9DRIP | ADAM COPELAND
9LIST STORI3S | JOANNA GARCIA SWISHER
Read the DEC ISSUE #96 of Athleisure Mag and see 9LIST STORI3S | JoAnna Garcia Swisher in mag.
Featured
AWARDS SEASON | DIRECTORS GUILD AWARDS NOMINATIONS
Yesterday the 76th Director Guild Awards (DGA) announced their nominees for TV and today, they announced those in film. Our predictions are in bold, the ones we correctly identified as winners are in bold italics and winners that we didn’t predict are in italics.
TV
DRAMATIC SERIES
The nominees for the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series for 2023 are (in alphabetical order):
PETER HOAR
The Last of Us, “Long, Long Time”
(HBO | MAX)
Directorial Team:
Unit Production Manager: Cecil O’Connor
First Assistant Director: Bethan Mowat
BECKY MARTIN
Succession, “Rehearsal”
(HBO | MAX)
Directorial Team:
Unit Production Managers: Hilary Kehoe, Gabrielle Mahon
First Assistant Director: John Silvestri
Second Assistant Director: Nicholas Notte
Second Second Assistant Director: Jimmy Rosario
Location Manager: Paul Eskenazi
MARK MYLOD
Succession, “Connor’s Wedding”
(HBO | MAX)
Directorial Team:
Unit Production Managers: Hilary Kehoe, Gabrielle Mahon
First Assistant Director: Christo Morse
Second Assistant Directors: Sahar Shmolevitz, Justin Bischoff
Second Second Assistant Director: Jimmy Rosario
Additional Second Assistant Directors: Cris Iannucci, Norman Franklin, Kyle Burstein
Location Manager: Paul Eskenazi
ANDRIJ PAREKH
Succession, “America Decides”
(HBO | MAX)
Directorial Team:
Unit Production Managers: Hilary Kehoe, Gabrielle Mahon
First Assistant Director: John Silvestri
Second Assistant Director: Nicholas Notte
Second Second Assistant Director: Jimmy Rosario
Location Manager: Paul Eskenazi
ROBERT PULCINI & SHARI SPRINGER BERMAN
Succession, “Tailgate Party”
(HBO | MAX)
Directorial Team:
Unit Production Managers: Hilary Kehoe, Gabrielle Mahon
First Assistant Director: Michelle Flevotomas
Second Assistant Director: Sahar Shmolevitz
Second Second Assistant Director: Jimmy Rosario
Additional Second Assistant Directors: Isabel Sofia Cervantes, Nicole Kay Payson
Location Manager: Paul Eskenazi
COMEDY SERIES
The nominees for the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Series for 2023 are (in alphabetical order):
ERICA DUNTON
Ted Lasso, “La Locker Room Aux Folles”
(Apple TV+)
BILL HADER
Barry, “wow”
(HBO | MAX)
Directorial Team:
Unit Production Manager: Aida Rodgers
First Assistant Director: Gavin Kleintop
Second Assistant Director: Erin Stern Linares
Second Second Assistant Directors: Yarden Levo, George Williams
DECLAN LOWNEY
Ted Lasso, “So Long, Farewell”
(Apple TV+)
Directorial Team:
Unit Production Manager: Mike Livanos (U.S. Unit)
First Assistant Director: Jason Z. Kemp (U.S. Unit)
Second Assistant Director: Christopher Cook (U.S. Unit)
CHRISTOPHER STORER
The Bear, “Fishes”
(FX)
Directorial Team:
Unit Production Managers: Tyson Bidner, Carrie Holt de Lama
First Assistant Directors: Duccio Fabbri, Pablo Gambetta
Second Assistant Director: Larissa Malarek
Second Second Assistant Directors: Olivia Dame, Hiro Taniguchi
Location Manager: Maria C. Roxas
RAMY YOUSSEF
The Bear, “Honeydew”
(FX)
Directorial Team:
Unit Production Managers: Tyson Bidner, Carrie Holt de Lama
First Assistant Directors: Kit Bland, Pablo Gambetta
Second Assistant Director: Larissa Malarek
Second Second Assistant Directors: Olivia Dame, Hiro Taniguchi
Location Manager: Maria C. Roxas
MOVIES FOR TELEVISION AND LIMITED SERIES
The nominees for the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television and Limited Series for 2023 are (in alphabetical order):
SHAWN LEVY
All the Light We Cannot See
(Netflix)
Directorial Team:
Unit Production Manager: Scott Elias
First Assistant Director: Josh McLaglen
Second Assistant Director: Simeon Jones
TARA MIELE
Lessons in Chemistry, “Introduction to Chemistry”
(Apple TV+)
Directorial Team:
Unit Production Manager: Chris Hayden
First Assistant Director: Katie Carroll
Second Assistant Director: Alexis Olsen Colwell
MILLICENT SHELTON
Lessons in Chemistry, “Poirot”
(Apple TV+)
Directorial Team:
Unit Production Manager: Chris Hayden
First Assistant Director: Kristofer Kolpek
Second Assistant Director: Deborah Chung
SARAH ADINA SMITH
Lessons in Chemistry, “Her and Him”
(Apple TV+)
Directorial Team:
Unit Production Manager: Steven Brown
First Assistant Director: Kristofer Kolpek
Second Assistant Director: Deborah Chung
NZINGHA STEWART
Daisy Jones & The Six, “ Track 10: Rock ‘n’ Roll Suicide”
(Amazon)
Directorial Team:
Unit Production Manager: Michael Nelson
First Assistant Director: Anna Notarides
Second Assistant Director: Samantha Hollingsworth
Second Second Assistant Directors : Tarin Squillante, Jeff Tavani, Alex Lee Bonner, Matthew Kramer
Location Manager: Batou Chandler
VARIETY/TALK/NEWS/SPORTS – REGULARLY SCHEDULED PROGRAMMING
The nominees for the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Variety/Talk/News/Sports – Regularly Scheduled Programming for 2023 are (in alphabetical order):
PAUL G. CASEY
Real Time with Bill Maher, “Episode 2117”
(HBO | MAX)
Directorial Team:
Associate Director: Stacy Talbot
Stage Managers: Brian Anderson, Patrick Whitney
JIM HOSKINSON
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, “Jan. 19, 2023: Rep. Adam Kinzinger; Meet Me at the Altar; Special appearance by Harvey Guillén”
(CBS)
Directorial Team:
Associate Directors: Yvonne DeMare, Karen Yaeger
Stage Managers: Mark McKenna, Jeff Leib
MICHAEL MANCINI & LIZ PATRICK
Saturday Night Live, “Pedro Pascal / Coldplay”
(NBC)
Directorial Team:
Associate Directors: Janine DeVito, Michael Poole, Laura Ouziel-Mack
Stage Managers: Gena Rositano, Chris Kelly, Eddie Valk
DAVID PAUL MEYER
The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, “Singer Charley Crockett Performs “Name on a Billboard” and Discusses New Album with Jordan Klepper “
(Comedy Central)
Directorial Team:
Associate Director: Adrienne Ford
Stage Managers: Bennymar Almonte, Tyler Goldman
PAUL PENNOLINO
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, “Episode 1018: Dollar Stores”
(HBO | MAX)
Directorial Team:
Associate Director: Elliot Mendelson
Stage Managers: Craig Spinney, Mark McKenna, Jeff Leib, Steven Van Patten
VARIETY/TALK/NEWS/SPORTS – SPECIALS
The nominees for the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Variety/Talk/News/Sports – Specials for 2023 are (in alphabetical order):
JOEL GALLEN
Chris Rock: Selective Outrage
(Netflix)
Directorial Team:
Associate Director: Robin Mishkin Abrams
Stage Manager: Arthur Lewis
STAN LATHAN
Dave Chappelle: The Dreamer
(Netflix)
Directorial Team:
Associate Director: Jill Dove
Stage Manager: Valdez Flagg
LINDA MENDOZA
Wanda Sykes: I’m an Entertainer
(Netflix)
Directorial Team:
Stage Manager: Dan Frank
PAUL MILLER
Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love
(NBC)
Directorial Team:
Associate Director: Sara Niimi
Stage Managers: Gary Natoli, Alissa Levisohn Hoyo, Christopher McDonald, Jackie Stathis
GLENN WEISS
The 95th Annual Academy Awards
(ABC)
Directorial Team:
Associate Directors: Ken Diego, Ricky Kirshner, Susan Kopensky, Lori Margules, Robin Mishkin Abrams, Sara Niimi, Kristen Patterson Terry, Michael Polito
Stage Managers: Gary Natoli, Alexis Brusig, Rita Cossette, John Esposito, Valdez Flagg, Doug Fogel, Chris Hines, Alissa Levisohn Hoyo, Arthur Lewis, Roxanne Lozano, Donna Parker, Ron Paul, Tammy Raab, Jason Seligman, Jackie Stathis, Cheryl Teetzel-Moore, Ari Woog
REALITY PROGRAMS
The nominees for the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Reality Programs for 2023 are (in alphabetical order):
NIHARIKA DESAI
Rainn Wilson and the Geography of Bliss, “Happiness is a Bottle of Cod Liver Oil”
(Peacock)
KEN FUCHS
The Golden Bachelor, “Premiere”
(ABC)
Directorial Team:
Stage Manager: Isaiah Fuchs
JOSEPH GUIDRY & ALEXANDRA LIPSITZ
Project Greenlight: A New Generation, “PGL vs. Gray Matter Problem”
(HBO | MAX)
Directorial Team:
Associate Director: Lizzie MacPherson
Stage Manager: T.J. Ganser
RICH KIM
Lego Masters, “Is It Brick?”
