Livia De Paolis - So Much More Than a Triple Threat

Livia De Paolis is a rockstar in production. Despite the fact that her family owned De Paolis I.N.C.I.R, a Rome studio, she has built a name for herself taking on many aspects of the entertainment industry. She oversees all elements of production — including screenwriting, directing, producing, and acting. Livia has established herself in a number of locations, including Italy, New York, and, most recently, London. In New York City, she focused her work on contemporary theater and produced the feature film Emoticon and the short film Awestruck. Livia has recently returned to London, where she is promoting her new feature film, "The Lost Girls," which will be released on June 17h. If her journey couldn't get any more impressive, she has also worked with non-profit organizations such as the 52nd Street Project and hopes to work with more in the future. Please read our exclusive interview below to learn more about Livia’s upbringing, short films, humanitarian work, and love for theater.

A Little Of Everything With Revell Carpenter

LA and NYC-based actress Revell Carpenter is more than a familiar face. Without a doubt, Revell’s training in LA, NYC, and London prove her to be an asset for all her industry endeavors which include directing and writing. Amazingly she has been at work since seven years old, and now you can see Revell starring in her short film “Goodnight”, an emotional and gritty film about ending a relationship. Other than “Goodnight”, you can see Revell in “All American: Homecoming” and “The Deadly Debutante”. With so much under Revell’s belt, you are sure to love her. We urge you to get to know Revell through our interview! If you would like to learn more about Revell’s short film, her work at the New York Public Library, and the overall fabulous human being she is, please continue reading!

Discussing Inclusivity and Disability Representation With Tal Anderson

Tal Anderson is an actor and director based in Los Angeles, CA. Big into storytelling from a young age, Anderson started officially acting right before high school. You may recognize her from the Netflix series “Atypical” as ‘Sid,’ a role that was written specifically for her. Anderson describes going into the casting call for a small three-line role in Episode 2 of Season 3, but ending up getting a call for Sid after the show-runner saw her audition. Anderson also has a leading role in the national campaign for Delivering Jobs, which is in partnership with Best Buddies and Special Olympics promoting jobs for disabled people. As an autistic actor, Anderson works with organizations the work to promote inclusivity and disability representation. She is an official ambassador for Awareness Ties, a contributor to Neuroclastic, and a speaker with The Inspire Project. She also enjoys making films for the annual Disability Film Challenge. Read on to learn more about Anderson’s important work towards inclusivity and representation!

'What She Said': Amy Northup And The Unheard Voice

Amy Northup is an actor, director, Intimacy Coordinator, and a trained victims advocate with the Crime Victims Treatment Center. Amy has dedicated her career to advocating for sexual assault victims, which led to her recent directorial debut in the film ‘What She Said.’ This film follows Sam, a sexual assault survivor, as she deals with the trauma of the assault and the process of convicting her attacker. Sam has a strong community of friends and family who want to help her heal from this experience, but she ultimately feels frustrated with herself and others as she tries to build back her autonomy. In this interview, Amy eloquently answers all of our questions regarding the film, the production process, and how she is advocating for sexual assault victims in all aspects of her career.

Editorial - Queen Daniele

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

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

Bringing POC Stories To The Big Screen With Adrian Favela

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

Creativity Never Stops for Lara Mamoun

What’s the best thing about creativity? You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have. Despite being a multi-Award Winning screenwriter, this artist continues seeking creative challenges to become the best version of herself. The artist is Lara Mamoun! Aside from her directed film — My World — screened at Plaza Theater recently, the driven Atlanta screenwriter is simultaneously working with Netflix, directing her first feature film and assistant directing a dramatic all-Black production. Above and beyond, she expanded her horizons and dove into the Comedy and Music world, where she is a cast member of a live-sketch comedy show and is currently on the move to launch her first EP — Purple Skies. There is no stopping when it comes to Lara Mamoun and Jejune is here for it. Come check out our interview with Mamoun to learn more about her exciting creative journey as she pushes boundaries to become the best version of herself.

Hailey Nicole Ralston: Keep Your Eyes on the Prize

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

COVER - Welcome Tahj Mowry

Anyone looking for an actor to completely obsess over? Well ding ding ding, Tahj Mowry is your guy! Yes, you heard that right, the Tahj Mowry. Based in Los Angeles, this triple threat prodigy is nothing short of an icon. You may know him as the adorable kid from Seventeen again or TJ Henderson from Smartguy. Well not anymore. Tahj is all grown up and bringing bigger and better projects to the acting industry. One of Tahj’s recent flicks, “Welcome Matt”, further enforces this idea. “Welcome Matt” is a movie that represents how all of us have been feeling during the pandemic. He brings the important message of anxiety and mental health to the big screen and serves it with stomach crunching comedy suitable for the perfect movie night. Popcorn is a must!

