Malynda Hale is no stranger to show business. Not only does she host the Stream.TV for The Vampire Diaries and Walking Dead After Show, but she also co-owns and runs an entertainment company and indie label. To top off Hale’s busy schedule, on October 20 she released her new album, Pieces of Me. After hearing Hale’s song “Pieces of Me,” I was interested in knowing more about where she finds the inspiration to write her songs and how she came up with the title for her album. Hale was more than willing to chat with Cliché about all that and more.
Cliché: Congratulations on your recent album release! How does it feel to have released something you worked so hard on?
Malynda Hale: Thank you! It feels liberating. I feel free. But now is actually where the hard work comes in. Creating music, recording, and planning the release are the most fun for me. Now the focus is on getting the album heard and in the right listeners’ hands. That being said, being able to work with so many incredible musicians and producers to help bring my songs to life is an unbelievably rewarding feeling.
Out of all the songs on your album, which one is your favorite?
I’m proud of so many of them, but I would definitely say that the title track “Pieces of Me” is my favorite. It’s special to me. I wrote that song when my husband and I were moving back to LA from Chicago and I was scared to come back home. I moved to Chicago to be with my husband, and I had nothing and knew no one. After two years of being in Chicago, though, I’d built a huge community and fan base, so it was incredibly difficult to leave even though technically I was moving back home. “Pieces of Me” is a reflection of those feelings—the fear, excitement, and doubt. It’s a glimpse into my heart.
How did you come up with the name of your album? Does it have a significant meaning to you?
Even though I named the album after the most important song to me on the album, I thought the title was appropriate because the album is filled with songs from so many different experiences. Also, I wanted to pay homage to all of the people and things in my life that have helped me get to this point in my career. I’m truly grateful for all of the love and support I’ve received.
Where did you draw the inspiration to write your songs?
I drew a lot of inspiration from personal experiences, but also from things I’ve seen that have made an impact on me. For example, the song “Falling” is a song I wrote in response to the tragic story of Leelah Alcorn, who was a transgender girl who took her life last year. That story touched me since one of my best friends is a transgender girl, and I was moved to write a song about that. I wrote another song titled “Here I Am” for a friend’s wedding, and it was really based on their relationship. Other songs are based on my experience in the industry. There’s a wide variety of sources of inspiration for each song that, taken together, help make the album complete.
If you had the chance to collaborate with another artist, who would it be?
There are so many artists I would love to work with, but all of my friends, family, and fans know that the one person I want to work with is Gavin DeGraw. I admire him and his music so much. He’s unbelievably talented and underrated. I love how he functions more like an indie artist even though he is a major label artist, and I also respect his musicianship so much. His voice is unreal, and I think I write in a very similar style to him. It would be a good fit. I also would love to collaborate with Sara Bareilles or Colbie Caillat; they are artists I see myself meshing with very well. But, Gavin, if you’re reading this… [laughs]
Aside from your music career, is there anything else you’re working on?
I’m always working on entirely too many things! I love being busy and staying active. I do a lot of acting as well in commercials and film. I also host for the Stream.TV for The Vampire Diaries and Walking Dead After Show. Additionally, my husband and I co-own and run an entertainment company and indie label together. He’s my partner in everything I do. It’s great having him by my side. I’m also the spokesperson for a terrific vegan makeup company called Valana Minerals. It’s an incredible company with incredible products that I’m really proud to be a part of. And lastly, about a year ago, I founded an organization called the meTOO! campaign that promotes and supports the love between interracial and same sex relationships. It’s been great to meet so many amazing couples over the last year and hear their stories.
To keep in spirit with our holiday issue, what will you be doing this Christmas?
My wedding anniversary is on December 22, so my husband and I will most likely get away for a few days! I’ll be able to see my family as well, and I’ll also perform for Santa Barbara’s Unity Telethon early in December. I love the Christmas season—it’s a great time to give back and surround yourself with people you love.
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Malynda Hale Interview: Photographed by Lisa Konczal
Shu Uemura x Maison Kitsuné Holiday Collection
Shu Uemura and Maison Kitsuné have collaborated to create a holiday collection to die for. For those who many not know, Shu Uemura is a brand that revolutionized the beauty industry by giving us ladies tons of lifesaving products, such as their Ultime8 Sublime Beauty In Oil Essence, blanc:chroma cleansing oil, and their Tokyo Lash Mascara. Maison Kitsuné is a luxury fashion brand that aims to satisfy the fashionable needs of the French with a taste of Tokyo’s culture. Both brands recognized the need for a balance between traditional and modernity, and this gives their collection a timeless dimension.
