HEART FELT STORIES | KIT HOOVER

This month's issue has featured a number of trailblazers in media and with it also being Women's Month, we truly enjoyed sitting down with Access Hollywood and Access Daily with Mario & Kit, Kit Hoover! We have enjoyed watching her from being in the first cast of MTV's Road Rules which was a social experiment that led to the early days of reality TV and competition shows. From there she parlayed her talents, optimisim, and energy at ESPN as a sports broadcaster and for the last 14 years has been at NBC navigating the day and night slots in entertainment. We talked about her journey, success, the show and her latest project, launching her podcast The Coop that highlights phenomenal women!

ATHLEISURE MAG: We have been a fan of yours since Road Rules as you’re a ball of energy and optimistic which is always nice to see! I mean you were the first group to do that and in many ways that show paved the way for Fear Factor and Survivor!

KIT HOOVER: Can you believe? I was just telling that story the other day to someone about how fun it was!

AM: I loved that the show!

KH: Kimmie, you’re too young to know what Road Rules is!

AM: Well, I’m 44 and I remember the first season and watched a number of them!

KH: Well, you look great! I was 24 when I did it and now I’m 53. It was fantastic and I still reflect back because it was real. I mean at that time, there was no such thing as reality TV except for Real World. They had just done London and they were shooting San Francisco and it hadn’t aired yet. We had no idea what we were doing, nobody had an agenda to go on to get into TV, it was just real. Well now, everything is about trying to get your 15mins.

AM: It’s so true and what’s interesting is that we have Brooke Burke (Wild On, Dancing with the Stars, Fool Us) in this issue as well as when I first became aware of her, it was on Wild On.

KH: I loved her on Wild On!

AM: We’re really excited to have a number of trailblazers who are women in this issue so it was really great to include you as well!

You have had such an amazing career from being on MTV, sports broadcasting with ESPN, and of course being on NBC for Access Hollywood and Access Daily with Mario & Kit! When did you realize that you wanted to be on TV?

KH: So I majored in Communications and Journalism at UNC in North Carolina. I didn’t know that I wanted to be on TV, I thought that I was going to go into the advertising world or to be in something creative. It wasn’t until Road Rules that after that finished, I thought, ok I kind of got comfortable behind the camera. Let me give myself 1 year to see if I can parlay it into something on TV and if not, I want to do something totally different. Fame was never the goal, I never wanted to be on TV, it was just, after that I thought that I had a window and I just decided to try it. Literally, it was almost a year to the day that I got my first job from it and it was called American Journal and it was kind of off and running from there. It was trial by fire then! I didn’t know what the heck I was doing!

AM: Watching you in Road Roles, I felt that you were someone that we would see on TV as you just have that authentic vibe and you wanted to hear what you had to say! It was natural and the TV just loved you.

KH: First of all, were you cracking up when – you know the joke was, that I had gained about 20 pounds in the 4 months that we were doing it. But that was a lot because I’m 5’0” tall. And the joke was with the producers was that, “oh my gosh, the little one is getting heavier by the second!”

We were eating Power Bars, Taco Bell, and Mark Long (Road Rules, The Challenge, The Challenge: All Stars) and I would drink 10 Budweisers! We were in our 20s, we had a life on the road for that show, so all you’re going to do is eat bad stuff.

AM: Well Power Bars are healthy though!

KH: Well, I’d have 3 before breakfast! We had no idea, we were eating the craziest – craziest things!

AM: Ok, well maybe 3 would do that for sure!

KH: Looking back, I was like, I think that I look great! I mean I was just a little puffier.

AM: But it’s also what happens when you’re traveling.

KH: Anyone that is on a road trip knows that you’re not eating the best or taking the best care of yourself.

AM: How did Access Hollywood come about? You have been on there since 2010!

KH: First of all, for anyone and everyone reading this! I got this opportunity when I turned 40! Do you know how great that is as a woman? To be hired, it’s been 14 years, and I’m almost 54! How great? It was one of those calls that my boss who hired me, Rob Silverstein (AccessDaily, Access Hollywood, People - The TV Show!) said, “you know, what’s great about you Kit?”

I said what, thinking that it was going to be a weird compliment. He said, “you’re not hired based on your looks” and at first I looked and said is that a compliment? But then I thought, that that may be the biggest compliment and it goes back to the Road Rules days where I never cared what I looked like. You’re on the road! There’s no makeup, there’s no bathroom, there’s no shower. I have just wanted to do the best interview that I could do or to do the best job that I could do. But I thought, what a compliment to be able to go into the entertainment world business. The call came in, I took a leap of faith as I was living in Connecticut and my husband and I moved out with the 3 kids and we thought that it would last 1 year and 14 years later, we’re still here!

AM: I remember the show had been around for a few months and I started watching it when I was flying out for press trips as it would be on either in the hotel room or watching it on the plane. When I first saw it, I was like oh it’s the Road Rules girl who was on ESPN and now here!

KH: It’s the Road Rules girl, she keeps popping up!

AM: I love how your background has such a great mix of entertainment, sports, covering red carpets, etc!

KH: Well, similar to you, it’s the art of the pivot right? I kind of was naïve when Road Rules ended. I thought, what’s next? Nothing was next. They said, you’re a great person, thanks for coming in. I think that a lot of people feel like that with their jobs. You get one and you think that you’re going to stay, but things end and things change. You have got to be like musical chairs.

You have to find your next chair. So, I’m a hustler, and I like to navigate and work hard and it’s all related too! You’ve probably found that too!

AM: Oh yeah!

KH: Whoever you work with, way back then with Road Rules, I just had a meeting with Clay Newbill (The Bachelor, The Mole, Shark Tank) the producer out here. Who you are at your core matters tremendously. I feel so blessed that I have worked with so many great people.

AM: I tell people all the time I have a number of interests and things in my background from modeling, cheerleading, stylng, designing, etc - but the base of who I am as an organized person, storytelling whether through apparel or in interviews, that’s why people keep come back.

KH: That’s why people keep coming back.

AM: 100% they want your commitment, passion, integrity and those skill sets!

When you’re preparing for interviews and talking with celebs and people of interest, what’s your process? I mean you’re covering those from all over so where do you like to start?

KH: Probably the same way you do! I love the research, I’m a reader! So I research and do all the reading that I can on the people. I sort of visualize the outline I have in my head and then I let it go and I try to be present and in the moment. I like to just listen and if you have done the homework, you know where you are going. And you want to get good stuff. It’s not about following the card. It’s listening and seeing where that takes you. I think that that’s the good stuff.

AM: You also have Access Daily with Mario & Kit! How is that for you to be on 2 very different shows, different time slots – I have a lot of respect for that! That’s not easy!

KH: Thank you! I’m grinding! I’m grinding. I have a lot of tuition with 3 kids! I love it! Access Hollywood is the night time show. So that’s more glitz and glam and entertainment news and then the hour daytime show with Mario Lopez (The Golden Girls, Saved by the Bell, The Golden Boy) is so much fun because that’s our kids and marriage and talking about fun stuff! I love daytime talk. So to be able to stretch both of those muscles is so much fun for me!

AM: That must have been amazing to know that you are helming both of those shows! I can’t think of anyone else that has that kind of double time right now.

KH: It’s really great! And then I’m launching a podcast!

AM: So excited as we’re going to talk about that as well!

KH: I put that in just so that I could do the long format. So I get my daytime that I love and I get my night time and then the podcast lets me go deeper. So the kids, 2 of them are at of the house as you know and 1 is going to leave next year so I have to start because I have more time to fill.

AM: You and Mario are neighbors!

KH: Yeah, he literally lives right around the corner. We could carpool to work. It’s the best! I run by his house which is on my running route so I go by and I wave, it’s really fun! His wife is the best and I’m really good friends with Nicole!

AM: You can see your chemistry too with one another which is really nice.

KH: Yeah, I’m very fortunate.

AM: What have been some of your favorite topics that you have covered from your Access Hollywood shows?

KH: For the night time show, it’s more of a 22mins show so it’s just quick. For the daytime, we don’t really touch any zeitgeist stuff. We’re more of a wholesome, talking about family, fun, never a gotcha thing. We try to do great interviews and so I love the ones that are a feel good story. I love when we cover human interest stories of everyday people doing extraordinary things. I am so moved by their stories. So we have been doing a lot of those feel good stories and maybe it’s because it seems like we do so much celebrity things that we want to show the real heroes. Give me a teacher or a nurse, I’m all into it.

AM: Well the podcast, I’m personally excited about that! To have women in their 40s as I am of that demographic as well that are these powerhouse women! Where did the concept come from, what can we expect, and where did the name come from?

KH: You better text me after you listen as I want all of your notes! For the past 4 years, I was thinking that I wanted to do this now that I have the ability to do this and there may not be any listeners! I wanted to do it for me.

AM: There will be listeners!

KH: I get to interview these incredible women and each one, I feel like I learn a nugget from them! Do you ever feel like that the best advice you get is from your girlfriend when you’re talking? Like, “hey, you have to try this face cream.” Or for me as I’m menopausal, you need to get this patch! Try this school or get this shoe or whatever it is. So I wanted the podcast to be that feel. I like that it is 40 and over because maybe me getting the job at 40, I feel like I haven’t even hit my stride at 54 and in the old regime, women were done in their 30s which is what Halle Berry (Die Another Day, Catwoman, Moonfall) was telling me.

I just like that feeling of what are we doing now? We have all this knowledge and wisdom, let’s effen go! So it’s Cindy Crawford that I just interviewed, it’s Katie Couric, it's Gabrielle Reece, Jenny McCarthy!

AM: Love Gabby! We had her and our husband as a cover back in Oct last year.

KH: Gabby! What I loved about them was their love story! They actually filed papers for divorce and never got that far and they got it back together. The tools that they learned to do that – they’re connected now as a couple. She is the most thoughtful. Didn’t you find her so thoughtful and poignant?

AM: She’s so sweet and real –

KH: And smart!

AM: Yeah the co-founder of Athleisure Mag is also my boyfriend so when I have interviewed her, we have talked about how it is to run a business with the person you are involved with. It was interesting to hear her talk or to see how they interact with one another and to just have real responses to it. She’s like, you do the best that you can, but sometimes, things get f’d up!

KH: She is fantastic. She said this thing in an interview where she said, “I don’t talk to anybody better than I do to Laird.” I thought about that and sometimes when we talk to our spouse and partner, you’re a little nastier. She told me that she works on it like you would an athletic career and I thought, that is so awesome. I want to operate on that frequency.

With Jenny McCarthy (The View, Two and a Half Men, Masked Singer), I was asking her about her love story with Donnie Wahlberg (Wahlburgers, Saw franchise, Blue Bloods) and she felt that she was lowering her frequency and gears to get a guy. She was tired of doing it and said that she needed to be met here and that that was Donnie.

Having Cindy Crawford talking about being an empty nester. What she and Randy Gerber are doing next because maybe that's where I am in my life right now. they’re going to a different state to buy property and they’re looking at dating each other. I mean, Cindy Crawford, if she’s thinking about all this stuff- it’s real!

