HOLIDAY HEALTH | LA LA ANTHONY

We always enjoy when we catch up with La La Anthony! Whether it's talking about her latest TV/film projects, entreprenurial endeavours or how she balances her day to day, she always keeps it real and gives us words of wisdom that we can use in our own lives. In this month's issue, we catch up with her to talk about the holidays, what she's gifting, staying healthy, and more.

ATHLEISURE MAG: It’s the holiday season. We can’t even believe that it’s the end of the year!

LA LA ANTHONY: Right? How did that happen?

AM: It’s like we blinked in April and here we are in Dec!

We’re enjoying tons of activities, but it’s also the time of year that we can get a bit under the weather. How do you navigate that during this time of year?

LLA: Well, that’s exactly why you know that I wanted to do this partnership with Delsym. It’s been a staple in my house so especially having a son for a very long time. So, you know when that cough is starting and we’re not feeling well, that is my go-to. So why not let the world know?

Delsym, you know is the #1 doctor-recommended 12-hour cough suppressant. That along with this chicken soup that my mom taught me how to make when I was growing up, that’s the one thing that I learned in the kitchen, because I’m not that good in the kitchen. That combo right there, you’re good to go. So I definitely wanted to be part of Delsym’s, Bring Comfort Home Campaign. In this kit, you’ll also get all the ingredients to make my favorite chicken soup. It’s delsymmeal.com. You’re seeing it behind me right now and it’s just something that Kiyan and I have been rocking with for a very long time.

AM: When you’re under the weather, you have the things that you do. I have my favorite set of cashmere, my streamed shows, that oversized mug that I’m drinking out of. I love a good chicken soup recipe so what is it?

LLA: So, I grew up in a Hispanic household. Both of my parents are from Puerto Rico, so it has Spanish, Latin, Puerto Rican flavor in there. So, it’s however my mom taught me, what seasoning to use, how to mix it up – it has that kind of flavor to it, which is why I love it so much and it’s easy. Because if you follow the steps, I feel that anyone can do it, because if I can do it, anyone can do it, because I don’t know how to cook at all, so it’s literally like, if I follow it and she tells me what it is start to finish, the result is going to be good! It definitely has Latin flavors like Sazon to it. So you know it’s going to be good!

AM: Definitely checking it out as the other night I enjoyed having Avgolemono (Greek Lemon Chicken Soup), which I thought was amazing and I had never had it before. So this, sounds like another winner to me even if I’m not sick because I do love Chicken Soup!

LLA: Oh no, that's the same with me! It's just my go-to for holiday seasons in general. I don’t know, there’s something about eating something that you had growing up that makes you feel nostalgic, like holiday, and home. So, it kind of for me, brings all of that out for me.

AM: There are a number of traditions that we enjoy as well as those that we make as we go along. What are some of your favorites during this holiday season?

LLA: So for me, I grew up and always had tons of people in my house. It was my whole family, that’s how it has always been. So I have continued that tradition so now in my home, Thanksgiving just passed, I had 30-35 family members – it might have been more now that I think about it. 35 family members in my house, which my house ain’t even big enough to fit 35 people!

So we were all just cramped in there and we’ve always been like that. Just playing games, music, laughing, and fun. We just had a great time and the same thing with Christmas, it’s just continuing that family gathering and having everyone together and taking a break from their crazy lives, work, and everything that they have going on. So, it’s always been like that. It’s nice to be in a place where I can continue that same holiday tradition.

AM: Well, this season means that we do tons of different activities whether it’s with our colleagues at work, friends, and family. What’s the best way that we can keep it cute and fresh when we’re doing all of these different things?

LLA: Stay healthy! That’s how you keep it cute and fresh! The holidays are when people get sick, so stay healthy so that you can be outside and that you can enjoy these social events and gatherings.

It’s fun being outside and doing the Christmas parties, the NYE parties, it’s fun. You get to be social, you get to meet people, and you don’t want to miss out on that stuff because you’re not feeling well. Stay on top of your health, stay on top of you're A-game. Another reason why this partnership was important to me is because I want to be my best, and I want Kiyan to be his best so that he can be great at everything that he is doing.

AM: What are you thinking of in terms of gifting friends and family this year? What are things that we should also be thinking about for our holiday lists?

LLA: So candles to me are always great! Like, candles are easy, but they are so symbolic and they have so much meaning. You can get candles that are engraved, you can get candles that say a quote or a scripture on it, whatever your preference is. But, I think that that’s like a not too expensive gift that it’s intimate and it feels thoughtful. That’s always my go-to. Like, who doesn’t want a beautiful candle?

