Brooklyn Michelle: Finding Your True-Self With Music

Now more than ever, we need music as an expressive outlet for moving forward in our life more than everything. It can heal us, it can hurt us, or it can help us through the worst of times. San Antonio, Texas-based musician Brooklyn Michelle who recently released her long-awaited single & music video “Retail Therapy” used music as a channel for her emotions. She wrote “Retail Therapy” while going through a breakup and used her music as a coping mechanism. After years of struggling with undiagnosed diseases, she used music as a creative outlet. Her songs focus on inner-self battles, and we can easily feel how she finds true-self with her music. While she is set to release her long-awaited second album, Placebo, she is also in the process of starting her own production company, Waffledog Productions, for bringing her vision to life. We talked to her about her music, production company and future plans. Please read our exclusive interview below to learn more about Brooklyn Michelle.

A New Name in Electronic Music: Just Milk

Just Milk combines ethereal beats with sounds of glowing synth-pop, dark disco, and dreamy folk vocals for a sound that is unparalleled. Just Milk recently released her new EP “Carry Your Weight” which embodies the emotional, physical, and spiritual overload we all carry with us. Just Milk brings light to these issues that many of us face through her unique perspective and sound. Tara Rook, the woman behind Just Milk, is a female electronic musician, artist, massage therapist, and she is currently training to become a yoga teacher. Just Milk encourages gender diversity within the electronic music world and gives back by partnering with organizations like Sea Change Yoga which provides trauma-informed yoga and meditation to individuals who have experienced trauma and people in marginalized groups. Her goal is to create positive growth locally through safe spaces and community healing. Continue reading for our exclusive interview with Just Milk about her recent release, visual art, healing work, and how COVID-19 has impacted her start in the music industry.

Jenna Rosenow's Recipe for the Soul

Jenna Rosenow is both bombshell and brains. Jumpstarting her career on Australia’s iconic TV show Neighbours, Rosenow is on her way to becoming one of the most promising actresses out there. Recently starring in Netflix’s hit series Firefly Lane, Jejune was so excited to hear about Rosenow’s path, her commitment to nonprofit Seeing Eye Dogs, and her love for good food. No doubt about it, she’s here to stay. To learn more about Jenna Rosenow and for a surprise recipe, read below.

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 31Jejune ContributorApril 9, 2021actress, Australia, netflix, foodie, #cooking, animal, dogs, disability rights, blindComment

Shiloh Verrico: Actress, Singer, and Animal Lover

At just ten years old, Shiloh Verrico is making herself known as an actress, singer, and advocate for rescue animals. Shiloh is making her Netflix debut in the new series “Country Comfort.” The series follows ‘Bailey,’ an aspiring country singer who gets a job nannying five musically-inclined children who lost their mother two years prior. Shiloh’s character is the emotional center of the family, ‘Cassidy,’ who is having an especially difficult time coming to terms with the loss of her mother. Shiloh loves music and was able to use her talents singing and playing guitar and ukulele in the series. When Shiloh isn’t filming or singing, she and her family foster rescue dogs and work with rescue organizations.

Tommy Habeeb To The Rescue

Actor, producer, and reality show host Tommy Habeeb gives rescue dogs a second chance at life on his popular TV show To The Rescue. Tommy is well known as the original host of the reality series “Cheaters,” and has produced, hosted, and appeared in more than a dozen nonfiction TV shows, including “Eye for an Eye” and “Billionaires Car Club.” While busy with projects, Tommy also dedicates his time to helping animals off the screen as the founder and Executive Director of the non-profit Forever Family Rescue. Keep reading to learn more about Tommy Habeeb, To The Rescue, and his accompanying non-profit Forever Family Rescue.

Liberty Styles: When Times Are Tough, Music Unites Us

While some people have never understood music, for some people music shapes who you are. One of those people is Liberty Styles. She says 'Music has always occupied most of my time/thoughts even if I wasn’t necessarily doing it professionally.' Her second EP Roam Wide, which is set where she grew up, reflects complicated emotions like love, isolation, and coming together during tough times. She is influenced by many styles of music including jazz, funk, flamenco, grunge, alternative. Tap dance is the main thing that shapes her music. Liberty also wanted to honor the strength of working womxn with The Waitress, which is a unique example of solidarity. She shows her activism in different ways and all proceeds from this tape will go directly to G.L.I.T.S., a grassroots organization dedicated to supporting the LGBTQIA+ community. We talked to Liberty Styles about her music, future plans, and voluntaryeer projects. Please read our exclusive interview below to learn more about Liberty Styles.