AM: But it’s like, we’re all women doing these things. To hear those nuggets whether or not you’re in that position or not, you’re going to get something from it.

KH: I hope so!

AM: You can also find ways to apply it to your own life!

KH: And it’s rowdy! I have a little naughty side, so it’s a little bit of me asking everyone what is in their bedside drawer. Katie was like, I’m not telling you! Cat Cora (Iron Chef America, Tournament of Champions, Stars on Mars), one of my favorite chefs!

AM: We had her as a cover!

KH: Unbelievable, you should have heard what’s in her bedside drawer! I said, “Cat we’re going to have to bleep that out! I was blushing the entire time!”

AM: I love me some Cat!

KH: I love me some Cat! To think that she was told that she would never break into this business and that she should be barefoot and pregnant back in Mississippi! The ceiling breaker that she is as a chef –

AM: And a dynamo!

KH: And a dynamo.

AM: Plus she’s stunning. It was a pleasure to style her for our cover shoot and we were with her for about 8 hours and she was truly sweet. I grew up watching her on Iron Chef!

KH: I love that we have had the same women! This is so great! I am having a ball doing this!

AM: How many episodes are in the first season?

KH: I have just done 6 and we’re going to promote it on Kelly Clarkson which is going to air on April 5th. So hopefully we will just keep it growing from there! I’m thinking that we will do 1 a week or 1 every 2 weeks. The women who have participated, they are my friends and they have been so gracious. I hope it builds! For me, I don’t know about you, if I take the time to listen to a podcast, I want to feel good and that I am part of something. I want a takeaway.

AM: I do want to hear things that will make me a better person or to sharpen a skill in an optimized way. How can you find the cracks in your own foundation to make it better or to just be ok with them.

KH: I’ve done the interviews and then days later, they will resonate with me and I keep thinking about it and it was something that was really cool or poignant with what they said. I want to try that or I find this interesting.

Cindy Crawford said something really interesting! I said, “have you always had the ability to laugh at yourself?” She said, “Randy wouldn’t say so.” I asked her what she meant by that and she said, “as the mom, I’ll be cooking and cleaning and Randy and the kids will gang up on me and make fun of me in a playful way, but it leaves bruises. It hurts my feelings.” So many people can relate to that.

AM: That’s so me. On the outside I’ll say whatever, but on the inside –

KH: That’s so me! It was fascinating to hear how she is navigating that and for others who are listening that is so relatable.

Ooo we also have Laila Ali (Girlfriends, Black-ish, S.W.A.T.) , she’s back in Georgia. I’m from Atlanta. Have you guys interviewed her?

AM: Yes, it was amazing to chat with her!

KH: We’ve been friends and she used to cohost with me and her art of the pivot, my friend can literally do anything and with no guidance. Everyone has been so gracious because this is longform and it’s a totally different muscle which I love! I’m growing as a person learning from all of this. What’s great is, it’s not a studio, it’s just my thing because it feeds me and I hope that other people enjoy it.

AM: It’s also a testament that people are so comfortable with you! What is the meaning behind The Coop?

KH: When you look it up in Webster’s Dictionary, it’s a gathering of hens and chickens that protect one another, that grow together, and work together. That’s what I was thinking of my women friends. Come into your Coop, it’s your safe spot! Let’s fluff our feathers, learn, and protect and shelter one another.

AM: I thought so, but then I was like maybe I’m thinking too Midwestern.

KH: You knew! Also, Gwyneth Paltrow (Great Expectations, The Talented Mr Ripley, Iron Man franchise) told me that double letters are supposed to be successful letters. Like she has Goop, but I was like, “hey, I will take any extra advice!”

AM: This is so exciting. Where do you see this brand going?

KH: I would like to see it go into a Coop Conference to share all the knowledge that you have learned and to interview a great celebrity like a book party without a book.

AM: I love the concept because women like to connect and we love partnering with one another because once you’re connected you see synergies and commonalities!

KH: Even when we’re just talking about it, it’s just so real and it makes me excited and it’s happening!

AM: And it’s yours!

KH: That’s a neat thing for me as someone who has always been under awesome companies. I have always been with great companies MTV, FOX, ESPN, and of course NBC. But this one is just me!

We start off each Coop interview with 1 word to describe your life and where you are right now. What would that be for you Kimmie?

One word where you are right now!

AM: Navigating

KH: I like that!

AM: Within our team we’re always talking about we’re riding various waves. There’s that which comes to us that we never thought, that which we want that’s on our list and then when you do whatever it is you do, how do you keep on advancing as you don’t want to lose the momentum. So I feel that navigating is where I have been for a bit. I’ve had the pleasure throughout my life to have received many opportunities, some planned, some not planned, whether it was starting off interviewing people at the age of 12, my first person was Oprah, it was such an honor, my second was Jessie Jackson. I’ve always been one that wants to take opportunities and then to figure out how they come together. We see that plan of what is needed, and can go out and draw on these waves and then we navigate it.

KH: I just love that word navigating and so we take that word and then if I’m interviewing you, the whole interview with you would be about navigating. I’d ask how you started off and you’d tell me about Oprah and then I end each interview with, "What makes you happy?"

AM: Silence.

KH: I love that.

AM: I get very little of that.

KH: So it’s a buttoned up approach for my interviews.

AM: I can’t wait to listen, I love a bookend.

KH: I love a bookend!

The what makes you happy came when my my business partner’s daughter was in therapy and they did this sort of deep breath that you did 10 times and you were supposed to say what makes you happy. We started ending with it and it’s wonderful to hear. First of all, the 1 word of where you are right know, Jenny McCarthy said, needless. I said, “what a great word.” I don’t feel needless and how do I get that still? Then to end with what makes them happy, it’s fascinating!

Then we also have a section called Let’s Get Random and then I can ask all of the fun stuff.

IG @kithoover

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | Kit Hoover

Read the MAR ISSUE #99 of Athleisure Mag and see HEART FELT STORIES | Kit Hoover in mag.

THE SCIENTIST OF MOVEMENT | TANISHA SCOTT

This month's cover is 3X MTV VMA nominated Creative Director, Choreographer, Performance Coach and dancer, Tanisha Scott. You've seen her iconic work as a choreographer with Sean Paul in Gimmie the Light and has continued to work with an array of artists from Beyoncé, Rihanna, Lil Nas X, Drake and more. She currently serves as Creative Director for Lizzo, Cardi B and H.E.R. A number of videos and performances that she created have become part of major cultural moments in Hip Hop and those movements have found their way into memes, Tik Tok videos and on an array of dance floors.

Her ability to bring her love of dancehall, freestyle and knowing what is natural to the body transcends her work for music videos across genres, touring and award show performances. We talk about her love for dance, getting into the industry, those she collaborates with, continuing to add to her skill sets and how she continues to leave her mark.

ATHLEISURE MAG: What was the moment that you realized that you fell in love with and wanted to dance?

TANISHA SCOTT: Honestly, dance has been part of my life and I can literally say this without it being cliché – for forever. My parents are Jamaican , my father loves music and he was actually a DJ on the side – not just house parties, but he would go out with his friends and spin. Before I was even born, music was all around within the family. I knew it was something that was super special to me not only because of my shadow – my brother, my sister and my dad playing, but I just knew how much it helped me feel good. It helped me to really open up. I’ll tell you this, when I was really, really young, I had an issue with stuttering and I found that through dance, I didn’t have to speak that much and I can speak through movement and I can express myself and people would smile and laugh and would want to dance too without me having to actually say something and feeling insecure about it. I knew I loved dance and that dance was actually a part of me and a very important part because of that journey. I didn’t realize that until I got older and saw that it actually made a difference for me in my life.

AM: That’s amazing. You were a background dancer for Mya when you first started. How did you transition from being a dancer to a choreographer and adding that to your body of work?

TS: Yeah, reluctantly, I can say that I didn’t want to call myself a choreographer for about a year after Gimmie the Light happened. Gimmie the Light happened because my dearest closest friend, Director X (DMX What’s My Name, Sean Paul Gimmie the Light, Drake Hotline Bling) is also from Toronto. He and Taj Critchlow who is his longtime manager have been so close to me! He didn’t ask me to choreograph the video, he told me I had to! I fell into it, I was scared out of my mind not knowing what to do because I felt that I was a freestyle dancer and that’s all I knew – how would I put moves together for other people? He just told me to figure it out. It wasn’t until I reached out to my mentor, Luther Brown (Janet Jackson Dammmn Baby, Lizzo Juice, Ozuna BAILA BAILA BAILA) who is the king of Hip Hop and stepping in Toronto and he mentored me and a bunch of other kids. It wasn’t until I reached out to him and let him know that I didn’t know how to choreograph and how would I do it? He broke it down to me and said what I would do especially is go to the mirror, figure out some moves, see what looked good on me, put it on some people and make sure that it looks good on them and there you go – from the basic aspect of it.

I choreographed the music video and I was like it’s not going to be much. Sean Paul was singing this song which was older at the time when it came out in North America. Being of Jamaican descent, you know that we’ve heard this song for forever. So it was like, I’m going to do this video for Sean Paul – yes. It wasn’t anything that I had to think of when it came to the movement because it’s what we did in the clubs, in the basement parties so I put all of our moves together and felt how it should flow – did the video and that’s it. Nobody knew that Gimmie the Light was going to blow up the way that it did in North America! No one had any clue of it. That’s how it happened and then before I knew it, people were like, you need to get this choreographer. I would say, the dancer, because I danced in that video but I didn’t feel like a choreographer – so reluctantly it happened – blame it on X!

AM: How does your love for dance, dancehall and being from Toronto inspire and infuse your work?

TS: Oh gosh, I think the reason why it inspires my work is that it’s the only thing that I know innately that I wasn’t taught to do. I was not taught in any kind of professional dance when I was younger, we just did dancehall because I come from a Jamaican lineage, music is all around and that’s what we’re going to do right? I just dance the way I knew to dance where it’s already in my blood. So that, no matter what project I do, you’ll always find a piece of it. I find that my choreography is organic and authentic. I don’t do traditional movement for anything that is cool or in, in style or whatever the trend is. I literally follow suit to what the music calls for. If it’s dancehall, then I’m going to give you dancehall, if it’s Hip Hop, I’m going to give you Hip Hop and if it’s something else, then I am going to give you that. I attribute that to the fact that I am a freestyler where I actually watch and I pickup visually a lot easier and do things that makes me feel good in my body as if I’m about to freestyle as opposed to putting together a segment of moves that are regimented in a specific style or technique of a dance. So I think that that’s how I get to flip flop. You’re always going to get a little piece of dancehall, but at the same time, I’m a battler at heart so if I see somebody do something, I’m going to do it and do it better and that’s the way that I choreograph.

AM: I like that and that’s why it’s authentic because you’re freely leaning into fluidity because that’s what you’re feeling.

