PHOTO CREDIT | WWE
It’s that time of year again - WWE Summer Slam and although there are a number of matches we will be excited to see this weekend, the one between CM Punk and Cody Rhodes is our favorite! It’s all going down in Minnesota and there’s bound to be a number of storylines that will be made from this powerhouse weekend! You can check out on ESPN as well as check out the latest S3 of their docuseries, WWE: Unreal on Netflix!
PHOTO CREDIT | Johnnie Walker
Johnnie Walker Blue Label, the iconic luxury Scotch Whisky, has announced that acclaimed actor and style icon, Callum Turner (One Night Only, Fantastic Beasts franchise, Eternity), as Global Ambassador. This will be a year-long partnership celebrating progress, craftsmanship and the moments that matter, the collaboration will help attract new audiences for the whisky, while cementing it in global pop culture.
Recognised for his quietly magnetic screen presence and effortless style, the Johnnie Walker Blue Label partnership shows Callum taking fans into the celebrations, rituals and reflections that mark the moments that matter - echoing the rarity and refinement that characterise Johnnie Walker Blue Label itself.
With three summer films and a television series on the horizon, Callum's rise is impressive. Callum can currently be seen on the big screen in the independent features, Rose Bush Pruning and Rose of Nevada and will star in the upcoming, highly anticipated romantic comedy, One Night Only. Next year, he will be seen as the male lead in the Apple TV+ adaptation of Neuromancer - a career trajectory that aligns with the kind of progress Johnnie Walker has been championing for over two centuries.
The collaboration celebrates him in a series of videos and intimate portraits as he raises a glass, putting Johnnie Walker Blue Label at the heart of every celebration, big or small.
Callum will travel to Scotland on a trip of discovery as he uncovers a remarkable whisky shaped by rarity, craft and taste, revealing the extraordinary lengths the Master Blender goes to in sourcing whiskies of sufficient depth and character. The trip and other moments across the year demonstrate why Johnnie Walker Blue Label is the ultimate toast for the moments that matter.
He shares that, “The ethos of Johnnie Walker Blue Label is one that I've always admired. With only one in ten thousand casks ever making it in, that level of care is what sets it apart. Blue Label is the first bottle I reach for when celebrating with my mates, and now to officially be in partnership is a real honour."
We’re always adding to our playlists and soundtracks of our lives. This month’s cover of Athleisure Mag is Sơn Tùng M-TP who is a singer/songwriter, actor, and is the King of V-Pop. He recently launched his latest single, Come My Way with trap artist Tyga (Rack City, Ayo, Taste). This song blends Pop Rap, Afrobeats, and Amapiano with traditional Vietnamese folk music which makes it all its own!
We sat down with Sơn Tùng M-TP to talk about being an artist, where he looks for inspiration, his sound, and V-Pop’s landscape.
ATHLEISURE MAG: You are a singer/songwriter and actor. When did you realize that you wanted to be an entertainer?
SON TUNG M-TP: I think it started when I was around 13. I got really into underground rap and hip-hop, and I would spend hours on YouTube listening to beats and just making up melodies and lyrics for fun. I wasn’t thinking about becoming an artist back then—I just genuinely loved doing it.
When I was in 11th grade, I asked my mom to buy me a computer so I could start recording my songs, but she was afraid I would slack off on my studies so she didn’t buy it no matter how many times I begged (laughs). My uncle eventually bought me an old desktop PC instead. It was slow, noisy, and about as basic as it could get, but to me, it was everything. That’s where I recorded my very first songs. They were rough and pretty naive, but that was the moment everything became real for me. Once I started creating my own music, I knew this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
AM: What is the music scene like in Vietnam?
ST M-TP: I think Vietnamese music is in a really fun place right now. There are so many talented artists with their own sound, and everyone’s pushing things in different directions. That’s exciting to see.
For me, the most important thing is staying true to who you are. I’ve been doing this for over 13 years, and I’ve learned that trends come and go, but your identity is what lasts. The more authentic we are as artists, the more people will connect with our music, no matter where we come from.
AM: Where do you look for inspiration when it comes to creating your music?
ST M-TP: Honestly, inspiration can come from anything. It doesn’t always have to be something I’ve personally been through. Sometimes I’ll hear someone else’s story and it’ll really stay with me. Other times, it’s just my imagination. I’ll start picturing myself in a certain situation, thinking about how I’d feel, and that’s where a melody or a lyric starts.
I think I just naturally imagine a lot. Even random little moments can inspire me. I could eat something really good and suddenly hear a melody in my head. The other day, I was just sitting in the waiting room on set, drinking a typical Vietnamese iced coffee while waiting for the next setup, and a melody popped into my head out of nowhere. That’s kind of how it works for me. You never really know when an idea is going to show up.
AM: How do you define the Sơn Tùng M-TP sound?
ST M-TP: I don’t think I could define my sound in one sentence, because it keeps changing. Every stage of my life comes with different music that I’m drawn to, and I like giving myself the freedom to explore. I don’t really put limits on genres.
For me, it’s actually pretty simple. If a song moves me, if I think it’s good, then I want to share it with people. I don’t really stop and think, “Does this sound like Sơn Tùng M-TP?” I just follow what feels right at that moment. I guess I’ll leave it to the listeners to define my sound.
AM: You’re known for reshaping the V-Pop landscape through your sound, creative vision and international appeal. What does it mean to you to be one of the most influential figures in your genre!
ST M-TP: It’s honestly a little overwhelming to hear that. I don’t really see myself that way. I just make the kind of music I love and keep challenging myself with everyday.
If my journey gives another young artist in Vietnam a little more confidence to chase their own dream, then that means a lot to me. That’s probably the biggest compliment I could ask for.
AM: You have released 33 songs and built quite a catalog as well as collaborating with artists such as Snoop Dogg - what is your process when it comes to creating your music?
ST M-TP: Everything starts with a feeling, not a plan. Sometimes I’ll sit with an idea for weeks before I record anything. I never want to rush a song just because it’s finished. I’d rather wait until it really feels right.
Looking back, working with Snoop Dogg was one of the biggest moments in my journey and really changed the way I thought about everything. Seeing how people connected with that song made me start asking myself, “What if my music could reach even more people around the world?”
That question stayed with me for a long time. Eventually, I realized I didn’t want it to stay a question anymore. I wanted to find the answer, and that’s really what led me to where I am today.
AM: We’ve been enjoying the song and video of Come My Way. Can you tell us a bit of background about the song, why you wanted to blend Hip-Hop, Afrobeats, and V-Pop together?
ST M-TP: Come My Way wasn’t built around the idea of mixing genres. It was really about following what felt right to me.
People describe it as Hip-Hop, Afrobeats, and V-Pop, but I don’t really think about it that way. I don’t think V-Pop is a sound you can add to a song. It’s something you carry with you. The moment I write a melody and sing it in my own way, that’s already my identity.
As for Afrobeats, I fell in love with it because of the feeling of freedom and the energy it gives me. At the same time, there’s something about the melodies and the way people sing that reminds me of the Quan họ folk songs I grew up hearing as a kid in Northern Vietnam. Those are two completely different worlds, but somehow they connect emotionally for me. Come My Way is really just all of those feelings coming together naturally.
AM: How did Tyga become part of this song?
ST M-TP: Tyga and I have known each other for quite a while, and we’ve talked about making music together more than once. This year, everything finally lined up, and it just felt like the right time.
What made it even more meaningful is that he has Vietnamese roots. I think that gave the collaboration an extra layer of meaning for both of us. It wasn’t just about putting two artists on the same track. It felt like we shared something beyond the music, and I think that made the whole collaboration feel really natural.
AM: The video is amazing! Why did you want to approach it in this way?
ST M-TP: I wanted the video to feel like two worlds coming together. You have the energy of Los Angeles, but at the same time, you keep seeing pieces of Vietnam all the way through it.
We added things that are really close to me, like the Chim Lạc, the jade water buffalo, the Xuân Phả folk masks, and the landscapes of Tràng An. Even a lot of my outfits were designed with Vietnamese-inspired materials and details. One of my favorite moments is seeing the Chim Lạc parked right next to the DeLorean DMC, with Tyga and me standing there. I just thought it was a really cool image—almost like we each showed up in our own cultural icon.
Since the song is in English, I wanted the visuals to do the talking. Hopefully people watch the video, enjoy the music, and at the same time get curious about Vietnam because there’s so much beauty there.
AM: Tell us about your upcoming tour and what we can expect!
ST M-TP: I’m not really the type to talk much before doing something. What I can say is that I’m pushing myself in ways I have never before, and I think people are going to see a different version of me. Beyond that... you’ll have to wait and see. I’d rather let the stage and the music do the talking.
AM: When you’re not creating your music, how do you take time for yourself?
ST M-TP: My life is pretty simple. I think people expect me to have some crazy answer, but I actually enjoy really normal things.
Most mornings, I’ll go for a drive, grab a bánh mì and a Vietnamese iced coffee, then sit in the park with my dog, Chiko, and just enjoy the quiet. Later I’ll hit the gym or go for a run, and at night I’ll usually watch a good movie before going to bed.
That’s honestly enough for me. Those quiet moments really help me slow down and recharge before I start creating again.
AM: What are 3 workouts that you do to stay in shape?
ST M-TP: Lately, I’ve been challenging myself with pull-ups. They look a lot easier than they actually are. (laughs). I’m pretty proud that I can do around 10 in a row now with good form, but I’m still trying to get better.
I also spend a lot of time strength training, especially my upper body, because it makes me look good in tank tops (laughs).
And running has become a big part of my routine. I used to struggle to run for even 15 minutes. Now I can run for about 45 minutes straight without stopping, so that’s something I’m really happy about.
IG @sontungmtp
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | Son Tung M-TP
Read the JUN ISSUE #126 of Athleisure Mag and see SON TUNG M-TP | TOP OF V-POP in mag.
We went to “The One Party By Uber” for its FIFA World Cup 2026 NYC Official Kickoff Party at Pier 36, NYC. Iconic DJ/Producer Mark Ronson kicked the party off, particularly the atmosphere went electric on the eve of Game 5 in the Knick’s Champion winning run, he played some Benito wearing a retro Patrick Ewing jersey, then Empire State New York by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys that was mixed into his hit remix of Valerie.
Then the iconic Backstreet Boys came out and wowed the crowd with an intimate and amped performance for the VIP crowd. All members, Nick Carter, Brian Littrell, AJ McLean, Howie Dorough, and Kevin Richardson crooned their hits to the crowd, with generous nods and shoutouts, and strong hit catalog plus their Paw Patrol soundtrack hit, showing love for the sport, NYC, and Uber. The nostalgia was maxed, with most of the audience enchanted with utter glee.
We ran into some old friends, Charity Lawson and Dotun Olubeko, and caught a mesmerizing dance from Kiki Layne (If Beale Street Could Talk, Native Son, Coming 2 America) as well. On our way home, our to-go had a nice bagel and a smear courtesy of Uber Eats.
IG @uber
PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | PG 66 - PG 69, 74 - 79 BFA | PG 70 - 72 Paul Farkas
Read the JUN ISSUE #126 of Athleisure Mag and see THE ONE PARTY BY UBER | FIFA World Cup 2026 Kickoff in mag,
The POWER universe is a world that continues to reveal itself across various timelines and it’s not stopping anytime soon! POWER BOOK III: Raising Kanan is currently releasing episodes of its final season which you can watch on STARZ. We have chatted with various cast and filmmakers across the franchise in our issues. In this month’s issue, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Mekai Curtis (Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day; The Lion Guard; POWER: Origins), Patina Miller (The Hunger Games franchise, The Many Saints of Newark, Madam Secretary), Erika Woods (Blue Bloods, The Blacklist, FBI franchise), London Brown (Ballers, Tales From the Hood 3, American Soul), and Sascha Penn (By Any Means, Cliffhanger, Power: Origins) to talk about this season, the series, and what they are excited for the fans to see!
ATHLEISURE MAG: It’s so nice to connect with you all as we navigate the final season of POWER BOOK III: Raising Kanan! It‘s great that we are speaking with Mekkai, Patina, and Erika for the first time. In addition, being able to circle back to London and Sasha who we have interviewed prior to the S1 premier of this series as well as other times, and being able to circle back to you as this season comes to an end.
What have you enjoyed about being in this show?
MEKAI CURTIS: I’ve gotten to enjoy getting to grow as an artist and playing Kanan. I’ve gotten to kind of sink my teeth into this! I know that sounds like such a trope that every actor says. Actually being able to pull the layers back on a character and reveal that sort of thing. That’s something that, you know, any actor kind of dreams of. So that’s what’s been fun.
PATINA MILLER: I mean, I think being able to do incredible work with really great artists is kind of the actor’s dream. You know, it was a franchise that... was already amazing and so to be able to be a part of something that people love, being in this fandom where you know our fans of the POWER show are just so intense and love the show so much and so the opportunity to be able to jump into something like that and be a part of it and you know work with great material, great people, and a great crew you can’t ask for anything more!
ERIKA WOODS: I enjoy the slow boil that is Pop. You know, she starts off, she doesn’t say much. She sits at the table. She counts money. All of that is great. But this last season and getting to handle that business with Crystal (Aliyah Turner) and handling business with Famous (Antonio Ortiz). I just thought it was so many different layers and it’s just so much fun just playing with what motivates her and why she did what she did. It’s been a wonderful ride.
LONDON BROWN: First and foremost, likewise, I have enjoyed chatting with you.
I have been enjoying the checks, you know, staying employed haha.
No, no, no. You know, playing Marvin - as an actor, you want to find these characters where you can really have fun with. I’m so glad they allowed me to explore and let me play. You know, because sometimes you never know. Sometimes the writers have a strict idea about a character, but they were totally cool. They let me go and let me bring Marvin to life. And so just to have them to trust me to do that, that has been a great time. So that’s been wonderful.
SASCHA PENN: It’s good seeing you. Thanks for coming back.
AM: We have enjoyed seeing how this series in this universe has evolved! So it is interesting to see your perspective as the Executive Producer, Creator, Showrunner, Writer, you wear a lot of hats.
SP: I mean, look, I think... I’ve really enjoyed like working with people that I love and respect, you know, that’s first and foremost, that’s been kind of amazing. I’ve really been fortunate in that I’ve worked with people who frankly, I think have made me better at my job and maybe better even beyond my job. So, I think that’s also been like an incredibly satisfying piece of the experience. Look, it’s an amazing thing to be able to write a story and share it with a broad audience. And to have that audience respond mostly positively is always great, too. So, you know, it’s been kind of an amazing experience from start to finish. On some level, I’m sorry, it’s over. On the other hand, I do feel like it ended at the right moment in terms of the stories that we’ve been telling. So, you know, it’s bittersweet. But at the end of the day, I feel like we answered every question we asked. Let’s put it that way.