(FOX)
Directorial Team:
Associate Director: Ryan Bunnell
Stage Managers: Will Baker, Dan Shepard
PATRICK McMANUS
American Ninja Warrior, “Season 15 Finale”
(NBC)
Directorial Team:
Associate Director: Dave Massey
Stage Managers: Sara Brown, Sean P. Galvin, T.J. Ganser, Joseph R. Osborne, Matthew Patrick, Greg Rosa, Louise Story
***
CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS
The nominees for the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children’s Programs for 2023 are (in alphabetical order):
JAMES BOBIN
Percy Jackson and the Olympians, “I Accidentally Vaporize My Pre-Algebra Teacher”
(Disney+)
Directorial Team:
Unit Production Manager: Jim Rowe
First Assistant Director: Pete Whyte
Location Manager: David Occhino
DESTIN DANIEL CRETTON
American Born Chinese, “What Guy Are You”
(Disney+)
Directorial Team:
Unit Production Manager: Erin O’Malley
First Assistant Director: Katie Hausmann
Second Assistant Directors: Randin Brown Hargrave, Morgan Willis
ROB LETTERMAN
Goosebumps, “Say Cheese and Die”
(Disney+)
AMY SCHATZ
Stand Up & Shout: Songs From a Philly High School
(HBO | MAX)
DINH THAI
American Born Chinese, “A Monkey on a Quest”
(Disney+)
Directorial Team:
Unit Production Manager: Erin O’Malley, Stacy Murphy Gold
First Assistant Director: Michael Risoli
Second Assistant Director: Morgan Willis
COMMERCIALS
The nominees for the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Commercials for 2023 are (in alphabetical order):
MARTIN de THURAH
(Epoch Films)
Fair Exchange, Levi’s 501 Jeans – Droga5
Legends Never Die, Levi’s 501 Jeans, Droga5
SEB EDWARDS
(Park Pictures)
Rumble, Battle of the Baddest – Droga5
First Assistant Director: George Walker
KIM GEHRIG
(Somesuch)
Run This Town, Apple Music – Apple (Client Direct)
First Assistant Director: David Webb
The Travelers, Expedia – Wieden & Kennedy
First Assistant Director: Zaida Fakih
CRAIG GILLESPIE
(MJZ)
Waiting Room, Apple iPhone – TBWA/Media Arts Lab
Unit Production Manager: Martha Davis
First Assistant Director: Christian Van Fleet
Second Assistant Director: Gregory Moutran
ANDREAS NILSSON
(Biscuit Filmworks)
R.I.P. Leon, Apple iPhone – Apple (Client Direct)
First Assistant Director: Gareth Moses
Action Mode, Apple iPhone14 – Apple (Client Direct)
First Assistant Director: Gareth Moses
Choose Happy, Les Mills Fitness – Nice&Frank, San Francisco
Wait’ll You See This, Snapchat – Snapchat (Client Direct)
DOCUMENTARY
The nominees for the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Documentary for 2023 are (in alphabetical order):
MOSES BWAYO & CHRISTOPHER SHARP
Bobi Wine: The People’s President
(National Geographic)
MSTYSLAV CHERNOV
20 Days in Mariupol
(PBS Distribution)
MADELEINE GAVIN
Beyond Utopia
(Roadside Attractions)
DAVIS GUGGENHEIM
Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie
(Apple Original Films)
Directorial Team:
Unit Production Manager: John Locke
First Assistant Director: Richard Rosser
D. SMITH
Kokomo City
(Magnolia Pictures)
FILM
OUTSTANDING DIRECTORIAL ACHIEVEMENT IN THEATRICAL FEATURE FILM FOR 2023 (in alphabetical order):
GRETA GERWIG
Barbie
(Warner Bros. Pictures)
Directorial Team:
Unit Production Manager: Michael Sharp
First Assistant Director: Josh Robertson
Second Assistant Directors: David Keadell, Matthew Milan (Los Angeles Unit)
YORGOS LANTHIMOS
Poor Things
(Searchlight Pictures)
CHRISTOPHER NOLAN
Oppenheimer
(Universal Pictures)
Directorial Team:
Unit Production Managers: Thomas Hayslip, Nathan Kelly, Rafael Lima (New Jersey / New York Unit)
First Assistant Director: Nilo Otero
Second Assistant Director: Andrew Stahl
Second Second Assistant Director: Jesse Carmona
Additional Second Assistant Directors: Dixon McPhillips, Richard Molloy (New Jersey / New York Unit), AJ Jackson (New Jersey / New York Unit)
Location Manager: Patty Carey Perazzo (New Jersey / New York Unit)
ALEXANDER PAYNE
The Holdovers
(Focus Features)
Directorial Team:
Unit Production Manager: Chris Stinson
First Assistant Director: Rod Smith
Second Assistant Director: John Nasraway
Second Second Assistant Director: Tim LaDue
MARTIN SCORSESE
Killers of the Flower Moon
(Apple Original Films / Paramount Pictures)
Directorial Team:
Unit Production Managers: Daniel Lupi, Shea Kammer
First Assistant Director: Adam Somner
Second Assistant Director: Jeremy Marks
Second Second Assistant Director: Dominic Pacitti
Additional Second Assistant Director: Nuekellar Hardy
Michael Apted Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in First-Time Theatrical Feature Film (in alphabetical order):
CORD JEFFERSON
American Fiction
(Orion Pictures / Amazon MGM Studios)
MANUELA MARTELLI
Chile ‘76
(Kino Lober)
NOORA NIASARI
Shayda
(Sony Pictures Classics / ORIGMA 45)
A.V. ROCKWELL
A Thousand and One
(Focus Features)
Directorial Team:
Unit Production Manager: Jamin O’Brien
First Assistant Director: Daniel Lugo
Second Assistant Director: Teena Marie Delerme-Lugo
Assistant Unit Production Manager: Rob York
Second Second Assistant Director: Donté Bouyer
Additional Second Assistant Director: T.J. Hallett
Location Manager: Joanna Lu
CELINE SONG
Past Lives
(A24)
Directorial Team:
Unit Production Manager: Kerry Johnson
First Assistant Director: Ben Kahn
Second Assistant Director: Geraldine Schubert
Second Second Assistant Director: Dan Levy
Location Manager: Joseph Mullaney
Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.
Featured
AWARDS SEASON | SAG AWARDS NOMINATIONS
The 30th SAG Awards will take place on Feb 24th and for the first time will be streaming globally on Netflix. Our predictions are in bold, the ones we correctly identified as winners are in bold italics and winners that we didn’t predict are in italics.
Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
American Fiction
Barbie
The Color Purple
Killers of the Flower Moon
Oppenheimer
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
Bradley Cooper – Maestro
Colman Domingo – Rustin
Paul Giamatti – The Holdovers
Cillian Murphy – Oppenheimer
Jeffrey Wright – American Fiction
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
Annette Bening – Nyad
Lily Gladstone – Killers of the Flower Moon
Carey Mulligan – Maestro
Margot Robbie – Barbie
Emma Stone – Poor Things
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role
Sterling K. Brown – American Fiction
Willem Dafoe – Poor Things
Robert De Niro – Killers of the Flower Moon
Robert Downey Jr. – Oppenheimer
Ryan Gosling – Barbie
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
Emily Blunt – Oppenheimer
Danielle Brooks – The Color Purple
Penelope Cruz – Ferrari
Jodie Foster – Nyad
Da’Vine Joy Randolph – The Holdovers
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
The Crown
The Gilded Age
The Last of Us
The Morning Show
Succession
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
Abbot Elementary
Barry
The Bear
Only Murders in the Building
Ted Lasso
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series
Brian Cox – Succession
Billy Crudup – The Morning Show
Kieran Culkin – Succession
Matthew Macfadyen – Succession
Pedro Pascal – The Last of Us
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series
Jennifer Aniston – The Morning Show
Elizabeth Debicki – The Crown
Bella Ramsey – The Last of Us
Keri Russell – The Diplomat
Sarah Snook – Succession
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series
Alex Borstein – The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Rachel Brosnahan – The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Quinta Brunson – Abbott Elementary
Ayo Edebiri – The Bear
Hannah Waddingham – Ted Lasso
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series
Brett Goldstein – Ted Lasso
Bill Hader – Barry
Ebon Moss-Bachrach – The Bear
Jason Sudeikis – Ted Lasso
Jeremy Allen White – The Bear
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series
Uzo Aduba – Painkiller
Kathryn Hahn – Tiny Beautiful Things
Brie Larson – Lessons in Chemistry
Bel Powley – A Small Light
Ali Wong – Beef
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series
Matt Bomer – Fellow Travelers
Jon Hamm – Fargo
David Oyelowo – Lawmen: Bass Reeves
Tony Shalhoub – Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie
Steven Yeun – Beef
Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Television Series
Ahsoka
Barry
Beef
The Last of Us
The Mandalorian
Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture
Barbie
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
John Wick: Chapter 4
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One
Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.
Featured
9LIST STORI3S | DANIEL AUGUSTIN
PHOTO CREDITS | ABC The Golden Bachelor
THE GOLDEN WEDDING | GERRY + THERESA GET MARRIED
PHOTO CREDITS | ABC The Golden Bachelor
The Golden Bachelor left us with an engagement between Theresa Nist and Gerry Turner! Tonight, we’re watching the wedding live from the La Quinta Resort in Palm Springs. Various contestants from his season are either commentators on the red carpet from Kathy to even seeing stunning Ellen (rocking Gerry’s earrings). Leslie even showed up to congratulate the happy couple! We know that Susan will be officiating the wedding so it’s interesting to see how those in his season are there as well as having Charity Lawson from S20 of The Bachelorette as a correspondent on The Golden Carpet. We also saw how Theresa and Gerry spent their Christmas holiday as it was the first time that their families came together for this event! Tonight, we will see the wedding as well as the reception of the first The Golden Bachelor wedding that has ever taken place.
We also get to see behind the scenes of Gerry getting ready (as he places his hearing aids in). It’s always fun to see the OGs coming together as well as those that we have seen more recently. Of course, Joey Graziadei makes an appearance and it’s nice to see Charity wishing him well for his journey on The Bachelor. We even get to see what the wedding will look like in terms of the tablescapes. We have previously interviewed Mindy Weiss about her approach to event planning and seeing what she did with this wedding, is amazing. Jesse also keeps giving us updates on how his wife is doing as she is pregnant.
It’s really nice to see how many of the women are so connected with one another naturally - not to say that that has not been true in other seasons, but the authenticity amongst these women in this group is amazing. The Bachelorette party included a boudoir shoot with some of her friends as well as Chippendales that came to end the night - so fun to watch them all have a good time. Dotun, Charity’s husband even came by and was quickly stolen away by Kathy!
Finally, after looking back at events during the season and recent events leading to the wedding, the actual ceremony begins. Attendees included 50 people from Bachelor Nation, friends, family, etc and it looks like a nice gathering. All the details clearly have come together seamlessly. Susan looks amazing as the officiant. Their children share their loving thoughts on both Gerry and Theresa. They exchange their vows and share anecdotes of their experiences with one another and they exchange rings. Susan pronounces them married and we move onto the reception. During the reception we see more of Bachelor Nation as well as learn that Charity and Dotun will be getting married in the fall of 2025 - mark your calendars.
Each night during this season, we have tweeted about The Golden Bachelor and you can chat along with us (@AthleisureMag + with our Co-Founder/Creative + Style Director, Kimmie Smith @ShesKimmie) to see what’s taking place!
Each week we will let you know who our faves were from the last episode and if we’ve changed up since then as it pertains to who we think should go to Hometowns.
We also suggest a podcast that we’ve become obsessed with over the past few seasons, Wondery’s Bachelor Happy Hour to get their feedback!
Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.
