action Magazine
Rising Star Caitlin Grace gives us a peek inside of her world
What are your favorite Disney + shows
Charlotte Xia shares it all
Check out music from Kennedy Madison
Cover model Sasha Kerbel talks career, family, and much much more
March/April 2020
An interactive entertainment & news experience
Meet the talented Montana Jacobowitz Who is in this issue's Entertainment News? Get to know the amazing Sasha Kerbel New Music Debut: "Heartbreaker " It's Movie Time! Remember those lost due to bullying Meet EOTM, Ivy Anderson What are you watching on TV? Actor Sir Brodie dishes exclusively Johanna Rae is in our super talent spotlight
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Action Magazine March/April 2020
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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TAAG/AM Founder actor/model Gabriel L. Silva
pg. 26 photo and cover credit: Greg Doherty, Getty Images/The Artist Project
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."
Don't forget to check out the adventures of Catherine's Spiral Mind on pg. 24!
How to Play The playground memory match game shows you pairs of images of the same sport into two sections in the grid randomly arranged. All you have to do is correctly match sports and activity images as displayed on your screens. The game has multiple levels and always keeps you interested to move up to the next level. The difficulty level goes up and becomes more challenging than the last as you move up in the game. The difficulty level begins with 3 X 3 grid and the size keeps increasing to 4X4 grid, 4X5 grid and so on.
Do you like to game? Well, so does Dewey. Join him online to play the new Dewey Does Playground Memory Match. Download and play today...you don't want to miss out on the newest adventures of Dewey Does!
Curious to see how it all works? Check out a teaser video on pg.40.
Follow Dewey Does on Instagram, Twitter, FB and Pinterest to win prizes and sponsorships.
Game Overview Dewey Does Playground Memory Match game is fun and suitable for kids/adults to train their brain and keep the memory sharp. The playground memory match game is designed to instill interest in kids to spend more of their time playing sports outside instead of staying glued to their television or computer screen for hours. Since the matching game is sort of a brain exercise, it improves kids’ memory and concentration power. Improved visual memory and faster-thinking skills are other benefits of playing Playground Memory Match game. Not just kids but anyone from 2 to 92 can play this game to have a fun time and improve their memory.
Video courtesy of: Edwrdsproject Directed by: David Suarez Music by: Edwrds Models: Edwrds, Caitlin Lee, Gabrielle Dailey, Joseph Salman, and Bryce Alves
Clothing
All photos courtesy of Greg Doherty
What are five things that you can't live without? That’s a little tricky. I would have to say my phone, my glasses, social media, my family, and my friends. What's your life's motto or advice that you live by? To always stay true to myself and never be afraid of being embarrassed to be myself. As well as taking every opportunity I can and not taking it for granted. What's your favorite color? Pink What is your favorite movie? The Goonies What is your favorite TV show? The Flash Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what are their names? I have one dog, he’s a Beagle and his name is Herbie. Just like the famous car movie. My brother has a turtle, but in a way it’s like a family turtle because we all take care of him. His name is Mikey, just like the TMNT Turtles. What is your favorite place that you've traveled to? I would have to say either New York City or California. What is your favorite food? I’m vegan, so definitely I like either Chinese or Mediterranean food. If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be with and why? That’s also a tricky question, I would have to say Emma Watson because she’s a huge inspiration for me. She’s an amazing actress as well as a UN Goodwill Ambassador. I love how she fights for women's rights and empowerment, just like me. What made you want to start acting? I grew up always watching Disney Channel and I just knew that I wanted to become an actress. But from a young age I was very shy, so when I was in 3rd grade, my parents signed me up for a school play and I just loved it. What is the most difficult thing about being an actress? I would say being able to attend an audition on a different coast because I’m on the Northeast coast and most auditions that I have are on the West coast. It’s not necessarily difficult, it’s just a crazy process. What made you want to be a singer? I wanted to be a singer because I got inspiration from my brother Arizona. He’s autistic and at a young age, learned how to play the piano himself. He inspired me to become a musician and play over 10 instruments so that I could teach him. But to also be able to sing, so I could be a voice for him. Where do you find your inspiration for your songs? I find inspirations for my songs based on different events or situations that appear in my life. This is kind of weird, but I also find inspiration from book titles and covers because I can make a story within my music. You wrote a play called, My Brother Arizona, tell us about this project? Yes, I wrote that play when I was in 4th grade. It was a contest within my 4th grade elementary school and I was selected to win; I had to present the play to the whole school. The contest guidelines were to write a play about acceptance and bullying. I chose to write about my brother Arizona because he tends to get bullied and picked on a lot, people do not understand him. Many children within my school didn’t know what autism was, so I chose to write about my brother to inform people about acceptance. In addition to acting, you are also a dancer. Tell us about how you got started in dance and what is your favorite genre of dance? I started dancing at the age of 3-years-old at a local dance studio in Scranton, Pennsylvania, where I was born. I would have to say my favorite genres are ballet (pointe) and hip-hop. In addition to acting, what other things are you passionate about? (Activism) Can you tell us about this work and why do you feel that it is important? Yes, I am an advocate/ influencer. As I mentioned before in the interview, I got inspiration from Emma Watson, who is an advocate herself for Women's empowerment. When my brothers and I were younger, we started an organization called Children’s Voice, where we help advocate for issues such as bullying, foster care, homelessness, etc. We annually collect donations of clothing, food, and toys to give out to people and children in need. We regularly fundraise in order to meet our goals of assisting a great number of people. We also speak at conferences and help connect other children with our organization to help advocate with us. I always had a passion for helping people since I was very young and my family went through hard times. So, I just wanted to give back to the community. Who is your favorite actor/actress and why? I would have to say Leonardo Dicaprio because his acting within the film, Titanic, was just amazing and after that I have just fallen in love with his acting ever since. I recently wrote a song that was released on Valentine's Day called Reckless, that can be found on all music platforms and VEVO. In the song, I mention his name, so you can tell how much I love him. How would you describe your fashion style? I would definitely say an Indie type style, sort of similar to the hippie times. Who are some of your favorite actors/singers that you have worked with? Griffin Gluck, Isabella Moner (Merced), Robert Caprion What advice would you give other kids that want to break into acting/dance/singing? I would say keep thriving and don’t let the haters get in your way. Sometimes you're going to hear people say you're really good, or that you have to improve, or that you are not good enough. But always keep trying, it may take a while to make it, but you never give up. Once you give up, you have made the haters happy and they are proud that you gave up. Who would be your dream on screen collaboration and why? I would have to say either Keven Hart or Dwayne Johnston. I know their best friends in real life and that their acting in Jumanji was very funny. So, I feel like both would do great acting alongside teens together. I feel that I would be perfect because I have very similar humor as them and I would have a great time. So, hopefully one day! Who would be your dream studio collaboration and why? I would have to say Alicia Keys or Emeli Sandé because they are truly very powerful voices that I think will do amazing with mine combined. They also sing very powerful originals and write real powerful messages in their music, just like me. What is one thing that nobody knows about you? A few people know this. This is a really funny story, so when I was younger, I was obsessed with cold water and my doctors and family didn’t know why. But at one point, it got really bad and I started drinking water from the toilet, I know pretty gross. Have you ever been bullied? Yes, I have. When I was young, I was not self-confident at all and children in my school bullied me. I had a small reading gap and I spoke up for children with special needs that were being bullied, so the children bullied me. The children would always make fun of me and excluded me, I always went home crying about it, but after a while I learned to stand up for myself and be confident. Music and playing instruments helped me to become confident. What is your advice to kids that are suffering from bullying? When I was young I told my teachers various times about the situation, but sometimes they ignored me or didn’t help and made the situation worse. I would say to remain completely confident and true with yourself. You have to speak up for yourself and to always remember that you always have a purpose in life. Also, find something that you are really good at and excel at it, become the best that you can be and shine, the world is your stage. If you could talk to your 21-year-old self, what would you tell her to remember about the person you are today? I would tell her to always remember to remain herself and to never change no matter what events appear in my life. I want to remain the confident, nice, and sweet person I am today. Also, continue to help those that find it difficult to help themselves.
Montana L. Jacobowitz is an 18 year old actress, singer, songwriter, dancer, and activist born in Scranton, Pennsylvania and currently lives in Rhode Island. Montana takes pride in her efforts to bring attention to homelessness, education issues, bullying, abuse, among other social issues. Her fundraising efforts are used to promote awareness to such issues. One of her most memorable plays that she wrote was at the age of seven years old about her brother Arizona who is autistic; it became a school sensation and can be seen on YouTube, under “My Brother Arizona.” Montana’s acting credits also include Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life (CBS), 2Real4U (Amazon), Teenage Critic (PBS), etc. Montana has recently released two originals one called, Let Me In and Ask Me Why I Cry, which can be found on all music platforms and VEVO. Action Magazine caught up with Montana to get to know her a lot better. Take a peek at some of her answers to our staple game of Q&A. She unquestionably is young star on the rise. Don't forget to follow her on Instagram. We are sure that this is one journey that you don't want to miss.
Photo credit: @directedbyrubio
Kennedy Madison pg. 82 Gabriel L. Silva pg. 92 Jalen Parker pg. 96 Rising Star: Caitlin Grace pg. 104 Movie/TV review pg. 124 Charlotte Xia pg. 134 Natalie Asatryan pg. 168 Where are they now? pg. 180 Tim Realbuto pg. 202 Harrison Cone pg. 212 Nick Bencivengo pg. 222
Get to know those in the news this issue. These talented individuals definitely need to be on your watch list!
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.
Catherine's Spiral Mind
Our readers were first introduced to Catherine Quirico as a one of our featured entertainers. Fast-forward several issues later, and you have seen her debut new music and share some of her favorite pieces from the Take Action Apparel & Gear clothing line, not only in the pages of Action Magazine, but on her popular social media outlets as well. Now, the talented teen from NYC is showing off another talent-writer, as she gets into the minds of some of the top who's-who in the industry, just for our readers. Catherine has taken a break this issue, but, check out a redux of her interview with the amazingly inspiring dancer, actress, and MDA ambassador Leah Zelaya. With Catherine's Spiral Mind, she takes us on a journey to get to know this phenomenal young lady up-close-and-personal. You definitely want to get to know and follow Leah's journey. Check out the full scoop on pg. 166!
What are five things that you can't live without? Acting, love, my family, chocolate, art - in all its forms What's your life's motto or advice that you live by? I live by these rules: a) Until you stop breathing, it’s never too late. So if you, for example, decide to become an opera singer at the age of 60, - just go for it! We are never too old to start, and never too old to change our lives. We cannot change our age: the fact, unpleasant for many, is that we do get older with each new day, so we ought to face and accept this basic rule of the game, and then just stop caring about it. If you were to die tomorrow, what would you really regret not having done, not having changed, not having experienced, not having ever started? Whom would you regret to never have made peace with, to never have said “I’m sorry,” to never have said “I love you,” to not have spent enough time with? If you have the answers to these questions, then start fixing it TODAY, don’t wait. Make every big and little thing that you would like to happen in your life, to start moving forward. Happiness is not the end result - happiness is a process of building, of building your dreams. And one day, when you grow old and look back, you should be able to say: “I've lived the best life I could.” Live that life now. Every single day.