AM: The cast has such a great presence and it’s great to see the dynamics between one another as well as those behind the screen that create the story that is being brought to life. What are you excited for viewers to see of your character or the show?
MC: Honestly, I’m just excited for people to see the question that’s been asked since day one of the show, like how Kanan became Kanan, the people that influenced that, the environment, I’m excited for people to have more context as the show has kind of just revealed as it’s went on. But, you know, going into its final season, you see a lot of questions answered that everybody’s had.
PM: I mean, I’m always excited. You know, anytime an opportunity to be able to get another season is incredible.
You know, so for us to be able to do 5 seasons and this being the final one, I guess I’m just excited for the finale and for, like Mekkai said, to understand. It’s been incredible sitting with these characters in this world for so long. And, you know, I have loved it. And, you know, it’s going to be... It’s going to be fantastic. I can’t wait to hear what people think about it. But I think it’s a wonderful ending to a really great chapter in this series.
LB: Well, I’m excited for them to see S5 because we get into it. We really peel back the layers. There’s a lot of vulnerability in S5. And especially with Marvin, people get to see a different side of Marvin. I know people are used to some of the comedic stuff, and he’s not the comedic relief at all. People still have found him to be likable and that’s cool. But I think now people are going to really love Marvin. Not because he’s perfect or anything, but because he’s so imperfect. I think people feel like, man, they are going to really be able to, they’re going to root for him or want to, you know, when it comes to Marvin for S5 and that’s going to be dope.
EW: You know, I’m curious for people to see exactly why Crystal was killed. Exactly who killed her? Was I alone - allegedly. Constantly people want to know that and the dynamic between Pop and Snaps (Wendell Pierce).
AM: Yeah.
EW: You know, you never saw them one without the other.
AM: Right.
EW: So for people to see, oh, they’re solid or, or really just see the dynamics of that partnership playing out. And now with our nephew, I think that there’s a lot of questions that I’m eager to be answered in the way they’re answered.
AM: That’s going to be exciting to see how the pieces come together!
SP: I mean, look, I guess I’m excited for them to see all of it. I’m so curious and excited to hear sort of where the viewers end up on all these different characters. Like the final analysis, what do you think of Raq (Patina Miller) and what do you think of Marvin? I’m just so curious because I’ve been surprised. I’ve been surprised over the course of these seasons. For example, after Marvin put his hands on his daughter in episode 108, people were like, that’s it for Marvin. I hate this guy. And then now Marvin is truly probably the most beloved character on Raising Kanan. It’s interesting to see how that all evolves and changes and shifts. That’s really interesting. For me as the person who’s sort of, I guess, writing it and guiding it it’s instructive.
AM: What is the biggest takeaway that you’re going to leave with, you know, coming out of this world, coming out of this series?
MC: Hmm it’s a toughie!
PM: It is tough! There’s so many things that you learn. Every show that you are able to be a part of every job, you learn something, right? I think you want to leave better than when you entered, you know? You hope that you can be inspired by the work and by the people. You hope that within the process, you’ve given everything that you could and you showed up and you were happy and you’re happy with the work, happy what you’ve left behind, you know. So I’m very happy with how this worked out. I was excited going into it and I was excited to the very end and to show up for work every day and to love what you do and to work with incredible artists. I know I keep saying it, but it is so true. Working with incredible people, it doesn’t feel like work. It’s just showing up, doing the thing that you’ve always dreamt of doing.
MC: I have nothing. I was literally about to say – I have nothing.
AM: Samesies!
MC: Patina is always able to, you know, I think that’s, again, just a testament to the work that we’ve done and the impact that we’ve made on each other is, you know, she just finished the same thought that I had. Being able to leave a legacy behind with the work that you’re doing and being able to connect with so many other people that inspire you to push you. You know, that’s what I’m excited for. That’s what this has been. That’s the blessing this has left me with.
PM: You know, you leave being more. There’s more belief in yourself and I’m a better actor for having being pushed, gone to my limits, really being tested. `Really! I mean, we’ve had to do a lot of vulnerable things. I mean, working with Mekkai and seeing how he’s had to, like, flex, you know, different parts of his instrument. And I’ve had to flex so many different parts of my instrument. You don’t really get that in every job that you do. You’re the one type of character. But all of these characters in this show have had such amazing journeys where I feel so fulfilled with being able to have pulled out so many different things to use. And, yeah, I’m better now than when I started, you know? So that’s the dream.
AM: Now that the show is coming to an end, what has been your biggest takeaway being a part of this series, part of this universe that people love so much?
EW: You know, I think my biggest takeaway is you can’t always focus on the awards.
AM: Right.
EW: The level of acting that I have been able to be around to learn from Patina Miller, Wendell Pierce (Elsbeth, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan: Ghost War, Jack Ryan series) and Shameik Moore (Wu-Tang: An American Saga, The Get Down, Dope). I mean, I just, everyone is so good. Joey Bada$$ (Grown-ish, Boomerang, Mr. Robot), all of these actors are so amazing. And it’s just wonderful to see them all get to explore these wonderful roles and play with this great material. And it’s not just, you know, guns and you know it’s it’s stories of families and relationships between mothers and kids and you know, spouses. So it’s just wonderful when you, when you see that and it crosses all races. We have Asians. We did every race - that I loved because there’s so many different parts of New York. I just, I loved it. All, you know, we’ve had Indian, we’ve had, we are United Nations and it is just so wonderful to explore that within the show.
LB: Just more confidence in the craft because this project was able to, I could feel that it pushed me in different areas as an actor that I hadn’t really touched on before. So it just kind of really sets me up going into the next thing. And so I’m glad this was a good, actor’s gym session for me doing this show. And I’m glad I was able to put on some weight after doing this show.
SP: Look, I think my biggest takeaway is just like you can’t do this on your own. To be truly great, you need to be surrounded by great people! So that’s one of my biggest takeaways. You know, I do have a tremendous amount of gratitude for 50 (Street Fighter, Fightland, BMF) and Courtney (Nemesis, The Good Wife, POWER franchise) and Mark Canton (Den of Thieves franchise, Escape Plan franchise, 300) and, you know, all these different people who brought me in. Obviously, my friends at Lionsgate and Starz.
You know, it is a humbling experience. You know, it’s truly humbling.
Like, here I am. You know, the act of being a writer, most of it is you sit in front of your computer by yourself in a room and tap away.
AM: Yeah.
SP: In rare instances, I get to sit with Kimmie from Athleisure Mag and I get to talk about things that I created by myself sitting in a room.
AM: Which is crazy.
SP: It’s crazy, right? It is crazy. And that is in and of itself like a tremendous, tremendous sort of gift to have. So there you go.
AM: Thank you guys for taking the time with us as S5 comes to an end as it has been a fantastic series! It’s been amazing to see the range and journey of the characters and how they sit in the overall universe. It’s bittersweet to know that the end is coming it has been so great to see the complexity, fashion, how it is shot and so many elements that have come together to create this series!
This universe is one that has been exciting to look at from various vantage points starting with the flagship POWER, Power Book II: Ghost, Power Book III: Raising Kanan, and Power Book IV: Force! We also can’t wait to see that universe continue on with the prequel that has begun filming with Power: Origins which picks up after the events taking place in Raising Kanan so we can’t wait to see more of Mekkai! We’re also looking forward to Power: Legacy with Michael Rainey and Joseph Sikora. So the universe will continue and I look forward to seeing your projects within this world and outside of it.
MC: It was great talking with you today!
PM: It’s been a great time.
EW: It was great to be here.
LB: Thank you. I appreciate you. Thank you!
SP: Thank you. I really appreciate it. Thank you for sticking around.
IG @starz
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | Starz
Read the JUN ISSUE #126 of Athleisure Mag and see POWER BOOK III: RAISING KANAN | The Final Chapter in mag.
Without a doubt, The Rolling Stones will have an amazing Summer this year! On July 10th, the anticipated 14-track album, Foreign Tongues will drop and they have been releasing tracks and videos; such as In the Stars dropped earlier this month. While we wait for the full album to become available, The Rolling Stones have another launch that is worth noting! This Spring, they debuted Crossfire Hurricane Rum, a super-premium spirit that celebrates the bands connection with Jamaica in a relationship that has spanned more than 5 decades! This launch and product illustrates the band’s music heritage, its Jamaican provenance, and modern craft.
Starting with Jamaica, this is the first brand to utilize rums from 4 of the country’s most respected distilleries - Hampden Estate, Long Pond, Worthy Park, and Clarendon. These 4 styles come together in a single blend that showcases its complexity and the island’s rum-making tradition and is 100% Jamaican with no added sugars.
“Jamaica got into everything we did in the early seventies - the music, the rhythm, the pace of life. Jamaica was one of the few places that would let us all in. The island said come in and we recorded Goats Head Soup. It’s never let us down since. Crossfire Hurricane is a continuation of that story, more than fifty years on,” said The Rolling Stones.
It’s worth noting that prior to The Rolling Stones’ arrival in Jamaica, they had been recording on Main Street in the South of France; as well as touring in the US. When they arrived in Jamaica in 1972, it became a breath of fresh air their label head, Ahmet Ertegun of Atlantic Records knew that this island was the centre of emerging musical influence. By recording Goats Head Soup in Kingston, they were immersed in a new flow that Keith Richards said that the “1970s Jamaica felt a lot like 1960s England when we started out. There was something in the air - a new rhythm, a new imagery.”
The band continued to record at Dynamic Sound Studios where the connected with iconic reggae authors - Sly & Robbie, Peter Tosh, and more. Mick Jagger recorded, “There was something in the air. You could feel it from everybody on the street - a vital thing happening with reggae.”
The rum brand’s name is from the opening lyric of Jumpin’ Jack Flash (Editor’s Note: The opening lyric: I was born in a crossfire hurricane and I howled at the morning drivin’ rain) as a means to capture the raw energy and enduring spirit of one of the world’s most iconic bands.
The Rolling Stones partnered with Ian Burrell, Global Rum Ambassador to be a co-creator due to his expertise in Jamaican run and its cultural significance.
The bottle reflects the band’s iconic lips logo in a prominent way and is surrounded by wave patterns that showcase echo sound. By visiting the website, the storytelling continues by sharing the band’s time in Jamaica in the 70s, along with the recording of Goats Head Soup in Kingston.
Fans of the band and rum should visit the website to see never-before-seen images of the band on the island along with the moments that established their time there from the music as well as the spirit behind the rum. As their global rollout continues, Crossfire Hurricane Rum’s social account will share upcoming drops, collaborations, and new ways to interact with this story.
The portfolio includes Crossfire Hurricane Gold for mixing and Crossfire Hurricane Reserve for sipping.
PHOTOGRAPHY CREDIT | Crossfire Hurricane Rum
Read the MAY ISSUE #125 of Athleisure Mag and see BORN IN A CROSSFIRE HURRICANE | THE ROLLING STONES in mag.
We have been fans of Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Sammy Hagar whether from his solo career, as a member of Van Halen, or in super bands! He is a noted singer/songwriter, guitarist, an entrepreneur with an amazing portfolio, and philanthropist. Whether it’s his music, restaurants, spirit brands, etc. he is about loving life and enjoying it to the fullest.
His latest venture is one that is important to him as it is about longevity and nourishing your body as he continues to tour and has his residency in Vegas at Park MGM. Red Rocker Essentials is a line of vitamins that he partnered with noted wellness supplement guru, Wayne Gorsek, who founded and sold Vitacoast, and with Nature Labs, has this new line of products, as well as Sammy’s own supplements. We sat down with this duo to talk music, life, and the importance of vitamins as we navigate our day to day.
ATHLEISURE MAG: Before we delve into Red Rocker Essentials, we’d like to talk a bit about your music.
When did you first fall in love with music? I have been a fan of yours for decades. And so being able to connect with you is definitely a pleasure, Sammy Hagar.
SAMMY HAGAR: Well, I’m thrilled. Thank you! But, you know, I think probably the first time I went crazy and said, “wow, I want to do that,” was when Elvis Presley - I was like 4 years old or something... My teenage sisters were watching his debut on TV or it might have been the Ed Sullivan Show or whatever it was, but Elvis Presley comes on and my sisters are sitting there going crazy right? Screaming, holding their faces - watching a guy in black and white on TV you know.
I’m going, “wow, that’s pretty cool you know?” I might want to do that right? I want to be that guy. But really, my dad was always singing and whistling and he could yodel country music. He was listening to Hank Williams and Hank Snow and people like that. I’d sit in the car and hear him sing to the radio. That kind of got my attention too. I was kind of raised around music, even though no one played music around me. Everyone kind of liked music. My sisters would dance and they’d dance with me, you know, and my dad would sing to the radio. I guess I was influenced by music right away.
AM: When did you realize that you wanted to be a recording artist? You’re an amazing guitarist, a vocalist, you write songs...
SH: Well, I had an older friend that used to go to school with my brother and he played guitar. I used to always dress the part. My sisters always had me looking like the latest rock star, whoever it was. It was Elvis Presley or whoever the next person was, my sisters would comb my hair like that and roll up my sleeves. I swear, they dolled me up all the time like I was their playmate.
I think this guy who played guitar, he came over to my house to see my brother. He’s going, “did you ever think about being a singer?” And I’m going, yeah, you know, and he played guitar. So he started playing guitar and I started singing a couple songs. I knew a few songs from the radio, same kind of thing. So I started a band with him. He took me to see The Rolling Stones when they came to San Bernardino Swing Auditorium the first time they played in America and that was where I lived. George Babcock from a radio station, 590 AM, brought The Stones and we went to see them. And I just said, that’s it. Boom. I saw their first American performance and I wasn’t even driving a car yet, you know. So this guy had a car and we drove over and I think that’s what really did it.
Then to play guitar, that was just wanting to be a singer. My friend played guitar and I just sang all the time. Then I went to see Cream’s first American performance with Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker at the Whiskey A Go Go, I went into a music store the next day and I stole my first guitar! I mean, I hate to say it, but I wanted to play like that and I knew I was going to sing like Mick Jagger and I’m going to play guitar like Eric Clapton!
That really set me on my course and that’s all I wanted to do. You couldn’t have talked to me out of it. I thought I was going to be rich and famous someday and I was determined. Pretty lucky guy, I’d say, you know? But I did the work.
AM: Oh, you did the work. I mean, you have been part of so many different bands as well as being a solo artist!