Connor Dean’s Perfect Ace

Connor Dean is a triple A - an actor, and athlete, and an advocate. From Butch the Bully, to the Young Entertainer Awards, to the USTA (United States Tennis Association), Connor Dean remains humble and relatable. And like many of us, he is having a blast on TikTok - despite his accomplishments. Dean is also passionate about humanitarianism, his collaborations with organizations like the Leukemia Foundation and Starlight Children’s Foundation will not go unnoticed. Jejune, curious as always, sat down with Connor Dean to learn more about his work as an actor and ambassador, as well as his tennis chops. For more on Connor Dean, read below.

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 30Jejune ContributorMarch 26, 2021Actor, athlete, Humanitarian, charitywork, cancer, nonprofit, tiktok, leukemia, kids, teens, teen star, tennisComment

Tyla Anne Harris Is Here To Prove She Will Be The Role Model Of The Next Generation

Tyla Anne Harris is here to show us why acting is so much more than it appears to be. She is the Jasmine Wallace in ABC's ‘For Life’ which is a fictional serialized legal and family drama that was inspired by the life of Isaac Wright Jr. Just like her character, Jasmine never stops. She is focusing on getting a degree in law and she believes that whether good or bad, people should make smart, educated political choices, whatever choice that is to them about the current political situation. She is a good example for the actors from her generation. Also, she is working with Saving Our Daughters Organization, which works with girls from multicultural backgrounds through the arts to help them overcome esteem obstacles. We talked to Tyla Anne Harris about her career, school life, and voluntary projects. Please read our exclusive interview below to learn more about her.

The Talented & Fabulous Tamela D’Amico

Tamela D’Amico is an established actress and singer, residing in Los Angeles. She is best known for her role on Disney’s “Best Friends Whenever” and Amazon’s “Englishman in L.A.”, for which she was awarded “Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Web Series” by LA WEB FEST. Tamela is also a recording artist and her music has been heard on more than 140 national radio and cable outlets. She sings the theme song “Love and the Gun” in both English and Italian for the film, Rob the Mob. In Tamela’s latest film, One Little Finger, Tamela plays Raina, an American Neurologist researching music therapy in India. The Indian-American film is an inspirational story on music therapy and purpose is to educate people about the abilities of those with disabilities. All of the money earned is going straight into the One Little Finger Foundation. At the moment, Tamela is working on a new antiviral film project that includes short films threaded together from all over the world about the pandemic experience. Please read our full interview with Tamela D’Amico below.

Nikki DeLoach’s Guide to Self Love

Nikki DeLoach is someone to look up to. Since her days on the Mickey Mouse Club , DeLoach has starred in MTV’s hit series Awkward, guest starred in NCIS and Criminal Minds, and taken over Hallmark. But DeLoach’s work does not end when cameras stop rolling —she’s been taking up activism for over a decade. The co-founder of What We Are, DeLoach aims to encourage women to tell their own stories, as she has done. She pursues every cause that is dear to her and inspire others to do the same along the way. DeLoach went in detail with Jejune about these causes, making the most out of the holidays amid COVID-19, and why we should all be activists. For more on Nikki Deloach, read below.

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 30, Editor's PickJejune ContributorMarch 12, 2021Actor, Film, christmas, feminism, activist, Humanitarian, voting rights, familyComment

Natasha Calis Is In A League Of Her Own

Natasha Calis knows what she’s doing. Acquainted with the camera since a young age, Calis has starred in numerous films and TV series, making her mark among well known names in the entertainment industry. Now, a sophisticated Calis is once again demonstrating her incredible acting chops, starring in Nurses, NBC’s new series. Putting her heart and soul into this role, Calis is Ashley Collins, a young nurse whose wit and kindness makes her stand out. Calis told Jejune all about her acting career, what it’s like playing a nurse why we should admire and respect healthcare workers, now more than ever. To learn more about Natasha Calis, please read below.

The Limit Doesn’t Exist for Hadar Cats

As a young child, Hadar Cats was in every theatre production at her school and attended performing arts summer camps. These experiences were the springboard into the world of film and made her debut in Amazon Prime’s AKA Nadia & Incitement. In her latest film, My Dad’s Christmas Date, Hadar stars alongside Jeremy Piven in a heartwarming story revolving around love and family. Besides being a talented actress, Hadar has been competing as a professional Equestrian since she was seven years old and speaks three different languages. She is also an advocate for animal rights and works closely with The Freedom Farm Sanctuary. Check out our interview with Hadar Cats to learn more about her.

You Will Know Peyton Stilling

At just the young age of 18, Peyton Stilling has already garnered acclaim from the likes of NPR Music and Mahogany Sessions, as well as American Songwriter and Earmilk. Her latest single “Healing” is both raw and honest. Inspired by the heartbreak she’d gone through, her vulnerability and pain are evident through the lyrics and overall song. Her last single “Forest through the Trees” has garnered over 200k streams on Spotify alone. Besides doing music, Peyton makes time to help those with disabilities. From giving back to her community, garnering acclaim from notable media organizations, working with Grammy-nominated producers, to being a talented singer and songwriter, Peyton Stilling is on route to establishing her name in the music industry. Mark my words. Please continuing reading for our exclusive interview with Peyton below.

