IT'S ALL ABOUT FAMILY | POWER BOOK III: RAISING KANAN SEASON 2

We always like chatting with those who are in the POWER universe. STARZ's POW- ER BOOK III Raising Kanan is back for Season 2 on Aug 14th. We caught up with its creator, executive producer and writer, Sascha Penn (POWER, Survivor's Remorse, CREED II) and two of the stars from the show Hailey Kilgore (Respect, Ain't Misbe- havin', Into the Woods) who plays Jukebox and Omar Dorsey (Genius: Aretha, Queen Sugar, Halloween Kills) who plays Cartier.

We caught up with them to talk about how they prepare for being in this series from channeling the era of the 90's as an actor as well as to get the feel of the show through music and clothing. We talk about where we left these characters last season and where we find them now. More importantly, we look at how this show, as a prequel, has a set destination while having the challenge to create the origin story that we have the ability to see the connective tissue of those involved!

ATHLEISURE MAG: You were a producer and writer for the flagship POWER - how did that transition feel when you became the creator for POWER BOOK III: Raising Kanan for the roles of showrunner, executive producer and writer?

SASCHA PENN: I will tell you that Courtney Kemp who is obviously the creator of POWER, she warned me! She said, “I don’t know if you want this job!” She was right ha ha!

It’s a lot more work, it’s a lot more responsibility. Obviously, I had to create a world that didn’t exist whereas the other POWER BOOK’s do have the luxury of characters that are already in the original POWER. So in the case of this particular series, there’s a lot of invention that had to happen and that was a real challenge and still staying true to the original series, that’s always important!

AM: Absolutely!

SP: To have it feel part of that and at the same time, distinct from it, that’s part of the challenge. As well as the fact that you know how the story is going to end with Kanan (Mekai Curtis) if you watch the original POWER. So how do you make that interesting? How do you make that compelling? I mean, it’s a very very different job, and Courtney, I appreciate her warning me because she was right, but it’s a great job too and I can’t complain.

 AM: What’s your creative process like? Like you said, you're establishing a be- ginning of the universe and yet you know where it’s ultimately going to go.

SP: Yeah, first off, I’m very fortunate that I have a room full of writers to help me figure out these stories and to deconstruct these characters and then build them back up. You know, the process is that really in TV, you start from the characters. That’s the starting point for everything in TV. We had Kanan and then it was the question of again, to your point – we know how the story ends, where do we start? It’s not that interesting to tell the story of a sociopath if that’s how he starts! We really landed and I hope that it works that this is a family drama. It’s the story of this family – Kanan’s family and understanding how he became who he became. If you’ve watched it, you know that he has started out from a different spot then where he ended.

AM: What are you excited about in terms of Season 2 with the storylines and dif- ferent things that you can share with us?

SP: I think what’s exciting is first off, there’s this business of how Season 1 ended that we have to clean up right? That’s a real challenge because it ended in such a dramatic fashion and so you know that obviously that had an impact on Raq (Patina Miller) and Kanan’s relationship and the family in general. At the same time, she’s balancing these very personal issues with her expanding business. That is in some respect the balance that we all have to sort of address which is work and life and how do we do it? In her case, the stakes are significantly higher. But you know what's great in Season 2 and really any series that gets another season or multiple seasons, you get the opportunity to go deeper, go into different places and really get the opportunity to explore these different characters in a way that you haven’t before. In this series, we’re fortunate that we have incredible actors who are doing it. That’s the other thing. In Season 1, you don’t to- tally know what you’re going to get and in the case of Raising Kanan we have been so fortunate that the actors have been so incredible and it really allows it to be able to write bigger storylines and dramatic moments because these actors can kind of do anything!

AM: It feels like that in addition to the great characters and the storyline, having it set in the 90’s, you have the music and just the clothing that’s also another character. It’s just as big and brings that ambiance factor. How was it to navigate that? Getting clothes and sneakers that are distinct to the era?

SP: It’s a huge challenge and that’s a great question because it’s a huge, huge challenge! It’s probably one of our great- est challenges because of course, all the great sneaker releases when they release the Jordans, like the Jordans 5, they look slightly different from the ones of that era. So we have to be really careful because you know, the viewers they know better than we do and they will call us out! Twitter is undefeated! So it really is a big job and we are very fortunate, we have a Costume Designer Tsigie White who spends months and months and months going through people’s warehouses and closets trying to find the original deadstock stuff that we use. We’ve also been fortunate that we’ve worked with designers of that era like Dapper Dan who have built stuff for us like Unique’s (Joey Bada$$) outfits, those are original Dapper Dan – such as that jacket. The goods news is what’s old is new again and all this 90s stuff like Sergio Tacchini is back!