Photos courtesy of Stanislav Callas
Talented, professionally trained, beautiful, inside and out, Sasha Kerbel is unquestionably one artist that is on her qay to conquering Hollywood. Born in Moscow, Russia, to the famous sculptor Lev Kerbel, talent is in her blood. Sasha graduated from the Institute of the Russian Theatre with honors and also the Moscow State Academy of Fine Arts, and has another degree in journalism. Her growing list of resume credits continue to prove that this amazing young woman is definitely one person you want to get to know. Action Magazine had the distinct privilege of interviewing Sasha to know her better. Check out what she had to say! Don't forget to stop by her Instagram. Make sure to add yourself to her list of followers! We have a feeling this is just the beginning for her!
continued on pg. 46
Action Magazine is honored to highlight the music of one talented young musician. Kennedy Madison is a recording artist, songwriter, dancer, model, and actress with thousands of followers on Instagram. Kennedy is best known as a dancer in Seize the Moment and Teens Wanna Know. This sought after young artist is a triple threat on both the East and West Coast. Take at peek at Kennedy's answers to our game of Q&A on pg. 82. But first, listen to Heartbreaker and let us know what you think!
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Preview before you hit the theaters! Here are some of the top titles that are on our action movie watch lists! Click on the thumbnail to view trailers. Some trailers may not be suitable for all ages. Trailers provided by
continued from pg, 28
b) Play by your own rules. Don't depend on opinions and choices of others. Lots of people will be constantly telling you what you should do instead of “wasting time” on this or that, they will be telling you “expertly” what will you succeed at, and what will you fail at. They will give you “friendly” advice, basically discouraging or redirecting you. But that's because they see things according to their own beliefs, passions, values or fears. Don’t ever take someone else’s opinion as a direction, don't let any of that sit in the back of your mind. YOU are the boss of your own life and of your choices. Own it. Don't let people make you question your abilities. And by the way, believe me: those who were the most skeptical about your plans and ambitions, will support you with all their heart, when you achieve your dreams. They will be the first ones to be inspired, because now they know YOU, the one who made it, and they will start believing that anything is possible. And those people will be the first ones to say: “I knew all along he/she was born to make it!” And they will be proud of you. Don’t follow someone else’s dreams. Only follow yours. No one else can tell you what should make you happy. Only your own heart can tell. c) Never ever give up. In every area of life, be it career, education, relationships, or anything else, never give up. You only fail by not continuing to try. d) Live with dignity. Always take the high road. What's your favorite color? I love bright, happy colors. And I’m a synesthete, so my world is by default very colorful. I literally speak colors, breathe colors, to me sounds and voices are colors, a person’s energy has a color, even smells have colors. Look up “synesthesia”, if you want to know more about it, it’s amazing! But my most favorite color, I think, is Indigo Blue. It always makes my eyes happy. What is your favorite movie? Sunset Boulevard! It’s not only a classic Hollywood movie that is compelling and entertaining, with an especially spellbinding performance by Gloria Swanson, but its major themes, particularly those about the dangers of fame, fortune, and narcissism, are especially relevant today. What is your favorite TV show? I grew up in Russia, so most of the classic American TV shows that are adored by everyone here, are completely unfamiliar to me: they didn’t make it to Russian TV screens. Because of that, whenever people are talking about, or mention, TV legends from these classical shows, and quote famous lines from them, I go like: “Huh?” - and feel embarrassed, because it's like I am from a different planet. So, I want to watch all of these culturally significant American shows eventually, because learning about American culture is one of my biggest joys in life. Sometimes it seems like I can never catch up, but I won't stop trying! At the moment, by the way, I’m on season 4 of The Golden Girls. I love it so much! Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what are their names? At the moment, we have a snail Elizabeth. She served in a fish tank as one of three cleaning ladies for our Betta fish ‘Twilight’...but last summer Twilight unexpectedly passed away, and then, one by one, two snails followed. So, Elizabeth has become... well, Queen Elizabeth of the fish tank. My whole life, though, I’ve been a cat person, (small dogs to me count as cats, too), and I would love to get an Abyssinian cat, and a cute little dog - like Affenpinscher, Japanese Chin, Yorkie, Pug, Pomeranian, or Havanese. And as if that isn’t enough, our kid daydreams about getting a parakeet and chihuahua! I hope that one day soon all of these pets will share a home with us! What is your favorite place that you've traveled to? My favorite place I’ve ever visited is Prague. It’s a city that affects my soul in such a beautiful way that I cannot even express it. Its history, architecture, art, ancient streets, trees, parks, the Vltava river…Prague is my favorite place on Earth, and I go there as often as I can. Second place in my heart belongs to Malta. Especially the city of Mdina. And, especially at night. It’s a fortified ancient city that served as Malta’s capital up until medieval times. I love its extremely narrow streets, walls that breathe history, its calm greatness, and its ghosts. And the third place is Montenegro - that’s a part of the former Yugoslavia, and I have a house there, right by the sea. It’s always so peaceful there, so stress-free. It’s my secret place to escape from life’s dramas. What is your favorite food? Hmmmmm...either chocolate or chocolate cake. It’s a difficult choice... Chocolate cake. Yes. Chocolate cake wins....But maybe chocolate too. If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be with and why? I would love to have dinner with a real life silk baron...and that’s because, well, my husband is actually just that: he’s one of the biggest importers of silk fabrics into the United States, and his company is, in fact, named Silk Baron! We both have very busy schedules, and don’t get to have dinners together often, so I would use this amazing opportunity to share a meal with the man I love! What made you want to start acting? I always somehow thought of myself as an actress and started performing as soon as I was able to walk and speak. Whenever I saw a stage, or anything that could serve as such, I’d go out there and start singing or reciting poems, or trying to make everyone laugh. But maybe “the magical moment” happened when a film crew came to shoot a documentary about my dad. My sister Katya and I, (I was 4 years old, she was 5), were given pieces of chalk and asked to draw something. We did a couple of takes, they directed us a little... And THAT was the moment: I breathed differently when the camera was rolling and realized that I just had to become a professional actress. What is the most difficult thing about being an actress? Rejection. It happens, by the way, even to the greatest of actors and biggest stars, especially when you do not book a part you wanted so much. It is difficult every time, especially when you’ve already gone so far in the process that you can almost touch it, and can already “feel” that you’ll be the one to sign that contract. When you choose to be an actor, you've got to train yourself not to take rejection personally, to let it go and move on to the next audition. The most important thing is to do the best job you can every time when auditioning. You know, maybe you won’t get cast now, but if your audition was good, it won’t go unnoticed by the casting director or the producers, and next time, a role might become yours because of your performance today. How do you prepare for auditions? There are two simultaneous processes. One is “mechanical”: simply to learn the lines so well that I can say them backwards - even if you wake me in the middle of the night. If I don’t do that, I will be distracted, trying to remember what my character is supposed to say next, instead of “living” the part, instead of focusing on objectives. To me the best way to do it is to ask a trusted friend or a relative to read the dialogue with me over and over again, a thousand times, until both of us drop unconscious. There are apps out there where you can record a partner’s lines to help you memorize yours, but I prefer to torture friends instead!A lot of them find it fun, and are always ready to assist. The second process is far more exciting, and it’s what I love the most: finding objectives, analyzing the character, making choices.I work on that in cozy cafes with a latte, and then go for a long walk, turn off the phone, process all the information, all of my choices, and create my character. How do you handle rejections? With dignity, I hope. Some rejections really hurt, some can be heartbreaking. But rejection doesn’t mean that you are not good. Sometimes it’s just the circumstances aren’t right, but again, that might change in the future. Whatever it is, I am trying to absorb the blows with class! You were raised in an amazingly talented family of creatives. Tell us about your family and how did growing up in that atmosphere contribute to your pursuit of acting? Thank you, first of all! You know, I was lucky to have been born and raised in a family of very loving and supportive people. And they always encouraged me to follow my dreams, and never doubt my abilities or my future success. They were the first members of my first fan club! My dad, Lev Kerbel, was, without exaggeration, one of the greatest sculptors of the 20th century, and definitely one of the greatest sculptors of the Soviet Union. He was very talented, very successful, and an unbelievable portraitist. From early childhood, we were surrounded by many, many outstanding and well-known people - the “cream” of Russian and Soviet culture. There were always famous actors, singers, artists, musicians, authors, comedians, circus artists, ballet dancers, journalists, etc. etc. in our home. The best of the best. They shared stories, wisdom, and creative advice with us kids, and there were so many spontaneous performances in our dad’s gallery. I loved those! We were also invited to concerts, exhibitions, gatherings, and theatre plays several times a week, and were allowed to go backstage if we wanted to. The whole atmosphere in our home and in my dad’s studio and gallery was endlessly inspiring and creative. And because I saw a lot of plays, ballets, operas, etc., I learned a lot from what I saw. We would come home after an inspiring performance of someone our family was close with, and me and my sisters would immediately start recreating the whole thing in our living room. Our dad, of course, taught us a lot, too, and we saw how he worked. His studio and gallery - a spacious two-story building near our home with a large front yard, a barbecue, and a cozy open-air patio, was where we loved to have meals in the summer - it was an absolutely magical place. Yet, in the daytime, it was the opposite of these refined evening gatherings: the air smelled like clay and gypsum, the clatter of hammers and such were incessant, and there were great clouds of dust. Several of my dad’s workers and students, (he loved to help aspiring artists in every way he could, and hired them to help when he was working on big monuments), were always running around, and in the center of it all was my dad, wearing his favorite blue smock, his hands dirty with clay, his face serious and focused. It was the place of magic, and we loved being there. It made us daydream about our own future in art. One of MY favorite daydreams was about opening a theater in one of the wings of our dad’s studio/gallery building. At home, our dad was constantly sketching. Inspiration would come at a random moment, and he would abandon immediately whatever he was doing, and would dive into his world - sketching, making tiny models of future sculptures out of plasticine. A creative atmosphere - being around inspiring and talented people, and bearing witness to (and participating in!) the creative process - will forever be my comfort zone. You also have a degree in journalism. Tell us why do you think that it is important for actors/actresses to diversify themselves? I think it’s very important for an actress to diversify her interests because all life experience contributes to a better and deeper acting performance in some way. I feel that every actor should have an understanding of something beyond their chosen profession because it makes one more well-rounded. In order to portray life, you've got to get to know it, to understand it. When you meet people from all walks of life, with all their different experiences, that makes you feel deeper, and you find inspiration and compassion for your future characters. With respect to my journalism degree, I have a great deal of training in how to interview people to get to the heart of an issue or feeling, which helps tremendously when I am rehearsing with other actors. In addition to acting, what other things are you are passionate about? (advocacy, charities, etc.) Can you tell us about this work and why do you feel that it is important? Thank you for this question. One of the organizations that I wholeheartedly