Together, these brands have created a fashionable beauty line just in time for Christmas. Their collection features makeup sets, hair products, and tools. They’re all put together with a fabulous Persian pink design. Once you’re done with these products, definitely keep their containers around; they’ll be sure to spice up any room decor.
A few of their items that caught my attention are the Cleansing Oil Shampoo, a natural lightweight formula that won’t strip your hair of it natural oils, leaving it with a gorgeous healthy shine; their Play & Remix Drawing Pencil, a creamy and smudge resistance pencil that can give any look a little more edge; and their Curious Eye Catching, a fashionable makeup case printed with Kitsuné’s East meets West design. It’s the perfect place to store all your beauty items you’ll be gifted with this holiday season.
Shop the whole collection on shuuemura-usa.com.
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Shu Uemura x Maison Kitsuné Holiday Collection: Photographs courtesy of Shu Uemura
Josh Zuckerman Interview
Josh Zuckerman is no stranger to our TV screens. We have seen some of his work in Desperate Housewives and 90210. This time, Zuckerman stars in the new CW comedy Significant Mother, which premiered early this August. Zuckerman plays Nate Marlowe, an average guy living a simple life until he finds out his best friend, Jimmy, is dating his mother. Below, Zuckerman tells us about what shooting the series was like.
Cliché: What inspired you to become an actor, and what do you find most rewarding about your career?
Josh Zuckerman: Movies excited me about being an actor, but I think it was the theater that really lit the fuse. Once you rehearse a play for a month or so with a group of actors, you feel like a family. It is like camp. Then once you get on the stage in front of an audience and hear that immediate response (a laugh, a gasp, whatever!), it can really hook you. You feel this sense of otherworldliness that you and your theater family got together to play pretend and tell this story, and people are actually enjoying it. That audience-performer relationship is so satisfying. In a different way, that is a very rewarding result of TV and film acting. A stranger can come up to you who you would never have had a conversation with before, and that stranger can tell you how much he or she enjoyed your performance or how they were really moved by it or it made them laugh. And it is wonderful to hear that. It is like your play on TV or film reaches an audience much further than any balcony audience.
What are some obstacles that you had to overcome in your career?
There are so many. There are personal obstacles, industry obstacles, and talent/ability obstacles. Personally, self-doubt is a tall one to overcome and I do not think it ever goes away, at least not for me, but that does not have to be a bad thing. A teacher of mine told me that you do not have to get rid of something you do not like; you just have to change your relationship to it. So there is that.
For the industry? I think actors often have to overcome the way in which the industry sees them. If you have worked as a child actor and now you are getting older, then you have to get the industry to see that you still have something to offer as a young-adult actor. If you play the comedy nerd guy and you want to expand the roles you play, then you have to fight to prove you can play something different. For ability obstacles, I spent a long time managing my relationship to nerves. I have had bouts of what feels like debilitating nervousness, and it is just something I had to move through. I still usually get nervous, but I remember to breathe and just move through it.
Can you tell us what the audition process was like for Significant Mother?
I have been through some lengthy audition processes in my career. Significant Mother was not one of them, thankfully. I was actually offered my role in Significant Mother when we were just a little ‘ole web series for the CW Seed because I had worked with the production company, Alloy Entertainment, before.
Can you give us a quick cap on the storyline of Significant Mother?
With pleasure. Significant Mother is about a Portland restaurateur named Nate Marlowe (myself) who returns home from a business trip to find that his best friend and roommate, Jimmy (the charming Nathaniel Buzolic), has started sleeping with his mom (the dynamic Krista Allen). The show follows the evolving “mama drama” of that relationship as Nate gets pulled into the mix at every twist and turn, while simultaneously trying to run his restaurant and manage the troublemaking of his estranged dad (the legendary Jonathan Silverman).
Do you feel like you can relate to your character at all?
Most of us can immediately relate to the outrageous awkwardness of the situation Nate is put in from the get-go (i.e. his best friend dating his mom). Outside of that scenario, I absolutely relate to Nate’s passion for his career. He is driven to make his locally sourced “farm to fork” restaurant a foodie destination. I totally get that commitment and that drive. He is also a bit of a control freak and a tad germaphobic. I am mildly guilty of both those attributes. What is also wonderful about our show is how much each character in it really cares about the other characters. Nate loves his mom, his best friend, and his dad, despite all their irrationality! That, too, I can relate to.