Looking at the show, we got to see the complexity of having the character's ends set in stone while also being able to really dig into who they were before who they came to be in POWER and even as they continue in the other portions of the POWER universe!

We wanted to talk with Hailey who is one of the actors who plays a character that we saw in POWER, Jukebox. We wanted to know how she came to the show, connected to her character and how she found her way to catch the 90's vibe of that time and in NYC in order to bring her to light. We also wanted to find out about Omar and his character Cartier.

ATHLEISURE MAG: You play Jukebox and Cartier, what attracted you to want to be this character as well as to be part of this show?

HAILEY KILGORE: I was so into being a princess when I was younger. I wanted to play princesses and I wanted to be a damsel in distress and that’s exactly what I got to do when I was on Broadway and I did my first couple of roles. I remember calling my team at one point and saying, “I want to do something gritty, do something different. I want to get down in the mud and really go there with a character!” So Jukebox came into my inbox and I was just immediately so pulled to this character and her story and who she is at her core. So yeah, I was like, I’m absolutely going to do this, I’m a huge Anika Noni Rose (The Princess and the Frog, THEM, POWER) fan. She was the original Jukebox on POWER as an adult.

AM: It was like perfect kismet! What about you Omar?

OMAR DORSEY: Honestly, I was into the Raising Kanan from the first episode because of Patina Miller (Madam Secretary, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 + 2, The Many Saints of Newark). I think she is one of our most gifted artists. I did a stage reading for a Broadway show with her a few years ago and was impressed with her. So, when I got the call about the show, Patina was the first thing I thought about.

AM: What’s it like for you preparing since this takes place in the 90’s as you’re playing the character and taking on this iconic era.

HK: Yeah, that was a very very different time and especially in NYC in the 90’s. Oooo it was such a different time and women really had to survive on a day-to-day basis. I really just went to the root. I watched a lot of documentaries. I listened to a lot of rappers that came up in NY. If you just listen and pay attention, you hear the struggle and the pain. It’s so interesting because to them, it was an everyday scenario. So, I just really like to ground my performance in the realism of survival. Jukebox really wears that mask. You see with her family that she’s silly and wants to laugh and she can cry and confide in them. But then, when she’s out in public, she’s stoned face and I have fun with that.

OD: With Raising Kanan taking place in the 90’s, the preparation was easy for me. The 90’s were quite a time for me. I was in high school and listening to all the music, wearing all the clothes that we did in the show. I felt like I was pretty much taken into a time machine.

AM: Where do we leave Jukebox in Season 1 and where do we pick up with her again heading into Season 2?

HK: Season 1 leaves Juke really heartbroken and so when we come back, we see her as quite a shell of herself. We see how she starts picking up the pieces and put- ting them back together in her own way.

AM: Tell us about Cartier “Duns” Fareed and what can we expect from his as we watch him this season?

OD: Cartier is an international man of mystery. What does he do to make all the money that he has? He's a Shakespeare spewing, art collecting gent ... with a serious secret. Let’s just say he introduces people to each other.

AM: Hailey, you are involved in so many things and the fact that you are part of the world of Broadway and TV as well, what are some upcoming projects that you have going on that we should keep an eye out for?

HK: I have a couple of projects coming out! I finally, have really invested my time into music so I will be dropping an EP very very soon. My first single off that EP, Worth It, drops on Aug 12th which I’m so excited about! This will be my first time leading a movie, it’s called Cinnamon and that will be coming out very very soon.

AM: Omar, we have enjoyed seeing you in a number of projects from Ray Donovan, Genius, Queen Sugar and even being Pastor Green in The Lower Bottoms podcast! What are some other projects coming up that we should keep an eye out for?

OD: Queen Sugar’s final season airs Sep- tember 6th. I’m so very excited for the world to see the culmination of the entire Bordelon clan. Hollywood and Vi (Tiffany Lifford) in particular. Their love has been an inspiration to see on TV weekly for almost a decade. I’m also returning to the Halloween franchise as Sheriff Barker for the finale of the Blumhouse produced trilogy, “Halloween Ends.” I think old Mike Meyers will finally meet his match!

