Editorial - Queen Daniele

Daniele Lawson is the next big thing and you heard it here first! Based in Los Angeles, Daniele Lawson is an actress taking the world by storm! You can look forward to spotting her in the recently released “King Richard”: the inspirational tale of Richard Williams, a dedicated father who aided his daughters Venus and Serena Williams on the road to athletic domination. Daniele plays their supportive older sister, Isha Price, and WOWs us all on the big screen with her incredible performance. With more than a decade of experience, Daniele raises above and beyond all expectations as a teen in the entertainment industry.

It is not a surprise that Daniele values the importance of being a master in her craft and acknowledges the challenges that come with being truly dedicated to her field of work. She does this all while finishing high school, which attests to her unrelenting ability to excel in adversity. Not only is she an up-and-coming actress, but she also values humanitarianism. Daniele’s advocacy for organizations like the “Looking Ahead Program”, which gives young actors like herself resources to share with their community, reinforces her drive for leadership and success. Jejune is ecstatic to interview a girl as complex as Daniele! This editorial feature touches on Daniele’s experience as Isha Price, her ways of giving back to those in need, and what it's like working adjacent seasoned actors like Will Smith! For more of Daniele please continue reading the interview below!

Jeremy Ray Taylor Shows No Fear

Jeremy Ray Taylor is not new to the spotlight, having starred in several blockbusters such as the ‘It’ films, ‘Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween,’ ‘Are You Afraid of the Dark,’ and the CBS television series ‘Big Sky.’ In his interview with Jejune Magazine, Jeremy recounts his roles in these horror/fantasy films and shows, along with a sneak peek on some future projects. Before the pandemic, he had made his directorial debut in “Unarmed Divide,” a film about a military veteran struggling with PTSD. This is an issue close to Jeremy and his family’s heart. and he hopes upon viewing the film that there will be an increase in conversation around the topic of PTSD. He stresses that PTSD can affect a number of individuals, and it is time to break the fear and stigma around the disorder. On top of acting and directing, Jeremy is also involved with the Salvation Army, Free The Girls, Isaiah 117 House, and Feed My Lambs. Read on to learn more about Jeremy Ray Taylor, his acting and directing roles, and his volunteer work.

Celina Smith Becomes Annie This Holiday

From musicals to TV series, Celina Smith has shown she is ready to be a star. And coming out today, she will be Annie for NBC's upcoming holiday production of "Annie Live!". Annie has been a long term hit in Broadway's history since its debut in 1977, winning seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Smith may be young, but she is building a prolific career, and at the same time is also working to make the world a better place, through her work with the non-profit organization called Saving Our Daughters. To learn more about Smith, please continue reading our interview below.

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 38Prachedes Indyra GermanoDecember 2, 2021singer, kids, broadway, actress, Holidays, christmas, christmas time, musical, empowering girlsComment

Kjersti Long Is No One's Princess

Kjersti Long is challenging all of your stereotypical thoughts in her new single, ‘Not Your Princess.’ The song was written after her dad made the mistake of calling her one, and after expressing her displeasure, Kjersti put pen to paper and wrote a song about it. The song celebrates the fact that we are all individual people that are more than a title or the judgement of others. While Kjersti is super fierce, she also has a heart of gold. This can be seen through her interpretation of the song ‘Eleanor Rigby’ by the Beatles. Her music video for ‘Eleanor Rigby’ highlights the feeling of loneliness, a feeling felt by most throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Read on in our interview to learn about Kjersti’s volunteer work with America’s Grow A Row, her live gigs where proceeds go to Mental Health and Wellness initiatives, and a sneak peek on some upcoming projects.

A List of Indigenous Artists in a Variety of Mediums

Art comes in various forms, and is widely celebrated throughout all cultures. It has the power to bring people together, and tell a story that is not felt the same through words. In celebration of American Indian Heritage Month, Jejune wants to showcase some amazing indigenous artists who are telling the stories of their heritage through a variety of mediums. Within the article, you can find painters, musicians, dancers, film and television directors, and photographers; all bringing their native magic to their art. With Thanksgiving just behind us, it is our hope that you may also commemorate the people who were here before us, and acknowledge that they are still here with a very powerful voice.

Black Friday Done Right

November is National Native American Heritage Month! Throughout the month of November, the diverse cultures, histories, and traditions of Native Americans are celebrated. Today is Native American Heritage Day, which falls on the same day as Black Friday. Sadly, the celebration of Native American heritage is overshadowed by the sales and shopping opportunities of Black Friday. This holiday season, it is important to be less focused on navigating Black Friday and more each other. However, if we are going to shop on this notoriously indulgent day, it is crucial to keep in mind that it is Native American Heritage Day and give back to Indigenous people of this country. In this feature, we have compiled a list of eleven incredible sustainable Native American and Canadian designers and brands that should be on everyone’s radar!