Before we delve into Red Rocker Essentials, Wayne, can you tell me a bit about your background and what led you to the wellness industry?
WAYNE GORSEK: I just learned a little more about Sammy! I didn’t realize Elvis inspired Sammy. Look at my shirt (Editor’s Note: Wayne’s shirt is a button down that has Elvis on it).
SH: What a trip!
WG: It’s actually made by the clothier that supplied Elvis in Memphis.
AM: Oh, wow.
WG: It’s made in America. I got like 5 of them. I’ll answer your question 2 ways. What got me into music as I grew up in Illinois. My family had horses, so I started out learning, Glen Campbell, Country Western music. And then as I got in my teen years, I watched Smokey and the Bandit. I got a black Trans Am. I started to get into Classic Rock. First concert was Eddie Money. Then I discovered Sammy.
In fact, Sammy, I grew up by St. Louis. You said that you had the record amount of tickets sold in St. Louis I think you said.
SH: Yeah, I still do! I think I still hold the record of the most tickets ever sold by one artist in in one city in St. Louis and I don’t know how that happened! But you know, Wayne I’d tell you in a second if I knew how that happened! I would have made that happen in every city!
WG: Well, I think Sammy, his songs relate to us folks in the Midwest. I Can’t Drive 55.
AM: I’m from Indianapolis originally. So yes, it definitely syncs in with the Midwest.
WG: Yeah! Trans Am and Eagles Fly. I mean, so many great songs and the St. Louis rock station really supported you.
SH: Yeah, yeah, they definitely did.
But Wayne, I think your question is not how you got into Sammy Hagar. It’s how you got into vitamins, then you met Sammy Hagar, and then we did vitamins together. Now, can you follow the damn questions here, Wayne?
WG: Haha Yes! The way I got into vitamins, I grew up believing that doctors could fix everything. My grandparents raised me, adopted me, and I have a lot of good memories, but the bad memories were when I entered my teen years, they entered their 70s. This would be in the 80s, and they got a lot of diseases. They got Parkinson’s, arthritis, depression, heart failure, you name it. I thought the doctors could fix them, took them to a lot of doctors, and I saw a lot of side effects, a lot of big bills. The bills now are probably 4X higher now if you go to the doctor. I saw lots of side effects with the drugs, and I thought there’s got to be a better way.
So I went to the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine Library, nights, weekends, and I studied what is Parkinson’s, and what is arthritis? How do you fix these things? I came across nutrition. I came across herbs, vitamins, foods.
So I take these articles from the medical journals to their doctors, and the doctors admitted they knew nothing about it. They don’t teach them in medical school. So I started going to the vitamin stores and buying 8, 10, 12 bottles of all these herbs, vitamins, and I saw that they helped them. I realized that the average person isn’t going to do all that research and they’re not going to go out and buy 8-12 bottles so I decided to start a company that made a good multi that would work. Put it all in one and it did work. My last company we sold billions of dollars, we did IPO, sold to Kroger, and this is my second now!
AM: Wow I am very familiar with your first company, Vitacoast so you are definitely well versed in this space!
How did the two of you guys come together? Sammy, you’ve always been focused on wellness and longevity. How did the two of you come together?
SH: Well, I guess Wayne came to see me in concert in Las Vegas, and this is a story that he told me. But he said, “wow, this guy at his age, sure has got a lot of energy! Of course he needs that energy to keep doing what he’s doing if he wants to keep doing this, you know.”
We had a little conversation and I said, no, I’ve always been in the supplements and here’s what I take and here’s what I do. He’s going, oh, “you can do better than that. You know, some of these supplements have things in them that really aren’t good for you, or they’re not the best quality of Vitamin B, or the C that has a little bit more, and those organic products out there. He asked me if I read about everything that I take. I’m spending about two seconds on the back of a bottle! It’s got the stuff I want and then he’s going yeah. but where’s it coming from?
He just said come on down to my lab and let’s work on some stuff. So I went to the lab. I didn’t just say, “oh throw my name on some vitamins.” No, hell no man! I went down there and put on the suit, the hairband and went through a sterilization program. And we spent the whole damn afternoon in there. I was really impressed and I was very interested in upgrading my supplements. So, here we go, you know?
AM: Wow.
SH: I also want to say that there were things that were important to me like energy, natural energy without the crash, heart health, and flexibility!
Over time, I have figured out what I needed because I know as I get older, my joints are getting stiff. I need flexibility on stage. If I go out there and I’m not warmed up and I really haven’t really stretched well before I get out there – it can be tough. You get out there in front of thousands of people and your energy level – that adrenaline spikes and you do crazy stuff and if you’re not flexible, you’ll throw your back out, which I have done many times. I have thrown my neck out. You’re coming off the next morning feeling like I have head banged too hard. But, yeah, things like that.
I’m concerned about my heart because my mother had heart disease. My brother had heart disease. It’s in my family. I get myself checked out all the time about that. So, you know, I mentioned that. And I like an energy boost, but I can’t stand the products that are out there. I won’t mention the names, but I cannot even take 1 sip out of 90% of the assortment that exists right onw of those energy drinks. I don’t do it. I don’t drink coffee before a show either because it dries out my throat. So I used to take a little sip of a Coca-Cola and stuff like that with my rum or my tequila in there to get the relaxed buzz for a relaxed energy rush.
But anyway, Wayne says, no, I got you. I got you on all this stuff. The energy without the crash. You’re crashing because of the caffeine. You have to have different intake for it. So he knows all the answers to all that stuff. He’s the one that created this stuff for me to fit my lifestyle and my fans are you know almost my age some of them are my age and older even and um so I thought, “hey this is a good thing to pass on to them.” If it works for me with what I do, it’s going to [likely] work for you in your everyday life and that’s kind of the way I’ve always went about my restaurants, the way I’ve always went about my music.
If I have a message in my music it’s usually something that I wanted to tell my fans that this is a cool way to live. You know, I wrote the song Cabo Wabo, because I discovered Cabo back when it was undiscovered sand I said, “man you guys got to go to this place, you know you got to go there!” I mean, I’m telling you right now you go there you’re gonna be happy. So, I built a place down there for them, it’s really the way I think about my fans. It’s my family first, and my fans, they’re my extended family. So I think about them right along with the rest of my family, you know? And so that’s why I wanted to create this stuff. I want to upgrade them. Everyone takes vitamins. I bet you 90% of my fans take them, but half of them are probably taking stuff that’s been sitting on the shelves too long. It’s about taking a better supplement. So I’m trying to help them out.
WG: Well, you know, Sammy, you’re accurate. The typical multi, there’s tons of studies showing they don’t work because they got too little actives and they use forms of B vitamins that most people can’t utilize and absorb. So, we put in the active Bs that you can utilize. And we put in enough to work, levels that are much higher than the worthless daily values. If you want to be healthy, you cannot take the minimum. You’ve got to take optimal levels, which are much higher than the minimum DVs.
SH: I didn’t mention when I take my supplements. I personally don’t take my supplements until I have a decent meal. You know, like I don’t take them first thing in the morning because I just don’t like the way they feel on my stomach. A lot of times I take my supplements if I have a big lunch, I take them with my lunch, but I take them with food. And I think it’s really important that that’s half of what they do. You’re not living on the supplements. You’re living on the food you’re taking. You take supplements with it and you. get more of the nutrients out of the food and out of your supplements and it goes into your body better. It’s all about assimilation to me.
WG: Well said, well said, spot on.
SH: Yeah, so he didn’t teach me that. I knew that already. It is better with food. It is better with food. I really recommend that. A heavy vitamin can be rough on your stomach in the morning with just water.
WG: When you look at Sammy’s supplements, it’s a vegetarian capsule, you absorb that in just minutes. It breaks down in minutes, not hours. Some of those tablets from other brand never break down.
AM: So you have the initial products that launched last month. Are there going to be additional products that you plan on adding to this line?
WG: Oh, yes. Absolutely. We started Sammy’s line with Men’s, Women’s, Multi Energy Drink Powder.
SH: I’m open to new products as I get older for more brain health and a little bit more cutting edge stuff. Right now, we’re doing a good job. We’re putting good stuff in the normal stuff.
AM: Right.
SH: I’m an experimental guy. I’m willing to say, let’s go for some life extension products here. I rely on Wayne to guide me through that because I don’t want to get out there and just start taking a bunch of stuff and find out later, oh, no, you shouldn’t have taken that. So Wayne’s my guru here, you know. He’s my nutritional guru, substance guru, you know. I’m so happy since I ran into Wayne because he’s just so knowledgeable about all this stuff. You know, a lot of people will just try and do anything. And, you know, you can do more harm than good sometimes. So, yeah, we’re looking to expand as soon as we get everything just right.
AM: And what does this look like in terms of like rolling it out to consumers? Obviously, people can go to the website and different distribution/retailer points. But when you’re on tour or on your residency, will you be sharing this with fans in terms of awareness?
SH: Well, the awareness part, I always wear shirts. Like right now, I got my Red Rocker Beer shirt. I’m always sharing my apparel with my products and I get tattoos on my arm like Cabo Wabo, Santo, Beach Bar products and that’s Bogus Otis. I’m just one of those guys like a NASCAR person, but I don’t have to put the suit on. I just put the tattoos on. I don’t want to take my shirt off. Rather than shove it down their throats or talk about it too much. I drink my tequila on stage. I drink my rum on stage. It’s real. It’s organic with me. I own these companies except for Wayne here, but it’s still my stuff. I can’t make vitamins. So I have Wayne to do it. I don’t just endorse things and I never have. So that’s why I’m willing to get the tattoos. That’s a real endorsement.
I wouldn’t sell vitamins in concert. People that follow me, they go to my website and look at it all the time and tell them where they can get things. You know, the world’s so much about online right now. But I think Wayne’s got it covered. That’s his distribution thing. He’s got it down with his stuff. His stuff’s good stuff. It’s in all the good stores.
WG: I currently manufacture about a million bottles a month for some of the largest retailers – my customers. As Sammy grows, he’ll never outgrow us you know and we do plan to expand as he said - products for brain memory, cognitive, and joints. We can pretty much help people with any health concern with the right nutrients.
AM: That’s amazing. Sammy, We’ve been a fan of yours musically as well as an entrepreneur. Santo is a great tequila, Cabo - we went with friends because we heard the song growing up.
What do you want your legacy to be known as since you have been involved in so many things in your life as a musician and as a successful entrepreneur?
SH: Oh, my! I want my legacy just to say that, you know, I want people to smile when they think of me. I want to make people happy to make their lives better. I want to help people that I can help. You know, Paul Newman said something one time I saw him in an interview and it just changed my life. It was years and years ago after he had died. But it was at a benefit where he said, you know, “when you’re in a position to be able to help people and you see someone that needs help, you have to do it. If you see a person fall down, you’ve got to stop and pick them up.” I thought, wow, it just really touched me. I thought, yeah, I can help people. You know, I got extra money and I’ve got the ability to make people happy. So, when I walk out on stage. I want to make people really happy. I want to bring them joy. And I want to make them cry, too. I want to touch them deep in their hearts. I always want to leave them at my concert with a ballad. I don’t leave you with this big, crazy, high-energy song that makes you want to run out in the street and get in a car wreck. I’m going, no, no, no, no. You’ve got to settle down. I like to touch their hearts at the end of a show so that they remember it. In the morning, they smile. They wake up, and they remember the show, and they think about it, and they start smiling. And it makes them feel good. That’s my legacy. I’m gonna make people feel good and enrich their lives in any way I can.
IG @sammyhagar
PHOTOGRAPHY CREDIT | Rob Shanahan
Read the APR ISSUE #124 of Athleisure Mag and see THE RED ROCKER | Sammy Hagar in mag.
We have been a long time fan of June Ambrose who has been in the industry not only for decades, but if you grew up watching music videos done by Hype Williams, saw epic style statements by Busta Rhymes and Missy Elliott - you were enjoying a living masterclass by June Ambrose. You were seeing her work. The clothing, the hues, the storytelling that was done that was bordered by the videos, lyrics, dancing, and more. She set the tone and continues to do so in her projects.
This stylist, Costume Designer, and Creative Director continues to push the envelope. She recently launched another capsule collection for Naturalizer X June Ambrose. We talk with her about the shoes, her approach to her work, and what we can keep an eye out for!
ATHLEISURE MAG: When did you first fall in love with fashion?
JUNE AMBROSE: I fell in love with fashion before I even had the language for it. Growing up in the Bronx, style was survival - it was expression, armor, aspiration. MTV just amplified what I already felt in my bones. I realized early that clothing could shift energy in a room. That was my first understanding of power.
AM: When did you realize this could be your career?
JA: The moment I saw that my point of view could move culture - not just dress it. When artists trusted me to translate their sound into a visual language, I understood this wasn’t just styling and costume design… it was authorship. That’s when it became a calling.
AM: How would you define your personal style and 3 favorite accessories?
JA: My style is intentional contradiction - tailored yet fluid, disciplined but expressive. It’s what I call Authentic Intelligence.
My essentials? A statement heel (always), fun hat, and a fun and iconic shaped bag that feels like art.
AM: Where do you start creatively on a project?
JA: I always begin with narrative. Who is this person? What is the emotional temperature? I build from story, then silhouette, then texture. I’m not dressing bodies - I’m designing moments that add punctuation to your look.
AM: What have been your 3 favorite projects that you have done?
JA: Building Missy Elliott’s iconic persona, starting with her Supa Dupa Fly music video, launching women’s basket and motor sport catergory for Puma, and building the STYLE-LETICS universe. Each one pushed culture forward in a different way.
AM: Tell me about STYLE-LETICS and Naturalizer?
JA: STYLE-LETICS is where fashion meets velocity. It’s a new category where the elegance of pumps and sandals moves like a sneaker. My partnership with Naturalizer was rooted in a shared belief: comfort should never compromise style. Together, we challenged the idea that fashionable shoes require sacrifice.
AM: Tell me about the Macy’s event that took place this month.
JA: At Macy’s Herald Square, we didn’t just host an event - we activated a movement. Women stepped into the arena, tried on power, and walked in confidence. It was immersive, high-energy, and deeply personal. Style became a shared experience.
AM: What was your approach to the capsule collection?
JA: Precision. Each drop was engineered for versatility and transformation. I wanted silhouettes that could move from work to play and dancing all night without losing intention. Every piece had to perform - emotionally and physically.
AM: What do you love about your partnership with Naturalizer?
JA: It’s alignment. They understand that a woman’s life is dynamic - so her wardrobe must be too. We’re not just designing shoes, we’re designing freedom and taking risk.