support, love very much, and advocate for, is Valley Breast Care Foundation. I am a breast cancer survivor myself. It has not even been a year yet. Last March, right before my birthday, I went to get a regularly-scheduled mammogram, and, to my complete shock, was diagnosed with DCIS, which is also known as a “Stage 0 breast cancer” - very early, but still serious. While I was still trying to absorb this unexpected news, they had already built a complete treatment plan for me. We scheduled the surgery immediately, and as of now, I am happy to report that I am cancer-free. I’d say, me and the Valley Breast Care team have become inseparable for several months that I’ve been going through this. They saved my life, they helped me to stay positive, they took care of everything. And then turned out, that they are not just clinics, but that they are this amazing Foundation, that provides timely access to breast healthcare for uninsured and under-insured women. “Every woman counts” is their motto. They don’t leave a single woman behind. Any woman can feel safe there, whether she speaks English or not, whether she is able to pay or not. She will be treated with respect, kindness, and compassion. Valley Breast Care has prevented so many tragic outcomes. Early diagnostic and immediate treatment is the key, and that’s exactly what they do for every woman who comes to them. Here is their website. If you are able to donate, please do, because it will save someone’s mom’s, sister’s, daughter’s or beloved partner’s life. I also invest a significant amount of my time and energy into being a very active parent volunteer at my kid’s school. It might seem small to some, but I have been volunteering for years now, in both elementary and now middle school, and can tell you that parental involvement is sooo important - it benefits not only their own child, but other children, too. It’s not just helping with big events like a Halloween party or a Bake Sale, but also about acting in an advisory role and being on school committees that make important decisions. My son goes to a public school that we love, and I am a President of ELAC (English Learners Advisory Committee), and we have made real changes not only in our school, but in other schools too. At our meetings, we come up with practical solutions to such matters as additional tutoring for English learners, pathways to college education, preventing bullying, and many more. We can, and we do make a difference, and I am happy to be there not only for my own son, but for the other kids too. How would you describe your fashion style? It depends on the time of the day. In the morning my fashion style is mostly athleisure. Supported by messy bun, obviously. The rest of the time - I don’t quite know what exactly is the term for this style. I love form fitting dresses, I love all feminine, but not girly. What would I call it… Vixen on a stroll? Tasteful sexy? Something like that. And when nobody sees me, I can’t get enough of my favorite fleece pajama pants with purple sheeps. Live in style, you know... Who are some of your favorite actors that you have worked with? Jim Dale, the legendary British actor, who voiced over all the original Harry Potter audiobooks. We worked on an e-musical, “Who Stole The Moon” - it’s planned for release in 2020. What advice would you give other kids that want to break into acting? Believe that you CAN succeed! You are the only YOU in this Universe. There is a place for everyone in the business, as long as you don’t give up. Just be persistent. Who would be your dream on screen collaboration and why? Viola Davis and Meryl Streep come to mind immediately. I just love them, and it would be a tremendous learning opportunity. I’d also love to play opposite Patrick Stewart, because he is such a gifted Shakespearean actor, and I adore him in Star Trek: The Next Generation (I’ve recently become such a Trekkie!) I also have many very talented friends, incredible actors, whom I would love to work with. I believe there is something great to learn from every actor, no matter who they are, and my goal is to continue learning and growing as an actor no matter who I collaborate with. What is one thing that nobody knows about you? I love to eat lemons with the skin. Have you ever been bullied? Yes. Not in school though: there was no bullying in our school. Somehow all the kids were friendly and supportive to each other, we all knew everyone on every grade level. There was one story though. I was sent to a summer camp. I was hospitalized right before that, and spent like 3 weeks in a hospital, so my parents thought that being in the camp, breathing fresh air, will benefit my health. I completely disagreed with them, and I suffered every day there. I terribly missed my family, cried all the time... And this weakness of mine was noticed by bullies in the camp. A group of girls. I was a very thin child, almost transparent, (I made up for it later), rather short, and physically very weak. I was very strong in my spirit, and I was always brave, but I couldn’t do too much against the whole group of big tall girls that picked me as their victim. The worst of all was that we all lived in the same room, so they had access to me any time they wanted. What they did - they tied me to bed in the evening, and I couldn’t go to the restroom, and had to wait till the grownups came in the room in the morning to wake everybody up. Right before they would come, the girls would untie me. Then they punched me, and I had blood on my face, but they told the supervisors that I was stealing some girl’s things from her closet, and was busted, wanted to run away, and stumbled and badly fell on the floor. The adults believed five girls over me. I tried to tell them that I was pushed to the floor, but they wouldn’t listen. I asked if I could call my parents, but the rules didn’t allow me to use the phone. So kids bullied me, while adults punished me for bad behavior, (as they thought), and talking back, (because I simply tried to tell them the truth, and was furious that nobody listens). One day I decided I had had enough. And I, along with a boy who liked me, and a girl who was, let’s say, just adventurous, planned an escape from the camp. We spent three days noticing everything, drawing maps, making notes on schedules etc etc. So, one afternoon we ran away. The camp was surrounded by woods, and we ran through them. All I wanted was to get to my parents, to my sisters, to feel safe, to feel loved, to feel protected. To run away from the bullies who didn’t listen to me when I tried to talk to them. So, we ran away and ran through the woods for about two hours, and then we got lost. When the night came, we got so scared that somehow we managed to remember the way back to the camp, and there everyone was mortified. They had lost three kids and everybody was just hysterical. My parents were immediately called, (finally!), and they came to pick me up and were mad at me. As often happens with adults, they didn’t listen because they had a lot to say. I didn’t care at that moment, though, I was just glad that they took me home, (the camp administration insisted). Only way later I was able to tell them the story, and they were shocked. Started exclaiming: “Why didn’t you tell us? BEFORE?” I tried, but no one listened. What is your advice to kids that are suffering from bullying? Please, don’t try to handle it alone! Be loud, and complain about it to as many people as possible IMMEDIATELY. You can only stop the bullies by having the adults intervene. And there is no shame in getting help, no matter what the unofficial “code” in your group of kids says. Go to a trusted adult. If you see no help from the grownups you know, then google a hotline or anti-bullying organizations, and call them and ask them for help. They’ll know what to do and will get you help. Just don’t ever think that you are on your own, because you are not.
If you could talk to your 14-year-old self, what would you tell her to remember about the person you are today? “From now on, it’s YOUR responsibility and YOUR job to become a human being you want to be. Make choices that will get you there. Looking back, I can proudly say that today I am EXACTLY the person I have always wanted to be!”. ...and then maybe I’d also say to my 14-year-old self: “Make sure you and your friends follow me on Instagram: @realsashakerbel”!
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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...
Victims of bullying are never anonymous.
Remember their faces. Know their names. Hear their voices. Tell their stories.
The effects of bullying have lasting consequences that affect those involved for a lifetime. Together, we can bring an end to bullying.
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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!
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What are five things that you can't live without? Music, moisturizer, memes, sleep and a soft blanket What's your life's motto or advice that you live by? Life is short, don't waste it. What's your favorite color? Aqua What is your favorite movie? Titanic What is your favorite TV show? How I Met Your Mother Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what are their names? Yes, I have 2 dogs, a Teacup Pom (Buddy) and a King Charles crossed with a Papillon (Pappy) and I have a cat called Tao and most people don't know I have a snake, a spotted python called Swarley. Any other HIMYM fans out there will know why that's funny. What is your favorite place that you've traveled to? Bora Bora or Santorini What is your favorite food? This is a hard one as I love so many foods and flavors, its too hard to pick just one. If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be with and why? Oprah, because she is so inspirational. What made you want to start acting? I fell in love with movies and television, their ability to tell stories and effect emotions inspired me. I knew that I want to be a part of that art form. What is the most difficult thing about being an actress? The most difficult thing would probably be finding out you didn't get a role you had a real interest in playing. How do you prepare for auditions? I have a process that I use to really connect with the character I'm speaking for. Then I just focus on being in the moment. How do you handle rejections? What's meant for me will be. You have to let everything else go. What is your favorite character that you have portrayed and why? I don't think I could choose a favorite. I have loved so many characters in my training for different reasons. I do like strong female roles. Which character have you portrayed that you are most alike and most different and why? I'm not sure about most alike, but I can say the most different was a role I auditioned for that I didn't get. It was a very scary horror movie, that was a challenge. In addition to acting, what other things are you are passionate about? (Activism, charities, etc.)Can you tell us about this work and why do you feel that it is it important? I have 2 causes I advocate very strongly for. The protection of the environment especially our oceans. The other is Human Trafficking and child slavery which is a crime I find unimaginable that it not only still exists today but is growing at an alarming rate. Who is your favorite actor/actress and why? Leonado DiCaprio, because it's Leo! hes a legend. How would you describe your fashion style? You are also a model. My style usually depends on my mood. I like to dress how I am feeling. That's what I love about fashion, is the ability to express who you are and this changes over time. I think in general I lean towards Boho, coastal and classic chic styles that fit with my lifestyle. Who are some of your favorite actors that you have worked with? Everyone on To The Beat - Back 2 School were so fun to work with. So many laughs! What advice would you give other kids that want to break into acting/modeling? Be prepared to work hard, you should always enjoy what you are doing and keep it classy. Who would be your dream on screen collaboration and why? Hello... to work with Leo.. duh! What is one thing that nobody knows about you? I may have a mild addiction to slim Jims. Have you ever been bullied? I think we all have at some point. What is your advice to kids that are suffering from bullying? Stay strong. No ones opinion of you has to change your opinion of yourself. While you react they are in control, so speak to and adult you trust about what's happening. If you could talk to your 21-year-old self, what would you tell her to remember about the person you are today? I hope I'm still having fun every day and never lose my silly side.
Ivy Mae Anderson was born in Auckland, New Zealand. Raised in Australia, Ivy was discovered at the age of 6 after entering a state-wide model/talent search contest with agency representation following soon after. Regularly booked for various fashion modeling and commercial work, Ivy expanded her career internationally as her modeling and cheerleading careers crossed over. Ivy has teamed up with brands such as Rebel Athletic and Tourism Australia and has walked at New York Fashion Week. Successfully transitioning into acting, Ivy Mae landed her first role in the Netflix teen movie series To The Beat! Back to School Ivy has trained with Australia's prestigious NIDA as well as Marnie Cooper School of Acting, Kristina Sexton and Christopher Sommers. Action Magazine caught up with this phenomenal young lady to get to know her a bit better. Stay tuned because we have a feeling we will all be seeing and hearing a lot more from her in the future! After you take a peek at some of her answers to our staple game of Q&A, make sure to follow her on Instagram.