Featured TV Show
NEW YEAR, N3W YOU
THE HEAT | DANIEL AUUSTIN
This month, one of our favorite shows came back for its second season, HBO's Rap Sh!t which follows the journey of Shawna (Aida Osman) and Mia (KaMillion) as they navigate the music industry. Their relationship and journey is loosely based on City Girls. We learn about the music scene in South Florida, the Haitian community and what they do in order to survive along their ride to the top! One of the main characters, Maurice is played by Daniel Augustin who we have enjoyed in ABC's Grey's Anatomy and Hulu's How I Met Your Father! We wanted to find out more about this entertainer, how he approaches his craft, and what we can expect from this season of Rap Sh!t.
ATHLEISURE MAG: It’s so good to sit down with you as I have been a fan of your work and I love your character Maurice in Rap Sh!t and of course, the show is amazing! So I’m excited to talk with you!
DANIEL AUGUSTIN: Thank you so much! Thank you so much for saying that! It’s very exciting to hear and I’m excited to talk to you guys too!
AM: It’s clear that you’re definitely an entertainer. You’re an actor, director, producer, and a musician. When did you realize that you wanted to be in this industry?
DA: I think that I realized that I wanted to be in this industry before I knew how to be. That was around the time when I was watching Hannah Montana.
AM: Oh!
DA: The TV show, yeah! I didn’t know how to be an actor at that time because all I could do was the community acting in South Florida. South Florida didn’t have anywhere near the industry. I think in South Florida there were some Nickelodeon shows, but nothing along the lines of what I was seeing on Hannah Montana. I remember Hannah Montana’s (Miley Cyrus) brother on the show whose name was Jackson (Jason Earles) - I remember hearing he was 28/29/30 and he was playing her high school brother. I remember thinking how many opportunities must come from being able to portray characters at different ages. I just remember watching that show and that it sparked my imagination as to what’s possible and to no longer seeing what I see on TV as solely impossible.
AM: Right.
DA: I mean, she was even doing a bunch of stuff like being dressed up and nobody knowing that it’s her and all she’s doing is just wearing a different wig! That show did a lot for me and I think that at the time that that came out, I was probably 14/15 and that’s when I felt that I wanted to do it. Before that, watching people like Martin Lawrence (Martin, Boomerang, Bad Boys franchise), Jamie Foxx (Ray, White House Down, The Amazing Spider Man 2), Marlon Wayans (Scary Movie franchise, Respect, Air), and Will Smith (Men in Black franchise, Suicide Squad, King Richard) in their sitcoms that they had at the time – those guys raised me essentially and I think that that’s where I found my sense of charisma and playfulness with people. But I don’t think that it was until I saw the Hannah Montana show that I started to think that anything could kind of be possible. This guy is 29 years old and he’s playing someone in high school! That’s when I started to think about how I could go about doing this.
AM: That’s really cool and it’s interesting to see where inspiration can come from.
Earlier this month, you released Movie. Why did you want to take on this project?
DA: Movie means a lot to me because I have not been releasing music in years. I started releasing music when I was maybe 10 years old. So I think I stopped around 2018 as I had made a very hard pivot towards film and TV so I have not been recording, I have not been writing, and I hadn’t really been finding my way to sonics in the way that I would as a recording artist. I was very excited about doing this because when the SAG strike happened, I wasn’t nervous about anything, but I thought about how much control of my career that I don’t necessarily have per se. I don’t want to feel like I don’t have control of my life. So I started to pivot and focus on writing again and I started to focus first on screenwriting. I wrote a pilot, I wrote about my old high school football coach and I’m writing a feature film with my wife, Sh’Kia Augustin that we’re collaborating on. But there was still something that I didn’t feel like I was activated in a very theatrical way and in a way that moves through my body. So, I started to team up with the guys – a majority of those that I did when I was young. So I started in a Christian rap group called Mav-7 and I started reaching out to those guys that were in that group. Alvin Lewis is the main one who is servicing as all forms of A&R, helping me find music/songs and people to work with. Steven Guy, Channel Aria Sound, that’s just 3 names off the top and these guys were helping me craft my sound again. They were helping me craft stories and they were helping me see myself in an entertaining way that amused me and in a way that I felt would be entertaining to others and that I would want to be behind it.
I think that the strike had a lot to do with it and it offered me a lot of time to actually find another form or way to express myself.
AM: You also released Kinfolk: The Series which is 6 episodes and is also your passion project. It was also recognized and selected in Tribeca’s 2022 Creator Market, what led to that coming about?
DA: Kinfolk is another form of taking control of my career. I didn’t film it and you know work on it just to take control of my career. I started as a production assistant and I learned so many skills as a production assistant. I think I started in 2012 working at this small production company called As Seen On TV. They do these smaller commercials for products that you’ll see in Walgreens and Walmart. The commercials will go on late at night, but this gentleman, Laszlo Rain, he would do such an amazing job at making sets to make it look like it was a much bigger professional production. I was always enamored at that and I was always enamored at the magic behind what it took to make it look good. As an actor, I see the part that I play, but there are so many parts that go into the process.
Around 2010, Kanye West had come out with My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy album that he did and I also remember High School Musical. High School Musical really changed the way that I saw creativity as a whole. From that point on, I wasn’t the guy that was just making the songs, I wasn’t the guy that was the actor, I wanted to turn my songs into a script. So it went from, I want to make music and to feel the rhythms – it turned from that to wanting to be able to turn this into more of a narrative. My wife and I, who was my girlfriend at the time, she helped me get my first camera. It was a Canon 5D Mark III. We bought that camera and we started shooting. I still didn’t know that I wanted to do all of this stuff yet because I wasn’t good at it. I wasn’t good at directing, I wasn’t good at editing, I wasn’t good at coloring, I was bad at it – I was bad at all of that stuff actually.
But we just kept doing stuff, kept shooting stuff and people kept asking me for stuff. They’d say that they had a wedding on Fri and if I could help them, and I would. That would allow me to have a new lesson on a Fri that I hadn’t expected to get. So upon doing Kinfolk, I think that that was a culmination of a lot of different years of being creative and just just being in front of the camera. That’s not to say that being in front of the camera is not creative. But you see how much more creativity goes into pre-producing a project and then the post-production of a project. I think that by doing pre-production, post-production, and feeling the sense of gratitude for completing the project, I started to really feel like I was more than the person who waits to be picked and on set. A lot of the people that I worked with on set, those actors would tell me how much they appreciated the opportunity because a lot of those people were those that were super talented, but they weren’t booking stuff. Booking is not that simple. It’s hard and it feels like a lottery sometimes. It feels like you’re just not going to win! Upon working with other people and other actors, who just really want to be able to go out and do this, I started to appreciate it more because I think that I started to get more value out of my days because I was able to service more people than myself as opposed to just waiting for an audition. I know I started to appreciate that process more and more and I think that that’s where it all started.
AM: That’s really interesting and because of that, you and your wife, have your production company Augustin Productions. What are the kinds or types of projects that you’re looking to do under that company?
DA: Right now, all of the projects, when I think about it they’ve all been in alignment with very family oriented stories or family away from family kind of stories. I think that that’s what I have been coming to terms with – how much is family really part of all of our lives. Kinfolk in particular is so family centric, but aside from that, I worked on a short film that I believe made it to the Toronto Black Film Festival called TIFI {LITTLE GIRL} in creole Tifi means girl. It’s about this young girl and her family. This young girl wants to play soccer. So I think that if I can tie it into one word – cultural. Augustin Productions works on projects that have very cultural and specific minded objectives and narratives. I don’t know if that makes sense on how I just phrased that – but it makes sense to me – very cultural.
AM: No, I definitely get where you’re going with that and how the work ties itself into that category.
DA: I like that it’s family and culture based. In Kinfolk, we don’t have any Haitian characters in there, but there’s a lot of things that I think that Haitian families can relate to even though that story has more African American in it than anything else. So I think that the culture always stands firm more than anything I’m directing, shooting, editing, but also there’s family tied into it very heavily which I think helps people relate so much more when they’re watching.
AM: As an actor, what are you looking for when you’re thinking about accepting a role and what’s your creative process when you are becoming that character that you will portray?
DA: What I’m looking for – when I’m looking at a role, it’s how can I actually add value to the role? I’m looking to see where I can actually add that kind of value because I can see who the person is on paper. But when I start to speak for the person, the paper can only serve as a blueprint now. So I tend to look for everything that’s not on the paper. The paper serves solely as a blueprint, but that blueprint tells me things that sometimes, you can’t fit on the page. So I start to make choices for the actor that I believe and the writers may change some things and they’re more than welcome to – I just start to make choices for the actor based on what the blueprint tells me. If the blueprint says this character is going to say this in this scene, I’m going to take that to mean that they said that, but there is a reason why they said that, and that’s not necessarily off the page. So I’m looking to see if what they have given the actor can lead to images in my head. If it doesn’t lead to images in my head, then there might be somebody else who is best served for that role. Because I need to be well informed in how I can bring something to that role almost like a BYOB. I’ve got to bring my own bottle and food to the party. So I’m looking for something that will let me know what ingredients that this character may need so that I can sizzle off the page.
As far as how I prepare, a lot of times I think that I lead in with some kind of music. Like after I read the role, I almost always can have a soundtrack in mind. Preferably, it’s something without words, I always try to have a soundtrack in mind and I just let it play as I start to prepare. So there’s 2 types of preparation. There’s the audition and then there’s on set. If it is an audition, I’m still going to have music playing while I’m preparing, just because it almost feels like that music speaks to the character and what I’m about to do as well.
So for my role on Rap Sh!t – for that role, before I even did the audition, I had the music going in the background just playing and it was probably a very specific song based on where that person is in their life. The character Maurice, where he was in life at the beginning of the show in Season 1 is not where he is going to be in Season 2. In Season 2 by the finale, he will have gone through stuff that I don’t think that people would have assumed would be what he is going through.
So for the first season, all the songs that I was listening to were so so flirty, playful, seductive, and sensual. But in Season 2, I get into a lot more. So on my way to work, if we’re shooting in Culver City in LA or if we’re in Miami and I’m on the plane, I already have a playlist prepared to have him start to speak to me and to speak for me and these people have already gone through all of these things. One of the songs in particular, I hope it doesn’t give away any information -
AM: ooo
DA: I’ll give you 2 songs. 1 song that I would always listen to on the way to work was Michael Franks’, When Sly Calls, that’s a jazz sound. The other is The O’Jays’ Back Stabbers.
AM: Ok now!
DA: Haha so I listen to those songs on the way to work. These people have lived through that stuff already so by the time that I get into work, I feel like I have downloaded some energy before I come into work. Because what’s going to go on the screen, can’t be what’s on the page. Because on the page is literally my blueprint and for me to come in and color things onto the page so that we can fill the page with more than that black ink, I need something else that has been downloaded into my system that I can now give and bring to this party. I need to be able to bring my own bottle, to bring my own food, and I think that I get that a lot from music! I do other things too. I study in a very particular way as I’m sure that every actor does, but I kind of always have music in the background playing when I’m studying. So even when I put the script down for a second, I’m catching this person’s energy and it’s staying with me when I’m on set. It’s not just me, it’s kind of like, you know the work is us, but it’s bigger then us too.