It’s not something that you’ll ever have enough of. You’re not going to be like, “oh, I’m at my candle limit!” There’s no such thing.

AM: Especially those that are in those big jars!

LLA: Oh yeah, I love! Those are really pretty.

AM: Well, you’re an amazing mom, a great actress, and you’re always putting your name and intention behind great things! It’s always great when I have the ability to be able to interview you and to see all the things that you continue to do and your focus on THREESIXTY (Editor’s Note: You can find out more about this program started by La La as well as additional upcoming projects by reading about it in our NEW YEAR, N3W YOU feature in this issue) for those who are young men that are incarcerated at Rikers Island is really an amazing initiative. I know that with you, it’s always going to be excellence.

LLA: I really appreciate you saying that, thank you so much!

IG @lala

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | Michael Simon

Read the DEC ISSUE #96 of Athleisure Mag and see HOLIDAY HEALTH | La La Anthony in mag.

63MIX ROUTIN3S | LA LA ANTHONY

Read the DEC ISSUE #96 of Athleisure Mag and see 63MIX ROUTIN3S | La La Anthony in mag.

NEW YEAR, N3W YOU

Read the DEC ISSUE #96 of Athleisure Mag and see NEW YEAR, N3W YOU in mag.

HOLIDAYS, HEALTH, + HAPPINESS WITH LA LA ANTHONY

We always enjoy when we have the opportunity to catch up with STARZ’s BMF and Showtime’s The Chi star, La La Anthony! We love when we see her in a number of projects whether it’s in TV, film, as an entrepreneur and more! With the holiday season that’s known for a number of events as well as taking that time to think about how you are stepping into the New Year, we wanted to catch up with her to see about how she navigates this business season personally and professionally!

She partnered with Delsym because when a cough starts making its way around La La’s house, there are two things La La’s family needs to feel better together so they don’t miss out on any holiday festivities: Delsym, the #1 doctor recommended, 12-hour cough suppressant, and her favorite Puerto Rican Chicken Soup recipe, her go-to comfort meal when her family is feeling under the weather this cold and flu season.

ATHLEISURE MAG: It’s the holiday season. We can’t even believe that it’s the end of the year!

LA LA ANTHONY: Right? How did that happen?

AM: It’s like we blinked in April and here we are in Dec!

We’re enjoying tons of activities, but it’s also the time of year that we can get a bit under the weather. How do you navigate that during this time of year?

LLA: Well, that’s exactly why you know that I wanted to do this partnership with Delsym. It’s been a staple in my house so especially having a son for a very long time. So, you know when that cough is starting and we’re not feeling well, that is my go-to. So why not let the world know?

Delsym, you know is the #1 doctor recommended 12-hour cough suppressant. That along with this chicken soup that my mom taught me how to make when I was growing up, that’s the one thing that I learned in the kitchen, because I’m not that good in the kitchen. That combo right there, you’re good to go. So I definitely wanted to be part of Delsym’s, Bring Comfort Home Campaign. In this kit, you’ll also get all the ingredients to make my favorite chicken soup. It’s DelsymMealKit.com. You’re seeing it behind me right now and it’s just something that Kiyan, my son, and I have been rocking with for a very long time.

AM: When you’re under the weather, you have the things that you do. I have my favorite set of cashmere, my streamed shows, that oversized mug that I’m drinking out of. I love a good chicken soup recipe so what is it?

LLA: So, I grew up in a Hispanic household. Both of my parents are from Puerto Rico, so it has Spanish, Latin, Puerto Rican flavor in there. So, it’s however my mom taught me, what seasoning to use, how to mix it up – it has that kind of flavor to it, which is why I love it so much and it’s easy. Because if you follow the steps, I feel that anyone can do it, because if I can do it, anyone can do it, because I don’t know how to cook at all, so it’s literally like, if I follow it and she tells me what it is start to finish, the result is going to be good! It definitely has Latin flavors like Sazon to it. So you know it’s going to be good!  

AM: Definitely checking it out as the other night I enjoyed having Avgolemono (Greek Lemon Chicken Soup), which I thought was amazing and I had never had it before. So this, sounds like another winner to me even if I’m not sick because I do love Chicken Soup!

LLA: Oh no, that’s the same with me! It’s just my go-to for holiday seasons in general. I don’t know, there’s something about eating something that you had growing up that makes you feel nostalgic, like holiday, and home. So, it kind of for me, brings all of that out for me.

AM: There are a number of traditions that we enjoy as well as those that we make as we go along. What are some of your favorites during this holiday season?