All photos courtesy of Ivy Anderson
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What are five things you can't live without? Phone, mascara, chapstick, shoes, and my dad What's your life's motto or advice that you live by? Why worry about yesterday when you can be happy about tomorrow. What's your favorite color? Baby blue What's your favorite movie? Pretty Woman/The Notebook What's your favorite TV show? Hannah Montana/Friends Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what are their names? Yes, I have three King Charles Cavaliers named Bentley, Bexley, and Barrington. What is your favorite place that you've traveled to? Mexico What is your favorite food? Shrimp Alfredo If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be with and why? Ariana Grande, I feel like she would not only be the best person to just be around but I really believe she has the sweetest heart. She’s one of my biggest inspirations plus, she’s adorable. What made you want to start singing? When I was little I realized I loved entertaining people whether it was through dancing or singing, but my dad was also a singer and he’s always been my biggest idol. What is the most difficult thing about being a singer? Sometimes singers have “off days”and we mess up a lot and with me being a perfectionist I hate when I don’t like the way I sound, so I take a break. Every singer goes through it every once in awhile. Where do find inspiration for your songs? My inspiration usually come from my background, life situations, or what I’m feeling in my heart. My songs always have some type of story behind it. How would you describe your sound? Unique and different, pop mixed with R&B In addition to singing, you are also an actress. What has been your favorite project and why? Probably when I was about nine years old in “Le Miserable” as little Eponine. It was my very first acting job and it taught me lessons for the future that I still carry with me today. Also, you are a dancer. What style to you like to dance? When did you start dancing? Tell us more about this amazing talent. I love any type of music whether it’s my kind of music in this generation or 80s music that both me and my parents dance to together, but I do love funky hip-hop. I actually started dancing when I was two- years-old. Every since then, I dance nonstop. You’ll even find me dancing without music. In addition to your incredible resume, what other things are you are passionate about? (activism, charities, etc.) Can you tell us about this work and why do you feel that it is it important? Over the last couple years, I fell strongly in love with helping people. I actually help a lot of charities, fundraisers, as well as helping the homeless. There is something about seeing people with a huge smile on their face knowing that they are so loved and cared for that puts so much warmth in my heart. Who is your favorite actor/actress and why? Jennifer Aniston-Well first because she’s gorgeous and so very talented. I’ve been in love with her work for the longest time but most importantly because she has such a humble heart, she doesn’t let the fame and fortune get to her head. How would you describe your fashion style? Very spunky, up to date, stylish, and very different. Who is your favorite actor/actress that you've worked with and why? Working with Gena Davis in a small film for Women's empowerment was actually really fun. I was young at the time and I didn’t know a lady could be so tall but so quiet, sweet and gentle in her tone. What advice would you give other kids that want to break into acting/music/dance? Be yourself, dream big, and the sky is the limit. No one can stop you but yourself. Be confident in the person you are and the person you want to become. Who would be your dream on screen collaboration/in studio collaboration and why? Christina Aguilera, Chris Brown and Justin Bieber. I’ve grown up my whole life listening and loving all three of these artists and to work with any of them would be such an honor and enjoyment in my life. What is one thing that nobody knows about you? I love being spontaneous and ‘going with the flow’. Have you ever been bullied? Yes, I was verbally bullied. What is your advice to kids that are suffering from bullying? I understand that words hurt a lot and kids/teenagers are very hateful with these actions. I know it’s hard to not hear it or see it, but I promise those haters/bullies will mean nothing down your path in life. You are so much bigger than the words they say. You are so loved by many people. Don’t let anyone try and bring you down. Be brave and stay strong! And ask for help! If you could talk to your 21-year-old self, what would you tell her to remember about the person you are today? You only have one life to live, so do it right and live it to the fullest!
Gabriel L. Silva talks Action Magazine with KPRC's Taniya Wright
Jalen Parker is a triple threat. He sings, dances and acts. You may remember this amazing yountg talent from his roles on Dance Moms, Straight Outta Compton, Disney's Clash of Karts, among others. Jalen writes and produces all his own music & music videos. He is set to release his brand-new EP called "ERA" in the fall of 2019. The EP is a compilation of 6 songs and is about trial and error and learning from your mistakes. His music is currently available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, and SoundCloud. Action Magazine had the opportunity to get to know this young man better. Take a peek at what he had to say in our version of Q&A. Make sure to follow him on Instagram. We have a feeling that this is one journey that you don't want to miss.
All photos courtesy of: Russell Baer
What are five things that you can't live without? Five things I can't live without, would have to be, music, my music software to record my own music, money, a phone, and my computer. Everything else, can go in the trash haha. What's your life's motto or advice that you live by? A motto I live by would probably be, Let Your Hustle Speak Louder Than Your Mouth, meaning let your hard work speak for itself. What's your favorite color? Pink or red What is your favorite movie? My favorite movie as of right now, would have to be Joker. Joker was an amazing film, well written, and well directed. Joaquin Phoenix did a phenomenal job playing the Clown Prince of Crime. What is your favorite TV show? I don't have a favorite show as of right now. Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what's their name? Sadly ,I don't have any pets anymore. I had two Siberian Huskies when I lived in Georgia named Storm and Raiden. Unfortunately, I had to give them away when I moved out to LA a few years ago. What is your favorite place that you've traveled to? My favorite place I've traveled would have to be Los Angeles. What is your favorite food? I don't have a favorite food, but I do have a favorite fruit! My favorite fruit are cuties. 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, I would have dinner with Beyonce. I would chose Beyonce because one, MJ isn't alive, and two, because she makes timeless music, her name itself carries a lot of knowledge and longevity. I would love to learn more about becoming a better artist in the industry. What made you want to start acting? Well as a child, I always saw kids on Disney and Nickelodeon. Seeing kids my age, (5 y/o and up) really motivated me to want to pursue acting . What is the most difficult thing about being an actor? The most difficult thing about being an actor would be possibly excepting rejection. As an actor, we get rejected for a series of things. Could be you're too tall, too short, or you just simply don't have the look the casting director imagined for the role. Other cases could be you don't have the best acting ability. Never the less, sometimes rejection can be incredibly difficult to deal with. How do you prepare for auditions? To prepare for auditions, I break down the character first, once I break down the character, I break down the entire scene, from stage directions, to the screen fading to black after the entire scene is over. Once you've broken those things down, I start to memorize the script. Once I've memorized the script, I began to practice my scene in the mirror different ways. This way, no matter what directions the casting director give you, you've be able to adapt instead of being stuck on one way of doing the script. How do you handle rejections? Handling rejection can be difficult, but as long as you know you did your best, you can let it go and prepare for the next audition. What is your favorite character that you have portrayed and why? My favorite role I've ever played would have to be when I did a documentary with LeBron James. I played a young kid who just simply wanted to be something. It was my favorite because LeBron James is my favorite athlete. We got to play basketball together, and he told me that I should play for a high-school because I was good. One of the best two days of my life. You are also a singer and dancer. Where do you find inspiration for your music? You write your own music videos, tell us about that. You also appeared on Dance Moms,tell us about your time with Abby Lee. What was the most memorable thing you learned to help you in dance? I find inspiration from a series of different places. Sometimes it's from an experience or something I see on TV. I do write my own songs and shoot my own music videos. Right now, I'm finishing up my album called "Divergent". Its set to release in June, it is specifically about producing different content then what my listeners are normally use to. As far as my time on Dance Moms, it was an amazing experience! My trio got first place and Abby was extremely sweet. The most memorable thing I learned that helped me in dance was to relax. Don't over thing your movements or anything, move through the music. In addition to acting, what other things are you are passionate about? (Activism, charities, etc.)Can you tell us about this work and why do you feel that it is it important? I'm extremely passionate about sports, football and basketball. In addition to those things, I love art, drawing, sketches, sculpting, the whole nine yards. Who is your favorite actor/actress and why? To be honest, there are so many talented actor and actress, it's quite difficult to pick one. How would you describe your fashion style? I would describe my fashion style as Crazy, Sexy, Kool, and unpredictable haha. Who are some of your favorite actors that you have worked with? My favorite actor I've ever worked with would have to be Pamela Aldon. She was hilarious, comforting, sweet, and was herself 25/8. She guided me in the right direction while on her set of Better Things. I was extremely fortunate to work with someone as amazing as her. What advice would you give other kids that want to break into acting/dance/singing? f I was to give advice to a rising actor or singer would be, work hard, pay attention to everything and everyone, be inquisitive, take notes, educate yourself on your craft. Be overly prepared rather than unprepared. Another thing I would say, keep your circle small, not everywhere has your best interests at heart. Lastly, be sure to have a firm base (Family). Who would be your dream on screen collaboration and why? Who would your dream collaboration be with in the booth and why? My dream on screen collab would be Joaquin Phoenix. I would love to collab with him on screen because I feel like I could learn so much more about embodying any character. He an amazing actor and I would love to learn from him. My dream collab in the booth would probably be Chris Brown. From his lyricism, to his vocal ability in the both still amazes me to this day. I would love to just have a few records with Breezy. Learn from his journey, and experiences. What is one thing that nobody knows about you? One thing nobody knows about me would be that I have my own entertainment company called "Jalen Parker Entertainment". My team and I help develop, write and distribute music for artists who are just getting into the game. Have you ever been bullied? I have definitely been bullied. What is your advice to kids that are suffering from bullying? My advice to kids that are suffering from bullying would be to talk to someone. Violence isn't the answer, but from my experience it only takes one hostile encounter for a bully to stop bullying you. Rather it's verbal violence, or physical, sometimes it's good to stand up for yourself if you're unable to talk to someone. If you could talk to your 21-year-old self, what would you tell him to remember about the person you are today? If I could talk to my 21-year-old-self, I would say remember to do what you love. I'm recording country music, Spanish music, alternative music. Don't hop on the "wave", walk your own path, and most importantly be happy. I'm extremely happy with what I'm doing right now.
Caitlin Grace is an actress, writer, producer best known for the lead role of Shawn in the award- winning short, The Paperclip. This role earned her two nominations and one win for Best Actress on the national and international festival circuit. She has a recurring role in the web series, Loaded LaLa as well as playing Marla in the TV mini series, Background. Action Magazine caught up with this phenomenal entertainer to 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 talented and truly gifted rising star.
Caitlin Grace
"Actress, Producer, Writer, Editor Dancer, Novice musician...'cause you know, everyone in LA is & does everything!"
