Katie Sands, aspiring Broadway actor turned successful digital content creator, is a contemporary powerhouse. Katie gave us an inside look at her life as a content creator and the responsibility it holds in times of social injustice. Alongside sharing beauty and fashion tips on her blog, Katie also dedicates her time to supporting causes and organizations that she cares about. She is currently the youngest board member at “Make A Wish Foundation” and is using her platform to raise awareness for mental health, which is close to her since being on her own mental health journey. We talk to Katie about her collaboration with Phat Buddha, an activewear brand, and how she is dedicating all proceeds to support the JED Foundation, a foundation dedicated to mental health awareness. Inspired? We are too. Read our interview here to get the details of Katie’s creative and philanthropic outlook.

Twins Carly and Martina Use Songwriting to Give Back & Inspire

Carly and Martina are 18-year-old twins and up-and-coming pop sensations. Known for taking a stance on teen bullying in their TEDxTalk and giving back to their Chicago community, Carly and Martina continually aim to use their platform for good. Their new pop album, “Are You Listening”, is no exception. We spoke with Carly and Martina about their inspiration and mission as singer-songwriters and what messages they think listeners will be able to take away from the new album “Are You Listening”.

Carlton Jordan Is A Stigma-Breaker

In a time where it feels most shows and films are about superheroes, it is refreshing to watch content that just feels real. Writer and producer Carlton Jordan is a self proclaimed, and justifiably so, stigma-breaker. He writes stories that are not only relatable, but are on issues that no one is talking about. This can especially be seen on his YouTube show “POZ ROZ”, which is about a young black woman who contracts HIV. The viewer finds themselves loving Roz through her growth and struggles as she adjusts to her new reality. Warning, there are a few spoilers here, but Carlton made sure not to give away anything for Season 2 (even though I wanted him to)! Please read further to learn more about Carlton Jordan and his creations.

Broken Bones Matilda In Quarantine

Broken Bones Matilda is an alternative group comprising of childhood friends turned husband-and-wife-duo Sam Gotley and Sarah McGrigor. While many artists have been at home trying to figure out their next moves, Broken Bones Matilda never stopped performing live. They just do it over the internet now.

The economy has been hit hard by COVID-19, but no group has been hit as hard as artists, and especially live venues. In response to this, Broken Bones Matilda put together a virtual tour, #saveourvenues, where they performed over Instagram Live to raise money for all their favorite venues. To learn more about this amazing group and their tour, please read our exclusive interview here.

Madison Shamoun Has Hope In The Entertainment Industry

Madison Shamoun is a well known face in the entertainment industry, most known for her roles on Black-ish and #BlackAF. With the recent rise in the Black Lives Matter movement, Shamoun has made sure her face is a familiar one in the movement as well. We were lucky enough to catch an interview with this up and coming star. Please read below for our exclusive chat.

Brad Lambert Is The Giving Spirit Of Hollywood

A producer, talent manager, and international speaker, there’s not much Brad R Lambert can’t do. Born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA, he started his career in the sports industry working with the Pittsburgh Steelers. After about a decade of interactions with various celebrities and franchises, he decided to pursue his dreams of working in the film industry. Not only is Lambert now a well known name in Hollywood, but he is also a man of giving. Despite his chaotic schedule, Lambert has made time for humanitarian work, specifically with the All In Challenge initiative. Please read our exclusive interview below to learn more about the wonderful Brad R Lambert.

Lesa Wilson Has Gone Green!

Lesa Wilson is the definition of a triple threat. A trained pageant queen, literally, American Idol contestant, and a now reoccurring face on the new CW show Starrgirl, Wilson can be defined as more than accomplished. Having spent decades of her life focused on her work, she decided to turn her focus on working to save the planet. She uses her platform to bring awareness to climate change and educating others on the importance of keeping Mother Nature happy. Please read our exclusive interview here to learn more about how Lesa Wilson encourages going green!

Siaki Sii And Fancy Nancy Fifita: A lineage Of Entertainment And Magnanimity

With an extended family history in entertainment, cousins Siaki Sii and Nancy Fifita, aka Fancy Nancy Fifita, are the newest emerging talent on a path to stardom. The Tonga born teens are accomplished actors, musicians, and dancers, Siaki best known for his role as Owens on ABC's “Blackish” and Nancy as Lacy in the film GILLYMUCK.

Beyond acting, Siaki and Nancy are performers at heart. Nancy co-wrote and recorded her first single "You So Fancy" at age nine, while Siaki gained his highest recognition as a Tahitian dancer, at the age of nine where he won Best Lead-Role Dancer at Tahiti Fete 2012.

In addition to entertainment, volunteering and hospitality is a long running familial value. The teen duo hosted the East Coast Prom and were celebrity guests at the West Coast Prom through Virtual Prom Live. They have assisted with over 300 events to raise money by using her talents to sing, perform or give service hours to scout service projects. Nancy was selected as the United States Ambassador for the Tongan Red Cross. Siaki performs annually for local senior centers since he was five, between Los Angeles and Utah. He also joins his Boys Scouts of America troop annually to place flags at the cemetery for all the fallen heroes. In addition to this, they joined forces to start their own organization, S & N (Siaki and Nancy Serving Those in Need), to give back! To learn more about this incredible family, please read our exclusive interview here.