AM: We always like asking our faves about 3 workouts that you love doing!
JA: Pilates for elongation, strength training for power, and walking - intentional, styled walking - for clarity. Movement is part of my creative process.
AM: How do you replenish your cup?
JA: I disconnect to reconnect. Silence, travel, and moments with my family. Stillness is where my next vision reveals itself.
AM: Are there any upcoming projects that we should keep our eye out for?
JA: Expansion of the STYLE-LETICS universe - new silhouettes, deeper storytelling, and hopefully global activations. And of course, continuing to build platforms where style and culture intersect in meaningful ways.
IG @juneambrose
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | June Ambrose X Naturalizer
This month, we attended the Youth America Grand Prix which has its World’s Largest Ballet Scholarship Competition for their 2026 Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow Gala at David H. Koch Theater in NYC. This event began with a VIP Cocktail hour during Golden Hour as we waited for the performances.
After cocktail hour, we made our way into the theater and for nearly 2 hours, we were able to enjoy young talent, up and coming stars, as well as noted ballerinas! The evening was hosted by Misty Copeland who was joined on stage by Tamar Greene, who is currently the longest running George Washington in Hamilton!
After their remarks, we were treated to a number of performances with our favorite being Rainbow which was choreographed by Melanie Hamrick and was set to She’s A Rainbow by The Rolling Stones with a special arrangement for this performance by Melanie’s partner, Mick Jagger! The performance was done by Christine Shevchenko and Calvin Royal III of the American Ballet Theatre. Their outfits were created by Rebecca Hessel Cohen, Founder and Creative Director of LoveShackFancy and was such a moment. There was also a phenomenal performance of Carmen with 3 male ballet dancers, which was a great performance.
At the conclusion of this portion of the night, we made our way back to the cocktail party area for the start of the dinner portion of the gala. We enjoyed sitting next to one of the choreographers from the night and it was interesting to hear how she created it.
We also watched both Melanie and Rebecca get honored and to hear from them about the passion for ballet! Guests also had the opportunity to participate in The Pointe Project where shoes were available for auction.
IG @yagp
PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | PG 46 - 53 LK Studio | PG 54 - 57 BFA |
Read the APR ISSUE #124 of Athleisure Mag and see YAGP GALA 2026 POST COVERAGE in mag.
Joshua Jackson has been on a radar since we fist saw him on The Mighty Ducks and of course, when Dawson’s Creek came out, we knew he would be an actor that we would want to see in various series, films, etc. Whether we see him in The Affair, the reeboot of Fatal Attraction, and Karate Kid: Legends. We wanted to talk with him about his love for hockey, why he partnered with AstraZeneca for their intitiative to bring cancer awareness with the NHL, and upcoming projects that he is working on and where we can see him on screen.
ATHLEISURE MAG: We’ve been fans of yours since Mighty Ducks. In thinking about hockey, our current cover is Jack Hughes, which we’re super excited about! People are loving Heated Rivalry, and everyone’s talking about the Olympics and the Golden Goal. What do you love about this game as we know you’re a hockey fan as well!
JOSHUA JACKSON: I mean, I’m a Canadian, so it’s a sort of in our DNA. We’re raised with it. The whole culture of Canada is steeped in the game. I’ve loved it since I was a little kid. I love the sort of balletic violence of it. I love the grace that these men find on the ice. Somebody’s trying to take your head off, it is incredibly fast-paced. It is incredibly athletic and in a way that maybe, European soccer fans get and American hockey fans get in this moment - the passion for hockey is the joy of hockey. So, like when it gets to playoff time when it gets to Olympic time and the whole nation, just like stops what it’s doing. It’s so much fun to be a fan.
AM: You’ve partnered with AstraZeneca for their Get Body Checked Against Cancer, which is a part of their Hockey Fights Cancer Initiative. What do you like being about being a part of this campaign? Why did you want to join it? And can you tell us a bit about it?
JJ: Well, first, there’s the hockey connection, right? This is a campaign that AstraZeneca has already been a part of before I was able to join them. I find myself at this age now, where my family has been touched by cancer, colleagues of mine - their families have been touched by cancer. I was shocked to find out that 65% of men and I think in general, in my cohort, have not actually been screened for cancers. I thought it was a great thing to be a part of. I also love what they’ve done with that getbodycheck.com website that you can not only find providers, not only find suggested testing, but also a list of questions to get you into the conversation with your doctor, which I think is really helpful, because I think it’s a hard and scary conversation to start. Nobody wants to talk about the Big C and no one wants to imagine that it could be part of their life. I think that it is just a great way to get that conversation started because we have come a long way and the earlier that you detect something, the better off your chances are.
AM: What does your involvement in the campaign look like in terms of what we’ll see from a consumer aspect?
JJ: I mean, from the consumer side, you’ll see me and Gritty in a TV ad. You’ll see just a variety of different outreach of things that we’ll be doing here over the course of the next couple months just to spread awareness about the specific website and the people involved, but just generally to spread awareness right? To hope to inspire people like myself as I, you know, you get a little bit older –
AM: Right!
JJ: You get a little older and you’re like, “no I’m this kid!” And then you’re like, wait, they’re talking about me!
AM: Yeah when you start talking with people about things to look out for when you’re in older ages, but you don’t see yourself that way – it reminds you that you are getting older and they are talking about you!
JJ: Right, and so we all have that. I think most people feel that way. Like our brains don’t keep up with our body after a certain point. So for important things like this right for women’s health things for men’s health things for cancer screenings, it is just important to not be embarrassed to be in this conversation and to be proactive in the places that you can be and specifically for cancer with the screening that is available to us. Now you can, you can find things way earlier than in our parents’ generation. So, this is all just outreach to say, just be in the conversation. Hopefully, it’s nothing, but it’s better to know, than to not know.
AM: Our college nights were filled with watching Dawson’s Creek, because that’s when it, aired originally. We’d be running back from the Psych Department back to our dorms trying to get in and you could hear the episodes throughout the halls. We’ve enjoyed you in The Affair, Dr Death, Dr Odyssey, and more. What is it that you love about acting?
JJ: I love the opportunity to be in a scene with somebody and to be surprised. It’s a wonderful silly thing to do with your life. I bumped in today to like two actors that I absolutely love and was really kind of star struck in a way.
You said that you were a Psych Major or that you just took a Psych class?
AM: We just took a psych course as one of our majors was Sociology and that professor knew that his class was right before Dawson’s Creek and he would stretch it out as long as possible and you could hear it and since I would watch it on VHS – I didn’t want spoilers!
JJ: Back in the good old days!
There is a psychology and maybe even a sociology component, but there is something fun for me to be able to pretend. To use pretending in order to be somebody else to try to examine what it means to be a human being. When you’re in a scene with another person or a bunch of other people, to see another person’s interpretation and be genuinely surprised - I don’t know you, you just kind of lose yourself in those interactions. That’s what really keeps me coming back. I have been doing this a long time!
AM: You have had such a longevity. When we see your name attached to it, regardless of the subject or genre, we know it’s going to be good because you really do in many ways transform where you forget what we may have liked about you, like in The Affair versus how you present in Dr Odyssey.
JJ: Oh come on, you’re going to make me blush!
AM: You do have two projects coming up, Happy Hours, and How to Survive Without Me. Tell us about them.
JJ: Well, they weirdly share a connection with Dawson’s Creek, so Happy Hours is with Katie Holmes (Ray Donovan, Poker Face, The Wanderers). She produced it, she wrote it, she directed it, and she stars in it. She wrote this story for the two of us to be able to tell a love story after all these years, having not worked together since we were kids on Dawson’s Creek. We got to do that last Summer, and I was a little - I think we both were a little bit nervous after all these years to, like, see if that thing was still there. But that thing is still there, and it was so nice. I’m so thankful to her as my friend, and in that - my boss, right, for her to have created the space for us to do that. I hope the movie comes out well, and I hope everybody enjoys it. But more than anything, it was such a joy to get to do that, and also to be, you know, to, to be impressed and supportive of my friend. You know, we’re not just doing the scenes together, directing, producing, and she’s writing. She’s just a wonderful, powerful woman.
How to Survive Without Me – well not oddly, is written by one of the Executive Producers of Dawson’s Creek. So, Greg Berlanti (The Flash, Arrow, YOU), way back in the day, one of his first jobs was on Dawson’s Creek before he went on to become that I think is the single most prolific producer in the history of television, so he’s done all right for himself. This just came back around that he has the show and it shoots in LA, which is very important for me right now, so I could be with my daughters and take them to school. It’s a beautiful, sad story about family - adult family, right? That story starts six months after the matriarch of the family has passed away and it’s her trying to sort of reach from beyond the grave to make sure that her family stays bound together. She’s not sure that they have the ability to do it without her!
AM: Can you share 3 workouts or modalities that you like to do?
JJ: It depends. The most consistent piece of my life, is boxing. As I’ve gotten older, I started doing Pilates, which has been amazing because as it turns out, I’m like, stiff, as shit, and not very flexible. It just doesn’t work for you as you get older! Then it’s really character dependent, right? The difference between say doing something like Dr Death, where I had to go from being very underweight to play the younger version of that character and the to progressively put on weight and to wear a prosthetic by the end of that show – to something like, say, Fatal Attraction, where you’re dealing with a man who’s kind of a little bit past it, and dealing with the end of his masculinity – a little paunchy or a little softer. It just really depends!
PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | Matrie Lombardo
Read the MAR ISSUE #123 of Athleisure Mag and see CHECK YOUR HEALTH | Joshua Jackson in mag.
PHOTO CREDITS | Disney/John Fleenor
PHOTO CREDIT | ABC The Bachelor Key Art/Sami Drasin
PHOTO CREDIT FOR THE BACHELOR CONTESTANTS | Disney/Evan Mulling
After The Oscars, Before the Rose aired a mini episode where we got to see Taylor Frankie Paul begin her journey as S22 of ABC’s The Bachelorette! We just finished watching S4 of The Secret Lives of Morman Wives and we see Taylor navigating the weeks prior to being The Bachelorette! How will this mom of 3 who we have seen with her baby daddy, take on the opportunity to be part of this experience?
We get to see her embraced by previous Bachelorettes as she is the 22nd one. They give her advice, they wear matching sweats, and we get a few glimpses of the previous women’s experiences as well as what their life has been like after their seasons! As we get excited for the season to start on Mar. 22nd, it’ll be interesting to see how she takes on this challenge, if her past will come crashing into her present, and more.
Each night during this season, we will tweet about The Bachelorette 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. You can watch The Bachelorette on ABC kicking off on Sun Mar 22nd and each Sun thereafter. It’s available on Hulu the day after!
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.
PHOTO CREDITS | Disney/Matt Sayles
PHOTO CREDIT | ABC The Bachelor Key Art/Sami Drasin
PHOTO CREDIT FOR THE BACHELOR CONTESTANTS | Disney/Evan Mulling
On Mar 22nd, we’ll be joining Taylor Frankie Paul as she kicks off S22 of ABC’s The Bachelorette. If you have yet to see her as one of the stars of The Secret Lives of Morman Wives, then you need to check out this reality show to get to know more about her before she looks for love.
Until then, you can check out the men that will be competing in her season below! We don’t know a lot about the men, but we have selected who we could see making it to Hometowns and will continue to speculate each week!
Each night during this season, we will tweet about The Golden Bachelorette 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. You can watch The Bachelorette on ABC kicking off on Sun Mar 22nd and each Sun thereafter. It’s available on Hulu the day after!
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.
Avid readers of Athleisure Mag know that a few months back we had an article that was focused on fitness and menopause where we talked with Dr. Jessica Shepherd, Board-Certified OB/GYN, Chief Medical Officer at Hers, and Pvolve Advisory Board Member for Women’s Health & Longevity. It was the first time that we covered this topic.
She shared how menopause is comprised of perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause. She also talked about symptoms that many of us may be familiar with from hot flashes, irregular periods, brain fog and more. We know that this tends to happen to women between 40 and 50. Although a number of elements of menopause seemed to be new to what we knew about, we were not prepared to learn so much more in Balance: A Perimenopause Journey which is a docuseries created by 2 monastic filmmakers, Sadhvi Siddhali Shree and Sadhvi Anubhuti, who not only started their menopausal jounrey, but wanted to share their experiences and how they are approaching it as they found that there was quite a bit of misinformation, lack of research/education, and stigme around this portion of a woman’s lifecycle. This docuseries premieres on Jan 30th on Apple+ and Prime Video.
We do not only hear from them and the doctors that are treating them as one focuses on Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and the other opts to do so utilize natural remedies. They also have medical professionals who have varying opinions, regular women along with their partners who weigh in, and even Executive Producers Alyssa Milano (Who’s the Boss, Charmed, Spin City) and Jeannie Mai (The Real, Raid the Cage, America’s Test Kitchen: The Next Generation) share their accounts as well. In watching this 4-part docuseries, we were constantly reminded of so many aspects that people don’t talk about and why we need to do the research necessary to assist us as we navigate this time as for many, this journey start 10 years prior to the target age of menopause which is in the 30s for many of us!
ATHLEISURE MAG: First off, we have to say that we’re positively frustrated in watching this docuseries. That is to say that this is an incredibly informative docuseries where we learned a number of things that we didn’t know about the menopausal journey and that it makes us want to do more research and yet to see the gaps that exist that shouldn’t be. We could go on and on but I am excited to sit with you to hear from you as filmmakers and women navigating the menopausal journey.
Why did you want to make this docuseries?
SADHVI SIDDHALI SHREE: We wanted to make this docuseries Balance, because we wanted to educate women. We are not prepared and because we’re not prepared, we don’t know what we’re going through. We often criticize ourselves, we blame ourselves and we feel all kinds of frustrations because we are going through this transition but no one told us how to navigate. So, to reduce that suffering is important to us as monks and filmmakers.
AM: What’s really impressive in this docuseries are the different voices that you have coming together to talk about this topic. You have different kinds of medical professionals, those who are pro HRT, as well as those that aren’t, I was so excited to see Dr. Jessica Shepherd who I met a few months ago and I had interviewed her about menopause as the event was on the topic, having regular women, Alyssa Milano, and a former cover of ours – Jeannie Mai – both who serve as Executive Producers of this docuseries. So why did you want to approach it in this way by having those on various sides of the issue for, against, and those in the grey area?
SADHVI ANUBHUTI: You said it right! We wanted to make sure that we covered everything. When you are treating perimenopause and menopause, you want to treat it holistically. So we wanted to make sure that we had nutrition, activity, and a full understanding of what is happening to us from the OB/GYNs and a full scope of everything. So it was very important that we included trusted voices.