All Photos credit: Jonathon Davin Engle
Photo credit: Julian Peeples
All photos courtesy of Jac Carrera
What are five things that you can't live without? This may sound superficial, but chapstick, (dry lips hurt), moisturizer, (scaly skin itches), sunscreen, (sun, well, literally burns), crystals, (for great energy), and water, (cause you can only survive 3 days without it). What's your life's motto or advice that you live by? I have two! 1. It’s not that life is too short, it’s just too long to live in denial. And 2. Sometimes one must experience their deepest fears, to reestablish ones truest desire. What's your favorite color? Gold for sure. What is your favorite movie? Oh boy, favorites always stump me...but, ApocalyptoIs is the first movie title that jumps to my mind. What is your favorite TV show? Oh, Grey’s Anatomy!! That one's easy! Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what are their names? My Charlie Boy, and he’s the sweetest Pitbull!!!! What is your favorite place that you've traveled to? Rome. Talk about history and culture! The Colosseum, Fountain of Trevi... What is your favorite food? I feel like I can never go wrong with sushi. If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be with and why? Shonda Rhimes! Obviously I love Grey’s Anatomy, and I’m a big fan of How to Get Away with Murder. There is something about her character development, the stories she tells and all the lessons I personally learn from watching her shows. I would be honored and it would be a dream come true to be on one of her shows. Truly, Shonda, if you ever read this, I would love to take you out for dinner!!! What made you want to start acting? I don’t know if anyone remembers, Who’s Afraid of the Dark, but I distinctly remember thinking how much fun it would be to be in that show. And then when I was 9, I saw Kirsten Dunst in Interview With a Vampire. She was about my age, and INCREDIBLE. I thought, ‘if she can do it, so can I’. What is the most difficult thing about being an actor? The patience. It's the epitome of a waiting game. Waiting for a part you like, waiting on set for lights, sound and camera. Waiting for the editing and then finally the release. But it’s also so sweet to look forward to at the same time. Bitter sweet for sure. How do you prepare for auditions? Research baby!!! I start preparing for an audition by asking ALL the questions. As an actor, you aren’t necessarily privy to all the information of the project you are auditioning for. Some are new pilots, some are shows already in production, and some are feature films. So, it’s my job to search for as many “facts” presented in the sides. Then use my initial instinct and my imagination for the "hottest choice" for my character. Meaning, what is the most dramatic situation you can think of from the presented sides, and explore that. Which leads to relationships. Who is the person in the scene with you? What kind of history do you have with them? Relationship is so crucial but somehow sometimes I forget how pertinent it is for proper execution. Then I have to ask myself, what exactly is going on in this scene, that needs to push the story forward. How do you handle rejections? My whole life, I have always felt that the term ‘rejection’ for a part can seem too negative to make this a productive and positive environment for me to want to explore and thrive in. This is a journey, first and foremost. As much as I would love to say I can act and be anything you want me to, I also have to be realistic, that I may not be what they had in mind for that part. And that’s OK. There are so many things completely out of my control, that to feel rejected for every part I don’t get… Why would I continue in this field (lol) ?! On that note; however, when I reach out to managers and agents to represent me, and they aren’t interested... THAT, is where I do feel rejection, and it does not feel good. At that point, I have to remind myself of said journey, and that patience will help me, as I wait for my Pitbull of an agent and I to finally meet! Tell us about your award-winning short, The Paperclip? How similar is your character Shawn similar or different to yourself and why? I loved working on The Paperclip! Shawn is a stay at home mom, whose husband has taken over her dad's business. Growing up, Shawn’s father was fairly absent, as he was very busy growing his business. So, for her husband to start exhibiting similar work behaviors and patterns, she is very understanding. She wants to be supportive and not put any more stress on her husband, if possible. In that way, I am very similar to Shawn. You are also a producer, what has been your favorite project to produce and why? I’d have to say Loaded LALA has been my favorite project to produce. I wore so many hats, and learned SO MUCH on that project! Spoiler Alert: I did not go to film or theater school. I received my BA in Psychology from San Francisco State. So, the whole process was a learning experience, and I am so grateful, and honestly impressed, that I actually finished the whole thing! In addition to acting, what other things are you are passionate about? (advocacy, charities, etc.)Can you tell us about this work and why do you feel that it is it important? I wish I could say that I have done more work with charities and advocacy. That is something I truly desire to change. What I would love to bring light to and support are people with mental illness.There's such a stigma, and I want to open peoples eyes that no matter how horrible one may feel right now, there are facilities and people who WANT to help you. There is a light at the end of a tunnel, there is hope. I myself, have struggled with the thoughts of, ‘what really is the point of all this…?’ It can seem to be so bleak and dark and lonely out there. But, if I can push though it and realize how much patience and hard work it takes, I truly hope that shows others that they can experience happiness too. It does exist guys, I promise!!! Who is your favorite actor/actress and why? I’d have to say Sandra Bullock! She can do comedy and drama, and I love how influential she is and how she secretly gives back and donates. I have met a lot of celebrities, but I would totally fan girl over her when I meet her! How would you describe your fashion style? I honestly don’t know if I have a fashion style. Sometimes I wear all black. Sometimes its leggings and a large baggy sweater. Occasionally, I like to be a hippy baby! When it comes down to it, I really just want to be comfortable! Who are some of your favorite actors that you have worked with? Most of them aren’t well known at this point in our careers. But my classmates at Beverly Hills Playhouse continue to inspire me daily. So, it was a real treat to work with Tim Drier, who plays Chris in the movie Followed that is being released in April. We actually met at BHP. I was his first ever scene partner! I was so happy when we ran into each other at the call back for that movie! And thrilled when we were both cast! What advice would you give other kids that want to break into acting? Be prepared for a looooooong journey, and fall in love with the whole process. Also, acting can be as simple as just being interested in what your are doing. As an actor, you think, ‘I must entertain!’. But really, no, you don’t. If you are truly interested and invested in your craft, in telling the story, others will take note and be right there with you. Who would be your dream on screen collaboration and why? Other than Shonda Rhimes…? Leonardo DiCaprio and/or Brad Pitt. Those two would just spark me and give me so much to work with! What is one thing that nobody knows about you? First off, I think this is the hardest question of them all…! Ok, as a kid, I would ‘host’ my own VMA and Oscar Award shows, by myself, with no audience. Our house growing up, had a “stage”, in my mind. We had year round track school schedule. My parents worked in hospitals and my brother and I were very much Latch Key kids. There were a couple weeks with absolutely no parental supervision during the day while we were off school. (In between bonus learning and actual classes) So, I would put on my own shows, and sing, and dance, and pretend that I was in a horror movie and acted all by myself, with... no audience. Have you ever been bullied? I have definitely been bullied, and I am embarrassed to say that I bullied others back. When I was a kid, I just remember wanting that negative attention off me, so I turned it on to someone else. I have carried that with me ever since. I don’t think of it often, but it does rear up occasionally when I see others being bullied. It’s not something I’m proud of, but at the same time, I was a kid. I did the best I could. I did get in trouble for that instance, and I learned a lot about myself. Being bullied taught me to have a very tough skin. And I learned that not everyone is going to like me, and that’s fine, because I know there are certain people that I don’t like as well. And that, is OK. Not everyone HAS to get along. But, we do need to know where to draw a line, and to hold ourselves and others, accountable for crossing that line. We have to find the respect and the love for ourselves. (Lifelong journey :) What is your advice to kids that are suffering from bullying? First off, if you are being bullied, I am so very sorry you have to go through this. I grew up without Facebook and Instagram, and I can only imagine how much more damaging that could be for the youth. Growing up is not easy. It may seem that you have no control, or that this will never end. It may seem like there isn’t any one that you can talk to or who will understand. But there is someone who cares. Sadly, the ones that bully, are hurting so much themselves that they have to spew that negative energy unto others. It’s truly tragic. And it’s so hard to have compassion for someone who is a complete jerk. What is going on in that bully’s life that is causing them to act out in this way? I think the first piece of advice I can give someone is that, the harassment isn’t necessarily about you. And that in itself could hopefully bring you a little relief. YOU are not the problem. YOU are lovely, and caring and you just want to get along with people and enjoy your life. But the bully has singled you out. It’s a fine and scary line. You want to stick up for yourself, but maybe you’re scared that the bullying will get worse. But, you HAVE to stand your ground, and set boundaries. You have to learn how to respect and stand up for yourself, and in doing so, eventually others will start to feel that from you and treat you the way you treat yourself. But you don’t have to fight this alone! If the behavior doesn’t stop, I would highly encourage going to an adult you trust. Because at the end of the day, YOU have to have your own back and trust that your gut knows the right thing to do. If you could talk to your 14-year-old self, what would you tell her to remember about the person you are today? You are so damn strong and loving, creative and hopeful. All the obstacles you face are just life lessons to bring you compassion, love and respect for yourself and in doing that, you will find the compassion, love and respect for others.
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March Tour Schedule Doors open at 6:00 p.m. Shows start at 8:00. March 4th Venue: Voltage Lounge 421 N Seventh St Philadelphia, PA 19123 March 5th Venue: The Mvmt 317 Union Ave, FL 3 Elizabeth, NJ 07208 March 6th Venue: Velvet Lounge 915 U St NW Washington, DC 20001 March 7th Venue: The West End 955 West End Ave New York, NY 10025 March 8th Venue: Alpine Cafe 99 Franklin Ave Hartford, CT 06114 March 10th Venue: Amarchi 189 Bridge St Brooklyn, NY 11201
Actor/Producer Sir Brodie was born in North Carolina. He received an athletic scholarship to play collegiate football for NAIA school Guilford College, graduating with a B.S. degree in accounting. After years of searching for his passion and gift, he moved to Atlanta to begin a new journey. This is where he found his love and passion for acting. This new passion led him to being cast as a background performer on the hit USA show, Necessary Roughness. And of course, this was just the beginning for this amazing talent. Sir Brodie has gone on to work on top shows such as Survivor's Remorse, Atlanta, Blue Bloods, Snowfall, Paterno, Queen America, Kansas City, The Outsider, NCIS Los Angeles, S.W.A.T., Station 19, and Dolly Patron's Heartstrings. Action Magazine had the opportunity to catch up with this talented professional to get to know him better and we are glad that we did! Check out his interview and don’t forget to follow him on Instagram.
All photos courtesy of Sir Brodie
What are five things that you can't live without? God’s grace, my faith, my family, my friends, and my dreams What's your life's motto or advice that you live by? God Got It! What is your favorite movie? Life with Eddie Murphy & a host of amazing talent. What is your favorite TV show? Snowfall What is your favorite place that you've traveled to? New York If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be with and why? Byron Allen. I admire what he has been able to accomplish with his business deals. What made you want to start acting? I’ve always had a desire to entertainment from as long as I can remember. How do you prepare for your auditions? I prepare different ways. Some times a work through the audition with other actor friends. I like getting different view points. We all see things differently and I enjoy exploring this differences in the work. How do you handle rejections? What rejection? I view rejection as direction. I make right turns on red lights! Out of all of your roles, which has been your favorite to portray and why? Pookie on Survivor’s Remorse. It was the first role that allowed me to truly dive into a character and play an important role in the overall story line of one of the lead characters. Which has been the least like you and why? All the characters I play have me in them. So in a sense, they are all like me in someway. What is your favorite genre to act? What is your most challenging and why? Comedy. I honestly feel that I can perform in any genre. In addition to your impressive resume, you are also a producer. Tell us about some of the projects that you have produced. How is it different from being in front of the camera? I had the privilege to be a producer on an independent film. It gave me the opportunity to see the process of bringing a concept to a finished product. In addition to all of the things that you do, what other things are you are passionate about? (Activism, charities, etc.)Can you tell us about this work and why do you feel that it is it important? Children. I created a workshop that I’ve began to provide to public school students as a means of introducing them to the entertainment business through acting. I started by returning to my high school alma mater, Lexington Senior High, and providing the workshop for about 40 kids. Who is your favorite actor/actress and why? Forest Whitaker. His ability to breathe life into his characters. How would you describe your fashion style? Business casual Who are some of your favorite actors that you have worked with? Erica Ashe, Donnie Wahlberg, Jason Bateman, Robin Lord Taylor, Darrin Henson, Cranston Johnson, Patrick Walker, Jock McKissic, George Eads, Isaiah Washington, Meta Golding, Kyla Pratt, Damson Idris, Donald Glover, and Catherine Zeta-Jones. What advice would you give other kids that want to break into acting? Find an acting class. Find a local theatre group. Look up castings and start submitting and auditioning. GO FOR IT! Who would be your dream on screen collaboration? Forest Whitaker, Sanaa Lathan, Matthew McConaughy What is one thing that nobody knows about you? If I tell you I’d have to kill you! Lol Have you ever been bullied? No What is your advice to kids that are suffering from bullying? Don’t be afraid to speak to an adult about your situation! Tell someone that can help! If you could talk to your 14-year-old self, what would you tell him to remember about the person you are today? It’s going to be ok! God got it!
and sometimes TV
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More About Hair Love: In 2017, Mark Cherry created a Kickstarter campaign for a short animated film called Hair Love. The film is about an African-American dad who is attempting to style his young daughter Zuri's hair for the first time. The campaign surpassed its initial goal of $75,000 and raised over $300,000. According to Kickstarter, that exceeds the amount raised by any other short film project on the platform. Cherry co-directed the film with Everett Downing and Bruce W. Smith, with Peter Ramsey and Pixar animator Frank Abney serving as executive producers. The film was co-produced with Karen Rupert Toliver, who Cherry approached her for help. On March 20, 2019, Sony Pictures Animation announced that they had picked up Hair Love, which was slated to be released theatrically later that year.