AM: I love how you’re using music in that way!
I love this show, I’m such a huge fan of it from the words, the characters, the visuals and more! Of course, as we all watched the series finale of HBO's Insecure, to know a few months later that we could get excited about her newest project, Rap Sh!t the anticipation was real! What drew you to this series initially?
DA: Well initially, it was the fact that it was based on Miami – that was 1. He’s Haitian – that’s 2! He wasn’t Haitian at first as it just said, that he was either Haitian or Hispanic when I first saw the breakdown. Haitians are a huge part of the culture in Miami so that drew me in heavily. Lastly, and there’s more than this, but my character starts off working at a hotel in Miami. When my parents first came to South Florida from Haiti, they both came from Haiti, they were immigrants, and they both worked at hotels in Miami. My dad was a concierge and when I saw that role with him being a concierge, it was like a spiritual connection for me in a sense where it was just something small and cute that I can appreciate about this character because a majority of times, usually not everything connects.
Sometimes, you’re trying to see where you can connect this or that. I had a character on How I Met Your Father who moved to Australia. I had never been to Australia, so that was something for me that for me to be able to connect with it, I was watching documentaries of Australia and the Great Barrier Reef and stuff like that! When I saw those things and that he was Haitian, living in Miami, and a concierge, automatically it started to sit very well with me.
AM: Wow!
DA: There’s so many other things in it that are icing on the cake for me! But him being Haitian and from Miami was great! I’m from Fort Lauderdale, but we’re neighbors and that was something for me that was very very special to see. I don’t see that on every audition. There are definitely more Haitian roles and I’ve seen that uptick in the past over the past or 3 years for Haitian roles and Haitian representation. But, seeing Issa Rae’s name, I’ve always been a fan of hers especially just based on how she uplifted her community, she’s done so much creatively speaking, and how she has done so much for independent creators. I’ve always been a huge fan of hers so seeing that she was behind this and HBO – I’m a huge huge huge fan of this as well. So seeing all of these things was like, alright it’s such an alignment that for me to be able to have this role it’s just one of my most proudest achievements of my life to date.
AM: How would you describe Maurice?
DA: I would describe Maurice as indescribable, but I will still explain that. I feel like he’s all of us in a way as he’s very human individual, he’s just also a very, by any means necessary kind of guy at the same time. In spite of his by any means necessary approach, he’s able to be playful and fun. He’s flirty and supportive. I think that he’s one of the most diverse characters I’ve seen on screen because I think that there’s so much to unpack as it pertains to his character, his culture, how he communicated with women, because I think that when people talk nowadays and they talk about dating, they tend to talk about how difficult dating is. But I don’t think that it is difficult, just because it’s hard, it’s difficult because we’re not all good communicators, we don’t always know what we want, and sometimes when we do feel that we know what we want, it’s not very clear. I feel like he’s misunderstood, but he’s one of the most supportive individuals that I have seen on screen, almost to a fault.
AM: For those that may need a refresher where did we leave Maurice last season and depending on how much you can tell us, where do we pick up with him again heading into this season as it just started earlier this month?
DA: Last season, he was bathed in mystery. The season ends off with him essentially letting Shawna know that they need to cool off and they need to lay low because they got caught and they’re in trouble, but he’s playing it off like it’s ok. Because I think that he has been in these kinds of scenarios before.
Me personally, I have experienced a lot of what Maurice has experienced because when I was younger, I had a lot of friends that were in what you say in creole, the jwett – it’s a play, it’s a game and so I was on the outside looking in for some of it, but when I didn’t have a 9-5, I had friends that were doing what Maurice was doing and they would try to pull me in and sometimes, they’d get me to come in because I was trying to figure out how to pay bills or how to pay for studio sessions and so on and so forth. So, I’ve been in the situation where Maurice has been in where you’re in trouble, but you have to have confidence that you’re not in trouble so that you can actually get out of trouble.
So he’s been in a headstrong space where he’s seemingly way too cool about it and I think that it is creating an unease for Shawna because of how cool he is about it, she doesn’t necessarily know how to be easy because she doesn’t know and hasn’t had the kinds of experiences that he has had. He ends up letting her know that they’re in trouble, that she is ok, that nothing is wrong, and nothing is going to happen. Ultimately, when she goes back to work, something has happened, the cops come, and they want to speak to her. She doesn’t know how to handle it and she doesn’t know how to be cool and she runs. The season ends with her trying to run off from the police! We end up leaving it off in this space that is a bit open ended and we don’t know what is going on with Maurice and Shawna and she doesn’t know what happened nor does she know what is happening between the two of them.
Essentially I think that Shawna is going to continue to be left in that space of not knowing what is happening more that anybody. For Season 2 as we continue, I think that we’re going to play more of a game of that space and not knowing with Maurice. It’s a mystery and sometimes it’s going to be poured onto Shawna and I think that they are going to go back and forth and so I don’t want to say too much!
AM: Oh wow! We’ve been watching a few seasons and of course, we’re hooked and can’t wait to see how the season continues to evolve and unfold! When it ended last season, I wanted to know what was going on and thankfully we’ll get more answers over the next few weeks and I know our readers will feel the same way!
DA: Yes! It’s going to be a seesaw of emotions in Season 2!
AM: When you’re not on set, how do you take time for yourself to relax or to indulge in self-care?
DA: Man, man – how do I? When I’m not on set, lately what it’s been is that I have been doing therapy lately. That’s been very useful for me to figure out what self-care even looks like? So that’s been one of the things because sometimes, even when I’m not on set, I’m still working on stuff! I’m still writing scripts and I have been doing that a lot. I’ve been working with script consultant, out in London, by the name of Dominic Morgan, very helpful. I’ve been working with a script consultant here in LA called Pilar Alessandra and her program is called On The Page. It’s hard for me to call that self-care, but I have been trying to figure out too – what self-care even is.
Some of the other things that I have been doing self-care - wise is I have been watching more documentaries lately and reality TV as opposed to narratives. It’s just so I can cool off a bit on all of the story stuff that I am constantly involved in. Just so that I can have a bit more fun with it. I’ve been recording again. That’s been a lot of fun and I flew out to South Florida and recorded a lot of music with Alvin Louis and Steven Guy.
And there’s been yoga -
AM: Nice!
DA: There’s been creating even though that’s not necessarily a super chill thing to do. It does feel like self-care to me because it makes me feel like I am taking care of myself creatively and professionally as well. Last one that I will add to that is reading! I’ve been doing a ton of reading!
AM: Are there any upcoming projects that we should keep an eye out for that you will be releasing soon that you’re able to share?
DA: Oh wow, so, there definitely is. There’s some stuff that has happened that I have not been allowed to talk about!
AM: As always is the case!
DA: Yeah, so I’m trying to see if I can sneak something off about it. Let’s just say, there’s going to be something going on in the near future where it will be super hero related. I’m not saying that I will be a superhero.
AM: Okay.
DA: But it is something superhero related in the pretty near future. I just don’t have control over dates. I did just release a music video for Movie and that one was just one part of what I will be sharing with fans. There’s going to be some BTS coming out about that and also a ton of other videos that I shot. 2 more videos here in LA that were directed by Jacob Rink and I shot 2 videos in South Florida. So there is going to be a lot of music and I’m trying to see if the feature film that me and my wife are writing, I wish that I could talk about it, but I’m scared to say what the topic is of the film as I think that it is so synonymous with all of us here. For that one, I’m trying to see if we will be able to self-produce it and to shoot it on our own. I don’t know if we are going to be able to self-produce it just yet, but that’s a goal as well. So right now, I’m going to say that those are the main things that are on the forefront of my mind – music, self-produced content and a superhero thing that I am holding out for that I am hoping will come out soon. I look forward to be able to talk about that and I would also like to be able to say a Rap Sh!t Season 3!
AM: We are all hoping that there will be a Rap Sh!t Season 3! It’s been fun over the years to see you on Grey’s Anatomy as well as How I Met Your Father! In terms of you and this show, I’m always a fan of the concepts that are talked about, looking at how people navigate getting into the music business, learning more about the vibe of South Florida and anything that is missed from the show, catching up with Jessie Woo and Zach Campbell on Chat Sh!t fills in the rest of the gaps I enjoy hearing immediately after I have watched!
DA: Yeah!!!!!
AM: So I definitely hope there are more seasons to come and you continue to do what you’re doing!
DA: Thank you, I appreciate you for saying that!
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | PG 158 - 162 Ben Cope | PG 165 + 166 Alicia Vera/HBO Max | PG 169 + 170 Erin Simkin/Max |
Read the NOV ISSUE #95 of Athleisure Mag and see THE HEAT | Daniel Augustin in Mag.
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METHOD + DISCIPLINE | SEBASTIEN LAGREE
There are a number of workouts and studio fitness methods that we all talk about and have incorporated into our routines! Lagree Fitness is one of them and we had the chance to connect with the founder, Sebastien Lagree to talk more about the method, the equipment, and more.
ATHLEISURE MAG: In addition to creating your method, you also have the equipment as well. Can you tell us about the equipment that you offer and why one would use those as we are all looking at what we should add to our home gyms.
SEBASTIEN LAGREE: Sure. You cannot do my method unless you train on my equipment; I continuously evolve both and both are inseparable. First off, I design all my equipment around the user. I need to make sure it accommodates both small and large frame. Second, the equipment has to be intuitive which most fitness equipment are not. I've become extremely critical of fitness equipment and I can say that the majority of fitness machines are built very poorly. Fitness in general has gone downhill.
AM: In addition to your machines, you have a number of accessories that can be added to the equipment as well as to allow you to continue to workout in the method when you're not home. What are some of your favorites that we should know about?
SL: Correct, the accessories are necessary to perform more exercises and target specific muscles in the body. My favorite is the long black cable which adds hundreds of moves to the machine.
AM: You are available in studios across the country, can you tell us about your On Demand offerings?
SL: Correct, we have almost 600 studios worldwide and we do also offer classes on our virtual platform www.lagreeod.com. That platform is super convenient for those who don't have a studio nearby or for the students who want to make sure they have perfect form.
AM: For those that are new to the method, what are some tips that you suggest that we should keep in mind?
SL: Yes, when you do Lagree, try to move as slow and for as long as possible while maintaining perfect form. It sounds simple but it’s actually super challenging. Lagree is not a workout that you are going to master. There is no finish line.
AM: For those that are looking to get that Ken and Barbie physique? How can they go about it by doing your method?
SL: To achieve the K&B look, you need to do a muscular endurance workout which is exactly what Lagree does.
You need to keep your muscles under tension for a long long time. You also need to eat super clean.
AM: Are there upcoming events that you have coming up that you would like to share?
SL: Yes, we are hosting our first Lagree Summit in Vegas next year at MGM Hotel next year March 1st, 2nd and 3rd. This will be our first Lagree Trade Show.