What genres do you enjoy playing in the most?
I love comedy, drama, and the in-between lands equally. Comedy can be arguably more difficult in that it is often challenging to know what is funny. What feels funny does not always appear funny. You kind of have to know when you can push the funny and when you can let the funny come from the words or the action or the situation. It is really important to have an outside eye in comedy.
Do you have any other projects coming up soon?
I acted in a limited run of Mike Bartlett’s play Cock at the Michael Woolson Studio in Los Angeles this past July/August. I am also developing an animated writing project with a friend of mine, which is really keeping me busy.
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Josh Zuckerman Interview: Photographed by Vince Trupsin
How To: Subtle Waves
Are you bored of constantly using the same old hair styles? I know I’m tired of rocking my lazy bun, ponytail, and wavy locks from this past summer. I’m sure our hair can use a little extra TLC in the morning, but no one wants to be stuck in the bathroom for more than twenty minutes. Luckily, evo, one of the best professional hair and beauty product manufacturers, has teamed up with TOME to provide some really gorgeous looks for their Resort 2016 collection. TOME and evo have came up with lots of elegant/edgy street-ready looks, that require little product and prep time, for a gentle and effortless look.
Step 1: Mist with icon welder to protect from the heat processes.
Step 2: Prep the hair with a light spritz of mister fantastic texture spray to accentuate the natural texture.
Step 3: Create a soft center part and lightly dry through using just the fingers, without removing the natural movement.
Step 4: With a 1-1.5” curling iron, gently add a curve to the hair by rolling a large section around the barrel in one rotation. This will create an indent in the hair as opposed to a curl.
Step 5: Gently shake out the movement and mist the ends with a little love touch to separate and calm any roughness through mid-lengths ends.
Step 6: Personalize to suit the feature and face shape of each girl, whilst showing the texture.
Step 7: Finish your style with helmut light hairspray for a soft hold but maximum control and manageability.
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How To: Subtle Waves: Photographed by James Hartley, Tutorial courtesy of evo and dale from Prema Salon NYC
Fall Makeup Trends
With fall officially here, it’s time to start incorporating a couple of new beauty products and color schemes into our daily makeup routine. You’ll want to begin by including browns, golds, reds, and mauves into your arsenal. This will be easy as pie, especially when I have come up with a list of five of my favorite fav trends!
(Liv Audacious Lipstick by NARS, $32, narscosmetics.com)
Dark Shades
Dark lips are a big trend every fall season. By applying a dark shade on your lips, it makes them the focus of your face, which is a plus for my divas with fuller lips. One of my favorite lip shades this season is Liv Audacious Lipstick by NARS. It’s great for the girls out there who aren’t completely comfortable wearing a brown, black, or even dark red shade.
(Magnificent Metals Foil Finish in Comex Gold, $32, stilacosmetics.com)
Gold Eyeshadow
There is nothing wrong with wearing gold shimmery eyeshadow all season long; in fact, we recommend it! It brightens up the eyes and makes them seem larger than they are. It is a natural color, so you can use it every day with any outfit. I recommend grabbing Magnificent Metals Foil Finish in Comex Gold by Stila. It’s a great color that will be sure to earn you compliments all day.
Mauve Eyeshadow
Mauve eyeshadow is great for the fall, especially one with a red tone. What I like most about it is that you can pull it off as a neutral color and pair it with any color lip. There are three eyeshadows by MAC that will have anyone pulling off this look: Sketch, Cranberry, and Beauty Marked.
(Beach Bunny Bronzer, $30, toofaced.com)
Bronzers and Highlighters
I rarely recommend using blush during the fall, since it is much more of a spring and summer staple. This season, you’ll want to stick with bronzers and shimmery highlighters to really sculpt your features and make them pop. Using a peach or tan colored bronzer gives you great color, and it’s not overly dramatic. Two bronzers that are just perfect for this job are Beach Bunny Bronzer by Too Faced and Glow-Boosting Sun Glow Bronzer by Physicians Formula, and both would pair nicely with Cindy-Lou Manizer Highlighter, Shadow, & Shimmer by TheBalm.