Synopsis: This Oscar-winning short film is also a bestselling children’s book, that follows the story of a father who attempts to master styling his daughter Zuri’s beautiful natural hair for the first time.
So, what do we think: A little bit of work and a whole lot of love is one of the repeated lines in this adorable seven-minute short and it describes how we feel about the film perfectly! Hair Love definitely left us smiling from beginning to end. If you haven't seen this short, we suggest that you take time to look at it now and you will see that Mark Cherry and his team deserve every one of their accolades and more. Spoiler alert: we fell in love with the cat too! In our opinion, of course this short unquestionably deserved the Oscar win and gets a 10/10 from us! Send us you feedback. We want to hear from you!
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
Photos courtesy of Ta'J B
Charlotte Xia, aka Ziwei Xia, was born and raised in Beijing, China. This amazingly talented young woman is an actress, model, singer, artist, designer, painter, photographer and golfer currently calling Los Angeles, California home. Action Magazine had the opportunity to catch up with this amazing young rising superstar for an exclusive interview. Check out what she had to say and make sure to follow her on Instagram. We can't wait to see what is next for her!
All photos courtesy of Charlotte Xia
What are five things that you can't live without? Parents, true love, money, freedom and country music. What's your life's motto or advice that you live by? You can always change careers whenever you want, but you only have one mom and one dad; no matter how busy you are, please spend time with your family. Don't wait to lose to regret. What's your favorite color? My favorite color is red. What is your favorite movie? My favorite movie is Spider-Man. What is your favorite TV show? My favorite TV show is The Middle. Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what are their names? I had many pets before I moved to America. I had one cat and her name was Snowball, and I also had two little parrots but I didn't give them names. What is your favorite place that you've traveled to? New York City. What is your favorite food? My favorite food is Chinese food, but the kind my parents made. I don't like restaurant food. If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be with and why? I would say is Niall Horan. I was a big fan of English-Irish pop boy band -One Direction, and I've loved Niall Horan since 2010, he is handsome, cute and a super talented Irish singer-songwriter. What made you want to start acting? I remember I always enjoy watching a Chinese TV series when I was in elementary school. My dad always bought me a lot of series DVD’s, then I started to imitate some of the characters at home. I began to like acting and I dreamed of being seen on TV one day. At that time, I always thought acting was a cool career because I could wear clothes from different eras and play different roles. I liked to dress up as a little princess, witch or evil queen. I was very fortunate as a child that my father was so supportive and sent me to all the classes and training that interested me. What is the most difficult thing about being an actor? I think it's the financial part. I want to be honest with you; being an actor is a big commitment. First, you need take a lot of acting class, whether you're just beginning or you're already in this industry, acting lessons are important. Then, you have to spend lots of money for good headshots, high quality and great headshots determines whether you will be chosen by talent managers, talent agents and casting directors. Also, you must pay for the actor's websites: LA Casting, Actors Access and IMDb..etc...for submitting acting auditions. And of course, that includes your PR fees, audition outfits and makeup for auditions, filming or events. Finally, you need to have enough money to support yourself and pay your bills. In that case, you need a lot of money to run your business. So, this is a very difficult thing for most people who want to be an actor. You are also a singer. Where do you find inspiration for your music? What is your favorite type of music to sing? Music is an invisible art, and my inspiration for music comes from my real life and true feelings from the heart. My favorite type of music is country music. Becoming a great country singer is my goal as well. You are also a model/designer/painter. Tell us about these three aspects of your career? Who is your favorite designer that you've worked with? Who would you love to walk for and why? My father used to be an artist and he started to teach me drawing skills when I was four years old, also I was talented with painting. I like drawning sketching, oil painting, watercolor painting and using various techniques to create art. From elementary school to high school, I have participated in various art painting competitions and won more than twenty painting awards in China. I even have my own online gallery. My mother used to be the owner of a clothing company, so I was exposed to all kinds of clothes at an early age. I was curious about them. I liked to draw all kinds of clothes. My mom let me join her company design team and I shared my fashion ideas with the team. As a result, I became more professional at a young age. After I moved to California, I started studying Italian Opera and Broadway Musicals; later, when I went to the Musicians Institute in Hollywood, my vocal coach completely changed me and I became crazy about country music. I also think it’s exciting to be an Asian girl who can sing American Country Music. At the end of 2014, I also trained for Acting and Modeling at the Barbizon School of Hollywood, and started my modeling career. My first fashion show was the TME Fashion Show in 2016, and the same year I earned Miss Planetary International Pageant 2016 Finals – Top 6 Las Vegas. Previously, I was with CIE Fashion Magazine and became a professional model. To be honest, I haven't worked with my favorite designer so far, but it's a dream to work with Joshua Kane because I like his design style. What is your favorite character that you have portrayed and why? My favorite character that I have portrayed is Wonder Woman, because I really want to be a strong and powerful woman in this universe. Which character have you portrayed that you are most alike and most different and why? I think Elsa (Frozen), we are similar in that we both have tenacity and we are both strong girls. The difference is that Elsa has magic, but I don't. .In addition to acting, what other things are you are passionate about? (Activism, charities, etc.)Can you tell us about this work and why do you feel that it is it important? Apart from acting, I'm also passionate about charity. If my career can help me make a lot of money, in addition to supporting me and my mother, I will use the rest to support a cancer foundation. This is my long-cherished wish! My father died of colon cancer because he had no health insurance or money in the United States, so many hospitals refused to treat him during that time, and no one understood the despair and pain of our family! So, I wish I could personally help people like my father, and I don't want many people like me to lose their loved ones too soon. Who is your favorite actor/actress and why? My favorite actor is Tom Holland, he is real and lovely. Also, his performance in Spider-Man was natural. How would you describe your fashion style? Simple and generous, creative and unique. Who are some of your favorite actors/singers that you have worked with? I have worked with Lady Gaga, Justin Timberlake and Tom Cruise. What advice would you give other kids that want to break into acting/singing/modeling/design? Life is not easy and of course an artist's life also not easy. All you need to know is there is no difference between acting, singing, modeling or design...but if you keep going on, it will happen and your dreams could come true. Who would be your dream on screen collaboration and why? Tom Holland would be my dream on screen collaboration because he's so cute. I love him so much since the first time I saw him in Spider-Man. What is one thing that nobody knows about you? I'm always sentimental. People usually think I like to laugh and be lively, but that's not all me. I can only be myself in front of someone I really trust. Have you ever been bullied? Oh, yes! I can't remember how many times. I was often bullied by my peers during my school years. What is your advice to kids that are suffering from bullying? I don't advocate violence, but let me tell them first; if violence isn't the only way to solve the problems, then swallowing your anger won't solve the problems too. I can't give the right advice, but I believe every child has their own way of solving problems. They will grow up knowing what is right and what is wrong. If you could talk to your 14-year-old self, what would you tell her to remember about the person you are today? Cherish our father, because he worked his whole life to make me who I am today.
Create Now
with The Presiding Poet: Grace Robleto
A Brief Love Letter Nizar Qabbani My darling, I have much to say Where o precious one shall I begin ? All that is in you is princely O you who makes of my words through their meaning Cocoons of silk These are my songs and this is me This short book contains us Tomorrow when I return its pages A lamp will lament A bed will sing Its letters from longing will turn green Its commas be on the verge of flight Do not say: why did this youth Speak of me to the winding road and the stream The almond tree and the tulip So that the world escorts me wherever I go ? Why did he sing these songs ? Now there is no star That is not perfumed with my fragrance Tomorrow people will see me in his verse A mouth the taste of wine, close-cropped hair Ignore what people say You will be great only through my great love What would the world have been if we had not been If your eyes had not been, what would the world have been?
The Presiding Poet, Grace Robleto, is a junior in high school. Her main literary loves and inspirations are Lord of The Rings and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poetry. Grace would like to publish you! To be considered for publication in Poetry Corner, please send your verses, lines, and stanzas to actionmagazine@outlook.com, attention Grace R.
Please keep it clean for the sake of younger readers (and The Presiding Poet's heart!) No nasty, satirical poetry here, please. Poetry for social justice is encouraged, but please don't name any names. That should cover it...have fun and happy writing!
And submit to us!
Talent
What are five things that you can't live without? Food, sleep, love, friends, and family! What's your life's motto or advice that you live by? I really love, Sing like no one is listening. Love like you’ve never been hurt. Dance like nobody’s watching, and live like it’s heaven on earth and Everything is possible to a willing heart. These resinate with me because it's speaking to the individual, and how life is beautiful and you are here to live it fully! What's your favorite color? I love a deep purple , royal blue, or red. These colors are so rich and alive to me. What is your favorite movie? There are so many wonderful films, that would be so hard. I love all genres of movies from action, comedy action, psychological thrillers, family adventure, and comedies. Just to name a few I can watch over and over Silence of the Lambs, Dumb and Dumber, Godfather, The Shawshank Redemption, the Rush Hour films, Pulp Fiction, Second Hand Lions, DieHard, I could keep going and going! lol What is your favorite TV show? I was a huge fan of The Sopranos and House of Cards. I love The Office, and have a guilty pleasure with the show YOU. I binged Game of Thrones last winter! Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what are their names? I love love animals! I love dogs and cats. Currently I do not, I feel it would be unfair for me to have a pet today,I am on the go so often. I would love to have a dog, a cat, and a horse! In the meantime I love watching cute animal videos on facebook for now. What is your favorite place that you've traveled to? I love France. I love the culture, the fashion, and the food! What is your favorite food? Italian! If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be with and why? I would love to go back in history and sit and take in conversations from some of our greatest intellects Leonardo Da Vinci, Plato, Einstein and others, it would be so intriguing and inspiring. I image you would walk away as a different person. What made you want to start acting? I grew up with artistic parents. We were always drawing, doing crafts and arts, listening to music. My parents had an appreciation for film and books. I believe it's been a part of who I am from a very young age. What is the most difficult thing about being an actress? To me the most difficult was having to explain to people that acting is a career and passion. I felt that I was not taken seriously as a profession to seek like other profession may be. It was hard at first, because I think most people thought oh, she is just testing the waters and this will pass soon. I'm still here and I'm still acting! I'm proud today to say I am an ACTOR! How do you prepare for auditions? Read and read the script or scene over and over, get an understanding of the character, who they are, what they want, what others may want from them. Prepare and prepare and then throw it all out and go in and show them who I am as this character. How do you handle rejections? It's hard, very hard at first. You want to crawl in a hole and disappear. Over time you realize that it is not personal and maybe you where great, you just happen to not be that exact character in that film or project. You appreciate the work and at the end the day you may have left an impression on someone, and YOU ARE the character in a different story. You have been in some amazing films. Can you tell us which character you have portrayed is the most similar to yourself and why, which character have you portrayed is the most different from you and why? I love a character that is complex who evolves throughout the story, and has something relatable to them, I find those to be the most interesting. You were also a Division I collegiate athlete in track. What did you run and what would be your advice to athletes that would like to follow in your footsteps? I was a middle-long distance runner. The 800, 1500, and the 5000. athletes already have the understanding of what it takes to reach a level of competition, and the amount of training you do to become better! Apply that to your acting and you are ahead of the game. It is the preparation and work put in before the audition or the camera rolls that gets you the work people actually see. In addition to acting, what other things are you are passionate about? (advocacy, charities, etc.) Can you tell us about this work and why do you feel that it is it important? I believe in the health and well-being of our environment, and the living beings, animals, and creatures that reside on this beautiful planet. Charities with reputable backgrounds that are involved in the environment, mental health, and animals. I believes it's important to have the facts and information to share and spread the word to others. Integrity is the most important factor when supporting a charity of organization. Who is your favorite actor/actress and why? I love Susan Sarandon, Julianne Moore , Anthony Hopkins, and Robert De Niro. Their work on film is phenomenal and their performances have stuck with me. I have also always enjoyed the work of Tom Cruise, he has a passion and ethnic to his work that is inspiring to me. How would you describe your fashion style? I love to change it up! My favorite would be a jeans, boots, and a leather jacket rocker look, to a sophisticated classic style, and I also love throwing on a sexy dress with heels. Who are some of your favorite actors that you have worked with? I have enjoyed working with everyone! Every person is unique and brings something special to remember and cherish. What advice would you give other kids that want to break into acting? First and foremost go for it, don't allow self doubt to get in the way. Put in the work, it's the work and practice that no ones sees that makes the difference. Know who you and and believe in yourself. If you don't understand who you are just yet, listen to your gut; it's never wrong. Who would be your dream on screen collaboration and why? Anthony Hopkins, Leonardo Di Caprio , Julianne Moore, Tom Cruise, Susan Sarandon, Robert De Niro are just a few! What is one thing that nobody knows about you? I was a high school track star and still hold the 3200 meters all time state record. Have you ever been bullied? I went to a very small school, graduating with 12 students. Fortunately, bulling was not something that seemed to happen at my school. My heart aches for any child that would experience this. Educating others and the effects it can have and does have on someone is very important. What is your advice to kids that are suffering from bullying? Don't keep it to yourself, let your parents and your teachers know this is happening. Don't give up! There are so many people out there that love and care about you, and will help you. By letting your teachers, friends, and family know maybe the person that is doing this to you can get help to understand that this is wrong. You are an awesome person and there people that love and care for you. If you could talk to your 14-year-old self, what would you tell her to remember about the person you are today? That being honest, patient, and working hard pay off, also to never loose my natural carefree spirit! The hard times pass and you grow and become better. Enjoy the moments you spend with your family and friends. To lead by example. To have fun and not be to hard on myself when things don't work out as planned. To never stop growing and learning!