As a choreographer, what are you looking for when you’re working with an artist or maybe someone who isn’t even a dancer – is it hard to work with someone like that who doesn’t dance, but they’re going to need to dance for that video? How do you go about that process of making that story and making them feel comfortable and let them dance?

TS: You know what? Would you believe me if I said that I actually prefer artists who don’t dance?

AM: I would actually understand why you would like that because you don’t have to breakdown or have someone unlearn what they do and you can just flow!

TS: Exactly! It’s for this one main reason, they end up becoming a little more fearless in what they do. Because I’m not a trained dancer, I understand the fear or being unsure of how to move, what to do and what looks good. Because of that, I find it very easy to look at someone and tell what their strengths and weaknesses are. I work with both to create something that is signature to them.

For instance, Kelis and Bossy – her whole walk thing, Rihanna obviously with her hips, anything that I do with any artist – Alicia Keys with her walk how she does it to the side and plays the piano with the side – using one hand on the piano but doing it while leaning – it’s so much more interesting to create something that is signature to that person.

Honestly, anybody can choreograph – literally. It’s just a series of movements together to express whatever you want to express. Some people just want to have trendy moves, some people want to tell a story, some people are just a little more intrinsic with their movements – there are an array of things. What gives me joy is working with artists and giving them their own signature imprint so that the choreography is not a Tanisha Scott choreography that so and so is doing. It’s what Tanisha Scott has created that is based off of this artist and that it is an imprint so the dancers look like them, they move in a certain way and that’s what I find more interesting is working with someone from the core and being able to build from the ground up – who are you, what is your persona, what is the zhuzh, what is the story that you want to tell. That is more intriguing and satisfying!

Now, artists that can dance, the palette is open – let’s try tap, let’s do jazz, silks – there is an array of things! What pulls at my heart strings where I just become the scientist of movement, is when I’m like, “ooo this will be amazing” and then you see them blossom, it means the absolute world to me. That is much more fulfilling.

AM: Love that! Going back to Gimmie the Light video, what do you think it is about this video that after all of these years, that reaction is still there? The feeling is still there. Since that video, we have seen tons of amazing things and technologically there are different things, but the song and visually there is that feeling that you still get when you see it. How does it have such staying power?

TS: I’ll tell you something, I feel that it’s because it is so organic and it’s so freeing like you can’t even explain or break it down to how everybody moves in that music video. It was just captured in the right way and it was just a vibe! Like, you can’t fuck up a vibe! Like you can’t not feel a feeling – you know what I’m saying? It wasn’t technical at all! It was just people moving and grooving in a way that was just something that felt good naturally in your body that connected to the music perfectly. Individuals captured it and it made it cool. It was swaggy, it was fun! You had PonyTailz doing the Spidermen, you had Dainty Crime which was a crew of guys in there jumping up and down, it was entertaining. It also didn’t feel like you couldn’t do the moves. Everybody at home wanted to try because it felt like, “oh I think I could do this.” That’s what makes it so good and continues to be so.

It’s like YMCA, everyone can do that and you want to jump in – that’s what I think it is.

AM: I think so too and conversely, we were on set shooting one of our covers and Hotline Bling came out. I hadn’t seen the video yet and we’re all prepping for the shoot and I was asked if I had seen the video. We’re watching this video and I knew it was Director X, but the vibe had elements of Gimmie the Light as well. Of course, I find out that you did that and I can see why I felt those homages to the other video. What was it like being on this project and obviously another Toronto connection – and it was fire!

TS: Yo, Hotline Bling, what made it so special from the beginning is because it was Director X, who had me involved and of course, it was Drake. I remember Drake saying, I need that Tanisha Scott/Gimmie the Light moment. So, I’m like, “let’s do it brother” and I had previously worked with him before. He said he just wanted to let loose – almost like not taking anything too seriously and to just move and vibe. So I was like, let’s go – literally. What made the video so amazing is of course it was beautifully shot, but it was that synergy once again. It was the visuals, it was X's understanding what it takes, it’s Drake that’s part of it. Let me tell you one thing, that man has his finger on the pulse of not what’s new or next, but 2 slots or 4 years ahead. He knew more than anybody, he knew that this was something. He is so smart and he said, let’s just vibe and we had fun. We freestyled and we literally just had fun on set joking around and it became what it became.

Who would have seen me coming up with dances that actually became a meme, people are doing it and it’s a signature Drake move! It was a blessing because I’m working with my friends and we’re honestly friends where we trust each other so much that there’s no micromanaging of anything. It’s like, I’m going to do this and this makes sense to this and it makes sense to that – so let’s do that. Then Drake is like let’s do this and we just made it happen. So trust and just going with your gut and not just doing things that you think is right or what someone else thinks is right.

AM: Well once again, it’s just beautiful and it will be 20 years from now where there will be those relevant elements that have a different vibe in respect to Gimmie the Light but it still has that warmth –

TS: That simplicity.

AM: It’s so simple and I do love an over the top production as well, but I also like when things are paired down and you can focus. No matter how many times you watch it, there’s something that pops up and it just figures that you were involved as well!

So it’s always fun to see your work as a dancer and a choreographer but it’s interesting to see you as both in the same project. Does it feel like a balanced moment when we get to see you as both the dancer as well as the choreographer?

TS: That to me – being a dancer during doing something that’s choreographed, unless I’m freestyling – doesn’t really feel good. But, if I’m on camera choreographing doing what I do, that feels balanced. But if I’m dancing, I can’t perform to my best when I know that I have choreographed for other people are around me and I’m looking for where they are in their space. I’m still thinking as a choreographer as well as what is my artist doing and I feel like I’m cheating – it doesn’t feel good. Because when I dance, I zone out and I let go to be free. In that moment, I’m not on guard. When I’m choreographing and I’m on camera doing choreography or creative, I feel like I’m at home. I’m able to not just express what it is that I do and get the job done, but I want other people to learn as well. There are other levels to creative direction and different aspects of it as well as even for the dancers. There are a lot of things that we can do because the longevity of a dancer is not that long so you have to think of other things to do that can still play into your love of dance – you don’t lose it, but you just evolve.

AM: You look at a person like Debbie Allen who she can still –

TS: I mean queen, queen, queen!

AM: You just look at her and even when you watch her in something that she isn’t dancing in like when she is in Grey’s Anatomy, she has a flow to her movement that when she crosses over to the other side of the room, you’re transfixed!

TS: Preach Kimmie!

AM: I love flow and it doesn’t just exist in dance, but when you see those who are dancers and they still have that style in other portions of their life, it’s beautiful to see! You can tell the flow and musicality that some people have even when there isn’t anything being played.

TS: She doesn’t know this and I never met her but she is such an inspiration.

AM: She’s amazing! She has that eye and you know she’s watching.

There are so many videos where your fingerprint has graced those productions and moments. How is that for you to do it from a video standpoint versus being on someone’s tour with Rihanna versus doing something for TV like the BET Awards? Do you have to think differently Awards? Do you have to think differently for space or just the mediums that are being used?

TS: I do and I’m glad that you asked that question. I think that that’s what keeps me excited because it’s not the same thing over and over again. It allows me to stay on my toes.

So when we breakdown for a music video, a music video has edits and the primary thing about a music video is centering around the artist. So if there is choreography involved, it’s for a specific section. I always have enough dialogue with the director understanding what the environment is – are we dancing in a box, dancing on platforms, dancing on a wet floor, what are the costumes, what is the vision and go from that. I choreograph in sections that I know will be used. If you were to choreograph the whole song, you already know half of that isn’t even going to be seen or used unless the artist is in it. But even so, there are different things that we have to see. That’s one way and how I deal with music videos.

When it comes to tours, I have to now consider not just what the director of the music video is shooting, the type of frame that it is – is it overhead, is it specifically for the camera. With a tour, I choreograph for the naked eye. The naked eye means the expansion of it – it’s entrances and exits because we see everything. You can’t control what one person is seeing when you have thousands of people watching. So it’s the beginning of the song, the ending of the song and how the next song comes in. So it’s the thread that I use and the bigger purpose and I also choreograph the movement for me which is never little. It’s always a lot bigger because I tend to choreograph for those in the nosebleeds that aren’t so close – they have to have some kind of entertainment so that they can see and feel it and you have a successful show.

For an awards show, it’s a hybrid of both. I actually prefer the awards shows because I get to hone in on the director portions that I went to school for about 6 months at the NY Film Academy to learn music video directing. Not so much to be a music video director, I wanted to know how to choreograph and to speak to actors, actresses and dancers and to know what different frames were so I could be better choreographer. So I get to hone in on that when I am creative directing and choreographing the awards shows, I’m able to set the tone – the feeling of this is The Wiz so it’ll be different colors here and there, we have a yellow brick road and we formulate that. Now, how do we put in the choreography into it – this person enters here, that person enters there. Ok great, now with the camera, what do I need to see first? I need a close up shot of the artists walking on the yellow brick road and now I add a steady cam with a 360 turn to a smaller lens where I see 1 person pop up and then the next. We then go to a jib for a wide so I get to utilize everything that I have learned to put together a piece which hopefully, my next dream or chapter, is to be able to do Broadway. That to me is everything from when I do these awards shows because I get to think outside of the box and actually create a real piece. I have my hands in all aspects from set design to lighting – it’s everything to tell what that story is for what I want in that moment.

AM: I really like getting that insight and I expected a lot of what was said, but I really liked hearing about the hybrid environment of an awards show that is a defined box but still a little more open versus other areas. To hear your process in how you work that makes me think of our photoshoots where we’re creating that set, bringing in the team, sketching out the moodboard, bringing in the styling etc to create this concept. So by the time I arrive to the actual set day, I have played so many things in my mind for those hours.

TS: Prep is no joke!

AM: For sure! At some points as you’re actually seeing it all together, you feel like it already happened because you were so immersed and bringing it life in every way.

TS: Oh my God I swear, I think we’re twins!

AM: When you’ve seen videos that you’ve done that have been given various awards, obviously a video is the culmination of what you’re doing, the talent, creative teams, director etc – with all those things coming together and showing everyone’s versatility and work – what does it mean to you to have that award given to a project you were involved in?

TS: I feel so accomplished, so much more than even if I were personally receiving it for myself. When people hire me, I sign a contract in the air – it’s not a real one but it’s where they trust me to deliver to the best. When they are awarded, the team is awarded and/or the video is awarded – I know that I have done my job and that I have gained the trust. I know that what I set out and put out to do happened. I’m definitely a woman of my word. If I say I’m going to show up, I show up. If I say I am going to make something happen, I’m going to make something happen. With these videos, it’s definitely a collaboration – you have a director at the helm, but nothing is independent from one another. The gaffers, the stylists, the stage PAs, like we’re working and a lot of times, you don't know these people and you have never worked with them before, so you have to get on board and have the same common goal. When that’s achieved and it’s achieved with an award at the highest point, I feel so much more pleased with the job because it’s good and then It’s onto the next! It’s all about hurry up and wait and then on to the next.

