Mayan Lopez - What Goes on Behind the Big Screen

Lights, camera, action! The stage is set for an eagerly anticipated return as April 2nd marks the release of season two of "Lopez v. Lopez.” At the heart of this production stands Mayan Lopez, a multifaceted talent who not only shines as an actress and producer but also serves as the creative force behind the show. Being the daughter of the well-known actor George Lopez, Mayan has embraced acting, particularly by creating a show that, in some aspects, mirrors her relationship with her father and her upbringing. But Mayan Lopez's talents extend beyond the realm of entertainment as she has consistently made space to confront one of society's most pressing issues: mental health. With a commitment to raising awareness and fostering understanding, Mayan uses her platform to initiate crucial conversations and advocate for change. Join us as we delve deeper into the life and work of Mayan Lopez, exploring the intricacies of her creative process, her influences, and her dedication to addressing social issues.

Catherine Harrison - You Have To Walk Before You Run

Catherine Harrison will have you rocking out to her songs about love as she revives the sounds of the 70s with her music in a current new vibe. But there is more to this rock star than meets the eye. Catherine is a passionate advocate for mental health, especially within the music community, working with the Unison Fund. She is even donating all the proceeds of her new song, Love is not a Game, to them! Please read on to learn more about Catherine, her music, and how she gives back to the world.

Getting Raw With Nikki Gal About Mental Health

Model Nikki Gal wants the world to see women for more than their looks. While she might be a pretty face, there is a lot more behind those eyes, and she is working hard to make a difference. As a passionate women’s mental health advocate, Nikki has started two different podcasts addressing the issue — Raw Talk and The Model Memo (both with Nikki Gal). In addition to her speaking out about mental health she has also recently become an ambassador for The Big Yellow Force, an organization that helps help raise awareness for women suffering from endometriosis. To learn more about Nikki, her modeling, art, and activism, please read on!

Mary Hayashi - Empowering the Women of the Future

Mary Hayashi, a prominent figure in the California State Assembly, has consistently championed women's rights and emphasized the importance of their involvement in politics. Going beyond her legislative responsibilities, she has expanded her influential footprint by authoring a compelling book titled "Women in Politics: Breaking Down Barriers for Genuine Representation." This empowering and eye-opening book is a must-read. To learn more about her latest book read on.

Ananya - Harmonizing Hearts

In a world where the spotlight often blinds us to the struggles beneath the surface, one artist stands out not just for her fascinating melodies, but for her unwavering dedication to mental health advocacy. In her debut EP, “I Woke Up One Night,” Ananya takes her dreams and creates lyrics that have listeners mesmerized. Her music and wellness app, The Nani Wellness Project, serves as a refuge for those grappling with their inner demons, offering solace and a reminder that they are not alone in their struggles. Continue reading to learn more about Ananya.

6 Reasons Why You Should Take Your Mental Health Seriously By Stan Popovich

Many people underestimate the impact that mental illness can have on an individual or family. It can be challenging to admit that you have a mental health problem in your life. Secondly, it can be just as difficult in getting the people you know to understand your situation.

COVER - Yasmine Aker - Canaries In The Coal Mine

Iranian actress Yasmine Aker is capturing hearts on screen and beyond the camera's lens. Motivated by her humanitarian spirit, she uses her platform to spotlight issues near and dear to her heart. Yasmine takes on societal challenges and embraces the meaning of advocacy by spotlighting mental health awareness while standing up for LGBTQ+ rights and women's empowerment. Beyond her roles on screen, she provides a glimpse into the beauty of her Iranian heritage by taking on the role of a cultural representative in the industry and spreading a message of understanding. To learn more about Yasmine Aker, and all her activism, please read on!

Andrea Davis - Revolutionizing Fashion and Mental Health Advocacy with Style

Momentous Fashion's CEO, Andrea Davis, is introducing styles that celebrate and empower individuals' bodies. Her designs not only exude creativity and elegance but also carry symbolic messages of resilience, self-expression, and the beauty of embracing one's authentic self. While juggling her fashion business, Andrea takes on mental health by partnering with MTV. Through her unwavering dedication and creative expression, she has become an influential force, proving that true empowerment comes from embracing one's passions and utilizing them to make a difference. Read on to learn more about Andrea!

Adolyn H. Dar - Spotlighting Mental Health In Communities

As an actor, Adolyn H. Dar has captivated audiences with his compelling performances on screen. Transitioning from a scientific pursuit to the art of acting, Adolyn has consistently mesmerized viewers with his talent, now taking the spotlight in the recently launched film Desi Standard Time Travel. Beyond the spotlight, Dar has created wellness and mental health programs for the community. His work as an actor and mental health advocate is an inspiring testament to the transformative power of storytelling and inclusivity. Keep reading to learn more about Adolyn!

Cover - Hot Happy Zuri Hall

Let Zuri Hall take you on a ride as she spins you all over the Hollywood scene across the red carpet through Access Hollywood to keynote speeches as if she is one of the athletes in the show American Ninja Warrior she co-hosts. In all reality Zuri is a truly inspiring women who is just bubbling over with charm and beautiful energy. As one of the first Black women in local news she has more than made a name for herself interviewing all the celebrities, but so much more. Zuri is far from a fluffy Hollywood socialite, in fact she is very proud of her midwest up bringing. She likes to use her platforms to talk about the hard issues including cases of missing people of color, mental health, and voting rights, to just name a few. She recently started a new podcast, Hot Happy Mess, that helps make her topics even more limitless. Please read on to learn more about this incredible out spoken women, her work in Hollywood, and her many ways of giving back, including a new partnership with Global Fund for Children as a Global Ambassador.