Photos provided by Johanna Rae
Talent Spotlight with Johanna Rae
Born in Winslow, Arkansas population 229, Johanna Rae pursued her athletic dreams, becoming a high school track star earning her a full scholarship to the University or Arkansas at Little Rock, a competitive D1 school. It was in college that Johanna discovered the arts, having never seen theater before in her small town. Her passion for sports turned into a passion for acting on both the stage and the screen. Her drive to become an actress led her to Los Angeles to continue her studies. This talented actress/producer is best known for her role of Beset in Apocalype Rising. Rae is quickly becoming the go-to actress in the Indie film market. She stars in the soon to be released Action Thriller High Alert, The Amityville Harvest, and No Way Out. Action Magazine had the opportunity to catch up with this amazing young lady for an exclusive interview in our talent spotlight. Check out what she had to say and add her to your Instagram list. You won't be disappointed!
Check out a redux of the live interview with the amazingly talented Leah Zelaya.
Photo courtesy of David Young-Wolff
There is much more to this talented well-versed member of Generatazion Z. Natalie Astryan than meets the eye. Astryan is the youngest certified Yoga instructor in America in addition to being an actress on the rise. Action Magazine had the opportunity to catch up with this amazing young lady for an exclusive interview, and we are so glad that we did! Check out what she had to say and add her to your Instagram list. You won't be disappointed!
What are five things that you can't live without? 5 things I can’t live without are my family, yoga, my dog Milo, books, and art. What's your life's motto or advice that you live by? My motto I life is work hard, have fun, and make a difference. What's your favorite color? As simple of a question as it is, this one's difficult for me. I like blue, but I also like yellow. But I’m not really a big fan of green which would be a mix of the two. So, blue and yellow are tied. What is your favorite movie? Peaceful Warrior is my favorite movie. What is your favorite TV show? My favorite TV show is The Profit. Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what are their names? I have a silky terrier named Milo. What is your favorite place that you've traveled to? My favorite place I’ve traveled to is Spain. It's beautiful. What is your favorite food? My favorite food is pretty much just any salad. If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be with and why? The person I would love to have dinner with is Lin-Manuel Miranda. I would choose him because he’s the writer of some incredible musicals, (my favorites including Hamilton and In The Heights), and I’m fascinated by his creative mind. What made you want to start doing Yoga? Well, I actually started doing yoga in kindergarten because one of my friends had invited me to go to a class. I chose to stay because it taught me a lot about myself and the power of breath. What is the most difficult thing about being the youngest female Yoga instructor in America? Being a yoga teacher is all around amazing! The hardest thing is probably balancing my schedule because I’m still a full time student. No complaints, though; being busy is a good thing! Who is your biggest inspiration that you model yourself after? My biggest inspiration is my mother. She knows her worth. She’s loving and compassionate, but at the same time, she knows how to set boundaries with anyone. There’s absolutely no possibility of confusion when communicating with her. She means what she says, and she says what she means. How and why would you encourage young people to practice Yoga? Yoga has so many benefits to it! People are always saying how stressed they get, and yoga is a great way to alleviate that! In today’s modern world, its so easy to get caught up in drama and not have time to focus on ourselves. We have so many distractions. There are always multiple forms of media playing at once and its making our attention spans get smaller and smaller. Yoga is a beautiful way to quiet the mind and its all about focus and centering yourself. Focus is really hard for people of our generation (its hard for me, too) which makes people consider it a superpower to those who have it. If someone isn’t comfortable with coming to a yoga class due to the misconception that they'll be judged, (which is so wrong! Yoga is all about focusing on yourself), I would encourage them to watch online tutorials so they can practice at home! What advice would you give to young people who want to follow in your footsteps? First of all, I think it's important to acknowledge the fact that we're all on our own unique journeys. Once you’ve discovered what you’re passionate about, don’t let anything stop you from pursuing it. It helps if you have supportive mentors in your life to help you get there, so always be on the lookout for adults you trust to speak into your life. Unfortunately, there will be obstacles along the way. As young people, we’re subject to adults telling us we can't do things that we think we can do. Kids are capable of so much more than some adults give us credit for. Growing up in today's society, we’ve learned to doubt ourselves and begin to believe the limitations other people have placed on us. It's important to recognize when that happens, and get past it. I hope to show young people that we can work through any challenges along the way to become the best versions of ourselves and subsequently make the world a better place. What other sports, if any do you practice? I dance. In addition to practicing Yoga, what other things are you are passionate about? (advocacy, charities, etc.)Can you tell us about this work and why do you feel that it is it important? I believe that every person has the right to basic education. I’m working to provide schooling for people who don’t have access to it. Its very difficult for me to imagine waking up and not going to school every morning, yet that’s a fact of life for 57 million children around the world. Education is the great equalizer. Once everyone has it, it's their choice what they want to do with it. All of my yoga classes are donation based so I give all the proceeds to the school in building through my partnership with the Unstoppable Foundation. I also work with various other non profits such as The American Red Cross and Red Nose Day. Who is your favorite actor/actress and why? I'm generally a big fan of actors/actresses who use their platform to help those in need. Meryl Streep is a great example. How would you describe your fashion style? My fashion style is really all over the place. In all honesty, it depends on the day or how I’m feeling. Some days it can be a really soft vintage look and other days it can be Boho chic. It can range from yoga pants and a shirt from a musical to all black to a sundress. You are also an actress. Who are some of your favorite actors that you have worked with? What genre of acting do you like most and why? I really enjoy musical theatre because it adds dancing and singing which I love as well as the aspect of live performance. What advice would you give other kids that want to break into acting? I would say don’t be afraid to have fun. Sometimes we stay with what we think is a “safe” option because we don’t want to be judged. One thing I’ve learned is that people are much more concerned with their own performance than they are with yours. Who would be your dream on screen collaboration and why? I would love to do something with Lin-Manuel Miranda. He’s an incredibly talented actor as well as a good human being. What is one thing that nobody knows about you? I had a major knitting and embroidery phase. Have you ever been bullied? No. What is your advice to kids that are suffering from bullying? Well first things first, tell an adult that you trust. Then, make sure you have a clear understanding of the fact that what they’re saying about you is just a vocalized manifestation of their internalized feelings and it has absolutely nothing to do with you as a person. If you could talk to your 21-year-old self, what would you tell her to remember about the person you are today? I would tell her to remember that she’s the strongest person she knows and she can do absolutely anything she sets her mind to.
Photo courtesy of Olesja Mueller
Photo courtesy of Riker Brothers
Our first issue of Action Magazine hit the Internet June/July 2017. Since then, we are proud to boast that we have featured some of the most interesting, hard-working young people all over the world. If you are like us, and are curious, you too may want to know what have these rising stars been up to since their feature. Well, we are about to find out! We have caught up with some of our alumni to see just what they are up to. Stay-tuned because we plan on getting the scoop on everyone, letting you know-where are they now?
All photos courtesy of Grayson Kilpatrick
GRAYSON KILPATRICK
Grayson Kilpatick was unquestionably a hit with his amazing 2019 interview in Action Magazine. This truly talented young young man is definitely one to follow. We have a feeling that we will be seeing and hearing from him for years to come.
Since his debut in our magazine, Grayson has been hard at work adding more exciting credits to his already outstanding resume. Recently, Grayson finished filming an episode of the Dave TV series with rapper Lil Dicky! We are beyond proud of Grayson and all of his hard work. Make sure you also follow him if you are not already. You don't want to miss out on what's next.
Tim Realbuto was born in Brooklyn, New York. From an early age he began performing on stage, amassing a long list of theatrical credits. Realbuto's appearances include performances at Carnegie Hall, New York City Opera at Lincoln Center, Madison Square Garden, and singing the National Anthem for the Brooklyn Cyclones baseball team (which aired on Fox sports network). Tim is also a successful writer and director, having just co-wrote and directed the hit musical 'Ghostlight', which premiered at Off-Broadway's Signature Theatre starring Rachel York, Michael Hayden, and Tony Award winner Daisy Eagan. This talented young man is still acting in various stage productions, but is heavily pursing other writing and directing projects as well. Check out what he had to say in an exclusive interview with Action Magazine and make sure to follow him on Instagram. We can't wait to see what's next for him!