Hollis Morrissette, Formerly Mr. Michigan United States, is Now Mr. Self Love

Actor, singer/songwriter, entrepreneur, and a former Mr. United States pageant title holder Hollis Morrissette is a man of many talents. In his interview with Jejune, we asked him if he had a favorite passion, and his answer was self love. If you read farther into the interview you will truly understand this answer, as Hollis truly believes in giving back in any way that he can. He is a charity partner with Save the Children and Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, where he helps raise funds and donates both his time and talents to each organization. As COVID restrictions begin to ease up, Hollis is hopeful to begin volunteering in person again. Right now he helps out with the LA Mission by serving food and packaging hygiene care packages for men and women, and will be volunteering with the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank during the holidays. Read on in our interview with Hollis to read more about his volunteer work, the recent release of his new single “Your Love Is,” and more projects that he has in the works!

Swagg R'Celious Has Us on Cloud 19

Swagg R’Celious is a Grammy Award winning music producer, having earned that honor for his work on the album H.E.R. by H.E.R., but his influence doesn’t stop there. Swagg also helped produce Kehlani’s debut mixtape Cloud 19, which had a huge impact on R&B today. He ultimately works as a visionary, helping artists define their sound and songwriting. In his conversation with Jejune, we learn that Swagg R’Celious is also a mentor and advocate for Black Youth in the music industry. He is a a professor at both Berklee College of Music and NYU, where he has set out to become the professor that he has always wanted growing up, a conduct between real life experience and the classroom. Swagg R’Celious recently became an ambassador for the Recording Academy’s Black Music Collective, which aims to build trust and empower Black artists, creatives and music executives. Through his work as an ambassador, he is able to provide insight and input on how Black artists are represented at the Recording Academy. Continue reading our interview with Swagg R’Celious to learn more about his background, his work on H.E.R. and Cloud 19, and some upcoming projects that he has coming up!

The Future of Holiday Travel Amidst Covid-19

The question “When can I safely travel again?” is one on many minds as we approach the holiday season. Proposed ideas of vaccine passports may limit travel for some, and the economic effects of the pandemic may also make travel impossible for those who simply can’t afford the extortionate ticket prices. Challenges such as these will greatly affect those who wish to travel, and the trends we see for the foreseeable future. So what is the future of travel?

Assemble Is A Capella of the Future

You may imagine the soundscape of London as an ambiance of taxis, busses, the echoes of the tube, the pitter-patter of rain, and of course, new music from the thriving music scene. We’ve been listening to Assemble, an a capella band based in London known for their futuristic, experimental electro-pop sound. Fusing together elements of synth, jazz, and pop, Assemble’s new single “Blue Monday” is a vocal experimentation that pulses with human-meets-machine energy. We sat down with Assemble to hear more about the recording of “Blue Monday” (done completely remote!) and to learn more about their efforts to give back to multiple causes over the past year. Please continue reading for our exclusive interview with the a capella group of the future, Assemble!

Art, zIssue 38Forrest JohnsonNovember 18, 2021singer song writer, music, music industry, acapella, a capella, assemble, musician, london, music group, give back, philanthropyComment

Scarlett Lewis is Teaching Us All to Choose Love

On December 14th, 2012, Scarlett Lewis tragically lost her six-year old son, Jesse, in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. This was one of the worst mass shootings in U.S. history, as the community lost Jesse, 19 of his first-grade classmates, and six educators. In the wake of tragedy, Scarlett Lewis established the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement, which advocates for social-emotional character development to teach both children and adults how to live a Choose Love lifestyle and empower them emotionally, mentally, personally, and socially. Today, the program reaches all 50 states and over 100 countries, serving over 2 million children. In Scarlett’s interview with Jejune Magazine, she explains the Choose Love Formula, how we all can implement the formula in our daily lives, and the most important steps we must address in order to abolish school shootings. Read on to learn more about how Scarlett is teaching all of us to Choose Love!

Fighting Fine Lines and Wrinkles Through Vegan Skincare

Let’s be real, all of us have mentally aged ten years throughout the past year and a half. With all the stress of the ongoing pandemic and the holidays on the horizon, Jejune understands that you need a skincare regime that is just as active as you are. That is why we have compiled a list of skincare brands with products meant to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Though this list is tailored towards anti-aging skincare products, in most of the brands listed below you can shop through a variety of products for various skin types and concerns. Most importantly, each brand included in this list is vegan and cruelty-free. We have also included how some of these skincare brands are giving back to their communities and initiatives they are particularly passionate about. Check out Jejune’s full list of vegan skincare brands below!

Why We’re Crushing on #WomxnCrushMusic

Call it infatuation, charming captivation, or perhaps even a crush. Can you blame our obsession with WomxnCrushMusic? Started by Ashley Kervabon-Stoyanov, this non-profit is making bold moves in the music industry. Ashely started her music career as a singer & songwriter (previously going by Ashley Xtina) in NYC where she was born and raised, but it wasn't until moving to Portland in 2015 that she realized what her real mission was: helping artists advance their careers through education and collaboration. She turned her dream into reality by starting #WomxnCrushMusic, a non-profit aimed at closing the gender gap in music. By providing educational workshops, scholarships, and collaborative opportunities, #WCM is sending womxn and non-binary artists to the top of the charts. We’re excited to share our exclusive interview with Ashely Kervabon-Stoyanov with our readers and show just how much amazing work WomxnCrushMusic is doing in the music industry. Continue reading below!