LLA: So for me, I grew up and always had tons of people in my house. It was my whole family, that’s how it has always been. So I have continued that tradition so now in my home, Thanksgiving just passed, I had 30-35 family members – it might have been more now that I think about it. 35 family members in my house, which my house ain’t even big enough to fit 35 people! So we were all just cramped in there and we’ve always been like that. Just playing games, music, laughing, and fun. We just had a great time and the same thing with Christmas, it’s just continuing that family gathering and having everyone together and taking a break from their crazy lives, work, and everything that they have going on. So, it’s always been like that. It’s nice to be in a place where I can continue that same holiday tradition.

AM: Well, this season means that we do tons of different activities whether it’s with our colleagues at work, friends, and family. What’s the best way that we can keep it cute and fresh when we’re doing all of these different things?

LLA: Stay healthy! That’s how you keep it cute and fresh! The holidays are when people get sick, so stay healthy so that you can be outside and that you can enjoy these social events and gatherings. It’s fun being outside and doing the Christmas parties, the NYE parties, it’s fun. You get to be social, you get to meet people, and you don’t want to miss out on that stuff because you’re not feeling well. Stay on top of your health, stay on top of you’re A-game. Another reason why this partnership was important to me is because I want to be my best, and I want Kiyan to be his best so that he can be great at everything that he is doing.  

AM: What are you thinking of in terms of gifting friends and family this year? What are things that we should also be thinking about for our holiday lists?  

LLA: So candles to me are always great! Like, candles are easy, but they are so symbolic and they have so much meaning. You can get candles that are engraved, you can get candles that say a quote or a scripture on it, whatever your preference is. But, I think that that’s like a not too expensive gift that it’s intimate and it feels thoughtful. That’s always my go-to. Like, who doesn’t want a beautiful candle?

It’s not something that you’ll ever have enough of. You’re not going to be like, “oh, I’m at my candle limit!” There’s no such thing.

AM: Especially those that are in those big jars!

LLA: Oh yeah, I love! Those are really pretty.

AM: Well, you’re an amazing mom, a great actress, and you’re always putting your name and intention behind great things! It’s always great when I have the ability to be able to interview you and to see all the things that you continue to do. I know that with you, it’s always going to be excellence.

LLA: I really appreciate you saying that, thank you so much!

You can sign up to win a Delsym Comfort Meal Kit, featuring La La Anthony's Puerto Rican Chicken Soup recipe ingredients beginning today through Friday, January 5th by visiting DelsymMealKit.com. Winners will be selected and notified in early January. Terms and conditions apply. But we also want to give you the scoop on her recipe as well which you can read below!

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

9LIST STORI3S | LA LA ANTHONY

Read the JUL ISSUE #79 of Athleisure Mag and see 9LIST STORI3S | La La Anthony in mag.

VACATION VIBES | LA LA ANTHONY

It's always fun to touch base with those that we have interviewed previously. La La Anthony is a woman who is always on the go, whether she's on our favorite shows The Chi, POWER and Black Mafia Family. She's always fresh off of wrapping a project and in plans for the next one. In addition, she has always been an entrepreneur and earlier this year, she launched her hair care line, INALA which focuses on strengthening and providing our follicles much needed nutrients.

We caught up with her to talk about these projects as well as as how she tries to find those moments where she can recharge! She looped us in on what we should keep an eye out for, finding balance and how she enjoys vacation vibes year around!

ATHLEISURE MAG: We have always been a fan of your projects whether it’s The Chi, POWER and obviously more recently, Black Mafia Family.

LA LA ANTHONY: Oh thank you!

AM: We can’t wait to see the upcoming season. What made you decide that you wanted to be part of the show and what do you love about playing your character, Markaisha Taylor?

LLA: You know, I love Black Mafia Family because it’s a true story which just gives it a different depth and different layers! I knew about them and I had heard about them – Meech and Terry, so now being able to be part of their story is just so incredible! Obviously, 50 Cent is the producer who also produced POWER so, I always you know love working with 50 and he’s also one of my closest friends. So that was 2 of the main reasons that I wanted to be on-board and the character will really get introduced in the 2nd season and you’ll really see a lot of her and the relationships that develop over time. I think that people are really going to be into it.

AM: Is there anything that you can tell us about the upcoming season or will we need to wait until September?

LLA: You definitely have to wait! These things stay super under wraps! But we did finish filming so now things are just being edited and I think that it’s going to be an incredible season and I think that people are just going to be really excited for it.

AM: Since you are always involved in so many things, are there other TV or film projects that you have going on that we need to keep an eye out for?

