Raffaele Capuano Challenges Model Behavior

Defining what makes an “X” factor or “star power” is nearly impossible, but we’re pretty certain that Raffaele Cupuano definitely falls into those categories. With a palpable stage presence as a runway model and a growing career as a rapper, is there any audience that won’t be enraptured with his performances? However, there’s much more to Cupuano’s journey. Under the stage name, South RC, Cupuano challenges model behavior on two levels — first as a runway model turned rapper and second through his rap lyrics that call out unjust police harassment. His single “Fresh Zone” explores the realities of bias and injustice when it comes to who and what are policed and how. As a voice for change, South RC uses his songs to shed light on the cracks in broken systems. In our interview with Cupuano, we get to know more about the story behind his music and how he is giving back to local and global communities. Continue reading for our exclusive interview below!

SWAC: InfluencerForrest JohnsonOctober 22, 2021model, rapper, music, musician, artists, international, fashion, europe, music industry, rap, FashionComment

No Days Off with Akeem Mair

Akeem Mair, actor and activist from Pasadena, California, has big dreams and a big personality to match. In his interview with Jejune Magazine, Akeem explains the chance instance that inspired him to become an actor, the dedication he has to his profession, and his own ten year plan. Never one to take an off day, Akeem keeps a list of goals and action points to work on throughout the day. His new film, It’s On You, will also be finished later this year. Being a black man in the film industry has never been easy, but Akeem looks to the greats like Denzel Washington and Sidney Poitier to provide representation and inspiration. Additionally, Akeem gets into his charity work as a community leader with the Mysankofi Live experience and his lifelong volunteer work with the First African Methodist Episcopal Church. Read on to learn more about the man himself and his developed sense of community created through his work.

Celebrating Life on National Coming Out Day With Ann Thomas, Emmett Preciado, and Zoey Luna

Today, October 11th is National Coming Out Day. It is a day of freedom and light for many LGBTQ+ individuals, encouraging them to talk with family and friends about their sexuality, which is life-changing. Many people also celebrate the liberation spirit through flags and pins, not just in the United States, but also in Ireland, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and the UK, where the day is recognized. To tell you a little more about this huge moment in people's lives, how it can change and save a life, Jejune had the pleasure to interview a team of talented and inspiring transgender actors. Starting from Ann Thomas, founder of the first transgender-owned and operated talent management company based in Orange County, followed by Emmett Preciado and Zoey Luna. Please check our interviews below.

Meredith Bull Can Make Anything Go Viral!

You’ve heard the idiom “the cat’s meow” but did you know it could make you go viral? That’s the charm of Meredith Bull! Inspired by the mundane sounds around her, Meredith uses her musical talents to create memorable and even viral sounds for TikTok. Have you heard the relatable “meowing cat” sound? Or maybe the popular “Hank Green Explaining Candle Wax” sound? That’s Meredith at work! Aside from creating content for TikTok, Meredith is also a musical artist and she has built her unique indie sound from her TikTok experimentation. In our interview with Meredith, we talk about her creativity and inspiration for music (spoiler alert: there are cute cats involved!). We also discuss her journey with sobriety and how being sober has changed her life for the better. She is now an advocate for sobriety, and works to help others recover from substance abuse. Please continue reading for our exclusive interview with Meredith Bull.

Welcome to L'FREAQ's Dark Syth-Pop Kingdom

Welcome to L’Freaq’s Dark Synth-Pop Kingdom —where darker lyrics, inclusivity, and the power of poetry reign. As if that doesn’t sound bad-ass enough, wait until you hear L’Freaq’s new single “Showgirl”, which is a real demonstration of powerful lyrics backed by intentional artistry of sound. As a master of metaphors, L’Freaq uses her music as a mode of critique of the facades of the music industry and society at large, and that’s exactly what you get in “Showgirl.” As an ally of everyone on the spectrum of gender and sexuality, bullies, racists, and sexists are not allowed in L’Freaq's kingdom. She is a supporter of the Ally Coalition and frequently advocates for mental health awareness. We got to sit down with L’Freaq to dive into her songwriting process, her advocacy work, and what keeps her inspired. Continue reading for our exclusive interview with L’Freaq below!