AM: So with everything that you have done from a video perspective, you’ve also done other things from campaigns to commercials to even working outside of the genre of Hip Hop. You’ve extended the multi-hyphenate nature of your work beyond creative director, dancer and choreographer, but also performance coach. What is a performance coach as you worked with Sarah Jessica Parker for her campaign with Intimissimi.

TS: Ok Kimmie, I like you, I swear you’re asking all the questions. Ok, so a performance coach is involved when there are no specific movements given. But it is having somebody portraying the emotion that they want them to portray through their body through movement. So it can be anything that you do, but it’s just narrowing it down to 10 beats. Now they have the freedom to choose which beat they want to use at this time. They may switch at another time. But it’s always showing you the vein or the box that you need to be within. Like, here are all the treats, you have 20 treats and this is the box. It allows them to be more individuals in that sense.

AM: That’s very interesting. I think it’s great to have those that are multi-hyphenates because they are able to pull from a range of skill sets and that it can be applied to a fuller spectrum so that you’re able to do more than one thing and you have longevity in other places too. The touchpoints that you have crossed by being able to take those skills and to work with George Clooney and large brands etc – it was interesting to see the research and how you have really optimized your talents and why it’s important for people to do more than just one thing.

You’ve been the creative director for Cardi B and H.E.R. which is amazing and what does that role involve for those that may not know what that means in this part of the industry?

TS: I work very closely with both of them and Lizzo is a new client of mine as well in this role. I basically sit with them and it starts off with a conversation about what it is and how they want their music and themselves to translate visuallly numbers that we wanted to add in. It was only supposed to be 1 episode and it ended up being more and it just happened that way.

AM: We saw her recent hosting and performances on SNL. Were you involved in that choreography?

TS: Yes!

AM: Loved it!

TS: It was cute right?

AM: I was watching it and was like, that’s her too.

TS: Yaaas! I did that and I did the creative for it. You know, it’s a new album, it’s going to be a dope album and really good. She is singing, the vibe is so fun – it’s funky. So we’re like, what do we do? SNL is one of the most iconic running shows in the world and I’m like we just need to have people hear and listen to the song. So instead of making a big dramatic set, let’s keep it simple, but golden and sparkly with lights. We just needed to give what the song gives. It was good and a good time and with her hosting too!

AM: Such a fan of her work but to have her hosting and performing on SNL while her series is streaming on Prime Video was amazing.

We’re living in a number of moments right now and in this body inclusivity time we’re in to give space to everyone that has an interest and the talent to do so, I think Lizzo’s show to have someone such as yourself who has worked with so many people to work with these women, really drives home the point that it’s not cool to identify those based on their race, gender, sexuality, body type etc and to dismiss them from opportunities where they can be present and own their gifts. This show is a great way to draw awareness to the opportunities that do exist for people.

TS: I love that! To me, what am I doing this job for – for what? When I think of what my legacy is, I just want everybody to have an opportunity and a moment to have what they want to have and then it’s up to them to continue with it. So give people the tools to be great to do what they want. It’s literally limitless. You’re right, it’s not cool to tell someone that they are not the right look for something. If you have the capability and the chops to do something – absolutely you should. Who is making the decision to defining what the perfect look is for something that is specific. You can have it in your box for what you do, but it should never be generalized.

With the girls, I said listen, we’re going to open up this door and you need to kick it down because I can only do so much for you. There is that aspect of being real and of course, it’s a sisterhood and we’re not here to put anybody down. We’re here to motivate and to uplift but at the same time, I’m very real and I know the kinds of circumstances that I have been through. I’ve been the dark-skinned girl where there was no makeup for you so before for those young kids that didn’t know, there was nothing. So I’d come in with my hat down low because X is calling me and Hype is calling me and telling me to get to set. I’m the first one in the makeup chair and the last one getting my makeup done. So, I’d put on a hat so that no one could see that I didn’t have makeup on. Or the fact that I’m chocolate, you can only have 1 of the 4 girls in the audition that will be chosen. Half the time that I’m auditioning, I’m like, "hey girl, hey girl” who is it going to be this time – well you got the last one so I’m going to be picked this time. You know what I’m saying? I’m not a Size 0 so having to get sample sizes was never the thing so my outfit was always the other outfit. My butt is big. Not being a trained dancer, I couldn’t do pirouettes, leaps and jumps. To this day, I still put myself in class learn and I am in beginners’ classes.

I’m not afraid to learn and that’s also what I tried to teach the girls. You control what happens to you in your life. Regardless of what people want to say and doors that have closed. We have all heard the stories about what happened to Tyra Banks and getting so many doors closed and then of course look at her now. We’ve all had that! But you have to keep pushing and once you push and that door opens, then you have to make sure that you stomp so hard that your foot is cemented into the ground and that they cannot deny you.

That’s what I got, I said don’t look at my face, I put my hat down, I didn’t need makeup, I’ll be there on time, I’ll wear my own outfit – I wasn’t doing choreography, so I was doing freestyle and every time out of those 100 music videos that I did, I freestyled that. I made sure that every single time I freestyled that I would get a standing ovation that would make them clap to make myself memorable. People would say, who was that girl that did this or who is that girl that did that and that’s how I made my mark. I think that that is the reason that I am where I am now because of all the no’s, I took them like a champ and I’m not saying that I never cried or wanted to give up, but I just kept going and every time there was an opportunity, I just said yes and let me figure it out when I get there.

AM: Tell me about the B Project campaign with Good American.

TS: Ok, yaaas! That was so fly to me Baroline Diaz is a VP of A&R at Interscope Records. We had never met before and she reached out to me and a few other women in her network that she didn’t know but admired and wanted all 12 of us to be part of her campaign. It was strictly for boss women that were self-made who didn’t have anything easy but are doing their damn thing. She just wanted to celebrate us and to be able to recognize others. Honestly before I even met her, I thought this sounds fire and when I met her, we had dinner and had some drinks and I’m like, “you are like everything that we need as a network for women that really do truly empower one another.” She doesn’t just say it, she lives it. We even have a chat that we still everyday talk with one another. Baroline is on it! She’s on our Instagram and our socials and she lets us know about so and so who does this and we say, “yes.” Or someone will say that they have something and will ask to get our addresses and they send it out. I’m going to help out someone else in the group with one of her artists. There are a couple of people in that group where we’re all super connected and we’re going to work with each other and help lift each other as well. There are just a lot of convos that go on in the group chat whether we’re helping one another out, sending scriptures or just getting projects going. It is such a great good sisterhood and it’s such a great campaign that I was able to be part of!

AM: It feels like you’re someone who is always flowing from one project to the next project or maybe it’s 80 projects that are all running at the same time! What do you have coming up that you are able to share that you’re excited about?

TS: I can share 2 things – 1 halfway. I am doing something with Disney and in NY so that should be cool! It’s kind of like wowzers and then another thing that is coming soon is that I’m working with Tom Holland and Sasha Lane on this Apple+ TV show, The Crowded Room. I can’t give anything away with this show, but I am so excited! I have the BET Awards coming up with Lizzo! H.E.R. right now is on tour opening up for Coldplay as well as her own tour. I did the creative direction for that. And working with Coldplay too!

AM: Saw that, I’m a huge Coldplay fan. I was like look at her rocking more spaces then just her spaces!

TS: RIGHT! And then Lizzo’s tour is coming and we’ll be announcing soon!

AM: In looking at other things that you have done, I know that at one time you were the choreographer for the Brooklyn Nets Kids dance team! How long were you with them and why did you want to do be involved in this?

TS: I started once Barclays opened up and the Brooklyn Nets became a thing. So I started working with the kids for about 5 years and then I passed it onto the assistant of mine at the time only because I started traveling for work and I couldn’t physically be there! I actually got the job through Jay-Z and my friend who is one of the directors for the female dancer’s entertainment group. For me, I chose to work with the kids because honestly for me, it’s not work for me when I work with children. Because they’re so fearless and they want to try everything, because they’re always so ready to go – I get a lot from them. I just feel really good being one of their first teachers to show them direction on how to learn, how to be, how to respect choreographers, how to walk in and just being part of their journey and helping to help them find who they are whether they want to do this or don’t want to do this as a career. Whether they want to continue or not, to me, that’s the world. I love working with kids.

AM: It’s so important to have a positive influence for dance. I remember growing up that I started in ballet and tap at a really young age. I liked ballet and I remember that the teacher told me that due to my body type there wasn’t a place for me in that arena and that there weren’t any Black ballerinas and that I shouldn’t do it. So, we’re talking the early 80s, I didn’t do it and I just did tap instead. The teacher, I thought at the time, was super nice and I believed what she said.

So to have a teacher that makes sure that you feel seen and allows you to go after something if that is your interest without putting barriers up, made me think that what you did for those kids was amazing.

Now do we know if I would have really done ballet – but I know you shouldn’t tell a 3 or 4 year old that they shouldn’t.

TS: No that’s absolutely right! That shouldn’t have happened. You said it perfectly, we need voices that allow people to be seen and to encourage them and to let them know you’re good enough. You should hone in on what you have and what you want. Golly, you need a second opinion sometimes.

AM: I know! But it was back then, so I didn’t know that there would be a Misty Copeland that would come along and at the time and where I grew up, there was no reference. But it did make me realize from then on that when I would go in whatever space, I fought for myself and place there and if it was something I wanted to do, I would make it happen regardless of what was said.

You also worked for a program with the Block Institute for Autism. Why did you want to be involved in this?

TS: Because I realized that there are things that are bigger than me and that there are things that are more rewarding than the biggest celebrity and the biggest brand. Does it even matter if you can’t enrich the lives of those that are not seen. People are important and if there is a need and especially with dance and what it has done for me and how it makes me feel, I want to be able to work with and teach and empower those that are in my reach. When I got the opportunity it was through a friend of mine that I talked with who worked with the Block Institute. I asked what they did and he explained that they provide extracurricular activities and I asked about dance. He explained that sometimes they would go in the gym and I let them know that I would come in and help and I did it for 3 years.

Life is short. God gave me a gift and it’s not for myself and it’s not for the riches or the popularity – it’s to enrich and to give hope, love and acceptance to others. I’m not keeping this to myself. I don’t like to dance alone! I want everybody to come and dance with me! It was pretty easy and a very quick yes from me. I actually miss doing it and I do want to start something up like that again. I really really do and I just have to make time for it. Thanks for reminding me about it! It’s important.

AM: I liked seeing that. We have been covering various autism stories from Autism Speaks Gala which included noted chefs and Andrew Zimmern was one of the hosts of the night, his son is autistic. It was a beautiful gala at Cipriani’s downtown and then Prime Video has a series streaming now, ‘As We See It’ which focuses on autistic adults and how they engage in the world and their relationship to one another, their families and they aid. It showed the depth of what it means to be autistic and how that can be from one person to the other as it’s not a monolithic experience. So to have someone such as yourself to give of your time in addition to everything you do, to infuse something you love to them is pretty awesome.