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Fall Makeup Trends: Featured image courtesy of Mara Hoffman/IMAXTREE
Veronica Dunne Interview
Blouse: Six Crisp Days; Peplum shorts: Elliatt; Heels: Melis Yildiz; Rings, ear cuff, & earrings: Amarilo
Veronica Dunne, daughter of former Blues Brothers member Murphy Dunne, is more than just crazy beautiful. Having been born into a very talented and creative family, there is no doubt that this young woman was born to be a star. This month, we chat with Dunne about how she landed the role of Maritsa on Disney Channel’s hit series K.C. Undercover, and what inspired her to become an actress in the first place.
Cliché: Have you ever felt pressured to be successful because your dad was a member of the Blues Brothers?
Veronica Dunne: I don’t really think I have ever felt pressured, especially because he is so encouraging and wonderful. But he definitely inspired me; he is so talented and hilarious. Yeah, I didn’t feel pressured—I was more excited than anything.
While growing up, were there any actors/actresses that inspired you?
Yes, I am a huge Lucille Ball fan. I love I Love Lucy; you can say it inspired my type of comedy. As a child, my mom bought me DVDs of I Love Lucy and sometimes I would pretend to be sick so I could stay home from school, lay in bed all day, and watch them.
What was the first role you landed, and did you know from then on that you wanted to pursue a career in acting?
One of the first lead roles I played was Winifred from Once Upon a Mattress, which is the musical version of The Princess and the Pea. It was just fantastic. I knew from a young age that I wanted to be an actress, especially after playing a lead role like that one.
Top: Six Crisp Days, Skirt: Endless Rose, Heels: Tamar Collection, Cuff: Artelier, Rings: Amarilo, Bangle: Per Lo
For those who haven’t had a chance to see K.C. Undercover yet, can you give us a quick synopsis on it and your role in the series?
K.C. Undercover is about a teenage girl who discovers that her family are spies and that she has to join the family business. I play Maritsa, K.C.’s best friend. Maritsa is high energy, outgoing, the life of the party, and boy-crazy. She is a really exciting and perky character to play.
Can you tell us what the audition process was like?
I have been auditioning for Disney for many years and getting to the ends of many projects. This one, however, was a bit nerve-racking. I went in for a casting and read a few lines, then I met up with the creator of the series, Rob Lotterstein, and we spoke for a good 20 to 30 minutes. I had visited the network a couple of times and I screen-tested it, and then they narrowed it down to three girls. Then, the next morning, they called me back in and we screen-tested again and they narrowed it down to two girls, but yeah, it was a really long and thrilling process.
I also read that, at the same time, you were also offered the position of Sophie in Mamma Mia. Was it tough for you to decide which one to choose?
Yes, it was a very difficult decision because to be a lead on Broadway at my age was an unbelievable offer, but being on a Disney Channel TV series was a dream of mine, too. It was really hard, but I knew I would always be able to go back and perform in a show on Broadway someday, but being a regular character on a Disney Channel TV series is a once in a lifetime thing, especially when your time is limited. You can only play a teenage girl for so long.
If you were not an actress, where would you see yourself today?
If I wasn’t an actress, I would love to be a musical theater teacher to kids because I love musical theater and I love kids.
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Veronica Dunne Interview: Photographer: Geoff Mau, Photo Assist: Aldo Carrera and Matt Wong, Makeup: Paloma Alcantar, Hair: Bethy Mireles, Stylist: Yesina Cuevas
Shayne Leighton Interview
Shayne Leighton has been in love with music since the early age of 5. Not only is she an empowering singer, but she is also a bestselling author. Surprisingly, this talented redhead’s singing career did not take off quickly; however, she knew she had to do something about it, something unique. That’s why she released a cover of Pat Benatar’s hit single “Invincible,” and since then, her music career has taken off. Inspired by her unwillingness to give up and her passion for music, we were interested in learning more about the cover that pushed her career in the right direction and the new adventures she has come across in her Rock It Like A Redhead tour.
Cliché: When did you first get involved with music? Did you always want to be a singer?