AM: Why do you think that there is such a stigma around the transition of menopause from the awareness, the marketing aspect, the fact that there is this timeline of life prior to menopause, 1 day which is the actual menopause, and then after. I’m 46 and I will be 47 in Sept. When I went to my first menopause event last Fall I remember thinking well that is for people in their 50s and 60s – is this even a fit? Then learning about the menopausal journey, it was like, “oh no you are in that mode and you need to learn about this!”
SA: You are right! It’s that misunderstanding of what is happening in this space. It’s the fact that women have not been included in that research and we have been underfunded, under researched, and misunderstood. That needs to change. So information needs to be out there and that is why this series needs to be there.
AM: It covers so many things from the social, emotional, and physical aspects of this journey. How long did it take you to think about creating this, doing this, traveling all over the world, and the research? What was the process in creating this?
SSS: I would say, that we were going through the early perimenopause symptoms for a few months and as filming was going on, we realized that no one knew about this. We were researching for ourselves and so we knew we had to do a docuseries in 4 parts so that it would cover everything. So the whole process took about 2.5 years. So as soon as we knew that we could film our appointments because we wanted to show this raw and honest from the very get go.
AM: It took 2.5 years and it’s now coming out Jan 30th, the same day that our JAN ISSUE #121 drops, what Jan 30th, what has been the response that you have received from those with early previews/screenings? Even for those that have participated in it as we get to see other people’s journeys along with their spouses as well and how they are doing. You also have your journeys as well.
SA: I think that for the first time, many women are starting to feel seen, validated, believed, they’re not crazy – this is something that all women go through. I think that we are building our own community of women who are saying that they are not going to suffer anymore, they’re not going to go through it like their mom did, and so it is very empowering to see that response.
AM: Where should people go to find out more information about the movie as well as this journey of menopause? In watching this and hearing certain responses in the docuseries, I think about things I have noticed and just attributed it to other things. I’m someone who eats healthy, works out etc, but maybe something I felt that I just assumed I was tired could be a symptom so I know I will be rewatching and taking personal notes to get to the bottom of things that I didn’t know could be more aligned to this and not just something that is about age or being tired. So where can people go to find out more about this?
SSS: Our viewers can go to the Balancedocuseries.com website where there we will have resources and viewers can follow all the doctors that they resonate with featured in our series because they have education on this, they are posting all of the time on social media and you can always go to the Menopause Society as well. It’s one of those things that you need to go to a trusted resource so that you have the right guidance as that is critical in this time and that’s why Balance is such a trusted resource because it is raw and it is real and we’re not holding anything back.
AM: You guys are filmmakers and I have enjoyed seeing other documentaries that you have done. What do you enjoy about storytelling, and how was it to do this particular story because it is personal? You’re telling this story and you have also injected yourself in this as well as we’re following your journey, as well as others in this docuseries as being objective must have been something that was always in mind in navigating telling this story.
SSS: I think that it comes from our experience of being monks and filmmakers on 3 other films – 2 on human trafficking and another one on animal cruelty. So, these are very dark and human subjects and we are passionate people. What we practice in our system is that there are so many sides and you have to see them and there are various truths to those sides and how do you do it – no pun intended, in a balanced way? That is really important because you have to honor all voices and as you have seen in this series, I have taken the hormone therapy path and she (name) has taken the natural approach which will resonate with audiences and we have our own questions so it kind of covers the whole spectrum of the topic.
PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | Balance: A Perimenopausal Journey
Read the JAN ISSUE #121 of Athleisure Mag and see Finding Your Balance in mag.
We’re excited to share an interview from our Athleisure Mag Summit Series which gives you an indepth look at a brand that we have had the pleasure of including in our photoshoots from celeb covers, model editorials, and even wearing it personally with a number of looks. Virgins Saints and Angels is a brand that includes a number of accessories that tell an array of stories and adds visual texture to whatever your style may be!
We sat down to talk with Cheryl “Finn” Finnegan, Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Virgins Saints and Angels. We talk about the origins of the line, the assortment, her design process, and essentials you need as you begin to build your own collection.
ATHLEISURE MAG: I have to say it is such a pleasure to be able to chat with you finally for this Athleisure Mag Summit Series Virtual Event! This series allows us to talk with great fashion brands that I know our readership and community should know about. Having them hear from the brand, learning about their assortment, and what we can expect from them in upcoming seasons! As you know, I have been a fan of your brand for the past 2 decades from wearing it personally when I’m out and about, for TV segments and also including it in our photoshoots for Athleisure Mag!
In talking with you right now, I am wearing the first ring that I ever received from your collection as that in itself is a full circle moment as it was the first piece that I wrote about for a blog that I started back in 2004 and how was I to know that in 2011, my boyfriend who I am still with who is a Co-Founder of Athleisure Mag, would not only buy this ring without knowing that I knew about it, but he ordered it through Ylang23 which is a retailer that I knew and would talk to off and on when I was working on my site! They knew me and thought it was such serendipity and then around that time, I was in Santo Domingo designing my collab line with Sebago as we were were preparing to launch the collection on HSN and I ended up meeting the leather team that supplied leather for your belts because their company was supplying the leather for my shoes!
CHERYL FINNEGAN: Oh my gosh thank you so much and I just think the world of you!
AM: Same! It’s a brand that I have loved ever since I knew about it, it’s what I wear every single day and I love everything about it. I just want to say thank you for creating it and your aesthetic is something I appreciate and I really love that you are taking the time!
CF: Of course!
AM: So prior to launching Virgins Saints and Angels, I’d love to know about your background because I know you are a fashion veteran as you worked in marketing for Levi Strauss and Co.
CF: Yes, I have been working in fashion since I was probably 16!
AM: Same!
CF: Yeah, starting out in the local department store and moving on from there. I worked with Levi Strauss and I had the best title on the planet! I was called an Image Consultant!
AM: Ok, that is the best title!
CF: It is the best title! I loved handing that card out! So, I was in charge of going out and checking out boutiques. I was searching out for places for us to be in. So I was always on the cusp of what was happening. So when I moved down to San Miguel I originally started doing these plastic woven bags. They were super cute and I reinvented the whole plastic bag in the mercado and I had to brand it because I am a marketing person.
The branding in these plastic bags – I couldn’t sew anything in there and it was cheesy to glue something in there. So I had the weavers who were prisoners, they did that job in the prison system in Mexico – I had them weave the little ring in there and I did a key fob.
AM: Ah I’m seeing where the DNA of VSA came from the minute you said that and now I know why the brand also has key fobs!
CF: Then that key fob turned into a belt buckle which then turned into a ring and then a rosary and that is how it all began!
AM: Yeah, I always wondered what was the piece that sparked everything else – this is fascinating because it’s an extensive assortment that has an array of pieces that speak to each other inside of the collections as well as those adjacent to it, but I couldn’t figure out where it started and what the root was.
CF: Right! I was making these little itty bitty key fobs and I had a sweet little logo under resin and then Fred Segal was buying the bags. But one day he said to me, “do you think that you could just sell me some of the key chains?” I thought that was great because the bags take up major bulk right?
AM: Yes!
CF: So most of the cost of the bag was the shipping. So I thought, I could ship 100 key chains in a little box. So then I started putting in the religious imagery in them. Then I had cute little hangtags on them so it would be Adam and Eve and the cute little tag would say, “They always look better than they taste” or something fun about the Virgin of Miracles or whatever. I had these cute little tags on them and Fred Segal went crazy over them! I was just selling them as fast as they got in and then eventually, it turned into a belt buckle. Literally, I was walking down the street in LA with my belt buckle and Laurence Fishburne’s (Matrix franchise, John Wick franchise, The Amateur) relative stopped me and asked me what I was wearing and I told her that I had just made this belt buckle and it was my prototype. She said that she had to have one and I just took it off my body and I sold it to her!
AM: Oh my God, that is insane!
CF: Then I thought, I think that I could be onto something!
AM: The pieces are so iconic. When we had Lala Kent from Vanderpump Rules as our cover for our MAY ISSUE #29 in 2018, she wore one of your crowns for the cover.
CF: Yes – insane.
AM: It’s just amazing the responses that you get when you’re wearing them even in the wild. On days where I’m running between editor’s appointments and showrooms and I’m just rocking leggings and a top but I have my VSA which takes it to another level, I do get stopped and you have mini conversations about them and it’s so fun to engage with people in that way.
What is your sourcing process like? I do like the elements in the pieces an San Benito and then the Magdalena – where do you get all of these things from?
CF: Well inspiration is local, I mean you’re in Mexico. When I first got here, I didn’t get it. I come from the Midwest –
AM: Same!
CF: Right, your religion is private.
AM: Same! That’s how I was raised too!
CF: I’m from near Chicago.
AM: I’m from Indianapolis originally and obviously, I’m in NY now. But I totally get it. Like growing up there you’re religious, but it’s not something that I would just throw out in conversation.
CF: It’s reserved right?
AM: 1000%
CF: In Mexico, Guadalupe is on every other tattooed man – it’s just very visible. I found it interesting and then I started looking into it more and then I started adding in this Gothic kitsch. I was definitely more of a punk goth chic when I was young. I had the spiky hair and black that was my thing. I definitely have a bit of those elements in every piece that I do. The Magdalena was that ability to wear a rosary and to wrap it around. I particularly love the belt buckles and to me, those were it! That was my go-to piece that I was known for and every celebrity would wear the belt buckle and be pictured in it and you would see it! An earring you may not see necessarily, a ring you may not see, but a belt buckle – you’re going to see that.
AM: I do love the Gothica style of it. I always say that there is this noir/macabre feeling in the pieces that are pleasantly moody where it’s not fully leaning in that direction but you get that essence. I’m not a preppy girl by any means, although I growing up that is how I dressed – hello Midwest. But, I love that I feel when I wear them that it grounds the look, it gives an edge to it. It feels approachable, it has visual texture, and there are always great conversations around the pieces and it goes on for minutes! You see a cross, then there is an interesting design, or some other fun element.
CF: I know! It does kind of push the limits! I will never forget when I was in San Francisco, I was in a store and a woman came in and she told me that her parents had a dining room and it was all in black velvet and had Jesus and Mary in it as they were very religious. This woman was wearing her Virgin of Guadalupe belt buckle and she felt kind of dirty wearing it there – ha! It definitely pushes something.
AM: It does push the limits but you have created this world from the jewelry to the campaign imagery that you put around it that creates a cohesive story and what it means to be in that space. Sometimes our shoots end up popping up so quickly that I may not have time to reach out to your team to put a request in for something that is in a new collection or an archive piece and I will shop my personal VSA collection to bring it to set as it adds that element of drama.
CF: Oh honey! We’re so happy to work with you!
AM: Of course sometimes when there is a tight window you have to make do! You had a cameo set that we pulled a couple of years ago and I had requested various pieces from it as I wasn’t sure how we were going to have it with our model and by the time I saw the looks, I realized that they all needed to be worn together as we shot it at the Algonquin Hotel here in NYC.
CF: Oh yes! I loved that!
AM: Your team was great to work with to get that going. And between the dress and the layers of statement necklaces and the earrings this Cameo Noir moment just really came together. My team was like, wait all of this together and I’m like the whole thing!
CF: You’re too cute!
AM: Where do you start in your design process? Being where you are in Mexico, walking around definitely must be something for the senses and crazy inspiration.
CF: My new collection is just coming out and it’s called Brigid. So, Brigid took me back to my original roots. So when I was first introduced to San Benito, I was in Ireland. I saw the Celtic cross and I remembered being in San Benito and seeing the San Benito Monastery. That was the Celtic cross and I have Celtic roots. So Brigid takes me back to the first trip in Ireland when I was first introduced to that Celtic cross in a town called Kildare. Killdare happens to be the town where Brigid is. I wanted to do something that was very Irish and I started looking back into it and the famous Celtic cross in Ireland is in Kildare and Brigid, she is the only Goddess who is also a Saint. So she is a pagan Goddess and a Saint at the same time.
AM: Interesting!
CF: She is all 4 elements. She is Air, Water, Fire, and Earth.
AM: Now it makes sense with the images that you sent knowing that!
CF: Exactly right? So, I’m tying things back to my Celtic roots but yet, it is so very Mexican inspired for the pieces. All of my pieces are handmade!
AM: That’s another thing that I love about your brand! It already comes out with that heritage aspect to it due to how it is crafted. It is polished not like something that is mass produced, but in a way where you feel that an artisan made it and it is passed down to you. Every time I put it on – even if it is a new piece or one I haven’t worn in a while, you have this feeling that is warm and as if it something that you have had for years.
CF: You need to come down here and come down to the workshop!
AM: I want to come and see this, I would probably freak out!
CF: All of my clients that come to the workshop, they always say, “you don’t charge enough for your pieces.” They are blown away!
AM: I have to say that I have always felt that your pieces are a great price point; however, you have all the people that are making it by hand –
CF: It’s a lot! I have the same workers for 25 years.
AM: Really?
CF: Yes, the same people! They are the best of what they do. They love when I bring a magazine photo in and show them. They love seeing Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus or a number of the people that have worn their brand. They all have their little alters at their work stations. They really put a lot of love in what they do.
AM: When you make a collection each season like Brigid, how long is that process from concept to finish?
CF: It’s a lot. It can take – Brigid is coming out on Feb 1st and what we do is that we always wear the pieces beforehand. So after awhile in wearing a piece, you can see how it feels and you may say, this isn’t right. So we have to change and we have 2 pieces that we are right now in the process of getting ready. For Brigid, we have been working since Oct on this. It takes a long time and as a designer, I’m working all of the time. You don’t just stop your brain from being creative right? Every time you are looking at something, you’re saying, how does this translate?
It’s very interesting and I love it. I sit with the workers, I don’t hand them a sketch. I sit with them while we are making the pieces. I don’t have my cell phone with me or my laptop, I sit with them and I say, let’s do this and let’s do that. Then, they give me ideas, and we do it together.
AM: I did the same thing with my shoes as there was so much to learn by being able to talk with the artisans that have been doing this for years. I was able to share my vision, how I wanted the leathers arranged and then to watch them put it together, offer directions and adjustments to make a beautiful collection that I sold on HSN. So being in Santo Domingo and to have that experience really opened my eyes to craftsmanship. They knew that product and it was a pleasure to work with them. They knew that leather better than anybody, they knew about the last and so many components of the shoe.
CF: Yes! I have to say that it is very different than going to a factory in China where they are throwing things in a machine and spitting it out. There was a period where there was a copy cat of mine and they were making it in China and you could tell that it wasn’t the same.
