inspired. What do you hope people take away from your music? I hope that people can relate but in their own way. Maybe you could interpret my lyrics in a different way than I had felt when I was writing it based on your own life experiences, I think that’s quite cool. You have a new project, “Stuck In The Middle,” tell us about this project? I wrote "Stuck In The Middle" earlier on this year but really in regards to a previous situation a few years back. I found it quite hard to allow myself to feel something that I had initially wanted to avoid so the song is about having to let yourself be vulnerable in order to reap the rewards of being in love. In one word, how would you describe your sound? Sultry 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 love learning languages, it gives you an insight into other cultures and ways of life which is so important for gaining a different perspective on the world. I also think native English speakers can often be quite stubborn when it comes to travelling and not making an effort to converse in a different language, I like the idea of being able to speak the language of the country I have decided to travel too. Who is your favorite musician and why? This is always a tough one for me to answer but one of my very favourite artists is Dusty Springfield. Her music has been the soundtrack to a huge portion of my life but I’m also a massive fan of her personality. She was so vocal about her sexuality at a time where it was neither acceptable nor spoken about by many other people in the public eye, I’ve always admired her carefree, nonchalant attitude about the matter. How would you describe your fashion style? Preppy, someday's girly, someday's not so much. Who are some of your favorite musicians that you have worked with? Reuben James is definitely a favourite, I admire his natural talent at playing the piano and being able to harmonise literally anything. What advice would you give other kids that want to break into music? Don’t be afraid of making mistakes because it’s the easiest way to learn, you don’t need any fancy equipment to make good music and learn to play the keyboard, it will help a lot. Who would be your dream music collaboration and why? Cleo Sol & Inflo, separately they are incredible but together they are unmatched. Cleo Sol’s writing with Inflo’s production, it would be an absolute dream to get in the studio with them both. What is one thing that nobody knows about you? I’m a bit of an adrenaline junky, I love doing things that evoke fear or put me out of my comfort zone. Have you ever been bullied? Thankfully, no. The school that I went took it very seriously so there weren't many cases of it happening at all. What is your advice to kids that are suffering from bullying? Tell someone. Don’t suffer in silence, there is always someone there to help. I also think knowing that once you’ve grown up things get better always helps too and for the most part, bullies end up being the ones to suffer later on in life. If you could talk to your future self, what would you tell her? This is a tough one, it would be much easier to speak to my younger self. But, with that said, I think I would say to make sure I’m always doing the things I love to do and not to forget how I felt to be younger.
All photos courtesy of Faye Edwards-Smith
London-based singer, songwriter and producer Faye Meana is a blossoming talent with a modern take on pop and R&B. With combined plays surpassing 6.6 million worldwide, she has gained high-profile support from the likes of Jamz Supernova and Jess Iszatt as a featured artist on BBC Music’s Introducing in London, and notable coverage from well-established publication Notion, Faye is proving she is an artist on the rise this year. For her latest single, "StuckIn The Middle", Faye unveils a classy, undeniably captivating 80s-influenced affair this November. Action Magazine had the opportunity to catch up with this amazing talent to find out more about her and her music. And of course, we are so glad that we did! Check out what she had to say and add her on Instagram. You don't want to miss one minute of her journey!
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Photo Credit: Julia Culbert/OhSnap Photobooth
What are five things that you can't live without? I hate to be that person, but my phone is the first thing that comes to mind. Second thing that comes to mind would be fruit, I absolutely live for fruit. The other things would be my favorite pearl earrings, my black crows skis, and my crystal collection. What's your life's motto or advice that you live by? Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire. -Jennifer Lee. What's your favorite color? Pink, always. My room is pink. What is your favorite movie? That question is nearly impossible for me to answer. I guess I’m always a sucker for A Walk to Remember, and recently I really loved The Dirt and Slumberland. What is your favorite TV show? I'm really loving the new show Wednesday on Netflix. I was super grateful to be invited to the premiere and it was such an honor to hear Tim Burton speak about his work in person. Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what's their name? I have a dog named Albus, and he’s the best little man I know. Growing up I had horses, cats, dogs, guinea pigs, hamsters… you name it, I had it. What is your favorite place that you've traveled to? Again, nearly impossible to answer. I absolutely love to travel. So far the countries I’ve been to are New Zealand, Ireland, Scotland, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Canada and Mexico. But honestly my favorite place in the world is Hawaii. I lived there when I was fourteen and it means a lot to me. What is your favorite food? Mac and cheese, always. Or pizza, but I put ham and broccoli on my pizza. If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be with and why? Brittany Broski, because I absolutely adore her. What made you want to start acting? I’ve loved acting ever since I was little. I grew up doing theater and I just loved to entertain. I was always fascinated by cameras as well, and once I turned 18 I got turned my passion into my profession. What is the most difficult thing about being an actor? You have to be prepared for anything, because you have no idea what your day to day schedule is going to look like. If you're a person who likes consistency and routine, this is definitely not the career path for you. Sometimes you find out at midnight that you need to be on set at 4 AM, and you just have to roll with the punches. How do you prepare for auditions? I record myself saying the lines in my voice memos, and then I practice the sides with myself as I go about my day, just playing the audio on loop in my headphones, until its burned into my brain. Its a lot easier to make creative choices and be confident at your audition if your lines are long since memorized. The industry is full of rejection. What is your advice on how to handle it? It's not personal. If you fit the directors vision, then you fit it. If you don’t, then you don’t. If you keep pushing forward and working on your craft, the right role will come. You have had many wonderful roles. What has been the one role that you relate to the most? Not necessarily the one I relate to most, but the one I had the most fun doing was “Diane” in Rishabh Trivedi’s The Theory of You. I spent the entire film trying to blame everyone else for my own mistakes, and just going through that process of building those layers to my character was so fun. If you could write the perfect role for yourself, what would it be and why? I have three answers to this one. From an acting perspective, I would really love to play someone in some sort of horror film who is truly insane, because I feel like the possibilities are endless, and there is so much you can create with insanity. From just a personal perspective, I’d love to do a movie where my character skis or rides horses, because those are my two favorite things in the world. 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’m passionate about mental health care and addressing the housing crisis in Los Angeles. I volunteer at a youth homeless shelter in West LA when I can, and I’m working on a documentary about the troubled teen industry and how it takes advantage of those struggling with mental illness. I’m hoping that later in life I can do more. No one deserves to fall through the cracks. Who is your favorite actor/actress and why? So, so difficult to choose. My top five would be Peter Dinklage, Miles Teller, Emilia Clarke, Kit Harrington, Sam Claflin, Woody Harrelson, Penn Badgley, this is more than five. How would you describe your fashion style? I see it, I like it, I wear it. Changes all the time. Who are some of your favorite actors that you have worked with? Miles Heizer, Adrian R’Mante and Brian Sutherland. Love all of them. What advice would you give other kids that want to break into acting? Just jump in! Everyone starts somewhere, and the most important thing is that you are enjoying what you do. You never know what could happen if you just put yourself out there. Who would be your dream on screen collaboration and why? I would love to do something with my friends Austin Woods or Brett Harrelson, just because I feel like it would be super fun to be on a set with someone you already know. Someone I’ve never met who I’d love to work with would be Jack Martin, from NBC’s La Brea. What is one thing that nobody knows about you? I’m really into skincare, and I spend an unreasonable amount of time researching new products for my skin. Have you ever been bullied? Yes, I have really bad anxiety and panic attacks, and when you’re a kid it’s hard to understand or explain what's going on when you have a panic attack. People would ostracize me because panic attacks are scary and they make everyone around you uncomfortable. Feeling alone and crazy definitely didn’t help with my anxiety either. What is your advice to kids that are suffering from bullying? How people treat you is always a reflection of themselves, and never a reflection of you. If you could talk to your future self, what would you tell her? I guess I would just ask her, did we do it?
Julia Culbert is a Los Angeles based actress, singer, and dancer, known for her lead role in Birdemic 3. She is currently working on the documentary Monarch which chronicles her time in the troubled teen industry and the abuse she endured while part of the "Monarch" program. This California native started her journey with background roles in such blockbusters as Ant Man and the Wasp, Bumblebee, and a featured role in the hit TV show 13 Reasons Why. Julia is a competitive Irish Dancer that trains every summer in Ireland with the renowned dance company Riverdance. Fluent in Irish (Gaelic) she is also a professional horse wrangler and skier. Julia is an accomplished musician on the violin, guitar, and piano and enjoys horseback riding, swimming, and skiing when not studying her craft. Action Magazine had the opportunity to catch up with this amazing entertainer find out more about her and her world. And of course, we are glad that we did! Check out what she had to say and make sure to check her out on Instagram. You won't be disappointed!
Photo provided by Julia Culbert.