IG @pennsascha

@haileyfkilgore

@omarjdorsey

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | STARZ/POWER BOOK III: Raising Kanan

Read the AUG ISSUE #80 of Athleisure Mag and see IT’S ALL ABOUT FAMILY | POWER BOOK III: RAISING KANAN Season 2.

BIG DIVA ENERGY | BIG FREEDIA

Hip hop has a number of sub genres that we can enjoy when we're at our favorite club, dance festival, studio class or just hanging out at home. We've been long time fans of Bounce, a New Orleans sound that make it impossible to not dance to. A number of people are associated with this sound as well as popularizing it!

In this month's issue we catch up with Big Freedia, the Queen Diva who is known for Bounce music. Whether it's watching her successful show Big Freedia: Queen of Bounce which gave access to her life on tour as well as just navigating the industry, watching performances or even seeing her in shows as HBO's Treme, guest judging on Rupaul's Drag Race All Stars or this season's P-Valley on STARZ - the focus to push New Orleans as well as this genre is always at the forefront of her efforts. Without a doubt, she is known for her Big Diva Energy whether she's in the studio or outside of it. We wanted to take some time to find out about what The Queen of Bounce is working on, collaborating with Beyoncé and partnering up with No Kid Hungry to combat food insecurity among children!

ATHLEISURE MAG: You’re known for popularizing the hip hop genre, bounce music. Can you tell us more about what this is and its link to New Orleans?

BIG FREEDIA: Bounce music is a fast-paced call and response style of hip hop that was born in New Orleans in the late 80s and popularized globally in the mid-late 90s with Cash Money Millionaires (Juvenile, Mannie Fresh, Lil Wayne).

AM: You were sampled on Beyoncé’s Formation, but what was it like to collaborate with her on Break My Soul and the video?

BF: Working in any capacity with Beyoncé is incredible. I am always – and still have to pinch myself to see if this is really happening!

AM: New Orleans means a lot to you and you recently partnered with No Kid Hungry X Williams-Sonoma in creating a spatula where proceeds will go to providing funds for children to reduce food insecurity.

Why did you want to participate this year and why was it important for you to be involved?

BF: I feel very strongly about helping the kids of New Orleans. When you don't have enough food, you can’t focus on school or develop properly. So, to me, this is a way to get them the food they need–and help them early.

AM: When you’re not working how do you take time for yourself to recharge your batteries?

BF: To recharge, I have to have nothing on my calendar! I love to cook, hang out with my friends and family.

IG @bigfreedia

PHOTOGRAPHY | PG 136 - 137 Nelson Cosey | 9DRIP PG 60 - 61 Brad Hebert, PG 61 + 63 Nelson Cosey |

Read the AUG ISSUE #80 of Athleisure Mag and see BIG DIVA ENERGY | Big Freedia in mag.

THE BACHELORETTES S.19 E.11 | FINALE PART II

PHOTO CREDITS | ABC The Bachelorette/Gizelle Hernandez

A number of our questions will be answered tonight as we watch everything that went down on ABC’s The Bachelorette. The show kicks off with Jesse Palmer sharing the realities of the season and how both Rachel Recchia and Gabby Windey have navigated the past few weeks.

We kick off the episode with Gabby and Erich (which we left them at the end of the last issue) where he reiterated his love with her and that he wants to continue to date her. We know that she wants to leave this experience engaged so it’ll be interesting to see how it goes with them.

We join both of the women where they catch each other up on how their days/dates have been. Rachel lets Gabby know that she only has Tino there and that he is the one for her without a question. She feels that she can’t wait to talk with him to let him know what he means to her. Gabby agrees that he is the perfect match.

The idea that Rachel gave him her first rose and he is getting the last one potentially is so exciting to her. She’s a little nervous, but feels very positive about this. She meets up with Tino and lets him know in a heart to heart that they are a perfect match and that she is so excited to tell him so that he can be comfortable heading into the final rose ceremony. She fills him in and Tino says that he knows that Rachel has dealt with love being given and taken away - he wants her to know that his feelings for her will not be going away.

This is definitely such a moment to see between them, but the picture in picture of Rachel’s face watching back what happened lets us know that all may not be well. As we watch the moment, we see that Tino does ask Rachel to marry him and she agrees. She also gives him her last rose. They leave Mexico on a horse.

Jesse says what we’ve all been thinking - that things must not be right. Rachel says that they are no longer together as in the weeks coming off of the show, he kept alluding to previous relationships which she said didn’t have anything to do with them. After him talking so much, she begins to pull strings and finds out that he had been cheating on her! As they talked it out, he seemed to only be concerned about his image and how he would be perceived on the after show!