TS: Thank you. I really need to do more and it’s not enough.

AM: You do what you can in the hours of a day and I have taken 1 24 hour clock and made it 72 hours!

TS: Ha yes you’re right – let me stop!

AM: So when you’re not doing projects, how do you take time for yourself to have a reset? Because when you’re working with so many people and playing checkpoint, you’re doing 72 hours in a 24 hour cycle and you’re being 25 people!

TS: I’ve never heard it so eloquently stated like that! I literally when I have that time and I’m searching for it right now, I drop everything and go to Jamaica. I’m gone – the beach, the sand, the air – that’s what I need. If I can’t get away, then I’m in my bed watching any type of reality TV – like Love Island!

AM: Have you watched The Ultimatum yet?

TS: I just started! Because I just finished –

AM: Love is Blind!

TS: Yes, I’m still in the first episode, are you watching it?

AM: I already watched it. I am a queen binger because that is how I decompress! I love reality shows for a number of reasons – obviously it’s interesting to be able to see the people, you’re seeing designers coming through and there’s a lot of education that you can learn from the area that’s being covered, regional knowledge, restaurants etc and to know that that’s not you watching it all go down! Because I’m here for the drama as long as it’s not my own!

TS: Yes, same here!

AM: Who are 3 people that assisted you to be where you are today in your career?

TS: Director X, like I said, I’ve never met her before but Debbie Allen. She mentors me from afar there are things that she has done that are just so impressive. I’ll also say, my closest friends that are like my family and my brother and sister. They’re always like, how did you do this – this is great – keep going! Do t his and do that. They also ignite my fire. They give a lot of reassurance from them.

IG @tanishascott

PHOTO CREDIT | FRONT + BACK COVER, PG 18, 21, 26 Carey Bradshaw | PG 22, 25, 29, 30, 32 Courtesy Tanisha Scott | PG 35 + 36 Amazon/Watch Out For the Big Grrrls | PG 39 Ali Page Goldstein/HBO Max | PG 40 HBO MAX/Legendary | 9LIST STORI3S PG 180 Mohamed Sadek/GapFit |

Read the APR ISSUE #77 of Athleisure Mag and see THE SCIENTIST OF MOVEMENT | Tanisha Scott in mag.

DISCOVERY OF POWER WITH LO BOSWORTH

We first learned about Lo Bosworth as one of the cast members of MTV's Laguna Beach as we were introduced to a friendship group in Orange County of young people that navigated the transition between high school and college. We continued on with her and other members as they navigated adulting post college in The Hills. Lo was always a grounded member of this friend group who we would learn after these succeful reality shows that she had a passion for wellness and would become the founder and CEO of Love Wellness which focuses on self-care with a focus on body positivity and science. We catch up with Lo to talk about her brand, partnership with Baileys and how she takes time for herself.

ATHLEISURE MAG: When you were on The Hills, there wasn’t programming that focused on adulting in that way. The show also laid the foundation for a formula that we look for in these shows from friendship groups, getting to know main character’s facets of life, introducing audiences to popular boutiques/restaurants and designers that are being worn – which is standard now. What does it mean to you that you participated in a show that laid this groundwork and what did you learn by being involved in these shows?

LO BOSWORTH: I learned the power of my own voice and community. I'm so fortunate to have been given the opportunity to connect with an audience on a large scale and have always tried to do my best with the opportunities given to me.

AM: Back in 2019, we attended a fitness event that Love Wellness hosted. I was drawn to the packaging and your messaging. What led you to creating this self-care brand and what role does self-care play in your life?

LB: I became more interested in health and wellness when I dealt with a few health setbacks in both 2014 and 2019. Going through these challenging moments forced me to focus on my well-being, search for alternatives, and when I was able to heal, I was inspired to share my journey able to heal, I was inspired to share my journey through the founding of Love Wellness.

AM: What products can we find at Love Wellness?

LB: We make everything from vaginal suppositories to de-bloating supplements. Our total body care products for women are made with clean ingredients, are innovative and trendsetting, and give women the real results they're looking for from a wellness company.

AM: You guys just launched probiotics – tell us more about this.

LB: Our recent probiotics launch was actually an expansion of this product category at Love Wellness. One of our original products, Good Girl Probiotics, launched 5 years ago with a focus on improving vaginal and urinary tract health with the use of diverse live bacteria strains organic to the vagina. After closing in on selling one million units of Good Girl Probiotics, we made the decision to expand our probiotics category to focus on other microbiomes in and on the body. Our new best-sellers include Clear Skin Probiotics for reducing the number of acne pimples on the skin, and Gut Feelings Probiotics which is a pre-probiotic blend that helps support overall gut health and immunity.

AM: What are you currently working on whether it’s with Love Wellness or outside of it?

LB: I'm the founder and CEO of Love Wellness and operate my business full-time everyday alongside my excellent team in New York City. My primary focus is helping women discover our innovating products, education, and community.

AM: As we’re all continuing to venture out after the past 19 months that we have endured, it seems like every opportunity to celebrate whether solo or in small groups is a must! How can we host the appropriate end of summer party or kick off to the fall?

LB: Aside from putting together a fun group and great spread of food, Baileys Deliciously Light is one of my secrets to entertaining at home. Baileys Deliciously Light is a delicious and versatile treat that can be enjoyed so many ways including over ice, chilled, in a smoothie or with hot, iced or whipped coffee so there’s truly something for everyone!

AM: Why did you want to partner with Baileys Deliciously Light?

LB: I always make sure to partner with brands that represent my lifestyle. Baileys Deliciously Light gives me a chance to treat myself to a delicious cocktail or baked good, and it’s also made with 40% less sugar and 40% less calories than Baileys Original Irish Cream so it gives me the balance I always look for in my life!

AM: We’re all enjoying that transition into fall weather and in many cases, that also means our cocktails take this journey as well! What’s your go to fall cocktail that we should think about including into our rotation?

LB: I love experimenting in the kitchen and making new things for me and my friends to try. Baileys Deliciously Light is a delicious and versatile treat that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways – but my favorite is including it in hot and iced coffee drinks or even espresso martinis. One of my favorite cocktails to make this season is the Baileys Frothy Coffee – it’s made with Baileys Deliciously Light, espresso and frothy milk. It’s the perfect, simple fall drink that’s a major crowd pleaser.

BAILEYS FROTHY COFFEE

Ingredients

2.5 oz Baileys Deliciously Light

2 oz Espresso

2/3 Cup Frothy Milk

Preparation

1. Combine Baileys Deliciously Light and espresso into a coffee mug.

2. Heat up milk and blend/whip until frothy.

3. Top coffee and enjoy!

AM: When you’re not running your business or taking on a project, how do you take time for yourself?

LB: I take baths, eat amazing meals at my favorite restaurants in New York City, and spend quality time walking my neighborhood with friends.

IG @LoBosworth

PHOTOGRAPHY | Baileys Deliciously Light

Read the SEP ISSUE #70 of Athleisure Mag and see Discover of Power with Lo Bosworth in mag.

KEEPING IT FUN WITH VANESSA LACHEY

We caught up with one of our faves, Vanessa Lachey who got her start competing in pageants, being a host on MTV's TRL as well as a number of TV hosting jobs. She also appeared on CBS' The Bold and The Beautiful, FOX's BH90210, and recently, FOX's Call Me Kat. We talked with her to find out how she fell in love with the entertainment industry, Netflix's Love is Blind which she hosts with her husband and 98 Degrees band member, Nick Lachey and what she's working on at the moment!

ATHLEISURE MAG: We’ve been fans of yours since you were on the pageant circuit and of course seeing you as a host on TRL, when did you realize that you wanted to be in the entertainment industry and what drew you to it?

VANESSA LACHEY: I have always loved entertaining my family and friends. I liked making people laugh, and honestly with my dad being in the Air Force and me moving around a lot, being silly and outgoing was my way to make friends and also a coping mechanism for when I was sad or uncomfortable. The pageant was a dare when I was in high school. More of a push my boyfriend's dad who thought if I won his son would appreciate me more. What ended up happening was I realized I only knew how to be ME. I was so nervous and I thought I never stood a chance, but once I won, by being me, I realized how special and unique we all are and can be, as long as we stay true to ourselves. When I started hosting I combined two things I LOVED and knew, music and my outgoing personality. It was such a fun fit and my most favorite job! I owe a lot to both of those experiences and what they did for me personally and professionally.

AM: You've been in so many different great shows, what are the things that you look for when you're considering participating in them?

VL: Honestly, the number one thing I think about is how will the affect my family. Both with my schedule and time away from my kids and time away from my kids and time away from my husband. Next I look at the role and if it's fun, would I enjoy it and how can I make it “mine." For hosting I always want to be a part of something fun and entertaining, but love when I also get to be a part of something bigger and moving or inspirational.

AM: It feels like last year we consumed a lot more programming than normal due to lockdowns etc and we got sucked into Love is Blind. I loved the concept behind it and thought that you and Nick as hosts was such a great addition! What drew you to being involved and how was it for you and your husband to do this together?

VL: This was such a fun project to work on together. We actually hadn’t work together much previously – we’d done a few pageant hosting gigs together but that was it – so it was kind of an experiment to see what our working dynamic might be like. What drew us to it was actually the similarity between the show and how Nick and I first started dating. When we first got together he was living in LA and me in NY, so we communicated mostly over text or the phone for the longest time, really only seeing each other when one of us had work in the other’s city. Obviously we had already seen each other when we started dating, but we loved the concept of this show where people meet and fall in love without relying on physical attraction or having the burden of outside distractions. None of us knew what they outcome would be, so it was a wonderful surprise to see the couples and love that resulted from season one!

AM: Will you be coming back for the next season and can you share anything for fans of the show?

VL: Yes! We are so excited to be starting filming for season two AND three in the next few weeks! Season 2 will be in Chicago and season 3 in Dallas. I can’t share too much, but I can promise you won’t have to wait too long before you get to see it all unfold.

AM: Tell us about your new role as Tara Barnett in Call Me Kat and why you wanted to be on this fun show?

VL: Yes – Tara is such a fun character to play and I really enjoy the sit-com space. I’m also a big fan of Mayim Bialik’s and working together and playing best friends has been such a joy. This was one of the first times a job approached me about a role they thought I’d be a fit for, and I feel so incredibly lucky to be working during an otherwise really difficult time.

AM: I know you haven't been on this show although you could be in an upcoming season, but last year many fans of the Masked Singer kept thinking that the Snow Owls were you and Nick when it was actually Clint Black and Lisa Hartman Black! Would you ever consider being on this show and what would your costume be?

VL: It’s so funny seeing all the speculation around Nick and this show! We enjoy watching at home and even the kids love analyzing the contestants people think sound like him. I think I will leave the singing to Nick, but it certainly would be fun!