AM: You knew the difference! Just the weight alone. It always surprises me that the pricing of your collection is so reasonable and then when you think about the hand made element as well, it’s amazing that your prices aren’t higher.
CF: People know once you start wearing it and playing with it. Our pieces in addition to being hand made are also hand polished. In this industry, when people say handmade – what does that mean because there could be elements that are and others on a machine. I do such a volume that I am fortunate that I am able to keep the prices at where they’re at. That definitely helps and we have a nice kind of flow to our factory – I don’t call it a factory I call it an atelier. We have about 13 people who work with us and every piece has its own hand antiquing. I don’t like that usually in jewelry when you antique it, they throw it in a black pot and they tumble it. I don’t like that. I like to brush it on by hand and I tell them where I want it to be more intense and where I want it to be less intense.
AM: Oh wow that explains something else I have always wondered. It’s yet another little detail that I am learning about you and the brand! I always noticed that it wasn’t the same all over in terms of my rings as I have more in this category than other portions of your line. So I will see certain parts of the ring will look one way or another when I am turning my hand or picking something up. I just thought that my skin was making it do that!
CF: There is a designer that wore my cuff to death in the shower, swimming in the ocean and I ran into her in NY and I said Nicole, would you like for me to replate that for you? It was black! And she was like, it’s my natural patina piece – my personal patina! I was like ok!
AM: Oh wow!
Who would you say is the VSA customer if you had to put a person in a category or categories?
CF: I know! There is the woman that I think she is that is this punk rock cool chick. But it’s so difficult because we have people from Miley Cyrus to Maria Shriver to Marilyn Manson. It is the most bizarre brand. A marketing company will come to me and say who is your customer and I really know that we are all over the board. We are being included in the upcoming season of Euphoria –
AM: Oh yeah, that’s huge! It’s their 3rd season!
CF: Yeah and they’re using my pieces all over! Yeah! So I have that kind of client and I have no idea as I have never seen that show.
AM: I did try to watch it but I feel like the show the cast when it first started they were like 16 but they’re definitely show the cast going through it. They’re drinking, doing drugs, navigating relationships. For me, watching younger kids do that isn’t for me versus seeing the same thing done with adults. But it is an acclaimed show and I know people really love it! I mean Zendaya (Challengers, Dune franchise, Spider-Man franchise), Colman Domingo (The Four Seasons, Fear the Walking Dead, Sing Sing) – so now I feel like I need to get on that train.
CF: I know! I have to watch it.
AM: So now that VSA is in it, I have to support it.
CF: You’re not going to see Zendaya in it but it’s another main character –
AM: Could be Sydney Sweeney (White Lotus, The Housemaid, Eden) as I know she is in it.
CF: I don’t know, but the main character is going to be wearing a signature rosary as that is her thing. You’ll see a belt buckle and you will see everything. I don’t want to say too much but I am excited.
I have also had a number of programs contact me as there is this whole witchy aesthetic that has been going on lately. When VSA started, Passion of the Christ came out, The Da Vinci Code so there was a lot of the religious thing, then we moved into Disney because there was Once Upon a Time –
AM: Yes! Loved that show and the pieces for that were huge as that was such a major collab with Disney!
CF: I fit in with those things personally. Then things got a little boring and now there is this whole witch thing going on. So there’s a movie called Forbidden Fruit that they chose my pieces for and then there is this new series that they are filming in Canada right now and I sent them 150 pieces. They went crazy for everything!
AM: I would love to see them in White Lotus, I don’t believe they are in production just yet. When they were filming in Thailand for S3, I was reached out to by someone working with them and they were looking for designers to partner with. I don’t know if it was for the show or for promotional items that would flow coming off of that and I told them then that they should talk with you and that I would be happy to connect the 2.
CF: Love it! I will tell you that my team is so professional and you have worked with them so many times. We say that we will have it on X date – we do, we have the return label, everything is packaged clean, we do what we say we will do. I don’t know how many people in the industry do that.
AM: Not a lot! Many times I have the request with a buffer and you’ll have some people still missing that window – so crazy!
CF: They’re kind of taken back at how easy it is to work with us!
AM: Oh yes, you guys package it nicely and everything is just ready to go. I find that in this business even though some people don’t do things to standard, when you are not a massive brand or with a massive firm or whatever the case may be, you have to be more on point and easy to work with so that you can continue to navigate and I always appreciate when people take care and pride in what they do! It’s about the details and the follow through!
CF: I also have this immense archive!
AM: I was just going to ask you about that!
CF: It’s massive – it’s crazy! So this program called The Body that is coming out, they shared the storyline and I told them that I would pick all of the pieces so they could give me direction. I gave them my mood board with all of the pieces. The pieces I showed them were not on the website. I can just pull from the archive and it’s so fun and most people don’t know that I do head pieces – I have thousands! I’m not going to put them on my website. People don’t necessarily want to spend a $1,000 on a headpiece that they will wear once.
AM: But it is there should they want it!
CF: It’s been so much fun and I can’t believe that I have had this life.
AM: Your photoshoots are productions in themselves and I get it as we do a number of them here at Athleisure Mag. What is that like as they are immersive and they have such a storyline and you had one that always comes to mind which was a Last Supper motif.
CF: I know! That one was so controversial. I would have surprise photoshoots with my team and that one was a team photoshoot.
AM: Oh wow!
CF: They didn’t know it was going to happen we were just eating like we normally do. I do them at my house, so I have the MUA sneaking in, the costume guy, the hair guy – everyone is setting up. So I let everyone know this is it – the Last Supper photoshoot. I have Mariana there with her long black hair naked, covering her breasts with the black tears and huge belt buckle. We have 12 women dressed super elegantly with the hairdos and I wanted a crystal turkey – the food had to be crystalized! We have so much fun with these shoots and they are all at the office or at my house!
AM: I always enjoy seeing your campaigns, photoshoots, and videos. There have been times that I have used them in terms of creating my moodboards for a shoot or concept. It’s art and it has everything in there.
CF: I go outside of it. When I do Marie Antoinette, she’s going to have the white makeup on and we’re going to go all out. Forget about the hybrid! I’m the real deal!
AM: What do you feel are the 3 key pieces that someone should have if they are just starting our their VSA collection?
CF: Ok, well for certain my Magdalena which is a multi-beaded piece that is super versatile and the first necklace that I designed! It’s still in the line and still my #1 piece. Lady Gaga wears it, Madonna wears it, everyone! That was the necklace that Britney Spears put me on the map. Then when she was going through that period of time where it was about Save Britney Spears was all over the Internet. She decided that she was going to pose naked on the Internet with only my necklace – she is like Maria Magdalena reincarnated. Lady Gaga wore it for her half time show and people choose to wear my pieces during key moments. Miley Cyrus wore that necklace for forever. It means something to them.
I would definitely say a VSA ring. I would also say a belt buckle. These are great statements. A lot of people think that with a belt buckle you have to have a skinny waist – no you don’t. You can wear your belt buckle high on the waist if you want our buckles are big it’s somehow an illusion!
AM: I tell people it’s a look that should be incorporated.
CF: Those 3 items the Magdalena the beaded necklace, the buckle, and the ring. My rings are statement pieces as you know – don’t be afraid of them!
AM: I say that too. You get used to wearing them and I don’t leave the house without them! I would feel weird leaving the house without them. The few times I do, they are probably in my bag waiting to be put back on. I workout in them and they sit in the little ring tray when I am getting my nails done.
CF: It’s like protection.
AM: I do feel that they are a bit like armor when I put them on. I have had them for so long and I like being able to choose a nice arrange of rings as I tend to wear 4 and always 2 from VSA. The fact that you have archives I do want to dig into those as a few years ago I was looking through that with one of your team members because we thought a project was going to take place and I couldn’t believe pieces I was drooling over that I had never seen on the website.
CF: Oh yeah the archive!
AM: Right and to your point, I was like we need to go to San Miguel because I can only imagine!
CF: You and Paul need to come down you would have so much fun! I love how versatile the pieces are the people that love this brand. I remember when Tim McGraw was in a photoshoot and he was styled in various pieces. The shearling coat was Dolce Gabbana and the best photo of all is a full page shot of him in his lounge chair in his office. He had his belt buckle on – VSA belt buckle and his hat and his favorite denim shirt and the credits said that the buckle was designer’s own. He was so proud of wearing that piece. I don’t care that he didn’t say my name –
AM: I remember seeing that picture and looking at the credits and I knew it was VSA!
CF: Yeah! That’s the thing – he chose that outfit because that was the picture and he looked so relaxed and so great.
We get phone calls and emails of people claiming that the pieces have done something to save their life – it is bizarre. We had a woman from NYC call the office and she was crying. She told me that she was weaing the Guadalupe belt buckle in Central Park and walked up to a woman crying on a park bench. She put her hand on her shoulder and said can I help you? The woman looked up and saw the belt buckle and said, “you just did.” The woman on the bench had prayed to Guadalupe asking for a sign or she would end her own life.
AM: Oh my.
CF: I mean, we were all crying by the end of that story. It was just amazing and we get these stories. People from Patagonia that had a life changing event that happened while wearing the necklace and now they aren’t going to take it off. You can’t believe some of the things that we hear and there is a power behind it.
AM: I always feel settled when I wear them it’s putting on those last elements to take on the world like armor.
CF: Listen to us!
AM: I’ve always felt that when you wear an accessory and especially when it comes to jewelry and that skin to skin contact, there is what the designer intended by designing it and then it merges with who you are as a person and then it becomes like a totem in many respects. You wear it every day, stories and moments in time are being associated and there is something there.
CF: I think jewelry does that way more than a sweater or something of that nature.
AM: Totally! I think it’s like when you walk into someone’s home, you feel a vibe because you are in the space of the inhabitants that eat, sleep, and live there and the home becomes an amplifier of the energy and sentiments that are there.
CF: Exactly.
AM: So the pieces that you’re wearing, because it is everyday and next to your skin – it is a thing.
IG @vsa_designs
PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | PG 56 - 65 Virgins Saints and Angels | PG 73 - 75 Paul Farkas
Read the DEC ISSUE #120 of Athleisure Mag and see AVANT GOTHICA WITH VSA in mag.
PHOTO CREDIT | PREMIER PROTEIN
We’re 2 days into the New Year and we’re making sure that we are setting ourselves up for the best success! Although we know that the 1st is the beginning of the year, it’s that first Monday that really lets us know what we’re in for. Jan 5th, is really the beginning of a series of days and weeks where we really have to get in gear!
We sat down with actor, standup comedian, producer, Co-Creator and star of Netflix’s Survival of the Thickest Michelle Buteau to talk about her career, her creative process, her projects and why she partnered with Premier Protein! She talks about the importance of showing up for herself and being good to herself.
ATHLEISURE MAG: Hello! We met briefly at Chuks Collins dinner this Fall when he shared his collection at Bryant Park Grill. I was waiting to be seated, turned around and then there you were looking stunning walking by and all I could get out was, I love you in Survival of the Thickest!
MICHELLE BUTEAU: Oh yes, that was a great dinner and Chuks is so special!
AM: Yes it was such a good dinner and it’s great talking with you now as the interaction was so quick and a bit rushed on my part as I was just spitting out the words - so hello!
MB: Oh no it wasn’t! I love to hear that people love the show because it makes me feel like I am doing my job, so thank you for that! I will never get tired of that.
AM: Well you looked phenomenal and I was a table away from you and kept saying (in my head), that’s Michelle!
I am a fan of your energy, your humor, your authenticity and all the things! Honestly, I don’t know where I was in life, but it wasn’t until the pandemic that I was like wait who is this – I loved you on Netflix’s Barbecue showdown, you were the host of a social reality show that I loved watching, being on BET’s First Wives Club – I was like this woman is working! You literally got me through the pandemic which then brought me to watching the other things that you do as well!
You’re an actress, a comedian, a producer, a host, you can do drama – when did you realize that you wanted to be an entertainer?
MB: Oh my goodness! I feel that every kid thinks that they can be an entertainer. I think that it was when I was around 12 or 13 that I was like, “I think that I want to do this” to my parents and they were like, no you don’t. I don’t think that I really told myself or gave myself permission or license to really go far with this until my 20’s which is so crazy, but you know, whatever makes you happy!
AM: Well, whether you’re preparing for a character or an upcoming film, or series, what is your creative process or what do you pull from when you’re trying to get ready for things that you’re working on?
MB: You know, that’s such a great question! I don’t really have a process, the main thing that I have to do because I have a husband, 2 dogs, 2 kids, and responsibilities at home and in life. The main thing for me to do is that I am happy and healthy, that I have all of my vitamins, and I am taking care of myself because my brain is working! When I have a good amount of rest because I like to be busy – the main thing is that I am taking care of me throughout the day!
AM: In Survival of the Thickest, I love it with the energy of that show! You are showing the industry and what goes on in it. I am the Co-Founder/Creative + Style Dir of Athleisure Mag but I am also a Fashion Stylist. So when I am watching the show and your character, I’m like oh yeah – that is what it is!
MB: Yeah, you get it!
AM: Yup, I’m like, that’s pretty much it! It’s glam when it’s glam and then it’s just not.
MB: Yeah and I love that about it. It’s a parallel to comedy which is why I chose that job for my character. That job will humble you real quick and the next day you could be flying first class or private in this whole different realm so I think it is important to know that there are a whole of different places that you can live especially with the job that you love.
AM: What made you want to be a Co-Creator of this show and also star in it as well? I know that you’re back in production on S3 and I am so bummed that this will be the final season – but the series has everything!
MB: I mean, it was just really natural right? I have been doing standup for 24 years and it has helped me figure out my voice, my platform – and when I wrote this book when I brought my kids home from the hospital. I was like, “oh, I have twin babies now and I guess I will be at home so I need to write a book – I mean what? What?” But I will say, hot tip, I do put some Premier Protein Shake in my coffee because that’s how I get my protein! I get my coffee kick, my caffeine kick, my protein kick! So that was very helpful! Obviously lots of hugs and fresh hugs too – but anyways!
AM: What is life without fresh veggies and hugs?
MB: Ok now! Downward dogs and everything – cat/cow!
I mean, I wrote the book and then when Netflix optioned the book, they said, “do you want to build this world yourself or would you like to work with someone?” There’s nothing better than collaborating. When you find the right person it just sings and so I am so happy that Netflix introduced me to my Co-Creator Danielle Sanchez-Witzel (My Name is Earl, New Girl, The Carmichael Show) because we had a time! We had a whole kiki! It’s been so fun! It is 3rd and final, but that’s ok because I think that it is a gift knowing that you are not coming back so that you can do what you want to do. Also, no one is a 1 trick pony! We can go out there and do other things – I mean look at you!
