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.

Kamala Lopez Sets Out to Ensure That Equal Truly Means Equal

The Equal Means Equal campaign, founded by actress Kamala Lopez (‘Star Trek: Voyager’, ‘This Is Us’, ‘Mayans MC’), works to raise public awareness of the need for the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). The Equal Rights Amendment establishes equality under the law in the U.S. Constitution, regardless of sex. Surprisingly, women are currently not equal under federal law. To raise awareness for this disparity, Lopez directed the documentary ‘Equal Means Equal.’ The film utilizes historical precedents and contemporary case studies to show what women in the United States face today, and why it is important to complete the process of ratifying the ERA to give women and girls the legal foundation they need to live on an even playing field. In her interview with Jejune Magazine, Lopez goes over next steps for ratifying the amendment and what readers can do to support the cause. The Biden-Harris administration expressed their support for the cause on the campaign trail, but have since taken no steps in rescinding the memo issued under the previous administration or instructing the Archivist to publish the amendment. Time is of the essence. Read on to learn more.

Cirque Du Soleil's Ovo Will Have You Crawling To Go! - By Quentin Fears

Cirque Du Soleil's Ovo is an insect-themed kaleidoscope of wonder and color, a fantasia that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. Visually the show is dynamic, thanks to a wall of projected colors and images measuring 64 feet wide and is 30 feet tall. Initially, Ovo was created as a touring Big Top show but was revamped in 2016 for arenas. The show starts with a curious inflated "ovo," the name for egg in Portuguese, taking center stage, representing the enigma of and the cycle of the insert's lives. The egg stands at an impressive 22 feet and is 28 feet wide, making for an impactful first visual of the show.

Art, zIssue 42, Most PopularJejeune MagazineMarch 25, 2022circus, live shows, theatre, Art, artist, LA, contortionistComment

COVER - Ultimate Boss Bae GG Townson

GG Townson is Los Angeles native best known for her role as “Salt” in the hit biopic Salt-N-Pepa. Granddaughter of Ron Townson, one of the lead singers of the iconic vocal group Fifth Dimension, GG is inspired by his life and career and plans to carry on the Townson legacy in the entertainment industry. She currently stars in BET+’s Sacrifice, which follows a high-powered entertainment attorney, Daniella Hernandez (Paula Patton), as she navigates the complicated lives of her clients. One of those clients is GG’s character Jameson, which she describes as both a loose cannon and the ultimate boss bae. When GG isn’t being a power woman on the screen, she is fighting for women through her support and work with the non-profit Breaking the Chains, an organization that works with artists and creators to bring awareness to eating disorders. Read on in our interview with GG to learn more about her career and activism!

Tackling Space Travel and LGBTQ Support with Avery Cyrus

Avery Cyrus is a digital content creator based in Palm Beach, Florida. She is one of the top Hispanic LGBTQ creators on social media and known for showcasing her travels, adventures with her girlfriend, and DIY creations on TikTok and Instagram. Avery recently partnered with TikTok to donate $10,000 to the Trevor Project, a nonprofit organization that provides 24/7 crisis support services to LGBTQ young people. One of their main features is the Trevor hotline, where you can reach out via call, text, or chat through their website to speak to a trained counselor. As a strong advocate for LGBTQ youth, Avery has promoted the Trevor Project on her platforms on several occasions. She has also recently teamed up with Space Hero to train like an astronaut and show that space can be accessible for all. Although space travel seems light years away, Avery is hopeful to one day find a safe way to space or even Mars! Read on in her interview with Jejune to hear more about Avery’s platform and future projects!

Ways To Help The People Of Ukraine

On February 24th, Vladimir Putin ordered Russian forces to invade the neighboring country of Ukraine. Since then, the whole world has been keeping a close eye on the war evolving in the Eastern European country. According to a New York Times article, the number of refugees that have fled the country has surpassed half a million. Mr. Putin seems intent on capturing the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, which would dismantle the country’s democratically elected government and capture Ukraine under Russian rule.