AM: In addition to playing roles in various shows and competing on Dancing with the Stars, you have hosted a number of great shows from TRL, Top Chef Junior, hosting various Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants, you will be hosting a virtual awards show called Total Wireless Awards. Can you tell us more about this show and who is being honored?

VL: Yes! I’m so excited to be a part of a program that is so positive – I think we can all use more positivity after the past year. The Total Wireless Awards are featuring five amazing real-life individuals who have really done amazing for themselves, their families or their communities during a really challenging year.

We’ve got a single mom who is working so hard in order to give her three kids the best education possible, all while going to school herself. A high school student named Danny Goldberg who was inspired by his ER physician dad to find ways to help his community during lockdown and started Zoomers to Boomers – an organization that is now active in more than 30 cities across the globe! And a goofy, comedian dad who started making fun TikTok videos with his kindergarten aged-daughter to help make virtual learning more fun.

All of these amazing stories were made possible by virtual connection – something that Total Wireless offers at such an affordable price – plans start at just $25 a month with no-contract required. We’ll be releasing the five stories on Total Wireless’s Instagram page on March 16th and are asking folks to go vote for their favorite story. Then in a few weeks, I’ll be announcing the “fan favorite” winner and sitting down with them to reveal their grand prize!

AM: Are there upcoming projects that we should keep an eye out for that you can tell us about?

VL: I’ll be starting production for Netflix’s Love is Blind Season 2 & 3 and so excited for what’s ahead.

IG @VanessaLachey

PHOTO COURTESY | Vanessa Lachey

Read the Mar Issue #63 of Athleisure Mag and see Keeping it Fun with Vanessa Lachey in mag.

BINGELY STREAMING

MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM

Netflix Originals

Netflix

Netflix Originals brings the story of the Mother of the Blues, Ma Rainey, to showcase how she trailblazed in the industry. Based on the play written by August Wilson. The film where Viola Davis stars as Ma Rainey as well as Chad Boseman's final film as Levee Green, the band's trumpeter. The film tackles artistic control, commercial exploitation, and racism in various forms from systematic to violent.

Most of the scenes take place in a recording studio in Chicago in 1927 where the band shares stories that lets you know about their journey, the lies, truths and how their decisions led them to where they ended up.

FROM NOW

QCode

Apple Podcast

We've been fans of QCode's podcast for awhile now so when we heard that Richard Madden (Bodyguard) and Brian Cox (HBO's Succession) would be starring in this scripted sci-fi podcast, we made sure to add this to our list. The first episode introduces us to the USS Hope a spaceship that vanished for 35 years and then came back to earth. The lone survivor leaves the carrier and is the same age as when he left! His brother, voiced by Cox and is his twin and has a one-on-one meeting with them.

The meeting allows them to reconcile and although it was a pleasant exchange, it turn a bit dark as they uncover information that can threaten their relationship from sibling rivalry, family loyalty, technological advances, the future of space exploration, climate change, human adaptation and how we process time individually.

CATFISH

Wondery + MTV

Spotify

We enjoy seeing Catfish where Nev Schulman brings interested parties together to find out if they are who they say they are, if they are compatible to stay together or if they have other issues that they need to figure out. Nev has also shown us how we can go about protecting our digital spaces and interactions so that we can safeguard ourselves from those that may not have our best interests as heart. If you've enjoyed seeing the movie that started it all and the weekly TV show, you can now listen to some of the most shocking episodes on this podcast.

MTV partnered with Wondery to take some of the best episodes from the TV show and to make it an auditory experience as we navigate those being catfished. As this show just began, we love that Max is in these episodes. In listening to the first few episodes, you can hear the best of the actual show as well as voiceovers to connect portions of the episode in terms of describing the person that they are working with so that you have a full picture on what's taking place.

Read the Athleisure Mag Dec Issue #60 and see Bingely Streaming in mag.

WHEN WOMEN SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER WITH WHITNEY PORT

One of our faves that we enjoy chatting with is Whitney Port. In addition to being someone that is positive, continues to grow her business interests and more, she truly enjoys reaching out to women and ensuring that they are connected with those that can assist them in their journey. We catch up with Whitney right before she starts filming for the second season of MTV's The Hills: New Beginnings. We talk with her about her upcoming projects, balancing her busy life as well as taking time for herself.

ATHLEISURE MAG: We talked to you last fall and touched on The Hills: New Beginnings and how we loved seeing you back on that show again! What can you tell us about the second season?

WHITNEY PORT: We haven’t started filming yet but I am eager to start back up and connect with everyone again! The show will dive deeper into our lives as parents and our relationships with each other.

AM: We have also become fans of your podcast and love how you share people that you are a fan of or talking with your husband to get to know more about you. Who are some upcoming guests that we should get excited about hearing?

WP: Well, last week I put out one of my favorite episodes ever! It was with BJ Fogg, a professor at Stanford. We talked all about how we can train our brains to be happier and more fulfilled by learning small habits to incorporate into our daily lives. We will also be having some fun peeps on soon like Kaitlyn Bristowe and Rosie Huntington Whiteley.

AM: Tell us about your partnership with Chloe Wine and Dress for Success?

WP: I’ve teamed up with Chloe Wine Collection to raise a glass to hardworking women everywhere this International Women’s Day. Together, we’re also raising awareness for ‘Your Hour Her Power,’ Dress for Success’ signature giving campaign, which encourages supporters to donate one hour of their pay to help women reach their full potential. I recently stopped by the Dress for Success LA boutique to style some of their clients in preparation for upcoming job interviews.

AM: Why does this partnership mean so much to you?

WP: As a business owner, I know how the right outfit can arm you with the confidence and charisma to make a great first impression, and how important it is to have a network of support cheering you on. I wouldn’t be where I am without the strong women in my life, so I’m proud to join Chloe Wine Collection in paying it forward.

AM: Many women are looking to live their best whether it’s starting a new business, delving into their communities and networks or just changing it up to go to a new city. What are your tips for women to optimize themselves through networking, putting their best foot forward as well as to establish themselves in a new city?

WP: Take advantage of social media apps like Bumble Bizz, Meetup and Facebook groups to make connections with likeminded women in industries you are interested in. Keep your eyes peeled for networking events or other fun after-work activities and make it a goal to go to at least one per week. If you work in a big office, send out an all-company slack message to see if anyone is free to grab lunch or a happy hour. It might sound intimidating to put yourself out there, but people are more willing to help than you think!

AM: How do you balance the needs of being a woman with a career, being present as a wife and being a mom?

WP: It’s definitely a challenge but I try to be ok with the imbalance as opposed to striving for perfect balance because that is just not very attainable. Some days may be very work heavy and there’s little time for Sonny or some days may be ALL about Sonny and my inbox might be flooded. It is all about being ok with this, being present in the moment you are in and almost most importantly, making sure your needs are being fulfilled so you can be present for your family and your career. For instance, to feel like a whole human, I need to work out a couple times a week so I make this a priority. It is ok to have needs. I make a working to-do list in a google doc and make sure my needs being met is something scheduled in.

AM: How do you support and motivate the women in your life?

WP: I try to always lend an ear when someone is in need. I try to listen without judgment and not just give advice. I try to hear where they are coming from and work through situations as opposed to just telling them what has worked for me. It is also important just to send random messages or quotes or words of inspiration to those you know need it! But really, just make it known that you are always there to work through tough situations.

AM: What are your 3 go-to power foods that you enjoy to keep your energy up when you’re constantly on the go?

WP: Sunflower seeds, almonds or pumpkin seeds, the Tranquility Smoothie from Kreation, and if I am running out the door but haven’t eaten I will toast some sourdough and slather on some peanut butter for a snack in the car!

IG @WhitneyEvePort

Read the Feb Issue of Athleisure Mag and see When Women Support One Another with Whitney Port in mag.

ATHLEISURE MAG | #50 FEB 2020

This month’s cover and back cover is NBC Law & Order: SVU’s, Jamie Gray Hyder. Our cover shoot editorial – Finding the Through Line with Jamie Gray Hyder took place at the Dream Downtown Hotel in Tao Group Hospitality’s PHD Rooftop Lounge and Winter Rose Garden Lobby Bar. In addition, she will kick off season 2 of our podcast, #TRIBEGOALS later on this month. We talked with Jamie about her career in entertainment, being on the longest running drama that just got renewed for an additional 3 seasons and how she prepares for her roles. In our feature, Something You Should Know, we chat with Nina Kharey of NONIE who talks about fashion as a platform, celebs who have worn her clothing and how she went about launching her line. This month, we chatted with one of our faves Whitney Port about her upcoming season for MTV’s The Hills: New Beginnings season 2, her work with Dress for Success in partnership with Chloe Wines and how she keeps everything going with her busy life. We also share highlights from this season’s R3DCARP3T, by sharing how an array of looks were created by the celebs’ fashion stylists, MUA and hairstylists. In this month’s The Art of the Snack, we head to the East Village and check out GNOCCO which has been in business for 20 years and serves an array of Italian dishes that are the ultimate in comfort food.

As usual, we have our monthly roundups including our 9LIST (Athleisure Mag’s picks that we’re loving this month in style, beauty and fitness) featured roundups. This month’s 9LIST STORI3S (picks supplied by celebrities) gives us insight into Celebrity MUA Rea Ann Silva, the Founder of BeautyBlender. This month’s 9PLAYLIST includes wrestling’s All Elite Wrestling’s Chief Brand Officer Brandi Rhodes who shares her favorite songs with us.  As always, you can enjoy Athleisure List (Studs and The Wonderbon Chocolate Co), The Pick Me Up, Bingely Books, Bingely Streaming, Style Files, He Rocks This When He Is Out and About, Athleisure Beauty, How to Dress, In Our Bag, #TRIBEGOALS and Pineapple Beauty.

Read the latest issue here.

MORE POWER WITH ADAM CAROLLA

When you think of Adam Carolla, Loveline comes to mind immediately. He co-hosted this call-in show with Dr Drew on MTV and you learned a lot of information while having levity throughout the show. He is also known for The Man Show, being a host of a number of TV and radio shows including, The Adam Carolla Project, which focused on home improvement on TLC. In addition to appearing on Dancing with the Stars, The Celebrity Apprentice, his voiceover work, his own sangria line known as Mangria writing a number of books and more – his passion for cars is undeniable! Last month, we interviewed Adam at The Chicago Auto Show where he shared where his passion for cars emerged, investing in Paul Newman cars, working on cars, Exotic EVs and of course his bromance with Jimmy Kimmel.

ATHLEISURE MAG: What was the moment that you knew that you fell in love with cars?

ADAM CAROLLA: I have always loved cars since I was a little, little boy. I was a big fan of cars, I just never had any money and my parents, they didn’t have any money. My dad didn’t like cars and my mom didn’t like cars – it was kind of crappy because it was like being a musician and never having a guitar to play. I got older and I was poor again and drove pickup trucks, worked as a carpenter and at some point, I got into show business and made some money and was finally able to buy some cars.

AM: How did it happen that you became the guy that had so many Paul Newman cars?