AM: What's next for you and the method?
SL: A lot, I have many new designs and models that I am launching next year. I am adding electronics and eventually AI to my models. I also launched Lagree 2.0 this year and now I am working on Lagree 3.0
PHOTO CREDITS | Sebastien Lagree
Read the NOV ISSUE #95 of Athleisure Mag and see METHOD + DISCIPLINE | Sebastian Lagree in mag.
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POWER BOOK III: RAISING KANAN REALITIES OF LIFE MEKAI CURTIS, JOEY BADA$$, LONDON BROWN
Season 3 of STARZ's POWER BOOK III: Raising Kanan is back on Dec 1st at midnight on the STARZ app (all STARZ streaming and on-demand platforms) as well as on STARZ at 9pm ET every Friday night! We caught up with MeKai Curtis (Arrested Development, Girl Meets World, Milo Murphy's Law), Joey BadA$$ (Wu-Tang: An American Saga, Mr. Robot, Grown-ish), and London Brown (The Hustle, Ballers, American Soul) who are all back for the latest season. We wanted to find out about what we can expect for this season (season 4 is not only renewed but is already in production) as well as what we should be excited for!
MeKai plays Kanan Stark in the 90's in the origin story of the character played by Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson in POWER, the flagship series. We know he's the devoted son of Raquel "Raq" Thomas (Patina Miller) and as he searches for answers that he will ultimately evolve. We wanted to know how he approaches Kanan, what drew him to this series and what he is excited for.
ATHLEISURE MAG: It’s so exciting to be able to connect with you. How do you approach playing Kanan?
MEKAI CURTIS: You know, I approach it like any other character that I would approach and like how anybody would approach life. I take it line by line, scene by scene, day by day, reaction by reaction – I kind of just try to make it as organic as I can. That’s all acting it. It’s reacting.
AM: Where did we leave Kanan last season and where are we picking up with him again?
MC: I think that you’ll kind of find Kanan in the same spot that you left him at the end of season 2. He’s just trying to get a lot of answers to a lot of questions that he has and some of the answers that he’s getting aren’t necessarily adding up. So he dives deeper into finding those answers and then he builds his truth and his new world around that information! So you know, you’re just again finding an inquisitive young man trying to figure out what he is doing in life and who he is.
AM: What made you want to play this character as well as to join this amazing cast?
MC: Ah man, I mean, wanting to play this character, it stemmed from partially being a fan of the original franchise and then just wanting to push myself as an artist and to take on something new, to stretch my chops and to do something that I knew that I could. But even signing on, I had no idea in certain ways on what I was stepping into. I’m beyond grateful for it. I’m beyond ready for it. But even the magnitude of where we are and what we’re creating, it wasn’t so heavily on me at the time. It was just again about doing good work and getting to be part of the POWER franchise!
AM: What should fans be excited about as we come into the season as I can’t believe that it launches this Fri on Dec 1st!
MC: Ah wow! It is crazy! Oh wow, it is coming up on Fri!
AM: I know, right?
MC: Yo, time is moving – I mean time is just timing! It’s just happening. Everything is happening so fast! I mean, you just threw me for a loop with that one!
I mean it’s about just being able to watch the season! It’s about continuing the journey and continuing the ride with us. It’s about continuing to unfold and discover this world and these characters and what made the person – the original people that the fans of the original franchise are really able to get to understand. It’s about knowing the person that they saw from the original and new people that we have garnered and have started to bring onto the ship. They’re getting to enjoy just a really good story. It’s a coming of age story, a story of love, a story of forgiveness, a story of ups and downs and bonding. It’s about just trying to pave your way and making it do what it do every day that you’re allowed to!
We've been a fan of rapper and actor, Joey BadA$$ and the energy that he brings into playing playing notorious drug lord, Kadeem “Unique” Mathis, a character that continues to unveil his complexities from season to season. In addition to finding out how he brings this character to life, we also wanted to know what he loves about playing him as well as what drew him to the POWER universe.
ATHLEISURE MAG: How do you approach playing Unique?
JOEY BADA$$: Well you know, once I get suited and booted, it’s definitely like I get 5 points for that! You know what I mean? Just being in the attire! Also, it’s just more of the mental preparation than anything. You know, I’m thinking about what must be going on in the character’s mind, what are the current challenges that he’s facing and how can I bring that to life on the screen? How can I show that with my actions or my mannerisms or even my facial expressions.
AM: Where did we leave Unique last season and where are we picking up with him again this season?
JB: So you know, last season we saw the villain become the hero and I thought that that was very interesting. You know, I think that with this new season, historically, he was the guy that you hated that you loved or the guy that you loved that you hated. But now, I feel like people are going to see him in a new light this season because he’s in much more of a vulnerable space navigating this chemistry between him and Raq. So, you know his brother being back home and Ronnie’s (Grantham Coleman) not happy with what Unique has done. So there’s this work-life balance that Unique is facing and you know, I think that people are really going to see more of the human aspect of Unique more than anything this season so I’m excited about that!
AM: What made you want to play this character and be part of this phenomenal cast?
JB: Well I’ve been a fan of the original POWER series you know for a long time. When I saw that they were doing a spin-off, I just thought, look I just need a role. It don’t really matter which one it is, but once the role of Unique came and I auditioned for this character and it landed on my desk, I’m like, this is it – this is me. You know, by every means, this is me. I felt like I was born to play this character, you know what I’m saying? It’s been exciting to say the least and I’m super grateful to be part of this universe and to be part of the family.
AM: It’s always fun to see when you’re on screen! Are there any other upcoming projects that we should keep our eye out for that you can tell us about?
JB: Well, as we know, Raising Kanan Season 3 is coming. I’m working on a new album right now to put out at the top of next year. So I’m looking forward to that! Yeah and you know, more film stuff. I’m actually starting up a production company right now so I’m actually looking to get my hand involved in the executive level in this film industry so I am genuinely excited about that! I’ll be producing some of my own projects. I’m just looking forward to elevation and growth!
IG @joeybadass
Before the series premiere of this show, we caught up with London Brown who plays Marvin Thomas, who is Raq's older brother and Kanan's uncle. In that interview, he introduced us to POWER BOOK III, and it's great to now touchbase with him ahead of the 3rd season, to know more about his thoughts on the intracacies of Marvin, how he continues to approach him when playing him, why he enjoys bringing him to life and of course, what we need to know to be prepared for the upcoming season.
ATHLEISURE MAG: How do you approach playing Marvin?
LONDON BROWN: With a lot of concentration and focus in the sense that I just try to make sure that I try to create a lot of layers for Marvin so that he really becomes 3 dimensional and that he’s just not just some caricature, but more so a real person with real feelings. That way, the audience can go on a journey with me.
AM: Where did we leave Marvin last season, and where are we picking up with him again?
LB: We leave Marvin last season injured and in the middle of trying to repair relationships and we pick it up with him right there in the sense of he’s learned some lessons and now he is trying to apply those lessons to really become a better person. Not only for himself, but for those that he loves.
AM: We had the pleasure to catch up before the first season aired and so to talk with you again has been great. What do you enjoy about playing him across these seasons?
LB: The thing that I enjoy is experimenting with the arc of Marvin. That’s what I like! I don’t like for any character to stay in one thing and you can’t put Marvin in any kind of particular space because he’s doing different things. People can even experience that from the first season. This is true even from season to season. Even within a scene, you'll see Marvin go from one extreme to the next. So that’s been fun, just to get into the layers of playing Marvin.
AM: What should we expect from this season as we’re excited that this show is back!
LB: I think that people should expect plot twists and more specifically with Marvin. Just when people thought that they understood Marvin, they’re going to see a completely different side of Marvin that people can appreciate and whatever ideas that they thought that they had of Marvin in Season 1 like, “oh man, he did – oh wait – he is – he’s like this and like that!” But Marvin is still Marvin. So Marvin don’t start no issues, but if you cross him, he’ll finish them. So the undertone of Marvin is still there, but there are a lot of new notes to Marvin that we explored.
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | STARZ/POWER BOOK III: Raising Kanan
Read the NOV ISSUE #95 of Athleisure Mag and see POWER BOOK III: Raising Kanan - Realities of Life | MeKai Curtis, Joey BadA$$, London Brown in mag.
Featured
GREAT GATHERINGS | JUNG LEE
There's nothing that we love more than an event that is truly an experience that ties in the visuals, sounds, smells, and of course phenomenal food! For well over a decade, we have always enjoyed seeing Celebrity Event Planner/Designer Jung Lee's flawless attention to detail when it comes to weddings that have been featured in Vogue and Bride's, the red carpet of the 76th Annual TONY Awards in 2023, State Dinners at the White House, corporate functions and more. With the holiday season upon us, we wanted to find out how she got into this industry as her event planning and design production firm FÊTE and her store of curated items can be found at Jung Lee New York. We also wanted to know about her favorite projects, her creative process, and what she loves about the holiday season. We also got a few of her tricks in how you can execute holiday gatherings even if you don't have access to a celebrity planner.
ATHLEISURE MAG: I have followed you on Instagram for a number of years and have seen your work covered in Vogue. There were a couple of NY Bridal Fashion Week shows where I know we were attending the same events and I’ve seen you there. So, it is such an honor to be able to talk to you about your career in design, event planning, and event production.
When did you decide you wanted to be a designer and an event planner?
JUNG LEE: To be perfectly honest, I never thought in a million years thought that I would be doing what I am doing now!
AM: Interesting!
JL: Yeah! I never considered myself a designer and it was just because I was in it and I was getting frustrated with other things. So I thought I was just going to do it in-house and same for planning. Initially, how I thought about planning, in terms of a business marketplace where it is today, is totally evolved. It wasn’t what I thought it was going to be. I thought that there was a need to sort of add professionalism and a different way to think about events and weddings. When I started a little over 20 years ago, we deconstructed what made up an event or wedding and sort of built it back up with what I consider – soul where there is a purpose, a strong point of view and it’s not just like, “oh, it’s this color scheme and whatever.” I guess I have a fairly strong personality and I like things with a point of view as opposed to, it could just be. I went into it with a business angle and I said, you know what? From what it is now, I can actually do a better job in telling a story. So it started from that and then as I started to get into events, I started learning more about the interiors and the event design piece of it.
I guess I was a little bit frustrated and my clients were a little bit frustrated. So I just started doing it and I’m somebody where I learn by doing. I used to spec build homes so I just sort of started to pick it up. So if I had a home, this is what I would want. I feel like at the end of the day, we all as human beings, we want similar things. Obviously, everyone’s taste levels are a little bit different. Our styles are a little bit different, so you want to be able to sort of be able to make adjustments to that. But fundamentally as human beings, we all want more or less, the same thing. So whether it be a home or an event or things like that. I just feel that I understood that quickly.