LLA: I have a Netflix movie coming out with Gabrielle Union and that should be out at the top of the year. I also have a Netflix movie with Jonah Hill, Lauren London, Nia Long that’s coming out probably around the top of the year. Kenya Barris directed that one. There are some projects in the can that will start coming out and that’s always exciting when you can start off the new year with some new projects and things like that!

AM: Absolutely and with such amazing names and great casts for both of those.

Earlier this year, you launched INALA. Why did you create this line and what does the name mean?

LLA: INALA is my real name backwards – my real name is Alani so it’s a cool spin on that. It was something that was important to me because I worked on it when we were spending a lot of time at home during the pandemic. I really experimented a lot with rice water and saw amazing benefits to my hair when I was making the rice water at home. I was like, how can I bring this to people out there and really help with hair growth, hair strength, edges and all of that stuff. Especially with people who wear wigs, weaves, braids and protective styles all the time that we do to save and preserve our hair. I worked with some experts and came up with INALA and the Power Potion has been amazing and the results have been great. We have the Reset Rinse and now we’re working on just launching some new products because everything has been so great and people have been loving the results and have been really happy about everything.

AM: I think rice water is amazing and I have been a long time skincare fan of Japanese and Korean Beauty skin products that use this in it. So what is the benefit of using rice water as it pertains to hair?

LLA: It’s just known to help with strengthening hair. It’s known to help with hair growth, keeping hair to have a luscious glow to it – it’s literally like I say that rice water is just magic! The rice grain itself contains all of these nutrients that are essential for all this that I’m talking about. So what we did is put ours along with the 100% rice complex. It has biotin in it and different vitamins and minerals that really boost your hair growth and hair strength. The results have been crazy! When you see before and after pictures and people start talking about their experience with the products, it’s been really amazing.

AM: Because you have your hand in a number of pots, how do you take advantage of the summer and take time for yourself?

LLA: That’s something that I’m still working on. Because I am so busy and I do need to find that balance so it’s something I’m working on. You know, I have a trip coming up with my son soon and it’s just going to be him and I. It’ll be a couple of days where he and I will be able to be off the grid and to have some fun with him. I’m really looking forward to that. I did tell myself that in August and in some of September, I do want to do a bit more traveling mostly with my son and kind of just disconnect from work for a little while. You know, I was on BMF and as soon as it wrapped, I did an independent film called Water Boys and just finished that so I haven’t had so much downtime at all. So, I really feel like it’s important to have a healthy balance!

AM: You partnered again with Baileys and helped them with the National Colada day which was on July 10th. How can we continue to celebrate that and what did you do to enjoy all the amazingness that is the Colada?

LLA: Well see, I don’t take a lot of vacations! So what I love about Baileys Colada is that it gives you vacation vibes wherever you’re at. It’s just one of those things that when you taste it, in your mind, you’re on a beautiful island somewhere or laying up doing absolutely nothing. I think that that’s how we’re able to continue celebrate it no matter where you are or what you’re doing. You can bring the beach vibes and the vacation vibes to you by having it for sure!

AM: What were your inspirations behind the cocktails that you created?

LLA: I love the versatility of them and it was based on my Puerto Rican roots which I love. The Piña Colada which a lot of people don’t know this, the Piña Colada originated in Puerto Rico, so it all kind of went hand in hand, so when I came to them with the idea, they loved it and were so receptive that I definitely wanted to bring my roots into it. So we came up with the 3 cocktails and I feel like it’s a nod to my culture, my heritage and it’s just really cool to be able to bring all of that together.

IG @lala

PHOTO CREDITS | Baileys Colada

SOMETHING YOU SHOULD KNOW WITH LA LA ANTHONY

When it comes to someone who has a number of credits across verticals to her name in entertainment, La La Anthony is on that list. This powerhouse started in radio, went on to VJ on MTV's TRL, is a best selling author, a beauty mogul with her brand La La Anthony Motives, had a successful reality series and directs/produces. As an actress in a number of movies and shows, fans know her as LaKeisha in STARZ's Power. Currently she is taping the upcoming season of Power and with the year coming to a close, we wanted to to know about the importance of leaning into all of your talents - no matter how many there are, how she is able to multi-task and be present and to continue her success.

ATHLEISURE MAG: When you say La La Anthony, you are a legacy. Starting from radio and many of us first heard you as a VJ on MTV, to being someone who owns a beauty line and is an actress and best selling author. How important is it to establish yourself as a powerhouse not only for yourself, but for women and women of color?

LA LA ANTHONY: I think it’s important! You want to stand for something and be about something. For me, it’s always been about show people that you can do more than just one thing and be great at it. You can start in radio, be a VJ, have a reality show, be an actress, be an author, be a producer and be great at all of them! So many times people try to put us in these boxes and say, “if you’re a VJ, that’s all you’re going to be and if you’re a radio host, that’s all you’re going to be.” I’m just trying to continually break those misconceptions and those barriers down.