Rachel gets advice from Gabby who says that he shouldn’t be concerned about his image and she needs to tell him what she’s thinking. Tino comes over with his notebook “journal” to talk about what happened. It defintiely seems like they both acknowledged that they were having hard times, but she questions how his actions would make sense as they never broke up or were on a break of any kind. As Tino feels that their talking is “circling the drain” he steps out for some fresh air and finds a producer to complain about how he is being treated. He cries and says how he is being maligned and just wants to be broken up with and let out of there! We were never team Tino - but this is so unfortunate that their relationship has devolved to such a point where Tino can’t provide clear answers (without referencing his journal) and sticking it out while he gets the grilling that is deserved when someone feels that you’ve been shady!

As we approach the second hour, Tino comes back to continue talking with her and telling her that he likes that she went to therapy and that kissing the other woman was “tiny” and that he didn’t want to pile up. Tino also claims he’s confused about whether they were still together or not when he kissed someone else and then he steps out again! Rachel comes out to talk with him and he’s on the phone with someone else - she feels disrespected that she can’t get the answers that she deserves. Watching her face as this plays back is so tough as we’ve all been in that moment when we simply want to know the timeline, how everything came together, etc.

Ultimately, Rachel gives back the ring and says that she can’t do this. Tino claimed he wanted to make it work (but earlier he said that he just wanted her to dump him and let him go) - we can appreciate that she chose herself and made sure that she did what was right for her! Even Jesse is shocked about how their relationship took such a surprising turn!

Watching Rachel’s family react to what happened - especially Big Tony is so tough. Katlyn Bristowe who is also in the audience let her know that Tino showed 8 sides of himself and at least she knows that that is not who she would want to be with. Rachel shares that Tino sent her a letter claiming responsibility and saying he was sorry for what happened. He’s actually there to talk with her in person! He does provide a lame series of apologies and he claims he was trying to provide context for what he did (wasn’t she asking him to put things in context while they talked)? Hearing him talk about loving being engaged to her and then transitioning into the first few weeks of episodes when he feels that things got tough for them. He continues to share comments without context of things that happened between the two of them. The lies continue to come out of his mouth and Big Tony is not looking too pleased. The audience is also giving him the silent treatment to him and you can hear audible surprise from all of them (even laughter). The circular conversation between them is on another level.

OK Aven, he comes in from the wings to see Rachel! He asks if she would like to leave there and to catch up! Maybe there is something there between the two!

We’re back with Gabby who’s sitting on the couch alone! We’re definitely hoping for a happy conclusion for her and Erich. We know that Erich likes her and is in love with her, but he did say that he wanted to date her and to not be engaged immediately. He’s saying so many nice things to Gabby and you can see that she’s taking it all in from being called a soulmate to feeling like the only person in the world, loving her - but will he get down on a knee? He does ask her to marry him! She also gives him her final rose. They ride off on a motorcycle together. But before we go to commercial, we hear that Erich and Gabby have had some issues?

Erich comes on stage to join them and it’s the first time that they have been together in public like this. Erich says that it was a tough process to go through but they worked hard to get to that moment. Gabby admits that she was surprised that he actually did propose and she wanted it so badly. Grandpa John was on one of Erich and Gabby’s date at the bowling alley. They both acknowledge that being in the bubble, the relationship is one way and then outside of it, navigating those challenges can be very difficult. Jesse says that social media found that he had dated someone prior to the show and she claims that he broke up with her right before he came on the show. He acknowledges that this happened and Jesse shares the text messages. Erich says that he used the show as an excuse to break up with her and knows that he was wrong for doing it. Gabby adds that he had shared the knowledge of these text messages prior to them being leaked. Gabby doesn’t make an excuse for him and says he was an asshole for doing that. Gabby shares that she’s excited that they can now start living their lives together now that they are public. They can now have shared experiences together. She’s currently on Dancing with the Stars as well.

We’re introduced to the next Bachelor who will be Zach - we’re not surprised. He says that he’s ready to find his person and his best friend. Sean Lowe makes an appearance with his wife, Catherine and they encourage him to enjoy the process. They both provide tips on what he can do to optimize this portion of his journey. It seems like we may see Sean in his season as well. Jesse will also be there.