What are five things that you can't live without? Wasabi Peas, Sriracha Sauce,My Phone, My Son, WiFi What's your life's motto or advice that you live by? Bet ON Yourself. What's your favorite color? Crimson and white like my college colors….roll tide What is your favorite movie? Goodfellas but all the Harry Potter's come in second. What is your favorite TV show? Currently Yellowstone or King of the Hill re-runs Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what's their name? Two Dogs, Barbie and Bella What is your favorite place that you've traveled to? I've been all over the world but my favorite city is New York. What is your favorite food? Sushi If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be with and why? Anthony Bourdain, I feel like he really put food culture into the mainstream media. What made you want to start acting? Probably my ADHD but I did theatre as kid as well and actually got my first award for outstanding performance when I was a child. What is the most difficult thing about being an actor? The constant rejection, but at the same time that's where the fun is, every audition is a new opportunity. How do you prepare for auditions? Notate my script, look for the similarities between myself or situations or people from my past and the script. The industry is full of rejection. What is your advice on how to handle it? Just keep working, everyday is a chance to get better. You have had many wonderful roles. What has been the one role that you relate to the most? I enjoyed getting to play one of the warrior villians in Mulan. I enjoy playing darker and more villianous roles. If you could write the perfect role for yourself, what would it be and why? Definitely a college American pie type film. For me as a former frat boy, I think this would be the easiest project in the world to prep for and produce. 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? Giving back, and supporting organizations that help make a difference in our communities but also stand for great causes is essential. Anyone with or without a platform should strive to be of service to others. As a father, I like to support organizations that support children. Who is your favorite actor/actress and why? Adrien Brody or Al Pacino, nobody is on their level. How would you describe your fashion style? I'll let others figure that one out. Who are some of your favorite actors that you have worked with? Antonio Banderas, Ben Barnes, Ray Romano, Paul Wesley, Hiroyuki Sinada What advice would you give other kids that want to break into acting? Just do it! Get to work. Who would be your dream on screen collaboration and why? I want to be in an Adam Sandler movie because they are hilarious and all cult classics. What is one thing that nobody knows about you? Can't tell you, then somebody would know. Have you ever been bullied? Yes. I moved around a lot as a young kid, always the new kid. What is your advice to kids that are suffering from bullying? Stick up for yourself and never back down. If you could talk to your younger self, what would you tell him? It's all going to be fine.
Photo courtesy of Adrian Dev
Adrian Dev got started as a PA working alongside James Franco on The Adventures of Thomasina Sawyer, and went on to be a stand-in on Amazon’s The Big Sick for numerous seasons. In 2018, he gained a recurring role on HBO’s Westworld which brought his acting endeavors to the next level. He has since been cast in TV and film on projects such as CBS's Seal Team, Netflix's Medal of Honor, VICE, Laugh Mobb and more. Adrian Dev can also be seen in Disney’s Live Action Mulan as Red Fire Rouran. Action Magazine had the opportunity to catch up with this amazing entertainer find out more. Check out what he had to say in our staple game of Q&A. For more of this incredible journey, make sure to follow him on Instagram!
Photo Credit:Christian Maravelis
Our first issue dropped June/July of 2017. Thank you to those who have been on the journey with us. And thank you to those who have just joined the fun. We have truly enjoyed featuring some of the top talent in the industry. Here's to infinity and beyond! Take a trip down memory lane with our covers from 2017-2021. Twenty-twenty two, and of course, 2023 are on our website!
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Hi, I am Noemi Martinez, Founder and CEO of Millennium Public Relations. We are a boutique public relations agency with a goal to represent diverse talent in Hollywood. Our firm focuses on providing PR and marketing for artists, actors, and social media influencers that may be under-represented. We offer them opportunities to attend red carpet events, movie premieres along with press and magazine interviews. Below are a few of the events my clients have attended: HBO premiere – His Dark Materials Hispanicize StyleCon – San Diego Grammy Museum Events Sugar Rush LA Comic Con Millennium clients can be seen on various networks including Nickelodeon, Hulu, Showtime, Amazon, Disney, Netflix and CBS to name a few. Please free to contact me if you wish to interview any of my clients.
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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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Take Action and join the movEment...
To date, readership/views include: Aruba, Argentina, Austria, Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, China, Colombia, Czechia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Finland, France, Greece, Germany, Grenada, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jersey, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kuwait, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, among others. Readership numbers are also tracked across all distribution mediums including direct views, shares, additional websites, and social media links collectively.
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"Will definitely check out Action Magazine. Looking forward to reading it!" Elysia O. "It is so important for us to fight the odds, stand up against bullying. Find your voice & tell your story." Lea G. "Very cool!" Alyssa D. "Great magazine with interesting articles for all ages." Bryce B. "We enjoy [Action Magazine]. Keep up the great work! [We] like how people can read the issue online. Best Wishes for continued success!" Kristen & Ashley W. "Loving it!" Stefania K. "Can't wait to see what is in store for 2020!" Yvonne R.
What are readers saying about Action Magazine?
Thank you to all of our national and international readers! Welcome to the family!