AM: I like the position that you take on that.
Where do you feel that you get your inspiration from? The depth of the events that you have done, whether it’s the red carpet for the TONY Awards or event planning for the White House, doing weddings that have been featured in Vogue or Bride’s – how do you decide where you are going to pull the inspiration from and where does it all come from?
JL: I mean, I think that inspiration is everything that we see. We don't even understand it. It’s just like all of the images, the films, stories, and novels – everything that we have sort of seen in our life. So, it’s not like, “oh, I’m going to work on this event, let me start.” It doesn’t work like that. For us, the work that we do it’s such a collaborative process. So for us, I really want to get to understand my couples or whatever I’m doing. So whether it’s Dr. Biden – I’m really trying to get into her head a bit. I want to tell that story and have it sort of manifest and unfold into basically tablescapes and color schemes, the candles, and have it where everything is sort of laid out. I mean, it’s not one place which obviously is not an easy answer. But it’s really a whole host of things and then the way that I think about it, I love sort of putting everything on the table and really editing it down and pairing it down. I love starting with more initially and trimming and trimming and trimming until it feels right. It’s like a constant play and it doesn’t stop until the actual install because we’re still editing, adding, removing, and tweaking. That’s part of the craftsmanship and the artistic side in terms of putting an event to life because it’s how it sort of feels and looks.
AM: I totally agree with everything that you said as I’m also a fashion stylist so that concept of always pulling from everything and in the pull I have more than what I need and as you get closer to the deadline whether it’s a photoshoot or my client is hitting the red carpet, then I’m refining and bringing it down to align with what my client is saying and the vision that I have. The final result is the culmination of the hours and adjustments that finally become the desired look. That’s a really cool way to look at it.
JL: Yes, it’s like that for all of the interiors and fashion and everything! We want a little bit more to play with.
AM: Exactly!
JL: 100%!
AM: When you take on a project. From sketching out the ideas to creating, etc. Where do you like to start?
JL: Again, there’s no one place for it. They come in in different ways. Like right now, we have a corporate holiday party that we’re doing that’s for my daughter and she has always loved making gingerbread houses. I don’t even know why, I don’t even like them – I’m not a gingerbread person really. There was something about this holiday season – so we constructed basically a gingerbread house that is like their office which is on Park Ave South and the whole invitation is printed onto it and it has all the things that make it. So, again, the ideas come from everywhere. So it just came from there, it wasn’t like anyone said, make this.
I love that what we do, we can always think about different ways to sort of create something and to present it to our clients. Fortunately, we have a really wonderful relationship with our clients and it’s like year after year, it feels a little bit different. I love the idea of having something that is edible and it’s great for families so that event was for family as well. There is information and a sense of whimsy and fun and it’s the most delicious gingerbread house. Usually the ones that are store bought aren’t so great! So you take it out of this giant box and it’s such an experience to see the invitation this way. So I take my inspiration from experiences everywhere honestly. It’s just, you see something at a store, a museum, an opening – and it’s not like you take that specifically, but it’s how you make it your own for that particular project and I think that that’s where the magic and all the excitement – at least for me is. I’m sure for you too as a stylist.
AM: Absolutely!
JL: I’m sure it’s the fabric somewhere, or a little clip, or a piece of jewelry.
AM: Yup!
JL: You start taking that and you start running with it. Same – so we get inspiration from everywhere. It can be something that I saw on the runway or a really beautiful interior. It could be a fashion period piece or an era – it’s everything.
AM: I totally agree.
What have been some of your favorite projects that you have been involved in?
JL: Oh my God, I mean all of our projects, they’re like my children. I love them all for different things. I mean, obviously, working at the White House on the grounds for France or inside the White House for the Republic of Korea which was super special for me as being Korean born. They hold very very special places in my heart. One was just the first time for the Biden Administration for when they did the State Dinner for France and it was a giant tent and it had never been done before. I loved it and again, we were just on the ground and the way that we had constructed it and sort of made the elevation – they really trusted us and they leaned on us in terms of how we saw it. We propped the tent up so that you could see the Washington Monument and the White House which was really special because that had never been done before.
Then, when we were invited back in the Spring and this time, we were able to do the State Dinner inside the White House, that was really special. We just brought in tons of cherry blossoms and all of the florals that made sense for Korea as well as for Dr. Biden for being the Spring time. So that was really special for me of course and they were so gracious and they invited us to it, like me, my mom, and my brother. So, that was phenomenal to be there at the State Dinner.
Obviously, working on the TONY Awards and again, it hadn’t been done the way that we had done it. So it’s not just a red carpet, being in Washington Heights, I didn’t want it to be a typical red carpet. So we chose a hot pink fuchsia which was fiery to me and I wanted it to feel like a little bit of the Dominican Republic in Washington Heights in the summer time. I wanted it to come to life so along with the backdrop that we had created, lots of tropical leaves and florals that were sort of coming out at you. So I love that it was flat, but also coming out.
AM: It looked beautiful!
JL: Thank you! We’re working on one now for the end of the year where we’re going to a small island off of Kenya for an end of year celebration and we’re getting ready to go there shortly. It’ll be 4 days of events, so all of these events and projects are culturally so different. We did a trip to Cuba before it was open prior to the Obama Administration and that was for the same clients. So, I have a tendency to sort of collect clients over the years and we end up doing so many projects with them because we know them, they know us and they know we will be able to take it up one step higher. That sort of connection with our clients is where they give us that trust where they tell us, you know us, what do you think? That’s really so important where they trust us so we can test out these things. That’s a lot of fun of course.
AM: What do you love about the holiday season?
JL: I know! This year just flew! I can’t believe it! I love the holiday season obviously. For me, there’s so many things. We’re insanely busy with holiday sets and installs and things like that. But I really think that it’s important for me to take time for my team who are so incredible. So treating them really well, treating my friends and family because the work that I do, I don’t have a lot of personal time. I love my work and there is definitely a very blurred line and it's just because I am so passionate about it so fortunately, work doesn't always feel like work for me. What that means is that I’m not with my friends and family as much as I want to be. So when the time sort of slows down because everything sort of stops, I love that. So I really like to spoil and treat them. So that’s my pleasure. I get to work hard and then I can treat the people that are so important to me. I really love that.
AM: Because we’re all planning our dinners, seating charts, and more – for those that are about to embark on their own holiday festivities that don’t have a celebrity planner that they can be assisted by, how can people approach creating their events? What are tricks of the trade that you use that they should do so that they can have fun and the experience is seamless and easy in terms of planning?
JL: I feel like for a lot of people, and young people specifically who have apartments, they feel so intimidated, but like anything, the more you do it, the easier it becomes and the better you become. You have to have a starting plan and I think that some people are so intimidated because they think that it has to be perfect. They’re exhausted before they even begin and that’s no fun.
I love a beautiful place setting.
AM: Same!
JL: I think that the notion of having as many people as you love at your home that you care about and fostering this community of this wonderful warm energy especially around the holidays is everything! I really believe in the energy of all of that and I love on it. I don’t think that it needs to be so fanciful, but the lighting, the music, you know. Getting some good wine or some champagne, it doesn’t have to be a fancy holiday cocktail. Do it if you want to, but you don’t have to. The most important thing is setting the mood so it doesn’t feel like such a big list. And again, great scented candles – to me smells, sights, and what you hear is the most important thing and that is everything in terms of setting the mood.
Whether they are frozen foods that you got to heat up, like quiche puffs or whatever – that to me is less important honestly. It’s about being together and setting a mood. That to me is far more significant rather than someone slaving over a kitchen and making things for days and days. That to me is silly. Because again, I hate waste and I feel that that’s a waste. Again, if that’s what you do, go for it, do it. But if it’s not, if you have limited time, you can get great food and it doesn’t have to cost you a fortune and you can have it at home. To me, doing something at home versus at an event space or a restaurant, there’s nothing like it. Because the more you do it, the easier it will be. I just love the notion of getting your home ready to have people over. We clean our floors, we clean out our fridge and it’s that anticipation when we’re getting ourselves ready for it and I really think that when people do it, they will do it more often. It’s just good for our souls I think!
AM: I totally agree and I love the fact that you’re talking about people should do the things that are comfortable to them. Bringing foods in, frozen food options, spending time with people, and removing that stress.
One of my favorite things is that I love an awesome bar cart or cocktail nook and I also know that you have your store, what are 3 items that we should have or can gift to others that can elevate a cocktail/bar cart experience?
JL: I mean, I think that great little bowls and I love warm nuts because it’s the easiest things to do. It’s so luxurious when you’re having a nice warm nut. I think that a nice thoughtful gift like a great scented candle. We just got a new one in that I was in Paris and I smelled it and I thought, we have to bring this in and I do think that the French do make the best candle and scents because that’s where it all originated. It’s called D’ORSAY. We just got them in and I love them all! I think that going to someone’s home, a pet peeve of mine is that you bring them a bouquet of flowers, it’s hard for the host because now they have to take it and make it an arrangement unless it’s all sort of done and they can put it out. I love serving cake plates and domes and bringing sweets, but bringing it in a really beautiful cake stand. I like taking some store bought things and putting it on a nice plate and that afterwards, they have a nice gift to remember. I’m a big fan of that and I guess it sort of depends on people’s price points. As a hostess gift, you don’t have to break the bank, but I think that nice subtleties that feel a bit neutral that they can appreciate. I’m not a fan of gifting things that are too seasonal necessarily. I’m not into something that has a turkey or a Santa on it! I think color is more interesting if you are trying to do things that are for the holidays.
AM: Those are great tips as I always believe in bringing gifts and these are also great ideas to enjoy for yourself as well.
When did you get he idea to launch your own store, Jung Lee New York? I love the curation and it’s as tasteful as the events that you plan.
JL: You know, back to what I was saying earlier, people are all the same. Part of what I do in looking for things and constantly shopping for my clients and events that we’re going to do, and I shop everywhere. I think at the end of the day, everyone that I know, I don’t care between the billionaires to someone who is working in a finance job or someone who works in fashion, we all shop high-low. We go to Zara and we pair it with our Chanel bag. Everyone does that and I found that a lot of the home stores, it was either luxe or Big Box and I didn’t like that and I wanted to create a store that I would want to shop in for me and my clients!
That’s what I felt and to me I felt that we really represent the best $10 glasses to all of the Christofle and the Baccarat and everything in between. Because that’s how I feel that I live and how I feel that most people live and I like that. Everything feels luxurious and the cost may be whatever it is. So to me, everything in the store is a great piece. Obviously there are great investment pieces and certain things are just really nice. But I don’t think that a price necessarily dictates whether something is great or not. To me, I value – value. I handpick 90% of the items that are in the store and there are glasses that are $400 and I will pay for those as I think that they are so beautiful. There is a Saint-Louis glass that’s called the Les Endiables and it’s one of my favorite things and it has been around for awhile and you can use it upside down because there are 2 cups to it and I love the playfulness of it. Nobody does it like that and it’s not inexpensive, but whatever it costs, it’s worth every single penny in my opinion. Then there are glasses where I’m like, those are great and I love them and they are a $10 glass. Or I love an acrylic! The things that people bring home, I don’t necessarily think that it needs to be so precious because I think that people spend way too much time thinking about that. If you like it, bring it in! People are like, "oh my God, what if it breaks?” People buy a $2,000 pair of boots and you scuff them up and you have to get them repaired. It’s ok!