AC: I always liked raced cars and I liked Datsuns for some weird reason. Paul Newman drove for Datsun at the beginning of his career and then he drove for Nissan. So I was collecting these Datsun race cars and these Paul Newman cars kept coming up! So I would go, “well it’s a Nissan race car – I’ll take it.” The Newman name was not as important to me at the time, but at a certain point it dawned on me that I was actually collecting Newman race cars and not Datsun race cars and that's when it started to turn and that’s when I started to focus a little more on just collecting the Newman stuff.

AM: You’re at The Chicago Auto Show. What do you love about the show and what are you looking forward to seeing?

AC: I love all the cars, they are all my children – sort of like Michael Jackson felt about the children of the world – but in a wholesome way! None of the later year stuff! I look at the cars like all of my children. You know the electric cars are like my step kids that have been in and out of juvi – I’m not that into. He can still sleep at the house, but he has to stay away from my beer.

AM: What do you think of the whole Exotic EV movement that’s going on?

AC: I think it’s fine, my wife has a Tesla, but it just died in the garage literally 2 days ago – there is nothing that we can do about it. They took it and said that they didn’t know what was wrong with it. We don’t know when we will be able to get it back to you. I like a car with an internal combustion engine in it and a car that I can dump some Castrol Edge into versus and electric car that doesn’t have a crank case.

AM: Well, I guess there won’t be any additional Exotic EV’s being added to your collection.

AC: No! We needed one car with an internal combustion engine in it to get around. Like I said, when the electric cars die – they just die! I’m pretty good at wrenching on cars, but I’m looking at a Tesla and it just says that it is dead and I don’t even know where to begin. Where if it was an old school car, I’d put it in neutral and bump start it or get out the cables and jumpstart it or try something.

AM: What trends are you seeing at the show that we should keep an eye out for?

AC: I'm seeing smaller motors - V8's giving way to V6’s, V6’s giving way to straight or in-line 4 Cylinder engines. They’re putting turbo chargers on them. They’re asking more of smaller engines and that’s where Castrol Edge comes in for maximum engine performance. You need a better lubrication because you’re asking for more out of a smaller engine.

AM: What are your 3 must hav3s that you have in your garage when you’re working on your cars?

AC: My 3 must hav3s are a metric set of sockets because I’m working on foreign stuff mainly, an IPA beer and Castrol Edge. And I’ll take a swig off of both of them – oh yeah!

AM: In terms of your tribe, who are 3 people that have influenced your career?

AC: Well, I would say God, but I am an atheist and then I’d say my dad, but I don’t really like him. I’ll say Paul Newman oh and there’s Jimmy Kimmel – I mean come on, I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Jimmy Kimmel! I don’t like my dad, but I like Jimmy’s dad! So, I’ll say Jimmy’s dad, Paul Newman and Jimmy Kimmel!

By the way, Jimmy’s dad is a Jim Kimmel, but for some reason, we don’t call him Jr!

AM: Alright, those are some pretty great picks. It was so much fun talking to you about Paul Newman, cars and Jimmy Kimmel! Is there anything that we should keep an eye out for?

AC: If you guys want to see a pretty cool video, go to Castrol Edge USA’s channel on YouTube and see me driving the wheels off this Audi RA!

IG @AdamCarolla

You can also enjoy hearing Adam Carolla's interview with us right now on our show, #TRIBEGOALS which is a part of Athleisure Studio, our multi-media podcast network! You can hear it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and wherever you enjoy listening to your favorite podcast shows

Read the March Issue of Athleisure Mag and see More Power with Adam Carolla in mag.

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.

THE HILLS ARE ALIVE WITH WHITNEY PORT

We fell in love with Whitney Port during her days on The Hills as well as The City on MTV! We watched the rise of the budding fashion and PR girl through her internships, love life and more. With the reboot of The Hills coming back, we took some time to chat with one of our fave girls to talk about the importance of fitness, coming back to the show and other projects that she's working on.

ATHLEISURE MAG: We fell in love with you on The Hills and then seeing you step into the next phase of your life with The City! How did you get on The Hills and what was it like for you to be on this reality show?

WHITNEY PORT: I got onto “The Hills” pretty organically. I was an intern at WWD, and I was starting college in the fall in LA. I wanted another fashion internship, and Teen Vogue, which was in the same offices as WWD, was looking for interns. I decided to go in and interview. They told me that they thought I was a great candidate, but asked if I was interested in being on TV because they were starting to film a TV show there. I was unsure at first. They suggested I do a casting tape and see what happens. The next thing I knew I was called back in for the next on-camera interview with Lisa Love at Teen Vogue. Lauren Conrad walked into the waiting room while I was waiting for my interview. I then realized I was auditioning for her spinoff show because I had watched “Laguna Beach” and knew who she was. I had no idea that they had already casted me on the show. The rest was history!

AM: What made you decide that you wanted to continue onto the spinoff and what lessons did you learn from both shows?

WP: I really wanted to start my clothing line, and I saw the power that the show could have in terms of exposure. I joined the cast of “The City” because I thought it would be the perfect platform for me to launch my clothing line. I looked at itcompletely from a business perspetive. I also always wanted to move to NYC and thought that this was the perfect opportunity to do so.

What I learned is that just saying “yes” to things is so powerful and even though you may be scared, just say yes to more things. We are only young once and these opportunities fade so quickly so just really take advantage of these random fun adventures as often as you can.

AM: What can you tell us about The Hills Reboot?

WP: I cannot necessarily share so much at this moment, but we just started filming and its been really fun reconnecting with everyone. I’m excited for fans to see what we are all up to. It’s very different from how we used to spend our time.

AM: Are you excited to be back on the show - how do you think it will be different and what are you most looking forward to?

WP: It’s been ten years since we first started, and we all have grown up so much since then. We all have families and careers, so I think hopefully it will show a different perspective from a career standpoint as well as the intricacies of more mature relationships. A lot of the people that have watched the show have grown up with us, so I think they will be in similar places and have similar situations going on in their lives.

AM: Since being on the reality shows, we have enjoyed seeing you take on a number of projects from your clothing line, TV hosting and more - what are you currently working on that we should know about and feel free to share launches etc.

WP: I’m the Creative Director and Co-Founder of Bundle Organics, which is a tea, snack and vitamin booster line for pregnant and nursing women. We are launching 24 new items in Buy Buy Baby in the beginning of November, so I’m really excited because the new items are really delicious. I’m really excited to be a trusted brand for pregnant and nursing women, who have so many questions about what to put in their bodies and what brands to trust. I’m just excited to be that brand that they can look to.

AM: Health and fitness is important to us as well as to you. Why have you partnered with LACTAID and what is it that you enjoy about it?

WP: I’ve partnered with LACTAID because living a healthy lifestyle is important to me and real dairy is part of my balanced diet, plus I love the taste. I started buying LACTAID Milk because my husband, Timmy, is lactose intolerant. It has become a staple in our home.

AM: We know you created a LACTAID smoothie recipe, what's in it?

WP: Yes, after a good workout, I make sure to refuel with a smoothie made with LACTAID Milk, which has all the good nutrients found in real dairy without the discomfort of the lactose, so my husband Timmy can enjoy it too. The protein and sugar are just what my body needs after a good sweat. Check out the recipe below:

Ingredients:

1 Tsp cacao nibs
3 dates
¼ cup almonds
1 ripe banana
1 cup LACTAID® 2% Milk

Directions: Blend all ingredients and enjoy!

AM: What is your favorite healthy fall meal that you enjoy eating for lunch or dinner and what's a splurge food that you enjoy eating?

WP: My favorite healthy fall meal is my favorite meal year-round. I love steak. It’s always been my favorite food. My husband recently got one of those Big Green Eggs, so he grills the most delicious NY steaks and then we like to make a side of roasted potatoes. I also like an arugula salad for a side. My favorite splurge is French fries!

AM: What are 3 workouts that you enjoy including in your workout routine?

WP: Hot yoga is my favorite because it always feels so refreshing. I also like spinning and Pilates. I love a good sweat. I feel like my workout was worth it if I sweat out a bunch. Pilates is good for strengthening and lengthening. Spinning is just a really good release…

AM: We know you are based in LA, where would we find you working out, grabbing a bite/cocktails for date night and where do you shop?

WP: My favorite workouts are at Core Power Yoga, SoulCycle and Pilates by Amanda! My fave spots to grab a bite to eat are La Scala, Katsuya in Studio City, South Beverly Grill and my new fave Tocaya Organica! I just went to this AMAZING store called Mohawk in Los Feliz that had the coolest stuff ever! I wanted everything! I also love Only Hearts in Santa Monica for lingerie and Barneys just for everything!

AM: How do you balance the demands of being a wife and mother, stepping back into the reality world, running your other businesses/projects as well as taking time for yourself?

WP: I really just try to be as organized as possible with a shared calendar with my husband and all my work comrades! I try my best to be in the moment and stay present at any given time but I find that the need to plan always seeps in. I don’t really find perfect balance, rather I try every day to just be ok with the imbalance. It is REALLY hard and if anyone else has suggestions, I’d love some!

IG @WhitneyEvePort

Read more from the Oct Issue of Athleisure Mag and see The Hills Are Alive with Whitney Port in mag.

CARPETS, CARE & CHIC WITH ZURI HALL

We sat down with Emmy Winning journalist, E! News Correspondent and TV Personality, Zuri Hall. We chatted with her about family, her recent partnership to shed a light on MS, what awards season is like and her sense of style, as well as staying balanced in the industry. 

ATHLEISURE MAG: You're a busy lady! As we know you're constantly on air, we'd like to know about your connection to this survey about MS.

ZURI HALL: I was excited to partner with Genentech as my Aunt was diagnosed with MS 3 years ago and for me, it was my first personal connection to the disease. I had done a human interest story about this for a local news story – so I was getting a little familiar. But it wasn’t until it hits home that you started to say, “what does this mean, what does it do.” 

So she was diagnosed and over the last few years her symptoms have delveloped and progressed, and unfortunately, have gotten worse. When  I partnered with Genentech, we found that MS Mindset Survey – a lot of their findings reflected what I was seeing my aunt go through when it came to her symptoms. My big takeaway from the survey was the unpredictability of MS symptoms. Some of the things she is dealing with is wobbly legs. Sometimes it's cognitive issues, blurred vision, and she’s hit with fatigue. So she knows roughly what she’s dealing with, but she doesn’t know when they will pop up. So since it is so unpredictable, it’s hard to know or plan around those things whether you are directly dealing with it or are the caregiver that is involved. You can’t plan a week in advance when you have no guarantee of how you will be feeling tomorrow. 

So one of the big findings was that about 85% of those with MS have said that they have missed social engagements because their symptoms have come into play when they didn't think that they would. 87% oddly enough, a higher percentage of support partners and caregivers, have also missed out on events because their partner had a flare up or had an issue. 