Christi Lukasiak: Love And The Business of Motherhood

Christi Lukasiak of “Dance Moms” promptly garnered attention due to her sharp, comedic sensibilities on the hit series. Over the span of seven seasons, her intriguing familial interactions have garnered over two million followers on Instagram alone. Having progressed beyond reality television, Christi now shares glimpses of her daily life to her fans. Whether it be business, favorites, or the everyday aspects of motherhood, her posts accumulate a massive amount of views.

In addition, Christi is a member of YourMomCares – an initiative of celebrity and influencer moms banding together with other moms across America to focus on ensuring all children have access to the resources needed to be mentally well, including receiving diagnoses, treatments, services and activities which serve their needs. Please read our exclusive interview below to learn more about Christi Lukasiak.

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 25Jejune ContributorAugust 19, 2020#influencer, mental health, motherhood, health, #healh, #health, dance, Dance, celebrity, childrenComment

SC. Undercover: The Beautiful Balance Of Harmony And Chaos

SC. Undercover skirts the balance between the states of harmony and chaos. It’s his firm grip on the duality between the two internal states that reveals humaneness in failures, bad decisions, and achievements. The UK based artist explores the stark and grittier elements commonly disassociated with pop music. SC. blends elements of R&B, pop, and indie to deliver his drug, sex, and trauma tinged melodies. His new single, "Morals”, tells the story of a man tortured by his past. It is an introspective story of repentance and acceptance of individual flaws. SC.'s exploration of mental health is not limited to music. He performed a one man show based on PTSD and clinical depression for the Birmingham Repertory Theatre. He has also delivered talks at the Feltham Young Offenders prison, the Headway centre, and the HSBC university, on mental health. Please read our exclusive interview to learn more about SC. Undercover.

zIssue 25, SWAC: InfluencerJejune ContributorAugust 18, 2020mental health, singer, singer song writer, #singer, music, musician, healthComment

Bellsavvy on Body Positivity and Self-Acceptance

Few recording artists can impact two vastly different cultural music scenes from the onset. Born in Brazil, now based in London, pop singer/songwriter Bellsavvy successfully infiltrated both the European and South American demographics.

She found her start on MTV Brazil's singing competition show "Studio Acesso Girls MTV", where Bellsavvy won over the hearts of over 1.8 million live viewers, who all voted for her performance. Her newfound fame thrusted her into the international spotlight through movies and music projects around Europe.

In her debut single, “Queen of my Mind”, Bellsavvy reflects on her industry experiences. She explores concepts of mental health and confronts obstacles such as body shaming and the perception of unobtainable body standards within the modeling industry. She dwells on the damaging consequences, more so, her personal afflictions, and sets an uplifting message of perseverance and acceptance. Please read our exclusive interview here to learn more about Bellsavvy.

AIRPORTS on Creativity and Mental Health during Isolation

Mental health, historically, exists in an undefinable facet of art. Pioneers like Edvard Munch and Georgia O' Keeffe coped through a shared legacy of art via mental illness and inspiration. Singer-songwriter AIRPORTS released his new single “U Feel It 2;” a track that induces optimism or sorrow, directly dependent on individual analysis and interpretation. The Australian artist discusses his battle with Aplastic Anaemia and Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH), and how it influenced his music as a healing and beneficial motivator. He chronicles his battle with mental health and depression, most notably his hospitalization, and now during the COVID isolation. Be sure to watch AIRPORTS “U Feel It 2” music video for some positivity during quarantine, and please read our exclusive interview to learn more about AIRPORTS.

Actress Nicole Leier Takes Creating To Deeper Levels

Nicole Leier is a women who ranks amongst superhuman caliber. She is multifaceted in her work as an actor, director, independent producer, and stuntwoman. The Canadian-born actress is most recently associated with her role alongside Nicolas Cage in the film “A Score to Settle.” She is a co-owner of a production company called Black Tree Pictures, credited with works such as “Black Chicks”, which she also stars in, and “Henry’s Glasses”, an exploration of the Japanese living in Canadian internment camps due to their enemy alien status during WWll. Nicole is also an ambassador for the Bite The Bullet Stories (BTBS), a community designed to highlight stories and further essential conversation about mental health, ending brutality and racial discrimination by law enforcement. Please read our exclusive interview below to learn more about Nicole Leier.

Claire London: The Dark Pop Princess, Romance, & Her Happily Ever After

Using romance as her muse, Claire London has released her single, “Young,” a track that accounts the ups and downs of her journey towards uncovering true love. Claire, now a mix of Neo-Soul-Pop, takes a subtle shift from the sonics of her discography since her debut album “Like A Machine” in 2011, filled with distorted bass lines and bluesy pop/rock. The once hailed as a dark pop princess has settled down, yet remains sharper than ever.