Of course, no surprise, the journey starts now as he gets to meet some of the initial women who will be on his season. Brooklyn from Texas comes out first, Brianna from Jersey City is the next one to come out, Bailey from Nashville is next, Cat from New York is next and Christina from Nashville, Although we have seen them start the process early, this is the first time that people will be able to vote for who gets America’s First Impression Rose. Zach gives the rose to Brianna and of course we will see all of them at the mansion, but she will be safe the first night as she will go into the house with a rose! Interestingly enough, the new season will start on Jan 23rd.

Each night during this season, we tweeted about The Bachelorette and you chatted along with us (@AthleisureMag + with our Co-Founder/Creative + Style Director, Kimmie Smith @ShesKimmie) to see what are thoughts were! We can’t wait until next season to connect with you guys again on one of our favorite reality shows!

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!

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RACHEL + GABBY’S MEN

ERICH [Gabby]

TINO [Rachel]

THE BACHELOR CONTESTANTS

ALEC, 27 | Houston, TX (Copy) (Copy)

AVEN, 28 | San Diego, CA (Copy) (Copy)

BRANDAN, 23 | Carlsbad, CA (Copy) (Copy)

CHRIS, 30 | Redondo Beach, CA (Copy) (Copy)

COLIN, 36 | Chicago, IL (Copy) (Copy)

ERICH, 29 | Bedminster, NJ (Copy) (Copy)

ETHAN, 27 | NY, NY (Copy) (Copy)

HAYDEN, 29 | Tampa, FL (Copy) (Copy)

JACOB, 27 | Scottsdale, AZ (Copy) (Copy)

JOEY, 24 | Brookfield, CT (Copy) (Copy)

JAMES, 25 | Winnetka, IL (Copy) (Copy)

JASON, 30 | Santa Monica, CA (Copy) (Copy)

JOHNNY, 25 | Palm Beach Gardens, FL (Copy) (Copy)

JOHN, 26 | Nashville, TN (Copy) (Copy)

JORDAN H., 25 | Tampa, FL (Copy) (Copy)

JORDAN V., 27 | Alpharetta, GA (Copy) (Copy)

JUSTIN B., 32 | Solana Beach, CA (Copy) (Copy)

JUSTIN Y., 24 | Brookfield, CT (Copy) (Copy)

KIRK, 29 | Lubbock, TX (Copy) (Copy)

LOGAN, 26 | San Diego, CA (Copy) (Copy)

MARIO, 31 | Naperville, IL (Copy) (Copy)

MATT, 25 | San Diego, CA (Copy) (Copy)

NATE, 33 | Chicago, IL (Copy) (Copy)

MICHAEL, 32 | Long Beach, CA (Copy) (Copy)

QUINCEY, 25 | Miami, FL (Copy) (Copy)

ROBY, 33 | Los Angeles, CA (Copy) (Copy)

RYAN, 36 | Boston, MA (Copy) (Copy)

SPENCER, 27 | Chicago, IL (Copy) (Copy)

TERMAYNE, 28 | Naperville, IL (Copy) (Copy)

TINO, 27 | Playa Del Rey, CA (Copy) (Copy)

TYLER, 25 | Wildwood, NJ (Copy) (Copy)

ZACH, 25 | Anaheim Hills, CA (Copy) (Copy)

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

9DRIP | OMAR DORSEY

Read the AUG ISSUE #80 of Athleisure Mag and see 9DRIP | Omar Dorsey in mag.

9DRIP | BIG FREEDIA

Read the AUG ISSUE #80 of Athleisure Mag and see 9DRIP | Big Freedia in mag.

THE BACHELORETTES S.19 E.10 | FINALE PART I

PHOTO CREDITS | ABC The Bachelorette/Gizelle Hernandez

It’s been a long road, but we’re here at the end of ABC’s The Bachelorette! Jesse Palmer lets us know that it’s going to be quite the ride and has Rachel Recchia and Gabby Windey with him on the couch with a live studio audience. We pick up where we left off last week as Zach pulls her aside to let her know that their Fantasy Suites was a bit off. She agrees but says that she was trying to get clarity and to find the missing piece. He let her know that he needs to go and she says that she wishes that she could have gotten there. She gives Tino and Aven the rose. Apparently the fact that they just talked all night, he felt that there was a disconnect.

Interestingly enough, Zach is in the audience to talk with Rachel about what took place and to get some of the answers that he needs from the experience. He apologizes for calling her out on her character and he says that he was so surprised in that moment and he didn’t mean for it come off that way. She lets him know that her feelings were real and she wasn’t putting on an act.