Articles, Editor's Pick, Most Popular, zIssue 41Kaylyn WenzelMarch 2, 2022Ukraine, Russia, Help, Europe, NATO, Refugee, Government, Stay Informed, Donate, Evacuation, PlanComment

The Brave, Honest, Beautiful Sydney Morgan

Sydney Morgan is a digital creator and make-up artist based in Los Angeles, California. In 2018, she was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis, which is a chronic, inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation and ulcers in the digestive tract. Sydney became home schooled and bedridden while battling this disease; so, she turned to makeup videos to distract herself. As makeup was something she could do from home, it became the creative outlet and therapy she needed. Sydney took her talent and wisdom to Instagram, and eventually TikTok and Youtube, which has now garnered a large following. Sydney takes advantage of this following by taking every opportunity she gets to bring awareness to Colitis and Crohn’s disease on her platforms. Sydney also is active in the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, where she has her own team, Sydney’s Superheroes, for the annual Take Steps event which benefits the foundation. Read on in our interview with Sydney to learn more about Colitis and Crohn’s disease and some future projects she has coming up!

COVER - Double Dose Of Dopeness - Aint Afraid

Get a double dose of dopeness with Aint Afraid! Detroit-based Twin sisters Sakinah (Straingth) & Zakiyyah (Wizdumb) Rahman make their presence known through positive and honest messages from their music. Singing since the age of two, both sisters collaborate to share their gift with the world while also showing off some much-needed melanated Muslim representation. Influenced by the likes of Beyoncé and Lauren Hill, you can, without a doubt, admire the R&B and grace in their music and demeanor alike. Although they pull music influences, their fashion is 100% Aint Afraid; Sakinah and Zakiyyah pride themselves on their brilliant and authentic fashion taste, proven by Aint Afraid's sewing skills, one of their many talents picked up during lockdown.

In their latest album, which happens to be their debut, they provide 11 impressive tracks, some titled "Smile Today," "Somebody Loves You," and "Grow,"; All songs showcase their ability to spread harmony with a soulful and fun twist. All music from the album is streamable on Spotify, so Jejune urges you to check it out!

You think Aint Afraid can't get any cooler? Think Again! Sakinah and Zakiyyah are heavy advocates for education in the Gambia and even helped raise funds to build an all-girls school for students. Ain't Afraid uplifts the audience through their music and in their community alike. This is why Jejune is so excited for the sisters to be this month's cover! If you wish to learn more about Aint Afraid's music, their unique stage names, and all the fantastic humanitarian work they have done so far, please continue reading below.

Reasons to Consider Shopping for Sustainable Food - By Cora Gold

With increasing wildfires and storms brought on by climate change, it’s little wonder that 67% of Americans report feeling the weight of climate anxiety.

You may be wondering how a single person can contribute to a healthier planet. Even the most minor changes to your daily habits can play an essential role in making improvements. For example, modifying how you grocery shop can influence the foods you see on shelves and manufacturing methods.

If you’re looking for a way to get more involved in the fight against climate change, consider shopping for organic and sustainably sourced foods. Food is considered sustainable when its production is good for the environment, the workers and the consumers, sometimes aligning with organic and local farming. While the concept of sustainable food can be complex, there are simple ways you can make better choices at the grocery store.

COVER: Toni Trucks- Military Mother Made

Toni Trucks is currently kicking ass and taking names as Lisa Davis on the CBS hit series SEAL Team. In her interview with Jejune, Toni tells us what originally drew her to the character and what she has learned from playing this role. Inspired by her role on the show, this October Toni curated family themed boxes in partnership with Military Made. The boxes feature fun and luxurious items for the whole family and are made by entrepreneurs who were either in the military or are military spouses. Partnering with Military Made has given Toni the unique opportunity to engage and bring awareness to the military community. You can continue to purchase the boxes well into the New Year and of the proceeds go directly back to the business owners and Military Made. For her next role, Toni is gearing up to become a mother, as her and her partner Brandon are expecting a baby boy! Read on to learn more about her various roles, her partnership with Military Made and other charitable organizations, and the advice she has received regarding motherhood.