Following Your Calling With Henri Esteve

Say hello to Henri Esteve! Based in Los Angeles, this Cuban-American talent is making big waves in the acting industry. You can spot him in Revenge playing the black sheep bad-boy hacker “Javier”. He can also be seen playing “Abel” in the Amazon award-winning series Homecoming, and the questionable but lovable “Javi” in Grown-ish, streamable on Freeform. This actor is always at work, whether he's pushing his limits on a motorcycle or using his platform to advocate against Cuba's brutality against its citizens. Henri is a brilliant actor, as well as being an avid supporter of mental health in teens and young adults. He implements this passion through the JED Foundation: a non-profit organization that prioritizes mental health for all! Learning from his past experiences, Henri is a true believer in community and support. Jejune is excited to talk to this compassionate human being about his experiences with acting, his thoughts on the crisis in Cuba, and how he deals with stress and anxiety in such a demanding industry. Please continue reading below for the full interview with Henri Esteve!

Truth Be Told with Tash Leath-Hamilton

More often than not, people don’t believe in intuitive life coaches. But what if I told you that “everyday people” like Joan from Fresh Market or Bob from Pep Boys to Hollywood’s most notable celebrities believe and consult with Natasha Leath-Hamilton? Since discovering her gift at the age of seven, after making her therapist cry by asking intimate details that no one else knew about her life, she now is attracting the attention of OWN Network for a series! The intuitive life coach has used her God-given gift to help people win and live their best lives. Her readings are so special and accurate that she is usually booked out on average for four months straight. Aside from her natural-born gift, Tash has honed in on her learned gift, the skill of entrepreneurship – building her intuitive life coaching business single-handedly, from the ground up. She is truly a positive light. Come check out our interview with Tash as Jejune goes in-depth into her empowering journey to becoming an intuitive life coach, her entrepreneurship, and much more!

Battling Mental Health Through Guitar and Song with Former Hero

Yorkshire singer/songwriter Former Hero is no stranger to suffering from mental health. In his debut album ‘footpaths,’ out now on all streaming platforms, the guitarist delves into heavy issues while pairing the lyrics with catchy and danceable tunes. In this interview with Jejune Magazine, Former Hero goes into depth about the impact growing up as a queer man in a sheltered part of the UK has had on both his life and music. Additionally, he explains how he is giving back to the LGBTQA+ community through the online festival MindOut UK, which will be livestreamed on September 25th, 2021. Read on to learn more about the details of this event and Former Hero himself!

Bringing POC Stories To The Big Screen With Adrian Favela

Based in Los Angeles, Adrian Favela is an actor that should be on everyone's radar. Adrian's evolution is more than apparent when discussing his newest project, "Under The Stadium Lights." This sports/drama film highlights a severe issue for minorities: People of color have to work 10x harder to make their dreams come true. However, as an Asian American actor, Adrian proves as long as you put your everything into your goals, you are sure to achieve them! "Under The Stadium Lights" exhibits black and brown teens pushing themselves and succeeding. This portrayal is critical in today's political and social climate, and Adrian did an excellent job representing our youth. Not only is Adrian a great actor, but he is also devoted to environmental protection and cleanup. Adrian's childhood in Hawaii and Santa Barbra has heavily impacted his perspective on the importance of kindness and consideration to the earth. These very values prompt him to be in cahoots with "The Surfrider Foundation" for occasional beach cleanups. Adrian's goal is to educate others, whether it's through acting or service to our planet. Jejune is excited to speak with Adrian about "Under The Stadium Lights, his goals for humanity, and how he was affected by the pandemic. For more on Adrian Favela, please continue reading below!

Christian Vit: Multilingual, Multitalented, And Everything In-between

Christian Vit is a London-based actor who is not afraid to go hunting for new opportunities. He shoots for the stars with all endeavors and proves to be an industry chameleon while taking on each role. You may know him from the accredited and highly praised series "Game of Thrones." Best known as "GOT" for die-hard fans. Not only is Christian exceedingly talented in the acting department, but he is also a master of 4 languages, which demonstrates his proficiency on and off-screen. As a mere child growing up in Italy, Christian knew that acting was for him. As he got older, his path to stardom became clearer during one of his first official acting gigs in the Italian show named "Sotto Casa." Christian continues to be moving in the right direction today and hopes to become a more established actor soon. We do not doubt that! Christian is a well-versed man and has many hobbies such as food, wine, and exercise. Unquestionably, Christian is a beacon of motivation and hard work, especially with his heavy engagement in domestic abuse campaigns and assuming his role as ambassador for "Children with Cancer UK." Jejune had the honor of speaking with this articulate and passionate actor. In this interview, we discuss Christians' latest project “I’m Not In Love”, his numerous ways of giving back, and his journey as an actor. If you love Christian as much as we do, please continue reading below!