AM: It’s so true!
JL: You have to live and that’s the thing that I want people to realize. Enjoy life and live! It’s ok. You have a gorgeous ring, of course you’re going to wear it. You’re not going to leave it in the safe deposit box! I’m such a big proponent that you have to live life! Enjoy, get the best things possible. Don’t break the bank, be smart about it. People think months about whether they should get this or that. I love collections and I love knick knacks. There are certain glasses that I have that can all live harmoniously together on my Thanksgiving table. To me, it’s like a great denim, you pair it with your favorite designer silk top or whatever. You can go all denim and a white T-shirt or you can go a little fancy or you can mix and match. That’s what I think that tabletops should be. If you curate it properly, your fancy stuff should be able to work with your everyday stuff!
AM: Many years ago, I was a Home Manager at Anthropologie and that’s when I started really loving décor with all of the different plates, silverware, mugs, candles, packaged soaps, etc. So to have a Baccarat glass that is mixed with an Anthropologie Latte Bowl – it looks so good on the table together and it’s like a moment.
JL: Yes! I think the thing about it is that I think that between fashion and accessories, I think that people have a sense because they have been working on it and I think that with homes, they find it so intimidating. I think that’s why people go all white basic. People are so afraid that they just want to be all so safe. If color makes you happy, have some color. If you’re more neutral, that’s ok but you don’t have to have it all white. It’s like wearing white, all day long, that feels boring. I just think that your home should be like the best restaurant that you have ever gone to. All of the things that you use whether it’s glasses or small plates, it should be like, “I love it!” Silverware, I feel like people don’t think about it. I think it’s one of the most sensual things that you should have.
AM: 100%.
JL: You should love your fork, you should love the spoon that you use. You should love it and if you don’t love it, you should think about it and start acquiring the things that you really want.
AM: Could not agree more! There is nothing better than having your Sweetgreen salad and having a lightweight hammered copper fork to eat it with a stunning wine glass while you watch The Golden Bachelor solo or with friends! There’s something about that high-low that you can enjoy it while doing something casual that isn't tethered to a holiday season or special event. It’s just appreciating that moment and I don’t think that you should relegate those items to big/signature events only.
JL: Without a doubt, if you love it, you should do it!
IG @jungleeny
PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | PG 48 Shawn Connell | PG 51 Dimirtrios Kambouris/Getty Images | PG 52-59 Erin Scott/White House Photo Office |
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PHOTO CREDITS | ABC The Bachelor
THE BACHELOR S28. E0. | THE LADIES OF JOEY'S SEASON
PHOTO CREDIT | ABC The Bachelor/Gizelle Hernandez
On Jan 22nd, we will get to see the premiere episode of S28 of The Bachelor where Joey Graziadei who was the runner up in S20 of The Bachelorette with Charity Lawson, will be able to start his own journey on The Bachelor! We can’t wait to see who he picks and what happens along the way. We’re sharing the contestants that will be in this season and we’re really looking forward to how sisters Lauren and Allison navigate competing for the same man, living in the house, and how they engage with the other women!
Each night during this season, we will tweet about The Golden Bachelor and you can chat along with us (@AthleisureMag + with our Co-Founder/Creative + Style Director, Kimmie Smith @ShesKimmie) to see what’s taking place!
Each week we will let you know who our faves were from the last episode and if we’ve changed up since then as it pertains to who we think should go to Hometowns.
We also suggest a podcast that we’ve become obsessed with over the past few seasons, Wondery’s Bachelor Happy Hour to get their feedback!
WHO WE THINK IS GOING TO HOMETOWNS
PHOTO CREDIT | The Bachelor Contestants/Richard Middlesworth
THE BACHELOR CONTESTANTS
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PHOTO CREDIT | Michael Simon/Delsym
HOLIDAYS, HEALTH, + HAPPINESS WITH LA LA ANTHONY
We always enjoy when we have the opportunity to catch up with STARZ’s BMF and Showtime’s The Chi star, La La Anthony! We love when we see her in a number of projects whether it’s in TV, film, as an entrepreneur and more! With the holiday season that’s known for a number of events as well as taking that time to think about how you are stepping into the New Year, we wanted to catch up with her to see about how she navigates this business season personally and professionally!
She partnered with Delsym because when a cough starts making its way around La La’s house, there are two things La La’s family needs to feel better together so they don’t miss out on any holiday festivities: Delsym, the #1 doctor recommended, 12-hour cough suppressant, and her favorite Puerto Rican Chicken Soup recipe, her go-to comfort meal when her family is feeling under the weather this cold and flu season.
ATHLEISURE MAG: It’s the holiday season. We can’t even believe that it’s the end of the year!
LA LA ANTHONY: Right? How did that happen?
AM: It’s like we blinked in April and here we are in Dec!
We’re enjoying tons of activities, but it’s also the time of year that we can get a bit under the weather. How do you navigate that during this time of year?
LLA: Well, that’s exactly why you know that I wanted to do this partnership with Delsym. It’s been a staple in my house so especially having a son for a very long time. So, you know when that cough is starting and we’re not feeling well, that is my go-to. So why not let the world know?
Delsym, you know is the #1 doctor recommended 12-hour cough suppressant. That along with this chicken soup that my mom taught me how to make when I was growing up, that’s the one thing that I learned in the kitchen, because I’m not that good in the kitchen. That combo right there, you’re good to go. So I definitely wanted to be part of Delsym’s, Bring Comfort Home Campaign. In this kit, you’ll also get all the ingredients to make my favorite chicken soup. It’s DelsymMealKit.com. You’re seeing it behind me right now and it’s just something that Kiyan, my son, and I have been rocking with for a very long time.
AM: When you’re under the weather, you have the things that you do. I have my favorite set of cashmere, my streamed shows, that oversized mug that I’m drinking out of. I love a good chicken soup recipe so what is it?
LLA: So, I grew up in a Hispanic household. Both of my parents are from Puerto Rico, so it has Spanish, Latin, Puerto Rican flavor in there. So, it’s however my mom taught me, what seasoning to use, how to mix it up – it has that kind of flavor to it, which is why I love it so much and it’s easy. Because if you follow the steps, I feel that anyone can do it, because if I can do it, anyone can do it, because I don’t know how to cook at all, so it’s literally like, if I follow it and she tells me what it is start to finish, the result is going to be good! It definitely has Latin flavors like Sazon to it. So you know it’s going to be good!
AM: Definitely checking it out as the other night I enjoyed having Avgolemono (Greek Lemon Chicken Soup), which I thought was amazing and I had never had it before. So this, sounds like another winner to me even if I’m not sick because I do love Chicken Soup!
LLA: Oh no, that’s the same with me! It’s just my go-to for holiday seasons in general. I don’t know, there’s something about eating something that you had growing up that makes you feel nostalgic, like holiday, and home. So, it kind of for me, brings all of that out for me.
AM: There are a number of traditions that we enjoy as well as those that we make as we go along. What are some of your favorites during this holiday season?
LLA: So for me, I grew up and always had tons of people in my house. It was my whole family, that’s how it has always been. So I have continued that tradition so now in my home, Thanksgiving just passed, I had 30-35 family members – it might have been more now that I think about it. 35 family members in my house, which my house ain’t even big enough to fit 35 people! So we were all just cramped in there and we’ve always been like that. Just playing games, music, laughing, and fun. We just had a great time and the same thing with Christmas, it’s just continuing that family gathering and having everyone together and taking a break from their crazy lives, work, and everything that they have going on. So, it’s always been like that. It’s nice to be in a place where I can continue that same holiday tradition.
AM: Well, this season means that we do tons of different activities whether it’s with our colleagues at work, friends, and family. What’s the best way that we can keep it cute and fresh when we’re doing all of these different things?
LLA: Stay healthy! That’s how you keep it cute and fresh! The holidays are when people get sick, so stay healthy so that you can be outside and that you can enjoy these social events and gatherings. It’s fun being outside and doing the Christmas parties, the NYE parties, it’s fun. You get to be social, you get to meet people, and you don’t want to miss out on that stuff because you’re not feeling well. Stay on top of your health, stay on top of you’re A-game. Another reason why this partnership was important to me is because I want to be my best, and I want Kiyan to be his best so that he can be great at everything that he is doing.
AM: What are you thinking of in terms of gifting friends and family this year? What are things that we should also be thinking about for our holiday lists?
LLA: So candles to me are always great! Like, candles are easy, but they are so symbolic and they have so much meaning. You can get candles that are engraved, you can get candles that say a quote or a scripture on it, whatever your preference is. But, I think that that’s like a not too expensive gift that it’s intimate and it feels thoughtful. That’s always my go-to. Like, who doesn’t want a beautiful candle?
It’s not something that you’ll ever have enough of. You’re not going to be like, “oh, I’m at my candle limit!” There’s no such thing.
AM: Especially those that are in those big jars!
LLA: Oh yeah, I love! Those are really pretty.
AM: Well, you’re an amazing mom, a great actress, and you’re always putting your name and intention behind great things! It’s always great when I have the ability to be able to interview you and to see all the things that you continue to do. I know that with you, it’s always going to be excellence.
LLA: I really appreciate you saying that, thank you so much!
You can sign up to win a Delsym Comfort Meal Kit, featuring La La Anthony's Puerto Rican Chicken Soup recipe ingredients beginning today through Friday, January 5th by visiting DelsymMealKit.com. Winners will be selected and notified in early January. Terms and conditions apply. But we also want to give you the scoop on her recipe as well which you can read below!
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PHOTO CREDITS | ABC The Golden Bachelor/John Fleenor
THE GOLDEN BACHELOR S.1 E.8 | FINALE + AFTER THE FINAL ROSE
PHOTO CREDITS | ABC The Golden Bachelor
We’re back after a break for Thanksgiving and we finally get to see how it all ends on The Golden Bachelor. Jesse Palmer promises that we will definitely have some twists and turns as we watch how Gerry will navigate this experience. Back in Costa Rica, he chats with his 2 daughters and his granddaughters who came out to meet the final women, Theresa and Leslie. You can see how close their bond is as well as how they want him to enjoy his experience.
First up is Theresa who bonds well with his family. She lets them know that her story is very similar to Gerry’s in terms of marrying her high school sweetheart and also seeing him get sick and pass away. She makes a great impression and later on when she is alone with him, she lets him know that she only wants to be proposed to if he is 1000% sure. He promises her that.