AM: Tell me about The Surviving and Thriving Tour!
MB: Oh my goodness! Well, you know, everybody has got – the whole point is that we can live in 2 places at once. While we feel like this is really hard, there also some really good things too. You have to wake up really early, but isn’t it really good that you get to wake up really early and get to do all the things that you want to do? I feel like being busy or stressed is a privilege – I get to have the responsibility to do these things which is really fun. So Surviving and Thriving is named kind of after that. I love standup and I can’t wait to go back out on tour. I love performing and just writing hard jokes, hard jokes. I want people bending over with laughter! I want people to just be cackling because laughter is medicine and I’m a doctor!
AM: I mean, I will take in all the prescriptions that you’re providing!
MB: Yeah! There’s no Co-Pay, come get you some laughs!
AM: Spa Weekend looks amazing! It’s a great cast! Why did you want to be part of that project?
MB: I mean, there is just this beautiful, wild and comedic powerhouses coming together! I love Isla Fisher (Now You See Me franchise, Confessions of a Shopaholic, Nocturnal Animals), Leslie Mann (The Other Woman, Blockers, Motherless Brooklyn), Anna Faris (Scary Movie franchise, Mom, The House Bunny) and how could I not want to be part of that team? I also love the idea of strong female bonds and relationships when we are from different walks of life. The one thing that we have in common is that the women of Spa Weekend, go on a spa weekend because they need it. They are really busy with the responsibilities and the mundane things that are done in life and they have to go away. They just go away for a wild weekend and they just have a lot of fun stuff going on and a lot of hijinks!
AM: I cannot wait to see it!
You recently partnered with Premier Protein as a part of their New Year campaign and Go Get ‘Em Mode. Tell me about this mode and what it is and why did you want to partner with this brand?
MB: Oh my goodness because I like to Go Get’ Em so let’s Go Get ‘Em, come on sis – let’s roll! Are you for real? So I remember and this was a full circle moment. My dad, he was like the busiest man alive. He would lift weights in between meetings, take me to the mall and he was so busy. He would always have a Premier Protein Shake! So I grew up watching the busiest man I know always being in Go Mode and getting it done and always taking care of his body. So when Premier Protein Shake approached me, I said yes! Everyone knows about that hard start of the year at the top of January 1st and it isn’t always that and then people beat themselves up – it’s the Monday – it’s the January 5th of it all. It’s really exciting because Premier Protein wants to set people up for success by going to goget2026.com and you can go on there and try them out for free! They will send it to you in your house in select cities (Atlanta, NY, Chicago, LA, Philadelphia and Miami). We all know what that is! We know what the pre-party is before you have to go to work so it’s that 5-9 where you’re like, uh-oh how am I going to do this, who am I going to be, what am I going to wear? You know, can I touch my toes, will I have enough energy – yes you can! It’s Premier Protein and they want to help you get that energy sis so let’s go!
AM: I love that and a shake is a great way to do all of that!
What do you love about drinking these shakes? Do you have a special flavor?
MB: I’m a Chocolate or Caramel girlie! What I love about it is that I am doing something for myself. I feel like because women – I mean, I’m no doctor – I only play one on TV – actually I did!
AM: I was going to say you did!
MB: You got me!
AM: You did!
MB: We need between 40 and 65 grams of protein a day. So you get 30 in one shot with the bottle, it’s like pretty great! When I have more energy, I’m nicer to people! There’s no road rage you know what I mean? I hope you heal! Oh my God there’s a spot! I found a parking spot? Yes you can cut me in line! You go –
AM: That’s right!
MB: I’m just a nicer person when I have more energy. So yes, I do that for myself - treat yo’self all year long!
We want to make sure that you have your best foot forward when it comes to kicking off the new New Year right and being able to kick off Jan 5th right! Premier Protein is giving away free morning shaked from January 5th - 9th in select cities. To fuel people 5-9 before their 9-5, Premier Protein will be giving away free protein shakes delivered straight to their door in under an hour (powered by GoPuff!) between 5-9am from Jan. 5 to Jan. 9 on GoGet2026.com in NYC, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Miami and Atlanta.
Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.
We have been fans of the Bravo’s Top Chef universe since day 1 and it comes down to a number of factors including: telling a story on a plate, the chefs actual stories, and in many cases even visting their restaurants. It has grown into a network of alums that we enjoy seeing again and again whether they’re on TV, doing a phenomenal project or popping in to eat their latest creation.
Avid readers and the Athleisure Mag community know that we have interviewed S10 Top Chef winner, Chef Kristen Kish a number of times whether it’s a fun partnership/collaboration, various shows she has been a part of or for our MAR ISSUE #99 cover story with her alongside Chef Tom Colicchio, Gail Simmons of Top Chef when she took the reigns as host of Top Chef starting S21. She loves the journey of food and the chefs that are involved, she’s always asking questions, and gives words of wisdom that can really be applicable to whatever it is you do in life!
This month, we catch up with her to talk about the upcoming season of Top Chef, S23 in the Carolinas, joining the cast of Peacock’s S4 of Traitors, why being kind matters and her partnership with KIND for the CHOOSE KIND campaign, holiday dishes, gifting, and more!
CHEF KRISTIN KISH: Hello! It’s so nice to see you again!
ATHLEISURE MAG: It’s so nice to see you again! Well, we’re always so excited anytime we get the chance to chat with you, because you’re always doing amazing things. The last time we saw you, that’s when you were our cover for Athleisure Mag right before you hosted your first season of Top Chef which was phenomenal! Now, you have so many things going on, so it will be great to chat with you.
CHEF KK: Likewise, thanks!
AM: So, looking forward to S23 of Top Chef, you’re going to be be in the Carolinas which is amazing – what has it been like for you to be on Top Chef as the host?
CHEF KK: I mean, it’s like, the greatest job. I have very little complaints. I think that the only the only thing that was the most challenging this past season was, you know, the Carolina humidity, which we were certainly prepared for. But other than that, I mean, I, I love making Top Chef. I love spending time with all the chefs that we have coming in to dine with us. It’s a really great quick 2-month crash course in a location, introducing you to new people, and then also hearing from so many people amongst the industry or even not! But just like how other people think and talk about food, I think it’s just - it’s incredible!
AM: Amazing. We know you can’t talk too much about the upcoming season, but what can you share with us that we should be looking forward to?
CHEF KK: I mean, come on – every season is just the best. It’s great chefs, it’s great food, and honest feedback. And you know, I think one of my favorite things to do is - I mean, I love watching the show, but because we don’t get to see the chefs thought process.
AM: Right!
CHEF KK: You know all those interviews, and in the kitchen scenes, we don’t see any of that.
AM: Yeah.
CHEF KK: The only time we see them is when they’re in front of us, and so I always get really excited, and I look forward to getting the whole story and the whole picture.
AM: You’re like, wait, that’s what happened.
CHEF KK: Yeah, I’ve tasted the food, but I don’t know sometimes how they’ve fully arrived.
AM: We also love the companion series Dish with Kish. The format is really interesting how elements of the challenge from the episode as well as working with Top Chef alums in each episode are presented in the series! We just interviewed, Chef Gregory Gourdet (Top Chef S12 Runner-up, S17 Finalist) last month, during the Food Network NYC Wine Food Festival. He was so kind and sweet. We’ve never been able to talk to him before, but it’s always fun to watch him with you on this companion series as you guys have great chemistry together!
As soon as we finish the night’s episode on Bravo, we go to Peacock and start off with Last Chance Kitchen with Chef Tom Colicchio to see how eliminated players fight there way back to get on the show and then we end it by savoring Dish with Kish!
Why do you love having this companion series?
CHEF KK: You know, I think it, it’s just - it’s obviously Top Chef related, where we’re pulling inspiration from that challenge. You know, we’re getting to see some of your favorite Top Chef alums in the kitchen again, cooking. You know, it’s no rules. As you see, the entire set is fair game. It is as if you were in the kitchen with me, albeit I’m in full glam, which I normally wouldn’t be.
AM: The looks you rock in those episodes as well as in the flagship show are always amazing every time – you don’t miss.
CHEF KK: Thank you.
But it’s like, it’s like a fly on the wall moment.
AM: Yeah.
CHEF KK: You get to see real interactions and the time that is spent with sometimes Top Chef alums that I have known for many years, like Gregory, and who we are deeply like, wonderful friends or me being introduced to a new Top Chef alum that I know very little about because I just haven’t had the time to interact. So, I mean, it’s just it’s fun. It’s 11 - 15 minutes of whatever. It’s my kind of TV.
AM: Love it!
You mentioned that shooting this competition series takes place over a 2 month period. How do you take on a show like that in terms of preparation? Clearly, you’re immersed in this environment, but how do you get your mind ready for it before you step into that abyss?
CHEF KK: You know, I think it’s a great abyss to be in. So, like, you know, there’s not a lot of like pumping myself up. I think the the first year that I was hosting, I had definitely more like internal personal work to work on.
AM: Yeah.
CHEF KK: Because I was really wrapping my brain around the pressure that I was putting on myself.
AM: Of course.
CHEF KK: But come Canada and now, obviously, the Carolinas like, you know, I go in a couple days before it. I like to go see the set. I like to get my bearings. I like to unpack and like organize space, equals organize mind. For me, really, the preparation is oftentimes the morning of, so whatever call time, my time is, I need my quiet, introverted recharge battery time. So, I wake up 1 hour and 40 minutes to 2 hours before, no matter what. Even if it’s crazy early, I will still need my time for my quiet and my coffee. It’s a daily practice keeping my mind ready and sharp for every single day.
AM: You’re joining the cast of the Traitors. We love this show, whether it is the US, UK, Australian, or New Zealand editions! And literally, we’ve watched various times for the US portion of the franchise, and thought, “what would it be like to have Alan Cumming (GoldenEye, The Good Wife, X-Men franchise) and Kristen together – we need these interactions”. So when it was announced that you would be doing this, we are ready. So, why did you want to join this show?
CHEF KK: You know, there was a lot of reasons going into it. I think that, for me, cooking competitions are something that I would dabble back into if it were for charity, or fun – but something that is less pressure. But like competition, I kind of hung up my hat on that one. This one is so outlandish, unrealistic in terms of the theme. honestly. We’re all running around the Highlands of Scotland trying to murder banished people!
AM: I know right?
CHEF KK: It’s insane!
AM: And some of those challenges, like the whole bug thing – yikes, so much anxiety for you.
CHEF KK: It’s silly.
AM: Yeah.
CHEF KK: So I felt like that lent itself to just like fully immersing yourself into fun. That was one reason. Another reason is, I’m always trying to find new ways to push my introverted self to get out there and do more, especially if you know it’s like even loosely tied to promoting my show.
AM: Oh yeah!
CHEF KK: So I mean, I’d be lying if I said I went on there not doing that. And then, also, they keep beating us in the Emmys, and Alan keeps beating me in the host category, so I was, like, if you can’t beat ‘em -
AM: You might as well join them. We can’t wait to see that!
KIND has been a brand that we have enjoyed eating. It’s healthy, a great mix of ingredients, and it’s fun. How did you come to this brand, and why did you want to partner with them?
CHEF KK: You know, they came to me, and I think the beauty of something like, KIND, is obviously I’ve had many KIND bars. I know exactly the brand. So when someone or a brand comes to me and says, well, obviously, it’s in the name, right, like World Kindness Day - let’s see what can we do, how can we shine a light on it, and how can we give back? That already, is check, check?
AM: Yes.
CHEF KK: It’s a yes, yes, and yes. I think it’s our duty if we are able to give and shine a light on things or have a platform in order to celebrate something, someone or an organization that deserves it, it’s an automatic yes. You know, I think it happened so organically because I was already going to New Orleans for the Emeril Lagasse Foundation, donating my time to cook at the reception there, and so, what better way to amplify all parties than to really like join forces in a way and give back in an even greater way. So, you know, It just it all made sense. It’s an incredible organization. With KIND, we’re able to give $25,000 to the Emeril Lagasse Foundation, 10,000 bars to YEP (Youth Empowerment Project), like, wow, it was a win-win for everybody.
AM: Will there be other things in this partnership as well, or was it just this with the Emeril Lagasse Foundation?
CHEF KK: The good thing about the Emeril Lagasse Foundation and KIND and myself donating $25,000 is that Emeril Lagasse Foundation supports programs like, YEP, but also everything else. So, they’ve already done a lot of the legwork. So if we can give back to them, they’re then giving back to x amount of organizations.
AM: It’s always great to be kind and to do kind things and how much more important is it during the holiday season to do so?
CHEF KK: Well, I think it’s 100%. Like, definitely, during the holidays to give back to those who might need more, whether that be food, money, time, or you know anything. We’re all capable of giving back in some form. Even if it’s just a smile and kindness throughout the day. You know, I think, on top of that given our climate, it’s not just the holidays.
AM: Yeah.
CHEF KK: It’s an everyday thing. And you know, many hands makes light work. I think that if we can all focus on impacting what we are capable of doing financially or time-wise, or whatever? All those little ripples do make a huge difference. For me, I sometimes get overwhelmed with the the amount that has to be fixed and course corrected, but the beauty of kindness is that you can give it for free.
AM: So true!
We always love chatting with you about different foods. We are in the holiday season. So, what are three dishes that you’re loving to make during this holiday season?
CHEF KK: Oof man!
AM: I know! But you’re always sharing things that we store away to make or to order when we’re out and about!
CHEF KK: We have entered baking season. My wife is Australian as you know. She had never gone apple picking. So, this past Fall, we went apple picking! That was awesome. I was like, how do you not know about this?
AM: I mean – it’s the perfect Fall thing to do and is just part of the checklist for the season – come on! right?
CHEF KK: I mean it’s a lovely tradition! You pick too many apples, you don’t know what to do with them. So, like anything like that, it adds so much like warmth and sense to the house. I love it so much.
AM: Yup!
CHEF KK: The warm spices! My wife is totally into baking from Gregory’s cookbook (Everyone’s Table: Global Recipes For Modern Health) recently, which is fabulous. I mean, honestly, for me, especially being East Coast based - you know, winter is cold. Anything that gets you to hunker down, get a fireplace going, warm meal, and people that you love gathered around the table. I think that there’s nothing better and then the food is almost a secondary to the feeling that it can bring.
AM: You’re always having your hands in a number of pots. We’ve talked about a number of things are coming up, but are there any other projects that we need to know about to share with our community?