Levina - Creating a Safe Space with Music

London-based musician Levina talks about mental health, her latest single Battleground, and how important it is to celebrate uniqueness in music. She tells Jejune how she overcame her own struggles with mental heath through the support she received from Help Musicians. Her story inspires people to seek the help they need, instead of keeping it all bottled in. Levina’s music is her way of expressing her emotions and helping others in their mental health journey. Please read on.

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 48Disha GuptaMarch 15, 2023mental health advocate, music artist, singer song writer, therapy, stress, anxiety, singerComment

Shambolics - Changing Lives Through Rock & Roll

Scotland based Rock and Roll band, Shambolics, will have you falling in love with their classic rock vibe. Inspired by The Beatles, Fleetwood Mac, The Smiths, and more, their music is all kinds of dreamy mixed with a clever play between mellow acoustic tones and heavy rock sounds characteristic of a rock band. The band loves touring and playing live gigs, which includes a yearly performance to raise funds for the Kirkcaldy Foodbank. With their latest single ‘Living in Shadows’ out now, Jejune had the pleasure to interview band member Darren Forbes. Please read on to learn more about this great band.

zIssue 47, ArtTejasvi PradeepFebruary 20, 2023music artist, music industry, music production, Musicians, rock and roll, rock band, mental health advocateComment

8 Ways on How to Discuss Your Mental Health with Others - by Stan Popovich

Do you struggle with your mental health and have a difficult time in getting the people you know to be more understanding? In some cases, your friends and family members could give you a hard time regarding your anxieties and fears. As a result, here are eight suggestions on how to deal with the people you know regarding your mental health issues.

Wellness, zIssue 47Jejune ContributorJanuary 20, 2023mental health advocate, mental health, mental health awareness, depression, anxietyComment

Boo Bitch! You will be hearing more about Alyssa Jirrels

From a commercial to your screens, Boo Bitch! Alyssa Jirrels is playing an unexpected mother in the Netflix comedy series, but you will see and hear much more of her. She is now filming to play the lead character, Ellen Gallagher, in the new Paramount+ Fatal Attraction series alongside Lizzy Caplan, Joshua Jackson, and Amanda Pete, to name a few in the drama-thriller series. Alyssa has been involved in bringing awareness to Autism, participating in "As We See It," and since her role in the short "Under the Lights," she has been a strong advocate for bringing awareness to Epilepsy. Please keep reading to know more about her career and projects.

COVER - Meg Donnelly - Born To Stand Out

Meg Donnelly was born to stand out. From the sweet Taylor Otto in “American Housewife” to the aspiring Addison in “ZOMBIES”, Meg will act and sing her way into your heart. This Disney star is just getting started! We are excited to see the third installment of “ZOMBIES” coming out this year and, for those who can’t get enough of her beautiful voice, she will be in the new Disney “High School Musical” show! Finally, clearly Meg has a soft spot for the celestial, because she is joining the “Supernatural” world in the new prequel “The Winchesters”. While she will still be hanging out with interesting creatures, this role will be a whole new side for her. When Meg isn’t off fighting vampires and whatnot, she is tackling a whole other demon in our society — mental health. She has been very open about her own struggles with anxiety and hopes to be a positive role model for all her young fans. To learn more about Meg, please read our exclusive cover interview below.

Xavi de Guzman Trains His Mental Fitness

Xavi de Guzman is a power house! His aptitude for sports fueled an athleticism that led him to a professional career in boxing. This beast of a man went as far as to win the 2008 lightweight championship title in Canada. Unlike most actors, Xavi received his first on-camera role without any acting experience – ABC’s “Rookie Blue” as a boxer. Since “Rookie Blue”, Xavi has appeared in numerous productions including The CW’s ‘The 100’ and ABC’s ‘Take Two’. Now you can check out his most recent project on Netflix, where he takes on the role of Ethan in the miniseries "Maid". In addition, Xavi is a huge advocate for mental health! Through his experience as a professional boxer, he learned the importance of taking care of one's mental health. He founded of the Play On foundation and created a talk titled "You Can't Be Out of Shape to Chase Your Dreams". Read on to learn more about Xavi de Guzman journey as an actor and advocate for mental health.

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!

Deep: The Art of Self-surrender

If someone hasn't told you already, meditation and yoga are cheat codes for life. Accruing internal balance and calmness from yoga will make your day-to-day peaceful and whole. Don't know where to start? Start with Deep! Based in Virginia and Washington D.C, Deep, AKA DeepElevation LLC, will take you to new heights. Deep is a Yogi, life coach, and author ready to guide the masses to tranquility. His Punjabi ancestry further helps him achieve spirituality on a deeper level, and he is prepared to share his gifts with the world. Deep is well versed in Ashtanga Vinyasa and Yoga Nidra, and his talents have opened him up to teaching in prisons and war zones. Not only is he the go-to guy for learning self harmony, but he is also a published author! His recently released book innocence, which is a collection of stories and poems that delves into vulnerability and embraces the concept of shedding social norms and influence. 50% of this book's profits go to the Khalsa Aid & Islamic Relief, which is providing necessities for those affected by poverty. Jejune is delighted to talk to the wise Deep about his insights on the world. This interview covers his incredible pro-Bono work, his book innocence, and how to self-surrender at will. Please continue reading below!

Following Your Calling With Henri Esteve

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

Battling Mental Health Through Guitar and Song with Former Hero

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