Shayne Leighton: I’ve been singing since I was very young, but I didn’t find my true voice until pretty recently. For the duration of middle school and high school, I thought all I wanted to do was play Elphaba in Wicked on Broadway. I graduated from the Dreyfoos School of the Arts only to realize later how out-of-love with musical theater I became. After some soul-searching and experimenting with different genres of music, I realized I required some guidance. That’s when my initial conversation with Bobby Collins (CEO of Spectra Music Group) happened. He’d been listening to some of my previous music projects and we got to talking about the kind of stuff I’d been listening to growing up. I expressed my love for Stevie Nicks, and Bobby said my style also reminded him of Pat Benatar and Heart. I think that was the catalyst moment when I began hitting the rock ‘n’ roll pavement hard in a new direction I was really passionate about. My uncle was signed to RCA records some years ago, and he was a rock artist. In fact, he’s still an old rock hippie, and he’s so proud to see me following in those footsteps. I’ve always known I wanted to sing; I just didn’t know what I wanted to sing… until now!
What made you want to cover Pat Benatar’s hit single “Invincible”? Does it have a special meaning to you?
We knew that we definitely wanted to start things off with a cover, something that was familiar, but not too iconic. There are just certain classic songs you never touch. I knew the sound I was going for, which was a nod to ‘80s classic rock, but with a touch of something exciting and fresh. I started listening to a bunch of hits from the ‘80s. I’m a huge advocate against bullying and I am always trying to promote a message of self-acceptance and empowerment, so when I came across “Invincible,” it was just perfect. It’s a great tune with a driving beat and super empowering lyrics. I rehearsed it a few times, along with some other choices, but out of all of them, “Invincible” was the only track that just stuck out to me. It worked and the more I sang it, the more I became impassioned by it. I’m happy to say that, so far, listeners seem to feel the same way about it!
It looks like you had a ton of fun shooting the music video for it! Could you tell us a little about the making of it?
“Invincible” was a huge new start for me in my music career and so is the Rock It Like A Redhead tour I’m currently working on for the duration of 2015. After some deliberation on a visual for the single, we decided it would be fun to put together something of a documentary style video. My husband and I brought a camera along with us on our first adventure on tour, which was the stop in Austin, TX. We shot everything from walking around town to rehearsal to the performance. The video even includes footage from the production process at Power Station Studios, which I think is really cool. The hook is “we will be invincible,” and that’s how I feel. After coming back from some hard blows in my career, that’s exactly what this song means to me. The tour and the EP release is me finding out who I am as an artist and rebuilding from there, so that’s why I decided to film my beginnings and release it as a music video. It also features a lot of the listeners, who I hope the song inspires. It’s just all-encompassing and very personal.
Where do you find inspiration for your songs?
My songs and song choices are fueled by a lot of things. I have to mention Mark Vogel, as well as Dan and Mike George, who are brilliant songwriters and a huge part of this EP. I’d have to say that “Wolf at My Door” is one that really stands out in particular because it heavily relates to my fantasy book series, Of Light and Darkness. But songs like “This Time” and “Foolin’” also stand out because they carry the empowering message that I want listeners to walk away with.
It seems like you’ve traveled a lot while you were on tour! Which has been your favorite place to visit so far?
I’m still currently on tour, and we’ve only made two of the five tour stops so far. The first stop was in Austin, TX. It was my first time in Austin and my first time in Texas, period. I fell in love. Austin is wonderfully weird and right up my alley, so I had a great time exploring. The second stop was Nashville, which I’d visited once before for an author conference. Nashville is great, too. It is the music city, after all, and I love how laid back it is. As far as the event and the audience, I’d have to say that Nashville was my favorite performance thus far, but I favor Austin for the city itself. Next, we are headed to Seattle. It will be my first time in the Northwest, so I’m thrilled; I love mountains and coffee. Then we are going to Chicago, and finally, New York. I’ll be sad when it’s over, but there is always the next adventure!
If you could collaborate with any artist or group, who would it be?
Of course, I am inclined to choose one of my favorites for this question. Pat Benatar, Heart, or Stevie Nicks would always be wonderful, not to mention the biggest honor ever! Even Annie Lennox comes to mind. I also think it would be amazing to collaborate with a more modern sister in rock, too, like Lzzy Hale or Juliet Simms. Or perhaps something very unexpected would be fun. I really like Gotye and I love Adam Lambert, so either of those two would be super cool!
What’s next for you?
I think after this tour wraps, I’ll be focusing on producing more music, the next tour, and more ways to connect with listeners. I hope to perform for the 2016 Van’s Warped Tour. I also write vampire novels (Of Light and Darkness series), and I’m currently working on the fourth book out of a series of seven. I’m always storytelling, so in whichever way, that is always what is next!