CHEF KK: You know, not anything new that I can speak about at the moment. Obviously, January 8th Traitors, Top Chef - Spring of 2026.
AM: Which is exciting.
CHEF KK: And then, you know, great holiday gifts. Kish Aperitif and my New York Times Best-Selling, memoir, Accidently on Purpose.
AM: Love Kish Aperitif, a must for the bar cart.
CHEF KK: Thank you so much! We have a new label, looks a little bit different. I’m just, I’m really, really, really proud of that product. I think it’s delicious.
AM: As always, we appreciate you taking the time. It’s so good to connect and it’s always awesome to see how you authentically navigate with things that we know as well as new things that you do! We can’t wait for Traitors and will be cheering for you. And of course, when Top Chef drops can’t wait to see how everything unfolds!
CHEF KK: My pleasure! I’m sure we’ll be speaking again very soon.
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | PG 59 + 60X KIND | PG 63 Sam McElwee/Peacock | PG 64 David Moir/Bravo |
Read the NOV ISSUE #119 of Athleisure Mag and see KINDNESS MATTERS | Chef Kristen Kish in mag.
We enjoyed Spartacus on STARZ which ran from 2010 - 2013. It brought the vivid life of the Roman Republic in 73-71 BC. The show focused on a Thracian gladiator who led a slave uprising against the state. Ancient Rome was filled with sex, violence, political corruption and more.
Now on Dec 5th, Spartacus is back with Spartacus: House of Ashur which is a alternate timeline that looks at what if Ashur (Nick E. Tarabay) didn’t die from the previous season. In this new world, we are met with characters that we have seen before as well as a host of individuals that are part of this retelling. We had the pleasure of attending the press junket for this show to talk with Steven S. DeKnight (Pacific Rim franchise, Spartacus, Daredevil) - Creator/Showrunner/Executive Producer/Writer, Nick E. Tarabay (Star Trek Into Darkness, The Cleaning Lady, Stargirl), Graham McTavish (The Hobbit franchise, House of the Dragon, Outlander), Tenika Davis (Saw VI, IT: Welcome to Derry, Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities), Claudia Black (The Nevers, Ahsoka, Transformers: EarthSpark), India Shaw-Smith (The Magicians, The Pines Still Whisper, Andor), and Jaime Slater (Jupiter’s Legacy, Pacific Rim: Rising, DareDevil).
ATHLEISURE MAG: It’s a pleasure to talk to all of you about this incredible series. Starting with you Steven, we have been a fan of your work for awhile with Pacific Rim, Spartacus, and DareDevil – what led to your creating the original, Spartacus and then deciding to come back with this amazing Spartacus: House of Ashur?
STEVEN S. DEKNIGHT: In the original, I got a call from my agents one day saying that Sam Raimi (Doctor Strange: Multiverse of Madness, Spider-Man franchise, The Quick and the Dead) and Rob Tapert (Xena: Warrior Princess, Evil Dead franchise, Time Cop) wanted to do some gladiator show for STARZ. They asked me if I was interested in taking the meeting. I said, Rob Tapert, Sam Raimi – yes! I will take that meeting. I didn’t know it was Spartacus until I was in the meeting. They had already sold the concept to doing Spartacus to STARZ and they needed someone to come in and to figure out the story.
That was really the start of it and I was thrown into the deep end. I didn’t know anything about Roman history except for Ben Hur and the original Spartacus. That’s all I knew, but we had some great historical consultants. So that was the genesis of the first show.
For the second one, STARZ and Lionsgate has been reaching out over the last decade every now and then to see if I had any interest in doing some more Spartacus and I was always too busy or recovering from the original show. But the last time, I guess it was about 2.5/3 years ago, they reached out and I was free. I had had enough time to rest up from the original show and so I started kicking around ideas. It was what you would expect – it was Caesar, the Triumvirate, Anthony and Cleopatra, but there was something that I loved about the original couple of seasons about Spartacus. I liked the upstairs/downstairs, the political intrigue of the city – I wanted to capture that feeling. So at the end of Vengeance with the original show, Nick has a line where he talks about the rise of the House of Ashur. Then he gets his head chopped off so he never gets to do that.
AM: Right.
SSD: So, I always thought that that sounds like something fun and that would be a show that I would want to do. I love working with Nick so I pitched the idea, they really liked it and here we are!
AM: Wow! Nick, what drew you to the original Spartacus and what do you think about coming back into this series which is like an alternate history type of aspect?
NICK E. TARABAY: Originally what drew me to it is that again, that world has always been fascinating to me. The original Spartacus is that world of the gladiator, Roman history, and all the drama that goes with that in between. I have always been intrigued by this. I then remember that at the time that I auditioned for it, I thought it was really interesting – the character. So going into it and because the character evolves so much as you go into it, originally he was going to be friends with Spartacus or maybe he was going to be part of the rebels – then they switched it and he was going to become an enemy to them. That’s what intrigued me, I was always behind Ashur meaning, I was never ahead of him. As an actor, I like to be surprised as I’m reading! Now after developing this and I was lucky enough to be able to work on the prequel and to be able to show why he is the way he is. That was just a gift. Then in S3 in Vengeance, I got to play a little bit more. So it was a great arc for a character – beautiful arc for a character. So coming back to that, you can’t say no to this! It doesn’t happen very often.
AM: Right!
NET: And to think, they have added even more colors to him this season which I really like! It’s really a full embodied character and I really love that. So yeah, it’s a privilege to be back on this.
AM: We just heard from Nick and Steven about Spartacus and Spartacus: House of Ashur, we’ll be looking at this new series as we continue to talk with the rest of the cast. What drew you to Spartacus: House of Ashur?
INDIA SHAW-SMITH: What certainly for me, I was such a huge fan of the original series. So when I heard there was to be a new iteration focused on Ashur, I was so excited to watch it – let alone to audition for it. So certainly when that came through, I jumped at the chance to be part of this world that I love so much!
CLAUDIA BLACK: I wanted the opportunity to embody a woman who is in her 50s as I am who is fighting for relevancy. While I don’t want to fight necessarily as that can become scrappy and ugly, it’s a bizarre situation to find oneself in in mid life with culture sort of turning its cheek. Quite specifically, when I had the meeting with Rick and Steven, they said that “they were doing something new and fresh and that they were going to have a Black Gladiatrix.” Every being in my body said that it was a hard yes to that! It was really interesting to know that they were for women and Black women and that they were going to do something and this was really just so important. I thought, that this tells me that they want to bring this show which is so beloved – into the new age and the new era. That feels important and relevant.
GRAHAM MCTAVISH: Well, so many things! First of all, I’m such a fan of Steven’s writing. I just think that it’s such a unique writing style that he has. It’s semi-Shakespearean and it’s Shakespeare meets Conan the Barbarian kind of vibe. I love that. I was a huge fan of the original Spartacus and I watched all of them when they came out. So the opportunity to do this was a no brainer. I don’t know if you know this, but when Steven wrote the character, it was for me for Korris. So that was very flattering!
Also, I’m a huge history buff so ancient Rome is a place that I have always been fascinated by and when I did Outlander, people always asked where I would time travel to and I would always say Rome – just for a day, I wouldn’t want to spend more than a day there. After that, it’s good, I will just catch the last plane out. That would have been fantastic. I think that the thing about Rome is it seems like this far away world and obviously there are things that when you look at it, obviously there’s this, that, costume, weapons, gladiators, etc. But there are actually things that are more in common with their world than what we think. I actually think that we have more in common with Rome then we imagine. I think that there is a Roman inside all of us. We just dress differently. In similar circumstances in the world that they were working with, that’s how we would have been – you and I. We would have been part of that world. If we were dropped in there now, there would be certain things – probably the smell – that would be pretty unusual although the Romans were very clean people. They had baths, spas, and all of those things – maybe a bit like a Four Seasons experience perhaps – who knows? But in all seriousness, you would probably find yourself going, “I recognize these people.” I recognize him, I know what he is thinking and I recognize her and I think that is what is so interesting about doing anything historical because it is the chance to bring it into a modern world and to be able to hold up a mirror to us.
JAIME SLATER: What didn’t? I mean it was everything! It was just such a vivid, colorful, depraved world where anything goes. It’s just fun and entertaining.
TENIKA DAVIS: I’m a huge fan of the world. I just love shows that are bloody, audacious, sexy, and drama filled. That initially made me hooked already! But the fact that I got to play a female gladiatrix and tell that part of history and not only that, a Black Kushite (Editor’s Note: Kushites are ancient Africans from the Kingdom of Kush, an area that encompassed parts of modern day Sudan and Egypt. Historical figures includes Queen Amanirenas a formidable leader who fought and led her army against the Roman Empire in 27 and 22 BC – she halted the Roman invasion and buried a statue head of Augustus Caesar under her temple. The biblical figure of Moses’ wife who is described as a Kushite women. The Kingdom of Kush was known for its powerful queens and warriors.) woman who now becomes a female Gladiatrix. It’s powerful in and of itself and we get to redefine history and retell stories that have not been told before. It’s just bold!
AM: So bold! In reading the notes about this series and learning that a Black Gladiatrix would be in it, it reminded us of the Black Samurai named Yasuke who was African and arrived in Japan in 1579 and became a samurai under the warlord Oda Nobunaga. He was the 1st non-Japanese person to achieve the rank of samurai in feudal Japan.
Tell us about the characters that you are playing!
CB: Cossutia is to be villainess, but she is really fighting for her safety and her daughters because in this environment, when women are not well matched – they really fall through fast cracks. They have fought their way to being in this elite world and they don’t want to lose their power. In this environment, power is really everything and it is their main currency.
ISS: So, Viridia is the daughter of Cossutia. She is a young Roman noble woman and when we first meet her, she is in a period of deep mourning for her husband who was killed by Spartacus and his rebels at the show opening. Viridia is a very raw ethereal soul. She is very good natured and kind hearted. She really sees the best in people and I think that that is something that makes her very unique and a rare figure in this world that is really driven by brutality, death, deception, and high stakes. Certainly where we find her in the beginning of the series, there has been some regression. She was a wife and now she is once again the child. She’s having to find her place in society and she knows that she will have to do her duty by her family and likely remarry.
JS: Cornelia is one of the elites. She is the elite on the show. She is the wife of Caesar. She is very powerful and very wealthy. She plays by no rules and she has zero consequences. She is menacing, duplicitous and I have heard some refer to her as evil. I had to kind of come at this from a different angle because of all the things that she does and says! There’s a lot of things that are hard to relate to with her so I had to approach this in a very much so “what if” state of mind – what if this was fun, what if I liked this, what if this felt good? Once I did that, things started to fall into place.
GM: He’s a fascinating character because he starts in a very typical way as someone who is very guarded, very reluctant to become friendly with people based on experience really. They live in a world of sudden death and to become close to somebody who can literally be dead the next day is probably not a good idea and he has probably lived through that experience. However, as the show progresses, you see those relationships develop particularly through Achillia and Ashur and with Opitur (Arlo Gibson). Those are the 3 principal relationships along with Celadus (Dan Hamill) – but those are the other ones where you will see the other side to Korris. The vulnerable, emotional, tender side and that is just such an interesting area to explore for an actor.
TD: I really believe that life prepared me for this character. I have black belts – a 2nd degree Black belt in Martial Arts. To earn that in and of itself, was a huge feat in really fighting awesome Korean men in our version of the arena at the time. There were lots of tournaments, competitions, and all sorts of stuff. I started realizing that this character Achillia is actually going through a version of the same thing. So I do believe that I was built to play this type of character. Now, there are new elements that are brought into it. I had never used a sword before or a shield or those kinds of weapons to fight somebody. It was normally my arms and legs, but I remember going to that place where I said to myself, “you know what to do in this world. You have been here before and if you’re frustrated and you’re annoyed – understand that that is part of Achillia’s journey and she knows that she is the underdog and that she is going to have to find her way with these new weapons.
AM: What was your biggest takeaway in playing Achillia and being able to showcase something like that that we have not been able to see before?
TD: For me, it’s empowering. But it is important because we haven’t seen this world before, we haven’t seen these types of characters before. We haven’t seen these characters depicted in this version of Roman society. So that just makes this show new, bold, and audacious.
I know that as a little girl, I grew up with the role models like the Warrior Princess – Xena – Lucy Lawless (Spartacus franchise, Battlestar Galactica, Marvel’s Agents of S.H.E.I.L.D.)! She was so good in that role and I remember just looking at her and thinking that she was strong, fierce, and powerful. But even with that, she didn’t really look like me. When I had the opportunity to create a character in Achillia and to understand that the responsibility of that is that somebody is going to look at her and feel empowered and that maybe one day they can look like that and be her too. That is the relevance and importance to this telling of this story, and to this world that we have helped create.
AM: What was your biggest takeaway in being able to play Cornelia?
JS: She’s so powerful and I am a very petite person, so the power she exudes over men that tower over her, the way that she humiliates them, the way she makes people tremble and to have an experience and embodying that level of power was really fun. Because in real life, that just doesn’t happen – not that I want it to!
AM: We were fans of the original so we’re excited to dig into this series. So what should fans of this show from the original who are now coming into this new alternate timeline with its colors and tones – how can we frame our minds best as we begin to watch this series?
SSD: Oh I think that you’re going to have everything that you love about the original and more! It’s brutal, it’s romantic, it’s sexy, it’s operatic!
NET: Yes! I just said this before and I am going to say it again! The new show is like cocaine with sugar on top! There you go! That’s what the fans should expect – it’s full on!
CB: I think that the original DNA is there sufficiently. The passion, the people involved at the head of each department, they worked vigorously to make sure that the beloved DNA is still in this. We now have a sort of refreshing trajectory so it has something for everyone, every age group, there’s some wonderful representation for the LGBTQ community, it’s nuanced, it’s layered, it’s dense, it takes a minute to set up this whole new world. But, I do think that it’s juicy and that people who say that they are just so attached to the original – I get it. I order the same thing from the same restaurant every time and yet, I would say in this instance, this is really great on the menu – give it a go and it’s not going to disappoint.
TD: Fans of the previous show, me included, you’re going to get all of the wonderful things that made Spartacus the powerhouse of a show that it is. Spartacus: House of Ashur is going to be bold, it’s returning to that world of blood, sex, drama, but this new chapter focuses on new things that we haven’t seen that is defined in a new way – that’s power, legacy, defying expectations, giving a voice to underdogs and outsiders in a society that doesn’t want them. Doing all of this with new characters that are telling stories through a fresh lens.
JS: Come in with an open mind and expect anything!
Read the NOV ISSUE #119 of Athleisure Mag and see SPARTACUS REVISITED in mag.