Lauren Bucca is The Queen of Our Hearts

Author and British Monarch enthusiast, Lauren Bucca just published her first book, titled Queens. The book highlights 250 Queens, from historical to the present day. The book is separated into five chapters, each a different chronological period, and each chapter describes the role of a queen, the challenges they faced, and how they were depicted. After reading this book, Lauren hopes readers are inspired by the determination and drive these Queens had to shape the modern world. Queens can be found through independent bookstores or wherever you order your books! Continue reading Jejune’s interview with Lauren Bucca to understand the making and inspiration of this book!

Natalie Claro On Encouraging Others to Find Joy in the Journey

Natalie Claro is a new alternative rock voice coming out of Nashville, Tennessee. Claro wrote her new single, ‘When Alcohol Tastes Like Juice’ (WATLJ), over the course of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. Her overall message is to encourage young people to not lose themselves within their transformative years, and as she put it, “Finding joy is being grateful for the journey.” In Claro’s interview with Jejune, she discusses the creation process of WATLJ, her advice for those struggling with mental health in the pandemic, and her volunteer work with “Girls Rock Camp Alliance.” Read on to learn more about this Rockstar!

Cover - Jenn Lyon & The Scarlet Letter

To meet Jenn Lyon for the first time is like connecting with a friend you have known for years. Not only is she completely hilarious, but she is a real person with a huge heart. You can currently see her on the the fabulous TNT show Claws, where she plays a bad ass manicurist, who is loyal to a fault. You really have to watch the show to understand how that all makes sense together. While Jenn is excited for everyone to love the last season of Claws as much as she does, she is even more passionate about making the world a better place, especially from the eyes of a woman.

Jenn is connected to a ton of activism, and when she takes on a cause, she goes elbows deep! This might mean she is manning an eating disorder hotline, rummaging through funny looking veggies at the local food pantry, or on the ground humbly drawing signs for strangers at the Women’s March. There is no denying it, Jenn Lyon is the real deal, and it is an honor for Jejune to have her as our next cover!

Empowering Women With Bigger Chest Sizes and Body Positivity

Alice Kim, founder and CEO of PerfectDD, wants all women to feel empowered in her clothing. The brand’s story started with her. As a 32DD bra size, Alice could not find comfortable and chic clothes that fit her properly. Through research she learned that the average bra size in the U.S. is a 34DD and that over 20 million women in the U.S. fall into this demographic of D+. With this in mind she set out to create her brand, PerfectDD, to empower herself and others. The brand is also socially and environmentally responsible, garments utilize natural fibers, are made in in local, family-owned factories that pay fair wages, and are produced in small batches to reduce excess inventory. Additionally, the styles are timeless and can be a staple in your closet for years to come. Read more about Alice Kim, her sustainable fashion brand, and body positive fashion below!

Finding a Soulful Connection with Robert Ball

Robert Ball, singer/songwriter from Toronto, Canada, has a soulful voice with velvet tones to match. Having been inspired from everything Broadway, pop, and world music, to R&B and country, Robert has a diverse background that shows in his work. His new single, ‘I Need A Man,’ was recently released. The song emphasizes the importance of deep soulful connection with someone, not just a short term fix or casual fling. Additionally, Robert is on the steering committee for ‘BGMN’ the Black Gay Men’s Network of Ontario, and a mentor, teaching artist with NIA Centre for the Arts, Vocal Coach with TIFTPA. As an LGBTQ artist, Robert explains that he finds it particularly important to ‘pay it forward’ to his mentees. Read more about Robert Ball’s music and activism in his interview with Jejune below.

SWAC: Influencer, Zissue 37Kaylyn WenzelNovember 4, 2021soul, connection, singer song writer, singer, songwriter, canada, broadway, pop, world, r&b, Country, blm, LGBTQ+, mentor, mentorship, activismComment

The Fantastical Mind of Benjamin Von Wong

Bringing an idea to life takes innovation, passion and a whole lot of patience. What's more powerful is if the creation brings people to another world for just a moment and sparks a new notion in the viewers. None other than Benjamin Von Wong is doing it as we speak. The Canadian-born artist is a big advocate for Ocean Plastics and has been creating art pieces to bring awareness to the most critical issue faced today — Pollution. Known for his environmental art installations and hyper-realist art style, he recently launched a new campaign, Turn Off The Plastic Tap. Jejune got the opportunity to converse with Von Wong to learn more about his creative endeavors and mission to make positive impacts unforgettable.

Art, Zissue 37, Editor's PickRachel LaiNovember 2, 2021Art, asian artist, save the planet, recycle, plastic-free, environment, earth, trash, artist, save green spaceComment

Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month All Year Round!

We might be a little late for National Hispanic Heritage Month, which celebrates cultures, achievements, and contributions made by Latin Americans, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still celebrate them! In this feature, we are excited to share ten incredible Hispanic brands to add to your list of brands to know about. Each one is in a different location, sharing different stories, but what do they all have in common? Sustainability! Check out more below!