Besides being a well-rounded actor making waves in the comedy and drama scene, Tahj also spends his time heavily invested in charitable organizations. You can find him sponsoring a child in the Dominican Republic through “Project Mañana”, by supplying necessities and education to those in need. Tahj often forgets he is refereed to as an influential seasoned actor, but we can’t see why. Jejune is excited to speak with Tahj about his upcoming projects, all of his awesome ways of giving back to those less fortunate, and his continued approach to exuding black excellence. Sit down, take a load off, and enjoy this powerful cover feature with Tahj Mowry.

Li Dong: Be Kind

Li Dong, the Canadian-born Asian filmmaker, pushes boundaries to spread inclusivity through films. The multifaceted risk-taker, from undertaking med & law school to becoming a strip club DJ before settling on directing and screenwriting, released his first feature film - Stealing School - which was debuted in the USA by Vertical Entertainment recently. “Stealing School” reflects on systematic racism happening in higher institutions. Dong gets candid with Jejune on film directing and racism faced as an Asian creative. Keep on reading to find out how we can follow his example to create more inclusive spaces!

Expanding Creativity with Dakota Gorman

Best known for her roles in Teen Wolf and Criminal Minds, Dakota Gorman is attaining more attention in Hollywood with her new creative endeavors as a director. She recently made her directional debut, All About Sex, in the Gravitas Ventures film. The movie takes us on a journey illuminating the flaws of the human condition and the inevitable mistakes we make in life as we forever grow into ourselves. What’s more than creating an influential movie is that Dakota is inspirational as she is an active volunteer with Water Drop LA helping her local community. Take a journey with Jejune to learn more about the up-and-rising director in the interview below.

Kazy Tauginas - Raising Awareness for Lupus in Film

Kazy Tauginas is an actor and an athlete. You may recognize him from his work in John Wick, Dolomite is My Name, The Broken Tower, and most recently, as Ari in the box office smash The Equalizer 2, starring Denzel Washington. Kazy has a passion for bringing awareness to Lupus in film, a cause close to his heart. After writing several short films (and starring in over 20 of them), Tauginas drew inspiration from his mother who’d been diagnosed with Lupus and his own boxing experience, and decided to write “Standing Eight,” a short about a boxer who is forced to retire and contend with life outside of the ring after being diagnosed with systemic lupus. During the spring of 2015 he oversaw two successful Kickstarter campaigns to fully fund the film. Since its completion, “Standing Eight” has won ten festival awards including Trinity International Film Festival’s Best Short Film, and is currently nominated for another four. Tauginas advocacy for the disease is driven by passion and rooted in art and we are excited to share his interview with you. for more on Kazy Tauginas, please read out exclusive interview below.

Art, zIssue 31, Most PopularForrest JohnsonApril 2, 2021advocacy, lupus, awareness, representation, film, short film, actor, director, disease, athlete, boxing, actionComment

Natasha Behnam - Flipping the Script in American Pie: Girls' Rules

As a young actress, writer, and director, Natasha Behnam enjoys balancing human connection and empathy with a generous dose of awareness and fun in her creative pursuits. Natasha stars in Netflix’s new movie American Pie: Girls’ Rules, a gender-flipped new reimagining of the 1999 cult classic, American Pie. Playing the role of Michelle, an empowered young feminist, Natasha gives us all the details about this new woman-led sex comedy and her future within the genre. Alongside her Hollywood career, Natasha is passionate about supporting a variety of causes close to her heart, including body positivity, the Black Lives Matter movement, and immigrant and refugee rights, and frequently volunteers with South LA Cafe to help her local community. Please read our interview with Natasha to get a full slice of her thoughts on American Pie: Girls’ Rules and how she is spreading positivity on and off-screen.

Actress Nicole Leier Takes Creating To Deeper Levels

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

COVER - Laura Vandervoort Is The Eye Of The Storm

Laura Vandervoort is immediately recognized for her action packed roles — from her dynamic role as Supergirl in the CW series, Smallville, to being a werewolf in Bitten, and most recently, Laura can be seen as a compassionate vampire on Netflix's new vampiric series, V Wars. When Laura isn’t out kicking butt, she can be found giving back! She executively produced and acted in her own film, “Age of Dysphoria”, and she passionately works with World Vision. Through World Vision, Laura has since sponsored two children and has traveled to Kenya to support their ‘Starting Strong’ initiative, which provides medical supplies, sanitization, hospital sanctuaries for pregnant women, prenatal care and child education. Please read our exclusive interview here to learn more about Laura and her projects.

EDITORIAL - The Personalities of Carrie Preston

No one will deny that Carrie Preston takes on complicated characters from a fierce waitress in True Blood, to an extremely intelligent quirky lawyer in The Good Wife/The Good Fight, and currently an identity thief manicurist in Claws, just to name of a few of our favorites. In addition to Carrie being a talented actress, she is also a wonderful director. She is very passionate about focusing on creating pieces that give a voice to the LGBTQ world and women. Please read our exclusive interview here to learn more.