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Shayne Leighton Interview: Photographs of Shayne by Bachi Frost
Vanessa de Largie Interview
Vanessa de Largie is both an award-winning actress and a talented author. She was raised in Perth, Australia and attended the Johnny Young Talent School between the ages of 3 and 14. After years of crafting her skills, she landed the lead role in A Nocturne: Night of the Vampire and the film earned her The Best Female Actor award in Melbourne’s Underground Film Festival in 2007. Fast forward to 2015 and she will be starring in an upcoming European horror film called Laundry Man. Below, de Largie was delighted to give us the scoop on her upcoming role and her newest book.
©John Warren
Cliché: What drew you to become an actress, and what have you enjoyed the most about your career thus far?
Vanessa de Largie: My mother was a film buff, and my father was an avid reader and vinyl collector. I grew up in an environment that encouraged creativity. When I was 3 years old, my mother enrolled me in the Johnny Young Talent School, where I trained in singing, dancing, and acting for a decade. At 14, mum got me my first agent, the late Erica Edgley. My first television audition was for the role of Angel in Home and Away. The role eventually went to Melissa George, another Perth actress (Alias, The Good Wife, Muholland Drive).
In 2006, I got my first lead role in an independent horror film. The film was called A Nocturne: Night of The Vampire (distributed by TROMA). It was accepted into the main program in elite film festivals throughout Europe and I flew over as a guest. Traveling to Belgium, Greece, Ireland, England, and Holland with the film remains the highlight of my career—possibly the highlight of my life.
You play a character named Netty in the upcoming European horror film Laundry Man. Can you tell us a little more about that?
I am very excited to be working with film director Johan Vandewoestijne (who was the executive producer of the Belgian cult classic Rabid Grannies). The film is being shot in Kortrijk, Belgium later this year. I play the role of Netty, a lesbian who gets killed by a serial killer (played by Gunther Vanhuyse). The story is partly based on the crimes committed by American serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, as well as the crimes committed by Belgian-Hungarian pastor Andras Pandy.
What drew you to this film and to your character?
The script is AMAZING. Totally fucked up! I have worked on an array of horror films over the last decade. I love being killed on film and getting all weird and bloody. It’s great fun. I think I will be able to do a lot with Netty and push boundaries.
You are also a successful author. When did you realize you wanted to write a book?
Writing is my soul. I love storytelling. I love sharing my truth. I have experienced a lot of tragedy for someone who is only in their 30s. I lost my parents and my brother in my mid-20s. If I stopped writing, I’m pretty sure all my pain (which is lurking under the surface) would engulf me. When I keep busy and devote myself to my work, I don’t have to think about anything. I don’t have family—I have writing, acting, and myself.
Tantric Afternoons is a personal account of your sensual journey. What inspired you to write this book, and what do you hope people will take away from it?
I am a sexually liberated woman; I am also a sex-positive feminist. I believe that in order for women to achieve true freedom and equality, they must not be oppressed sexually. Men can sleep around and it’s accepted, but if a woman chooses to sleep with an array of partners, she is dealt the shame card. My erotic memoir Tantric Afternoons is unabashed and unapologetic. I talk about my sexual encounters honestly and without shame. Sexuality and sensuality are beautiful things—they should be embraced.
You have said that “strong, sexual female protagonists, both on the page and on the screen,” inspire you. What exactly is it about them that you admire? Is there someone in particular who inspires you the most?
I think to portray females in popular culture as creatures who crave marriage, intimacy, emotion, and children is a massive generalization. There is no doubt that there are many women (perhaps even a majority of women) who do seek these things, but the majority never justifies the whole. I want to see women like myself represented in popular culture—women with rampant sexualities that don’t crave any of those things. Authors like Anais Nin and Catherine Millet come to mind as people who inspire me most. I also have an incredible amount of respect for courageous feminist/porn star/sexologist Annie Sprinkle. What an inspiration!
Your award-winning book Don’t Hit Me! is also a very personal story, this time about your struggles with domestic violence. What was it like to experience that at such a young age, and what have you learned from it?
One never forgets the first time they are punched; it makes you very wary of men in general. During that time in my life, my journal was my witness—it was the place I went to feel safe. I decided to self-publish my raw journal and titled it Don’t Hit Me! Within two weeks, it was a #1 Amazon Best Seller and went on to win two international awards, as well as receiving critical acclaim from around the globe. In January of this year, it was picked up by Seattle publisher Booktrope and re-released as a paperback and an eBook. I am very fortunate to have survived domestic violence; some women aren’t as lucky. If my book can encourage one woman to leave her deadly predicament, then it has been a success.