Editorial - Learning From Isabella Gomez

Isabella Gomez is the star of the new HBO Max comedy series “Head of the Class,” where she plays a young high school teacher looking to shake up the classroom. Gomez is not new to sitcoms, you may also recognize her as Elena Álvarez in the award winning comedy series “One Day at a Time.” At the heart of each show you can find an underlying theme of community and family support, which Gomez believes in wholeheartedly. She is also really attracted to what representation in the media can do for both individuals and whole communities, which can be seen in her two roles. On the charity front, Gomez is involved with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Wild Elements Foundation. Through her partnership with Wild Elements, she was matched with innovator, Rosamira Guillen, who is the executive director at Proyecto Tití in Colombia. Under her leadership, Gomez is fully fully educated on her work in order to bring that information and opportunities to her followers. Read on to learn more about Isabella Gomez, her roles in “Head of the Class” and “One Day at a Time,” upcoming projects, and her charity work.

Zarna Garg is Whipping Up Some Laughs

Comedian Zarna Garg, affectionally known as ‘Auntie Z,’ is a TikTok sensation. Encouraged by her son, Zarna downloaded TikTok early in the pandemic and uploaded some of her jokes to the platform. Within the first week, her jokes had garnered 3 million views. Before TikTok fame and stand-up, Zarna had passed the bar and became a lawyer before trying her hand in comedy. She encourages everyone, especially young Indians, to veer off the beaten path and try comedy, if that is where their heart is. Zarna also currently helps out with Comedy Cures and fundraises for Children's Hope India. Both are organizations near and dear to her heart where she can share her comedy to help out those in need. Continue reading our interview with Zarna Garg to learn (and laugh) some more!

COVER: Constance Marie - Empowering The Latinx Community

Constance Marie is a Los Angeles-based Latinx force. While she has had a prolific career from the beginning, she has always prioritized working on projects that highlight the Latinx community and social causes. You may recognize her from her powerful performance of Regina Vasquez in the revolutionary show “Switched At Birth”. But this month, she will be seen as 'Beatriz Diaz' on "With Love" — the new Latinx romantic comedy series for Amazon Prime Video, created and written by Gloria Calderon Kellett. Constance will be playing a character that many women in America will be able to relate to, answering questions like: "What happens after the happily ever after?" Constance Marie is more than a powerful actress. She is a mother, a humanitarian, and a fighter for a better world and planet for future generations. Please continue reading below to learn more!

How Linda Varg Is Handling Life 'Like A Boss'

Linda Varg has the feminist bad ass punk sound that you will want to jam out too. The Swedish born pop star just released her new single, ‘Like A Boss,’ which was a collaboration between her, Anders Wrethov, and her husband Ulf Nilsson (winner of The Voice Sweden). The song is the ultimate party tune and a great addition to her list of singles. Linda also recently put out, ‘Standing In The Middle Of The Road,’ which is her response to the bullying she has received as an adult. Inspired, Linda shares some advice to those who are victims of bullying below. Additionally, Linda talks with Jejune about Project iRISE, a survivor-led, community-based nonprofit organization with a mission to educate and empower survivors of human trafficking and those at risk. Read on to learn more about Linda Varg, her upcoming projects, and her involvement in Project iRISE.

Art, zIssue 38, Most PopularKaylyn WenzelDecember 9, 2021Sweden, Music, Artist, Singer, Femenist, #badass, punk, Like A Boss, Fun, bullying, anti-bullying, iRISE, survivors, charity, activismComment

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!

A List of Indigenous Artists in a Variety of Mediums

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

Black Friday Done Right

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

Lauren Bucca is The Queen of Our Hearts

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

Cover - Jenn Lyon & The Scarlet Letter

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

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

Cherishing Every Moment with Robert E. Blackmon

Adequately nicknamed the “The Black, Gay Martha Stewart,” Robert has in hands in almost everything; he is an Author, Fashion Designer, Producer, Branding Coach, and GIPHY/TikTok creator. His new book, Courage Behind the Mask: A Story of Life, Death and Surviving COVID-19, tells the story of his mother’s battle with COVID-19 and the stories of the healthcare workers who worked tirelessly to save her life. Robert and his mother were finally reunited in the summer of 2021 after 828 days apart. The duo took part in a series of book signings, speaking events, and TV interviews during their time together. Images of the reunion can be seen throughout the article. Read on to learn more about Robert E. Blackmon, his new book, and why he believes you should never take a single moment for granted.