Superstar Athlete Steven Benedict Is Helping Foster Care Thrive

Want to know the secret to living your best life, bettering your daily routines, and being your own Superstar? That’s what Steven Benedict is here for! Benedict is an athlete of merit, having elite-level status as a Track and Field athlete. Now, he’s turning to coach individuals in the gym and people (like us) at home through his new book Good Morning Superstar. While we are all about self-care and self-betterment through strengthening our bodies and minds, what we love most about Steven’s work he consistently gives back through being an all-star foster care advocate. As a former foster child, Benedict wanted to provide support for the foster care system through starting his own foundation, “Fostering Success.” The organization works to restore hope, encourage growth, and oppose the abandonment mindset of foster children by providing genuine guidance, opportunities for sports and arts, and a strong voice for advocacy and systemic reform. For our exclusive interview with this superstar, please continue reading below:

Recognizing Your Magick With Emma G

Emma G is no stranger to stepping into her power. This DC-based singer/songwriter is not scared to make an impact. Emma uses her experiences as a muse and is not shy to get into the nitty-gritty of her life, especially when it can greatly benefit another. Her latest album “Born in Crisis” explores trauma, but also newfound healing. Her genre-bending sounds are best described as “Goddess-Pop/Rock”. Specifically, Emma’s lead single “Faith In You” encourages an important conversation centered around breaking out of toxic and unhealthy relationship habits. This song is without a doubt a catalyst for change, but most importantly proof that it is possible to let go of things that no longer serve you. Not only is Emma a talented singer, but she is also an activist. This harmonizes perfectly with her active position as a Youth Empowerment Coach. She dedicates her time to aiding teens with tools to turn misunderstood behavior into strength. Jejune is thrilled to talk with such a talented and compassionate human like Emma G. In this feature we discuss her raw authentic musical concepts, her venture as an author, and her participation with The Capital Groove Collective. Emma G will make a change in this world, and if you’d like to know how, continue reading below.

zIssue 36, SWAC: InfluencerSAMANTHA COLÓNSeptember 13, 2021activism, change, hope, singer song writer, songwriter, mentor, woman, women, trauma, writer, writingComment

Into A Dusty Dream Where Gal Musette Reshapes Folk Music

Sometimes a song can make you feel many emotions that you don't know or try to forget. Californian indie-folk artist Gal Musette’s second single ‘Summertime’ reminds us of our old memories; happy but messy, thrilling but painful, as if it never really existed. It feels like ‘a dusty dream where the edges aren’t so tangible’, as she says in her song. The song is about the story of a broken friendship. She reintroduces this hybrid folk genre with a modern twist, including vocal layering and a melody that becomes increasingly more complex throughout. Her album Backwards Lullaby features songs like Ghost, and a single featuring Rufus Wainwright. We talked to Gal Musette about her album, upcoming concerts, and folk music. Check out our interview below to find out more about Gal Musette.

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 36Başak YirmibeşogluSeptember 9, 2021#galmusette, #folkmusic, #music, #summertime, music artist, music industry, folk, folk musicComment

Hailey Nicole Ralston: Keep Your Eyes on the Prize

To all the people that say teens are too young to know their passion, Hailey Nicole Ralston is here to prove you wrong. She knew her goals since just over two years old and is currently embarking on an exciting journey to get there, with no plans to slow down. At just the age of 17, Ralston has been in numerous films and TV series with Nickelodeon, HBO, and Fox Searchlight Pictures. Not only that, she is presently producing her own short film, The Creature, on top of her existing lineup of several creative projects. When she’s off-screen, she spends her time doing humanitarian work. A star not only with talents but with a huge heart. Check out our interview with Ralston as we go in-depth to find out more about her talents, as well as, the inspiration behind her creative and humanitarian endeavors.

Ava Breeze Bustling to Make Worthy Changes

Ava Breeze is not your common teenager. At just the age of fourteen, she has done more impact than an average high-school student. Besides being a high honor student, she is also a singer, actress, model, influencer, and best of all, an advocate for anti-bullying because of her sister with a rare disease (DHX-30). Despite Covid turning the world upside down, it has not stopped the multitalented teen from pursuing her passion. She has been spending her time in the studio recording her first single, Girls of Summer, which was released early this summer on top of preparing to film a streaming series, Irreverand. Breeze is currently one of the youngest ambassadors for Pure Vida to raise funds to support the research on DHX-30. Check out our interview below to find out more about Breeze’s experiences as Jejune walkthrough on each of her creative realms and DHX-30.