How did you feel to share such intimate details with the world? Were you nervous by the reception at all?
My violence happened at the hands of a well-known Australian actor, so I was more worried about him finding out. I do not name my abuser in the book as I feel it is unnecessary. I also don’t think it would be fair to his children, whom I have a great deal of respect for. Writing is a place where I feel safe. I like to peel away all the layers and reveal my truth. They say the truth will set you free. I hope to achieve healing for myself and others through sharing this story.
What’s next for you? Do you have any other books or films coming down the pipeline?
Well, I have just joined The Huffington Post as a writer/blogger, so that is certainly a milestone in my career thus far. My memoir Without My Consent launches at the end of 2015—it is about a ‘sexual assault’ I survived at 20. Next month I go on a blog tour for my book Don’t Hit Me!, so life is certainly busy.
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Vanessa de Largie Interview: Featured image courtesy of Damjan Janevski
Drake at OVO Fest
Do we still have any Meek Mill fans out here? Since the feud between rappers Meek Mill and Drake, Drake has released two diss tracks, “Charged” and “Back To Back.” Meanwhile, Meek has released one not-so-good comeback track that has his career on the line and his fans flocking towards Drake.
Despite his success, Drake is still not done having fun with the aftermath of his lyrical slaying. There was a lot of talk this week that Drake would release his third diss track at the OVO Fest in Toronto, Canada. Drake might have not dropped a track last night, but he made it a point to confirm that there is a “3Peat” with the small preview he gave us during his performance.
Even though “3Peat” wasn’t officially dropped at OVO Fest — although #meekmillsfuneral trended on Twitter — Drake had a few tricks up his sleeve. For instance, there was a whole Powerpoint presentation playing in the background of Drake’s performance that was loaded with Meek Mill memes. Can we give Drake a round of applause for the first artist to make a diss Powerpoint presentation? Let’s not forget about the Free Meek Mill T-shirt Drake was wearing during his performance.
We are sure this feud won’t be over any time soon because it seems like Drake is having too much fun.
Read more Music News at ClicheMag.com
Drake at OVO Fest: Photograph courtesy of J. Adam Huggins for The New York Times
Ryan Serhant Interview
Most of you probably know Ryan Serhant as a successful real estate agent on Million Dollar Listing New York, but being a real estate agent was not the first career Serhant had in mind. After moving to New York, Serhant landed his first acting role in 2007 as Evan Walsh in As the World Turns. When the show was cancelled in 2010, Serhant decided to pursue a career in real estate. By 2012, Serhant was ranked number 15 out of 28,000 successful brokers in New York City. Even with his real estate career booming, Serhant’s passion for acting has not died. In fact, he appeared in the film While We’re Young, which was released on April 10. After reviewing some of Serhant’s work, we got to know more about his love of acting and his recent role.
Cliché: What’s the film While We’re Young about?
Ryan Serhant: The film is about a couple in their 40s who meet a couple in their 20s and the relationships that are formed for better and for worse through their generational gap.
What about the character you play and his importance in the film?
I play a guy named Dave who funds the documentary film that is the crux of While We’re Young.
What was the audition process like?
The casting directors reached out to me after seeing me on Million Dollar Listing New York and had me come in to read. I didn’t hear anything for four months or so, and then they called out of the blue and said, “Hey! The producers would love for you to read with Ben TOMORROW,” and so I did that, and here I am. It was a lot of fun actually. Auditioning with Ben Stiller was an amazing experience.
Do you remember what you were doing when you found out that you landed the role?
I was showing a $23m apartment.
How did you feel knowing that you scored a part in a featured film?
It was a dream come true. I called every single person I knew and let them know.
During the shooting of the film, was it difficult to balance out both your acting and real estate career?
I think in today’s day and age, it’s difficult to balance busy schedules no matter what your career is. If you’re good at time management, you can do anything.
Do you have any other projects coming up that we should know about?
Yes, but unfortunately I am not allowed to talk about them at this time. You’ll just have to wait and see!