Back in the studio, there are various people from across the franchise that is in attendance. It’s always nice to see people and those that they are with as well as those that we will see again in future seasons.
Leslie meets the family and it seems like he is more at ease with her and has a lot more jokes that he shares with her. It seems like the family likes both women. It seems like whoever is on the second date with Gerry gets an awkward version of him that starts to mentally step away from who he is with. Leslie picks up on it and feels that she will address it when they are on the later portion of their date.
He lets her know that the process can be a lot but that he’s happy that she is there and that although he had a dip, it’s time for them to focus and have fun. She gifts him a book that has their memories from their time together from cards, photos and more! The book is also blank for more chances to fill up. He thanks her for being a blessing and she lets him know that she can’t imagine being without them. She tells him that he loves her and he doesn’t say it back. He’s emotional and she asks if he has something to tell her and he just says that the decision is a lot harder than he thought and that it is impossible. He leaves her, cries in the stairwell, and she feels that she’s not sure on where they stand. He decides to go back and talk with her to say what was on his mind. He tells her that he has fallen in love with Theresa and that that is the direction that he is going to take. Leslie says that everything that he told her the other night was a lie. She tells that they weren’t off, that he was off today and wants to know where things went wrong. He tells that things just evolved and that she shouldn’t feel awful. She tells him that she can feel whatever way she wants and she tells him that he went down a path, made her feel assured, and then he took a turn and left her there. She tells him that she fell in love with him and his family and at least she won’t have to go through the process of walking out in the gown and dress on the platform to be even more embarrassed. Jesse’s face watching it looks so disheartened. Gerry seems torn up over what happened as well.
Leslie is on the couch and you can see that she is still affected by what happened. She walks us through the days leading up what we just saw. Jesse lets her know that Gerry is there to talk with her so that she can find out more about what took place. She tells him her thoughts and that even though we didn’t hear everything that took place in their overnight, she lets him know that what he said, didn’t match what he ultimately did to her. He tells her he tried to focus on each relationship and sometimes he got caught up in the moment and said I love you. She says that she hears what he’s saying, but she can’t say that she forgives him.
We’re back in Costa Rica as both Theresa and Gerry prepare to see one another. They meet one another on the platform and we know that he intends to ask her to marry him. We also know that if he asks, Theresa will say yes. She tells him that she wants to spend the rest of her life with him. He tells her that she’s not the right person to live with, she’s the right person that he doesn’t want to live without. He asks her to marry him. He gives her the final rose, the Golden Rose.
The couple finally make their way to the stage. With their first public experience, they can finally let everyone know - apparently, she didn’t even tell her sisters! Interestingly, we learn that on Jan 4th, Gerry and Theresa are getting married live on ABC and then on Jan 22nd, we’ll get to watch Joey start his Bachelor journey!
Each night during this season, we tweeted about The Golden Bachelor and you were able to chat along with us (@AthleisureMag + with our Co-Founder/Creative + Style Director, Kimmie Smith @ShesKimmie) to see what’s taking place!
Each week we let you know who our faves were from the last episode and if we’ve changed up since then as we got closer to Hometowns.
We also suggest a podcast that we’ve become obsessed with over the past few seasons, Wondery’s Bachelor Happy Hour to get their feedback!
GERRY CHOSE
THE GOLDEN BACHELOR CONTESTANTS
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PHOTO CREDITS | ABC The Golden Bachelor/John Fleenor
THE GOLDEN BACHELOR S.1 E.8 | FANTASY SUITES
PHOTO CREDITS | ABC The Golden Bachelor
Well it’s time for Fantasy Suites and we’re in Costa Rica for this week’s The Golden Bachelor. It’s another part of this franchise where we’re interested in seeing how Gerry navigates many of the elements of the show that we have come to expect. Jesse and Gerry catch up on what the week entails as well as what he feels for both of them - he also notes that he said he was in love with Leslie and he hesitated with Theresa.
He kicks off the dates starting with Leslie. They have a little hike which leads them to their repelling activity! Leslie looks super apprehensive (as are we), but they end up getting through it and end up at the base of the waterfall in their swimwear embracing the moment. They continue their date at dinner where they talk more about what they expect. They move onto the Fantasy Suites where they can talk more and can get to know one another. They wake up next to each other enjoying breakfast and Gerry says how he feels that their relationship has improved significantly. Leslie watches him leave knowing that he will be with Theresa next and she has to say secure in what they have built.
The date on paper seems great between Gerry and Theresa; however, his mind is back with Leslie. Theresa notices and brings it up. You can see Gerry struggling and he even acknowledges that he needs to be present to figure it out with Theresa. After they finish riding horses together, they’re at dinner. Gerry asks more questions, but you can see that he’s trying to give her time so that he’s not as lackluster as he was with her before. By asking her questions, he hears more about her life in securities and how she hasn’t been with anyone since her husband. It seems that he has been drawn in a bit more. They wake up together and it seems like they’re close as well. He lets her know that he loves her.
It’s definitely going to be a tough decision and someone is going to be hurt whichever way it goes. Nov 30th will be the day when we find out who he chose! We also get to see his family and what they think about the final two women.
Each night during this season, we will tweet about The Golden Bachelor and you can chat along with us (@AthleisureMag + with our Co-Founder/Creative + Style Director, Kimmie Smith @ShesKimmie) to see what’s taking place!
Each week we will let you know who our faves were from the last episode and if we’ve changed up since then as it pertains to who we think should go to Hometowns.
We also suggest a podcast that we’ve become obsessed with over the past few seasons, Wondery’s Bachelor Happy Hour to get their feedback!
WHO’S GOING TO FANTASY SUITES
THE GOLDEN BACHELOR CONTESTANTS
Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.
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63MIX ROUTIN3S | LAIRD HAMILTON
63MIX ROUTIN3S | CHUCK NORRIS
PHOTO CREDITS | ABC The Golden Bachelor/John Fleenor
THE GOLDEN BACHELOR S.1 E.7 | ROSES + WOMEN'S TELL ALL
PHOTO CREDITS | ABC The Golden Bachelor
Last week we saw Hometowns on The Golden Bachelor and we left Gerry having to make his final decision for roses! We definitely feel for him as we can see the toll it is taking on him. It’s also the Women’s Tell All, so we can find out more about what was taking place. We’ll have to wait a bit to see who else received the rose, but it’s great to see the women on the stage and to hear from them. It’s also great that we’re able to take a walk down memory lane to see a number of the events and the interactions.
We have to say that he cast of women that were in this season were lovely and inspiring. Susan was a fave and to see Kris Jenner shout out the women as well as Susan specifically was a great moment! Joan talks with Jesse Palmer one on one. It was sad to see that she left early due to her family needing her, but sweet to see how Gerry handled it. Ellen also gets to chat with Jesse about her journey. She even talks about her best friend Roberta who passed away prior to the airing of the show which was another moment that touched everyone.
Gerry hits the stage and sees the women on the stage and he lets them know that he misses all of them and loves them all. He lets them know how he enjoyed getting to know them as well as showing how people of their age still have lives to lead and that they should be out there!
We finally find out who else gets a rose as we know that Leslie already has hers! It’s between Faith and Theresa. As Gerry contemplates his decision, Jesse asks him what he wants to do and Gerry says he knows what he needs to do, he just doesn’t want to do it. Gerry comes back in the room, apologizes for the delay and gives the last rose to Theresa! You can see that the audience is surprised as we all thought it would go to Faith! Seeing the anguish on Faith’s face watching this scene in the audience is gut wrenching. She chats with Jesse and her fellow cast mates send her love. Jesse says what we’re all thinking, “we’re shocked that she was sent home!” Seeing Gerry cry when he saw Faith was so sad and to hear her crying was so emotional. The respect between one another is really sweet to see.
We get a bit of a peek into the upcoming weeks and the emotional journey will continue. We see him continue with both women, them at Fantasy Suites, his family having their input and more. There’s still a lot more to the story as the final episode for this season culminates on Nov 30th.
Gerry Gave Roses To | Leslie and Theresa
Gerry Sent Home | Theresa
Each night during this season, we will tweet about The Golden Bachelor and you can chat along with us (@AthleisureMag + with our Co-Founder/Creative + Style Director, Kimmie Smith @ShesKimmie) to see what’s taking place!
Each week we will let you know who our faves were from the last episode and if we’ve changed up since then as it pertains to who we think should go to Hometowns.
We also suggest a podcast that we’ve become obsessed with over the past few seasons, Wondery’s Bachelor Happy Hour to get their feedback!
WHO’S GOING TO FANTASY SUITES
THE GOLDEN BACHELOR CONTESTANTS
Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.
Featured TV Show
PHOTO CREDITS | ABC The Golden Bachelor/John Fleenor
THE GOLDEN BACHELOR S.1 E.6 | HOMETOWNS
PHOTO CREDITS | ABC The Golden Bachelor
It’s Hometowns on The Golden Bachelor and Gerry is on his way to see the ladies and their families which will also include children and grandchildren! We start off with Theresa in Shrewsbury, NJ. Seeing the family support that she has is always nice to see. Everyone weighs in on how they like Gerry.
With a great date down, Gerry continues on to see Faith in horse country! Benton City, WA is rural, but it’s awesome to see her horses. The two of them ride horses together and they talk about the fact that neither would want to to leave where they live as they have roots and interests there. How will they figure out how they will make their relationship work? Faith’s sons ask about whether he is in love with Faith and he admits with a number of pauses that he thinks that he is. The fact that they both said I love you - how sweet is that?
The last date takes place with Leslie. He learns about how important her older brother is as he took over father duties when their dad died. Once again the vibes between Gerry and the family is positive. Her brother says that Gerry is so out of the box from what she is used to, and her likes that for her.
It’s a tough decision to see where all of this would shake out as only 2 women will be going forward with him. All 3 women have let him know that they are in love with him. Now that everyone is back at the mansion in LA, Jesse Palmer greets each of the women to see how everything is going with them and what Hometowns is like. Gerry decides that he will continue on this journey with Leslie and he gets overcome and needs a moment to himself as we’ll have to wait until next week to see whether Faith or Theresa will stay.
Gerry Gave Roses To | Leslie
Gerry Sent Home |
Each night during this season, we will tweet about The Golden Bachelor and you can chat along with us (@AthleisureMag + with our Co-Founder/Creative + Style Director, Kimmie Smith @ShesKimmie) to see what’s taking place!
Each week we will let you know who our faves were from the last episode and if we’ve changed up since then as it pertains to who we think should go to Hometowns.
We also suggest a podcast that we’ve become obsessed with over the past few seasons, Wondery’s Bachelor Happy Hour to get their feedback!
WHO’S GOING TO HOMETOWNS
THE GOLDEN BACHELOR CONTESTANTS
Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.
Featured TV Show