Tim Realbuto
Photo courtesy of Michael Yeshion
What are five things that you can't live without? My cats, my iPad (loaded with lots of television shows), chapstick, peanut butter, close family and friends (I know that’s kinda cheating...) What's your life's motto or advice that you live by? Stop comparing yourself to other people! Just be yourself, try your best, and finish the project. What's your favorite color? All shades of blue. What is your favorite movie? The Color Purple, Moulin Rouge!, Inglorious Basterds, Black Swan (and about a million more... can’t pick just one!) What is your favorite TV show? Schitt’s Creek, Superstore (Sorry, had to pick two!) Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what are their names? Two beautiful cats named Angel and Molly, and a parakeet named Fiona. What is your favorite place that you've traveled to? I would say Los Angeles, but I’m there so much it’s like a second home by now. So, I’m going to go with Niagara Falls. Both sides are spectacular, but the Canada side was a blast! What is your favorite food? Anything Italian (My family is SUPER Italian). I also love Thai food. And Sushi! If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be with and why? Meryl Streep so I can observe how she lives in her everyday life. I’d be too nervous to actually eat anything, but I’m sure even watching her lift a fork or sip a drink would be fascinating and Oscar worthy. What made you want to start acting? My mom took me to see my first play when I was 4 years old and I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Who are those magical people up there? I want to be one of them! I told her at intermission. What is the most difficult thing about being an actor? Definitely the rejection. We hear the word “no” so much more than “yes” in this business and it takes a tough skin to get through it. How do you prepare for auditions? I haven’t really auditioned in a while, but when I do I make sure that I really understand the material and understand the style and the world of the play/musical or film or TV show that I’m auditioning for. I try very hard to sleep a lot the night before and make sure that I am in top physical and mental shape. That’s always a bit tricky. How do you handle rejections? At this point in my career, I just let it roll off of my back. I’ve been hearing “no” for almost 30 years and you just kinda get used to it. And if I get a chance to watch the performance of the person who was cast over me, I do that so I could learn what they were really looking for. You have to tell yourself that not getting a job is not a reflection on your talent. It could be the smallest reason why you didn’t get cast. What is your favorite character that you have portrayed and why? The Baker in “Into The Woods.” He gets to play so many levels of emotion in the show. He has some very light and funny moments and some absolutely gut-wrenching, serious, life-changing moments. He really gets to run the gamut. Which character have you portrayed that you are most alike and most different and why? I’m probably most like Billy Crocker from the musical “Anything Goes” (a bit naive, believes in the power of love, makes a lot of stupid mistakes). I’d like to think I’m least like Patrick Nolan, who I play in the current film Yes. He does a lot of things that I just can’t condone. In addition to acting, what other things are you are passionate about? (Activism, charities, etc.) Can you tell us about this work and why do you feel that it is it important? I love to write. It was a hobby that became a bit more of a profession. I’m also super passionate about teaching the next generation of actors. As for charities, I’m big into stopping gun violence. It’s such a major problem in this country and it really needs to be controlled. Who is your favorite actor/actress and why? Meryl Streep because everything she does comes from this brutal place of honesty. She can literally do no wrong. And Leonardo DiCaprio because he makes really interesting choices and has played an extremely wide range of characters. There are so many more (Joaquin Phoenix, Nicole Kidman, Marion Cotillard, Lily Rabe, Bernadette Peters, Ryan Gosling... the list goes on and on and on). How would you describe your fashion style? Whatever is most comfortable. Who are some of your favorite actors that you have worked with? Kevin Kline was a master on set. I learned so much from him. Nolan Gould was also the most amazing scene partner. He gave me so much to work with. Also, finally working with my longtime friend Jenna Leigh Green in my last film was the biggest joy. What advice would you give other kids that want to break into acting? You’re never done learning. There’s only one you. Practice! And never give up on yourself. And like I mentioned earlier, so NOT compare yourself to others!! Everyone is on their own path. Who would be your dream on screen collaboration and why? I’d love to be in a movie directed by Darren Aronofsky and starring Zoe Lister-Jones and Marisa Tomei because they all went to my high school, (Zoe and I were actually there at the sametime), and it would be like a little alumni reunion. I also adore all three of them! What is one thing that nobody knows about you? I sleep with a giant stuffed dog. Have you ever been bullied? Very much so, especially in middle school and elementary school. People didn’t understand that I was artistic and always thought outside of the box. I was always doing theatre and rehearsing late and had to dye my hair for certain roles and they just didn’t understand any of it. What is your advice to kids that are suffering from bullying? Please talk to an adult! There’s always somebody there that’s on your side and willing to help. Don’t take matters into your own hands and please know that one day it WILL stop. Everything bad that happens to you in life makes you a stronger person. Use that negative energy to work hard and prove the bullies wrong. And never, ever bully back! If you could talk to your 14-year-old self, what would you tell him to remember about the person you are today? Keep on doing what you’re doing and stay on the right path. Don’t think about quitting because one day you will be exactly where you want/need to be.
What's your super power?
Photo courtesy of Holliwire
Harrison Cone
What are five things that you can't live without? Family, loyal friends, music, great food, acting. What's your life's motto or advice that you live by? Work as hard as you can at what you are passionate about achieving. What's your favorite color? Purple What is your favorite movie? We Are Your Friends and Beautiful Boy What is your favorite TV show? Euphoria or 13 Reasons Why Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what are their names? I have two Goldens and their names are Indiana and Lola. What is your favorite place that you've traveled to? Los Angeles and New York What is your favorite food? Sushi, but I really love all kinds of food. If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be with and why? Elon Musk because he's very inspiring and I admire him so much. You are a multi-talented individual. What made you want to get involved in the world of entertainment? My parents are musicians and I could never picture doing anything else with my life. It's always been my dream to produce music, act, sing and write songs. What is the most difficult thing about being so diverse in your skills? I'm so busy learning and developing all the skills I need to follow my dreams that it is sometimes hard to find personal time to hang with friends. What is the best part of having worked in musical theater? It taught me how to be professional at a very young age. You are also a singer/songwriter. Where do you find inspiration for your music? My experiences and daydreams inspire my writing and producing. My music is somewhat like a journal for me. You also are a tap dancer. What made you want to learn tap dancing? I had always watched dancers on shows including So You Think You Can Dance and thought it looked fun and challenging at the age of 6. In addition to your impressive resume, you are also an actor. What has been your favorite role to portray and why? My last role was on a new Brat show that is going to be announced in March. It was fun because I loved my cast, director and production team. In addition to all of the things that you do, what other things are you are passionate about? (Activism, charities, etc.) Can you tell us about this work and why do you feel that it is it important? I think it's always important to reach out to make a difference for people who are hurting or being treated unfairly by society. Growing up, my mom had me donate time at a food bank for a couple years. Now I go to fundraisers. Who is your favorite actor/actress and why? Zac Efron, DiCaprio, Dylan Minnette, Will Smith, Jordan Peele, and Seth Rogen are some of my favs because they are so real and authentic. How would you describe your fashion style? A little edgy and a little not. Who are some of your favorite entertainers that you have worked with? Too many to name. What advice would you give other kids that want to break into the entertainment industry? Learn your craft so you can feel comfortable in your own skin. Who would be your dream collaboration in any field and why? Seth Rogen, Billie Eilish, Bazzi, Chris Brown, ToryLanez, Justin Bieber, Charlie Puth, Zendaya, and Ariana Grande to name a few. What is one thing that nobody knows about you? I'm a little bit of a germaphobe. LOL. Have you ever been bullied? Yes, of course. In junior high school especially but sometimes you meet people in life that seem to want to control you and that is a form of bullying. What is your advice to kids that are suffering from bullying? Ask adults for help and guidance and try to find better friends that support you. Also, remember that things can get better as you break free from their controlling behavior. If you could talk to your 21-year-old self, what would you tell him to remember about the person you are today? Stay true to yourself because all that matters is who you are as a person and focus on your goals. Also, try to distance yourself from people who belittle you and try to take advantage of you!
This multi-talented singer, songwriter, music producer, tap dancer, actor, and Influencer with over 71K followers on his verified Instagram account. Harrison started performing on stage at the age of 6 as a tap dancer and began acting at the age of 9. He started professionally acting in musical theatre at the age of 12 when he was cast as Nikko in the Wizard of Oz and Baby John in West Side Story. By the age of 13, Harrison had performed in over 30 musicals, plays, and shows. Harrison Cone has several Indie releases on iTunes, Spotify, and Apple Music as well as all streaming services. He is a philanthropist who is passionate about global warming, saving the ocean, and helping animals. Action Magazine had the extreme pleasure to speak with this incredibly fun and talented young man for an exclusive look into his world. Check out not only what he had to say, but follow him on Instagram as well!
Remaining photos courtesy of Harrison Cone
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Nick Bencivengo
Photos courtesy of Nick Bencivengo/kaaysphoto
Nick Bencivengo is a dancer/social media Influencer who's meteoric rise on Tik Tok has gained him over 200K followers and more than 3 million likes on the app. As a dancer, Nick has worked with some of the top names in the industry. Bencivengo is a member of the Gen Z Girls X Gen Z Guys Influencer Team, who's mission is to teach tweens and teens how to use their social media to send positive messages and use their influence to do good in the world by partnering with brands that share the same message Action Magazine had the extreme pleasure to speak with this incredibly fun and talented young man for an look into his world. Check out not only what he had to say, but follow him on Instagram as well!
What are five things that you can't live without? I can't live without my phone, dog, Netflix, pizza rolls, and laptop. What's your life's motto or advice that you live by? I live by the motto, You will never be criticized by someone doing more than you. You will only be negatively criticized by people doing less than you. What's your favorite color? Blue! What is your favorite movie? Spy Kids 2 What is your favorite TV show? The 100 Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what are their names? I have a German Shepard, Dyna, and a Pitbull, Sasha. What is your favorite place that you've traveled to? I love visiting New York. What is your favorite food? Pizza rolls! If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be with and why? I would love to have dinner with my sister because I haven’t seen her since I moved to LA. What made you want to start dancing? I used to always bounce to every song i heard as a baby, so my mom put me in classes! What is the most difficult thing about being a dancer? I would say the most difficult thing is the training and conditioning that we have to do. People really underestimate it! What is your favorite genre of dance? My favorite genre is Hip-Hop or Contemporary. Tell us about your role within the Gen Z Girls X Gen Z Guys Influencer team? Being on the Gen Z squad comes with collaborations, red carpet events, brand trips across the world, and meeting tons of people in the industry. You are a brand rep for several different brands, how do you choose which brands to work with? I choose brands that show they are mature and professional. Most of the time I require a contract so make sure nothing goes wrong! You have worked with multiple dancers in the industry. Who are some of your favorites? My favorite dancers are Kelsey Cook, Jaden Barba, Jenna Davis, etc. In addition to acting, what other things are you are passionate about? (activism, charities, etc.) Can you tell us about this work and why do you feel that it is it important? Any chance I get to attend/support a charity, I take it. I am so lucky to be where I am today and I feel it’s very important for me to give to others who need it. I always try to imagine if I was in their place and how much that would mean to me. Who is your favorite actor/actress and why? My favorite actor is Adam Sandler. He cracks me up in every single movie he’s in. How would you describe your fashion style? My fashion style is all over the place. I love dressing classy and fancy but I also love Streetwear. What are some brands that you would like to collaborate with and why? I would love to work with Sugar Bear Hair, Target, Walmart, or Disney Channel. These are all huge brands my friends have worked with and I aspire to work with. What advice would you give other kids that want to break into professional dancing? I would say to take your step into dance class and start training. There’s no time to wait! Who would be your dream collaboration and why? My dream collaboration would be with Charli Damelio. We follow each other, but don’t talk that often. She is an amazing dancer and inspires me to make my videos. What is one thing that nobody knows about you? Nobody knows how much I love house makeover shows. They keep me entertained all day and all night. Have you ever been bullied? Yes, I used to get bullied a lot in middle school. What is your advice to kids that are suffering from bullying? My advice would be to stay strong and stay passionate in what you are doing. The kids who used to bully me want to be my friend now. Stay hopeful, remember that things will get better. If you could talk to your 21-year-old self, what would you tell him to remember about the person you are today? I want you to remember to stay confident in yourself. Don’t tear yourself apart over every little thing. It never works out for you.
"Believe in yourself and then others will too."
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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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