Read more Entertainment Interviews on ClicheMag.com
Ryan Serhant Interview: All Photos Courtesy of Collin Stark
Hair Saving Products
Weak, dull, and flat – oh my! These are three words us girls don’t ever want to imagine being associated with our locks. Having our hair breaking off and looking lifeless is something we try our best to avoid, but it is really hard with all the beauty trends out there. My mom always said, “It hurts to look pretty,” and our locks are screaming for help. How can you blame them with all the dyeing, chemicals, straightening, and curling our hair gets put through on a weekly basis? So, in order to help our locks, I did some searching and found five hair products that will help bring back some life into our damaged hair.
Macadamia Deep Repair Masque
The Macadamia Deep Repair Masque provides deep nourishment to each strand of hair and rebuilds hair for improved health, shine, and elasticity. Macadamia works great on all hair textures, and it is recommended to use this product two to three times per week for ten minutes ($36).
Silk Bloom Restorative Treatment Masque
Get your hair’s natural glow back with Silk Bloom by Shu Uemura. It contains Argan oil, which is known for its reparative and regenerative properties. Silk Bloom repairs hair fibers, leaving you with bouncy hair that feels amazing from root to end ($68).
Hydra Synergy Shampoo and Conditioner
Hydra Synergy contains a micro marine compound of sea kelp, aloe vera, babassu oil, and green tea that leaves hair with superb hydration and luminous shine. It works by replenishing lost lipids where needed while helping protect cuticles from future damage ($30/each).
Aussie Moist 3 Minute Miracle
For hair divas on a budget, Aussie Moist 3 Minute Miracle will run you around $3 a bottle; not bad at all, for a 3 minute hair makeover. This deep conditioning treatment will give you super shielded locks that look luscious and are stronger than ever.
Pantene Expert Advanced Keratin Repair Conditioner
This is another product that both your hair and wallet will love. It repairs damaged hair in as little as two minutes, and this triple-nourishing formula will restore your hair to a smooth, healthy condition ($4).
Hair Saving Products: Featured photo courtesy of SHU UEMURA
Content photo courtesy of Aussie and Macadamia
Read more on Beauty at Clichemag.com!
Top Five Face Masks
Not one of us out here has the same skin type and problems, what works to treat my skin problems might not work to treat yours. Some of us might have dry skin, some of us might have oily skin, and some of us might have a combination of both. So, how do you know what skin product out there is right for you? Well, it is pretty hard trying to find the right product for your skin, especially when there are so many choices. There are two ways to figure it out: trial and error, and research. Luckily for you, I did all the research, and narrowed it down to five facial masks you can choose from. I hope this makes it a little less painful for you to choose the right facial product that best suits you.
Glamglow Super Mud:
I don’t know about you, but I love seeing my face masks work right from the moment I apply it to my face, and with Glamglow Super Mud, I can do just that. After application, the Super Mud dries and soaks up impurities from the skin, mostly oils and dirt. You can see it working in action for yourself, there will be spots that dry darker on your face then the rest, those are spots where a large amount of impurities are being lifted away from your skin.
Origins Active Charcoal Mask:
Living in the city can play a big role on the condition of our skin. With all the pollution and toxins out there, it’d be hard to find a face without a black head on it. But that’s not a problem when you have the right products, one of them being Origins Active Charcoal Mask. Of course, it contains charcoal, which is known for its purifying properties, and this formula will rid your skin of pesky impurities and give you a much more radiant complexion.
Tea Tree Face Mask by The Body Shop:
The Body Shop Tea Tree Face Mask is great for calming redness, this instant cooling mask removes impurities, absorbs oils, and leaves your face deeply cleansed and refreshed.
Cupcake Face Mask by LUSH:
Another one of my favorite products, the Cupcake Face Mask by LUSH is not only great for oily skin, but it smells absolutely wonderful too. If you have oily skin like mine you will love this stuff. The Cupcake mask contains spearmint oil to cool skin,vanilla to calm redness, and Rhassoul mud to deeply cleanse. I’m telling you this is the only treat your skin won’t get enough of.
Glamglow Hydrating Mask:
I cannot help but tell people that this is the best moisturizing mask out there. So here is how it works, you simply apply the formula on to a dry face and have a nap, when you wake up wipe the formula off with a soft dry cloth and boom! You’ll have skin as soft as a baby’s bottom, it is as easy as that.
Top Five Face Masks: Featured Photo courtesy of LUSH
Content Photos courtesy of The Body hop and GlamGlow
Read more on Beauty at Clichemag.com!