Her move from NYC to LA in 2016 could be considered a life altering fateful moment where she met her husband, developed a love for the outdoors, and co-founded a music community designed to empower women in the music industry called Female Frequency. Female Frequency’s goal is for every component of their music-making to be done by women, from start to finish, including all writing, instrumentation, arrangement, performance, production, engineering, mixing, mastering, marketing and creation of visual media. Please read our exclusive interview to learn more about Claire London.

Jax Malcolm: The Actor, Designer, & Athlete Takes on Hollywood

Jax Riley Malcom seemingly inherited his acting drive out of the void. At just five years old, Jax pondered as to why he wasn’t on television. Soon after, he learned that he would need an agent and would later land his first role for a Smart Power commercial. He went on to work with Comedy Central and IFC with credits including the Kroll Show, Comedy Bang Bang!, and The Birthday Boys.

The Californian born artist has made surmountable progression within the fields of athletics, fashion, and music. He was on the varsity swim team at his high school, competitive USA Swimming club swimmer, and a Junior Olympian / Championship team member. He also has a strong foundation in fashion design and styling. As a fashion designer, he recently came out with his collection Trident. Please read our exclusive interview to learn more about Jax Malcom.

Nadia George Sheds Light on The Indigenous Water Crisis

The indigenous communities across the globe have always been treated terribly, with no move to improve the situations they were forced into. While many countries like to pretend this doesn’t include them, this just isn’t so. Canadian born Mi'kmaq actress Nadia George is advocating to educate and inform the world about the indigenous water crisis happening in Canada (lack of water for indigenous populations in the US is a huge problem too). With COVID raging through the planet, this scarcity of water is a complete nightmare to an already very sensitive population. Nadia helps to spread the word about this water issue in the short film “Alongside the Water’s Edge”, which is a lyrical film that addresses the water crisis being faced by countless indigenous communities across Canada, before COVID. Please read our exclusive interview here to learn more about Nadia George.

Trope Explores Truth On Eleutheromania

When one usually thinks of the rock scene in LA, bands like Guns N’ Roses, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Mötley Crüe, etc., mid 80s, glam rock, metal, and “Sex, Drugs, and Rock N’ Roll”, famously coined by British musician Ian Dury, come to mind. The impact of these words could be felt far across the ocean, and would eventually become a lifestyle rockstars would live by, and were revered for. It built a larger than life image that would come to define an era of music and culture.

The modern depiction of rock fails to conjure any real notable tropes. Good or bad, no matter how the genre shifts, individual bands are now dissected on a case by case basis, devoid of stereotypes. Trope is an alternative progressive/rock band located in Los Angeles. Formed in 2016, lead singer Diana Studenberg’s vocals help create their dark aura and introspective angst. Tropes debut album, Eleutheromania, expands on the ideas on truth, human behavior, and our ability to navigate through life challenges with faith in mankind. Please read our exclusive interview to learn more about Trope.

Ainsley Ross Advocates In Support Of Music Theory For The Blind

Ainsley Ross has proven to be a an absolute treat of a human being, thanks, in part, to her extensive resume and talent. Actress, model, martial artist, singer, writer, and more, the Texas native began her career in entertainment at an early age. She began writing music and acting in a community theater when she was only nine, and had written over 80 songs by 14. Combining her love for martial arts (Taekwondo) and performing, Ainsley has honed her skill to compliment her stunt work. Her work in the entertainment industry also includes her role as a composer for “The Reins Maker” soundtrack. In her spare time, Ainsley is a mentor and public speaker, and volunteers at the Academy of Music for the Blind, teaching music theory. Please read our exclusive interview here to learn more about Ainsley Ross.

Bernard Hiller - Your Life Is A Work Of Art

One may think that most actors are born perfect for the stage, but it takes years of training and the right teams behind them. Bernard Hill, life coach and acting teacher, is just one of the many people who can make a career. He has worked with stars such as Cameron Diaz, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Al Pacino. When he is not teaching the next star, he is focuses on giving back, especially fighting against climate change. Please read our exclusive interview here to learn more about Bernard Hiller, as he helps us to stay creative during unusual times.

Montana L. Jacobowitz Proves You Can Do It All

At 18 years old, Montana is an accomplished actress, musician, and writer. As a musician, she is a multi-instrumentalist, skilled in the electric and acoustic guitar, ukulele, piano, alto saxophone, etc. At the mere age of seven years old, Montana created her first play, in honor of her brother, Arizona, who is autistic. Her call to advocacy runs deeper than familial ties. She can be seen working hard to assist children and adults with special needs via the Special Olympics, 401 A League Of Our Own, and Power Of You Teens, an organization that helps young women in New York City plan their future through mentorship. Montana and her brothers even created an organization, Children’s Voice, which gives kids a platform to speak out about issues that affect them. Please read our exclusive interview here to learn more about Montana Jascobowitz.