Sam Louis And Coping From The Confines Of Isolation

Sam Louis is the name to know in 2021! This Canadian artist gets real about navigating his emotions during isolation. His previous hit, “Driftin,” is meant to be an emotional escape from the confines of isolation. We recommend blasting this song at max volume in your car speakers to get the full effect. This powerful yet somewhat dark song (the good kind of dark… don’t worry) is a metaphor for lonely nights where it feels as if we are actually driftin. Not only is Sam Louis a talented musician, but he is also an advocate and music teacher who specializes in music therapy. This coincided perfectly with his desire to teach the importance of using music to heal the soul, just as it continues to heal him. Jejune is thrilled to speak with Sam about his emotionally uncensored song “Driftin,” his life as a music teacher, and his newest single “Die Tonight,” which dropped August 6th! So tune in and continue reading this interview for all things Sam Louis.

Experiencing Magic Through Music with Cmagic5

Cmagic5 is a phenomenal singer, songwriter, and musician based out of Toronto, Canada. She is far from a newbie in the music and recording industry. Cmagic5 has been performing in front of audiences since the age of five, continuing her articulation into an empowered, outspoken female, role model, and anti-bullying advocate. Cmagic5’s personal evolution is apparent when listening to her music. She manages to effortlessly fuse her pop niche with other genres like afrobeat, rock, and trap. The genre-bending textures shine through on her much anticipated debut album “Ready to Run,” which explores self intimacy and love, or the lack thereof. Jejune is excited to talk to Cmagic5 about her unapologetic journey in finding self-respect and her new song “Love Me If You Can,” which hones in on personal experiences of letting someone go and focusing on yourself.

Cerina Vincent: Super Mom on a Mission

If you have watched the childhood classic, Power Rangers Lost Galaxy, you will know Cerina Vincent! She was none other than the yellow ranger, Maya. Besides the well-known Sci-Fi series, the actress acted in Disney Channel’s “Stuck In The Middle” and indie film “Killing Eleanor.” Most recently, she has transformed from a superhero to a super mom on a mission. Like Maya’s wild spirit and ability to understand people and everything around her, she launched a podcast series on parenthood — Raising Amazing — with her Pediatrician, Dr. Gator, which garnered over five thousand downloads in the first 24 hours! She did not stop there —she also supports two nonprofit organizations. Take a journey with Jejune to learn more about Cerina’s story as a super mom, working for decades in Hollywood, Parenting during a Pandemic, and more!

Courtney Starks: The Real Life Iron Man

Courtney Starks is making impactful changes with words! We mean literally. Starks is a millennial motivational speaker who shares his testimony of overcoming and inspires his audience through topics that affect millennials today. He is the real-life Iron Man, rising as a kidney failure survivor and using his own strength to help his community. His power is a cause of celebration from recently giving his 100th lunch during his "Lunch on Me" initiative for Women's History Month to hosting a holiday giveaway for kids in need. Check out our exclusive interview with Starks on his incredible journey in giving back to his community and changing lives through words.

Sipping 'The Tea' With Olivia Charmaine

Our screens are a place where people tell stories to each other or the world beyond our borders. But, our history proves that these screens usually don't tell the stories of all of us. Racial and gender-based discrimination is still there and what we are looking for is some diversity, equality, and inclusion. However, there are some people want to change this unjust structure by telling our stories! Olivia Charmaine is a film and television producer and she embracing her melanin, queerness, and womxn power after making her mark in the TV & film industry as one of Hollywood’s best-kept secrets, with her weekly live stream show, The Tea currently on IGTV. The Tea is a weekly IGTV series that invites celebrity guests to relax, unwind, and participate in one-on-one conversations mindfully and reflectively. It brings people of color and colorful people together every Tuesday at 8 PM EST. Celebrities who have attended the event so far are Everett Osbourne, Darius Coleman, Luke Lawal, and more. Olivia also has a production company, Black Monarch Entertainment, which is very inline with The Tea. Its main aim is to support people of color and anyone from a marginalized community with a story to tell. Check out our exclusive interview with Olivia Charmaine to learn more about her.