AM: We know that we’re busy and many of us are in a number of projects, but you are constantly on the move – how do you keep it together with your schedule, your family, a number of red carpets….

LA: I always say that I don't sleep! But no, you have to prioritize and I always say that my son comes before anything else. Being a mom is my most important job and I put him before anything. I have a great support system and am so fortunate to have a family that helps me out with Kiyan when I need it, friends that can help me out so if I’m at work at 4am in the morning or like a day like today that the alarm went off at 5:30am in the morning and I was like, ugh – I know that my mom is there to help and Melo is an amazing dad and has always stepped in and been a great father and partner for me when it comes to raising Kiyan. We just make it work!

AM: School is a large part of your focus with Kiyan and we’re in the midst of cold season, how do you go against that to make sure that your son is fine and you coming off of set with all the germs that are found in these areas?

LA: The first thing is to wash your hands and I’m constantly doing that! I’m shaking people’s hands all day, Kiyan’s hands and I’m always disinfecting and using Lysol disinfecting spray to take care of my kitchen, bathroom, video game console, and it brings me to the partnership that I have with them known as the One Less Sick Day Program. It’s all about reducing the number of sick days in school which starts at home. You have to make sure that you’re doing your part at home so that these kids aren’t coming into the school sick. When kids have sick days, not only are they not feeling well, but when you’re at work, it also throws your schedule off. They’re missing school or Kiyan’s missing school and basketball practice and it throws everything into disarray. We want to prevent that and one of the things that Lysol is doing is providing 10,000 schools with Kinsa thermometers which helps with early detection of cold and flu symptoms and viruses which is great because a lot of these schools don’t have the proper tools to help with this properly and it’s why I wanted to be a part of this program.

AM: How do you stay fit because you always look amazing.

LA: I do workout and I realize that you can’t cheat the gym no matter what you do! You always have to go back to the gym. I do traditional weights with my trainer, a FlyWheel Bike in my house that they gifted me which I am so grateful for that. So I do FlyWheel at home and boxing I love. You have to find things that you do that you love or you will never be able to stick to it. I’d be lying if I said that I loved working out, but I know that it is something that I have to do to stay in shape and be healthy. But I am not one of those people that are like, “hey I’m going to the gym today and I can’t wait to work out – it’s just not me!”

AM: We’re all about moments here so who are 3 people that inspired you in your career, where those were your key moments that you needed that little push to take it to the next level.

LA: I think that watching some of my mentors from Oprah to Mrs. Obama, just they embody everything I want to be as a woman as a successful career woman. Mrs. Obama as a successful career woman, wife and mom. Oprah Winfrey, building this entire legacy and everything that she stands for – so I just watch people that I love and watch what they navigate and if I can even get a piece of what they are doing correctly, then I would be very happy! For me in my day-to-day life, it has always been my mom. She hasn’t had this amazing career, but she has given me so much life common sense that has taken me further than a lot of the business advice that I have ever gotten. Because my mom always says that, “when it is all said and done – some of these answers are just common sense and you guys just make it so complicated.” That has really helped me throughout my journey as well.

IG @LaLa

Read more from the Dec Issue of Athleisure Mag and see Something You Should Know with La La Anthony.

ATHLEISURE STUDIO | S1. E1. #TRIBEGOALS WITH LA LA ANTHONY

La La Anthony has had a phenomenal career that began in radio, continued with her being a host on MTV's TRL, continuing on to a series of successful seasons of her own reality show on VH1, being a bestselling author and of course her role on STARZ Network’s Power as LaKeisha. As she is currently back on set filming another season of this epic show, #TribeGoals took a few minutes to talk with her about who she is inspired by, how she is able to stay organized in the midst of a busy schedule while juggling being a mom and more.

Check out #TRIBEGOALS on Athleisure Studio, Athleisure Mag’s multimedia podcast network.

ATHLEISURE MAG | #37 DEC ISSUE

It’s the last issue of the year and we are excited to have Entrepreneur, EDM DJ and Instagram Star - Universal Music Latin America’s, Gianluca Vacchi for this month’s cover! In addition, we have interviews with La La Anthony of STARZ’s Power, Parveen Kaur of NBC’s hit show Manifest, Poppy Jamie of Happy Not Perfect, Sarah Potempa - Celebrity Hairstylist and founder of Beachwaver Co and more. We also have brought back our annual, NEW YEAR N3W YOU as well. Read the full issue here.