For example, my aunt told me that she went to a baseball game once and it was a big venue, so while she was excited to go out with your co-workers and friends she had to commit to it. She gets to the field and then 30 minutes in she realized she had to go because she sensed that she had issues with her wobbly legs as they had been giving out over the previous days and that anxiety of not knowing if that would happen during the game was something that she was dealing with. She would rather remove herself completely from this social situation that she was looking forward to then risking something that she couldn’t predict to happen during the game and having to explain herself or to create a socially awkward situation to those that were there. There are also issues with urinary problems, like not being able to control your bladder – she’s nervous when it hits, then she has to go. For her, it’s not just about being awkward for her but she doesn’t want it to be weird for others and having to have them figure out how to talk about her disease. She is an independent, small and feisty woman and we love her. So it’s interesting to see how this disease begins to dictate the social decisions that she makes. 

Another finding that this survey focused on is the day to day activities which hits home for us. She is the person who loves to host and she has a beautiful home that she has decorated with love and she invites all these people and we are a massive group. Brothers, sisters, cousins and more – we come over, she cooks, and cleans. She is the domestic goddess as well as a corporate goddess. Nowadays, this is really hard for her. We’re going home for Thanksgiving and I don't know why she is going to do this, but she wants to do all the things that she has always wanted to do. She loves hosting our family and dinners. I love her because she refuses to let this disease get the best of her but it does steer the decisions that she has to make leading up to doing so. For me, I look inside and figure out what I can do to support her to make things easier. 

One of the findings in the survey was that more than 80% of the people that live with MS were asked how they could be helped and what service could be offered to them, the top takeaway was that they wanted someone to help them with groceries, in the kitchen, household chores, etc. I think a lot of us, me included, underestimate the impact that this can make. You sit back and say, “really you just want me to put a box of cereal away for you?” But for someone who is dealing with fatigue and is exhausted – it helps. She has told me that mixing a bowl of dressing for more than a few minutes tires her out depending on the day. Her muscles don’t do what they used to do and they don’t act the way they used to. 

There was a time when she visited me in LA this summer. She was teaching me how to make her baked bean recipe and she went to check on it in the oven and accidently flipped the pan and the beans went everywhere.  It was sad because she was frustrated in that moment and she doesn’t want to show signs to the disease and we had had amazing days together with her husband (my uncle) and everything was fine and things were great. It felt great as you know she had the disease, but you felt like not really and then it comes out and reminds you. It lets you know that it could happen at anytime and you have to deal with it.

Some of the things that I want to encourage other people to do is to be patient and understand what your loved one is going through and the symptoms. This way, when it happens you know what they are going through and you can be considerate. When the beans happened, there was a moment when I thought about the beans, but then I had to remember this is what my aunt is going through because we’re not at a point where there are daily constant reminders. I caught myself and knew it was beyond her control and so I came from a place of love and patience and I let her know that I would clean it up and we’ll buy more beans, take a seat etc – it let’s her feel more comfortable and less of an awkward situation. I don’t want her to feel that she is a burden and it helps. She says that she feels like it is her own burden to bear as she doesn’t want people to pity her. But I have found that offering my help and services in specific ways – she takes me up on those offers. 

During the holidays I will be offering to put the dishes away, to run out to Kroger or the grocery story to get something that she has forgotten. I will say, "Aunt Mel, take  a rest." I was talking with one of our nurses yesterday and she was saying that the big things to keep in mind that asking “what do you need” is not enough as it’s so open ended. For fiercely independent people they don’t want to give you a laundry list. But when they are specific asks it helps and gives them the time. Plus we take this for granted. 

The survey, after diving in, lets me see how much the findings there are mirroring my aunt’s experience as well as my own. With the holidays here, this encourages support partners and caregivers to be more proactive during this time as well as all year around. 

AM: What is your partnership like in terms of your role in this initiative?

ZH: For me the partnership is about this moment, this time and getting people to understand the results of the MS Mindset survey. Don’t just end there with the info, but this survey is telling you what people with MS need and let’s do something about it. It's about sitting down and encouraging support partners/cargivers to what they can. Many times, you forget about the other party. There is a person who is there dealing with MS and so of course you’re not thinking about the support person; however, they are there and they need to be educated. People should go to your local support groups, advocacy groups and learn more via National MS Society.

AM: Obviously, I was aware of MS, but not the depth of it until a few months ago, when I styled one of my clients who is an entertainer and although she performs, is on stage etc – behind the scenes there are a lot of struggles. It’s amazing that she is able to stay on tour, hit the road, dance etc with the unpredictable nature of this disease!

ZH: When I sat down with Tamia (R&B Singer) who is very public about her disease, so many people are dealing with this and we are all so close by just a few degrees to someone who is. It’s ok to know that you don’t have everything figured out as you can’t really prepare for it as things get dumped in your lap. But to know there are resources is the most important thing. There is education to be had across the board from those with MS and those who support or are the caregivers to someone who is. 

AM: What was your journey to get to E!?

ZH: Getting to E! was a long winding road. I started out winning a competition to be the face of a local TV station in Indiana. I was there for a year and MC’ing for the Pacers and then that opened the door to another job in Ohio and I was hosting another show which allowed me to anchor the evening news down in Texas and that got me to NY to host a show for Fuse (music countdown show), which led to MTV and then E! It was all over the map. The last year and 3 months at E! have been like the best. They chal-lenge me in really good ways. My skillset makes sense for what they need and what they want. Everyday is different. We just launched a new daytime show, E! News Live recently. Exciting times.

AM: How do you prepare for your celeb interviews?

ZH: It’s really about – I mean for us being that we’re E! and they’re celebs, so we want the scoop. I tend to know a lot about their personal lives and what is going on. Because I come from a creative background I actually really appreciate the art in what they are creating and what they are there to talk about. I feel that most celebs, musicians, etc appreciate and recognize those that appreciate and recognize that. So they are more likely to open up about the extra stuff if they believe that you care about the stuff that you should be caring about, and I do. So my preparation is understanding what the film is about, why they took on a certain project – have they had past ones that led them to this point and what it took for them to get into a certain character. Reading any article or interview surrounding that project before I talk to them. Because the last thing that they want to do it to regurgitate the same thing that they have said about 73 times during that junket. They want to be challenged and sparked and they get excited. They’re working but they prefer to enjoy it and it makes it fun!

AM: And for the Red Carpet?

ZH: Red Carpet is chaos and I just get stressed when I think about it. It’s one of those things that you do as much as you can and then you just throw it out the window – you go with the flow. You have so much talent – Brad Pitt for one second and then you have Angelina Joli and you have her and all these people bottle necked. As you talk to Brad, you  have George Clooney walk by and the publicist is pulling people and you only have a few questions that you can ask as you’re getting wrapped as you start. It's a high pressure situation. So it’s one of those things that it’s just like I know a little bit about a lot – so you go with the flow, you make moments as you can’t really tackle issues there. You just want people to toast champagne with you or to make a joke or slip up and say something silly. Carpets are about moments and they make great content for the internet.

AM: How do you stay balanced during this season?

ZH: For me I need to get more into the fitness side, I'll be honest – I’m lazy and I have my mom’s genes which works for me. I am getting to that point where you feel it - you walk up the stairs and realize that it takes more time than before - just a moment guys. So I go to the gym with my boyfriend every now and then as he is healthy. For me, it’s about mental health honestly and I’m really into and value mindfulness and trying to be present and balanced. I’m reading a book right now – 'Present over Perfect' because especially in my line of work I am open to public scrutiny and waiting for people to judge you, Instagram you etc. You post a photo I’m waiting for comments, likes etc. I go on E! News I’m going to get tweets from people - maybe they liked what I wore, what I said about Rhianna etc and you get caught up with not being in that moment. We do these carpets and awards shows and I have to look back and say wow you were at the Oscars – my pictures tell me what my last year has been. I have started to dedicate time for me. I will carve out 60 minutes to say I’m busy so that I can not be busy and take time for me – mindfulness above all so that I can be happy/peaceful, whether it's taking time to read or whatever it takes to get to my happy place.

AM: What is your personal style versus what you wear on the show which we love?

ZH: Thank you! I would say that personal style is casual chic - I know that that sounds generic! I'm a midwest girl through in through - I'm from Ohio and I like to be super comfortable, you will never see me wearing heels that I don't have to be wearing. Because comfort over everything is key for me. So I'm a jeans and T-shirt girl. I feel the most confident and sexy and in control when I am in a fitted pair of high wasted jeans with a loose v-neck t-shirt and bootie. If you see me in a bootie, then you know that I'm trying. If I'm not on a red carpet, I'm in sneakers at this point.

I would say overall, E! News - Urban Chic with a dash of glam. My style is very much influenced by my years in NY as I was here for about 2.5/3 years. So definitely I appreciate the leathers and dark colors. I appreciate the black on black on black. My stylist is convincing me to put color back into my wardrobe.

For the glam, I'm in LA now - come on it's E!, The Kardashians you have to have a bit of glam. I like to do the full face, the hair, I let my glam come through in this area. The clothes tend to be more timeless, chic and classic. 

For the most part, I'm pretty chill and for the most part I LITERALLY love athleisure and I'm not just saying that because you're here as I don't work out. But I just discovered gym wear and it's a whole new world! I just discovered Fabletics and I love Kate Hudson's line. I tried it for the first time when I met her and I was like, "this jumpsuit is amazing." I can move and I'm so free! So they  sent me more stuff and now I just pretty much live in athletic wear.

AM: We always say that athleisure can be broken down into core, essential and luxe. Core is that which is meant to hit the gym (sport bras, tap shorts, etc), essential items that are a hybrid that can be worn in the gym and out (the capris,  tanks, etc mixed with layers or not) and then luxe which are the jetset components that include your leggings paired with a fun cashmere and a leather jacket which allows you to hit the ground running once you touch down.

ZH: Absolutely - so many ways to style it and again it's so comfortable. At this point in my life, comfort is key girl!

AM: We love your #AlphaBabe movement. We're a huge proponent of it but can you tell our readers about this  and what made you want to do it?

ZH: For me when I first have a vision for #AlphaBabe, I wanted a place where young millennial women could go to support one another and to develop tools where they could navigate the first few years of their career. 

I got where I got to by the grace of God and stumbling into things and figuring it out as it went. Looking back, I felt like it didn't have to be that hard honestly. If there had been just one person to tell me about the right way to make a demo reel, to craft a resume, or the right way to go to my boss' office to ask for a raise - certain things would have been easier. 

For me it is a place where we can celebrate substance and style. You don't have to choose. That's what I'm trying to get across with the message. You can be Alpha and strong and unapologetic as a leader - a boss in your work environment and you can totally be a babe. There is nothing wrong in saying that. You're pretty, you can style yourself up and these two things can co-exist. That's exciting when you find that balance and it doesn't need to be one vs the other which is really hard in a culture of comparison (via social) where people tend to focus on the babe part. At the end of the day the likes, re-tweets - it doesn't really matter. This is a place where you can be both and it's great to be so!

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | Zuri Hall

Read More from the Dec Issue