Kaitlyn Velez Sings In Style

Kaitlyn Velez isn’t your typical Gen-Z songbird – she embodies the style of a New York City “It Girl.” Her aesthetic as an artist is a blend of pastel and vaporwave visuals, and her music is bubblegum pop with some R&B influences. The young singer and songwriter tells Jejune about what inspires her to create, her single “FOMO”, her Hispanic background - raices - as artistic fuel and how she gives back through the intersection of music and activism.

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 29Jejune ContributorFebruary 11, 2021latinx, singer song writer, Latin American, pop star, pop, new york city, girl power, nyc, it girlComment

Janie May Gets Real

Brooklyn based singer-songwriter Janie May writes with her heart out. With a sleek style, honey-coated voice and sophisticated, yet upbeat tunes, the singer and trained social worker emphasizes the emotional aspect of life – emotions without warning yet too often felt and the source of human connection. May sat down with Jejune to talk about what she wants to achieve through music, her EP Balance Me, art and mental health in the age of coronavirus, and all the while showing us how solidarity as a guiding force takes us far.

Fall in Love with Teen Singer-Songwriter Lana Chalfoun

Young love can be a dream or a nightmare and Lana Chalfoun offers both perspectives in her music. Her new single “Cut Off” (coming out Feb. 12th) is a break-up song just in time for Valentine’s Day, which to be honest, is the perfect day to let yourself mourn lost love and move on by February 15th. A fount of youthful sound and energy, Lana’s been dropping music through the pandemic (check out her other singles “Be OK” and “Get Mad”), all of which share the twists and turns of love, anxiety, and coming of age. In our interview with Lana we talk about her music and her chosen charity of choice The Red Glasses Movement. Keep reading to fall more in love with Lana in our exclusive interview below.

Lexia Hayden: Gen Z Brings Hope For The Future

Gen-Z is growing up during challenging circumstances. This year the Covid pandemic has taken so much from their lives but still, they are up for the challenge and will reshape the world. Lexia Hayden —who is a stylish model, influencer, actress, and competitive tennis player— is the evidence of gen-z’s tenacity. She started her influencer career at the age of ten when she didn’t know anything about social media. Right now, she creates content on her passions for style, health, and fitness with her strong 230k Instagram followers. Aware of the issues that affect kids her age, she became a volunteer for Candlelighters New York City which has been helping kids fighting cancer and their families. We talked to Lexia Hayden about her career, style, voluntary projects. Please read our exclusive interview below to learn more about Lexia Hayden.

Garfield Wilson Leads With Empathy

Actor Garfield Wilson has a lot to look forward to after taking on projects such as the Nickelodeon TV series The Astronauts, TNT’s Snowpiercer and an upcoming Lorne Michaels musical comedy. Wilson’s resilience shines through his career and his relationship with his three children —all built on a foundation of acceptance, love and support. Wilson gets candid with Jejune on acting, his kids and advocacy as a parent to an LGBTQ child, raising awareness for the Black Lives Matter movement from his home in Canada, and how we can follow his example to provide better, more inclusive spaces.

Reggie Watkins Is Creating Systematic Change As An Actor

Our contemporary politics makes it is easy to see the stark difference in police treatment of Black Lives Matters protesters in comparison to the Trump rioters. Actor, Sports Enthusiast, and Civil Rights Activist Reggie Watkins is creating systematic change, saying everyone should understand why the entire system needs to be defunded and overhauled. His journey has been long as an actor but apparently, he always knew what he wanted. He recently portrayed Sgt. Lawrence Sims’ in Activision's new “Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War” game. At the same time, he co-founded the San Fernando Valley-based non-profit organization “The Valley Of Change,'' which is a community-based team of people who wanted to see change and decided to assist in the progress. Also, he gives importance to diversity in the sports talk space so that he is busy with his podcast, “Brothas On Football'', which covers football from a Black man's perspective. We talked to Reggie Watkins about his career, activism, and BLM movement. Please read our exclusive interview below to learn more about Reggie Watkins.

Feel Better with ALIX

Like many artists, navigating the music industry right now as an artist can be tough, but ALIX doesn’t let that stop her. Bay Area based artist, ALIX, let us join in on her livestream of her album “Feel Better” where she brings a California breath of fresh air to online viewers. Being the young artist she is, she gives us an inside feel of what it’s like to be a young artist in this tough industry and just exactly how she’s navigating through it. Besides music, ALIX is heavily involved in “Clear List Organization”, an organization dedicated to helping struggling teachers during Covid-19. ALIX shares with us why she feels teachers are essential workers and so important to the development of society. Please read our exclusive interview below.