After they hug it out, Rachel is with her family including her dad, Big Tony! She preps her parents and close friends as she’s excited to see how they feel about Tino and Aven. She greets Aven and lets him know that her family is excited to meet him. He brings flowers and a cigar for Big Tony. Big Tony sits down with Aven and says that he loves his daughter and wants to know what he should know about him as there will be another man in that chair the next day. You can definitely feel that they vibe, but when he talks with her friends, he lets them know that he’s on the road to being in love with her. When Rachel talks with her father, he lets her know that he put his guard down a little as he liked the things that she said about him. Her friends realize that he is not all the way there. When she sits down with her friends, they tell her that he seemed iffy on an engagement right now. She’s surprised as she feels that this is out of left field. She feels lied to and she decides to talk with him as she would have never brought him if she didn’t feel sure that he would be ready.

When they recap with one another, he says that he liked her family and he thought that things went well. Rachel tells him that she heard that he was not ready. He says that nothing has changed and he wants to make sure that this is right for both of them right now during this time. She feels that he isn’t being truthful and Aven says that the dynamics are slightly odd as there is still another man that is in the mix. This is definitely going to be a major disconnect between the two of them.

Jesse chats with Gabby and Rachel about what happened so far and agrees that what happened with Aven is shocking! We then see Gabby connecting with her family as they prepare to meet the only man that’s left, Erich. He has met her grandfather again and he’s beginning to get to know her family and lets them know that he has fallen in love with her. It seems like her family likes Erich and Jesse lets us know that people want Grandpa Joe to be The Bachelor as many people would give them their rose.

We’re back with Rachel as she meets up with her family who’s about to see Tino. She tells them that his family doesn’t care for her and of course that creates questions with everyone. Her mom feels that she needs to ask more questions as everyone knows how she feels about what happened with Aven. Her mom asks whether she thinks his family will come around. She knows that when families come together, it makes the marriage better.

We check in with Rachel for her last date with Aven to get clarity on what happened as she feels that they are not on the same page after what went down with her family. He asks if she would like some champagne and she lets him know that it’s time to get down to the matter at hand.

He tells her that he needs more time with her, to visit her in Florida and to know more so that they can be engaged and have a real life. Aven continues his circular conversation and we all see that he’s not ready and she ultimately breaks up with him.

We see them live talking to one another and we can tell there is a lot of care between them, but they have gone in separate directions. Aven admits that he should have communicated fully on where he was with everything. At this point, we are down to Tino and Rachel as well as Gabby and Erich in this extended Part I finale of The Bachelorette. It seems like we will end the night with Gabby and Erich.

Their final date allows them to make sure that they are on the same page. Erich lets her know that he does love being with her, but wants to take it slow and to let them be themselves. Gabby wants to leave with a proposal and Erich says that he really wants to date her and to get engaged prior to that, that’s not what he wants. She wanted clarity on where she is, but she’s realizing that they are not on the same page.

Each night during this season, we 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.

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!

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WHO IS AT HOMETOWNS

ERICH [Gabby]

TINO [Rachel]

THE BACHELOR CONTESTANTS

ALEC, 27 | Houston, TX (Copy)

AVEN, 28 | San Diego, CA (Copy)

BRANDAN, 23 | Carlsbad, CA (Copy)

CHRIS, 30 | Redondo Beach, CA (Copy)

COLIN, 36 | Chicago, IL (Copy)

ERICH, 29 | Bedminster, NJ (Copy)

ETHAN, 27 | NY, NY (Copy)

HAYDEN, 29 | Tampa, FL (Copy)

JACOB, 27 | Scottsdale, AZ (Copy)

JOEY, 24 | Brookfield, CT (Copy)

JAMES, 25 | Winnetka, IL (Copy)

JASON, 30 | Santa Monica, CA (Copy)

JOHNNY, 25 | Palm Beach Gardens, FL (Copy)

JOHN, 26 | Nashville, TN (Copy)

JORDAN H., 25 | Tampa, FL (Copy)

JORDAN V., 27 | Alpharetta, GA (Copy)

JUSTIN B., 32 | Solana Beach, CA (Copy)

JUSTIN Y., 24 | Brookfield, CT (Copy)

KIRK, 29 | Lubbock, TX (Copy)

LOGAN, 26 | San Diego, CA (Copy)

MARIO, 31 | Naperville, IL (Copy)

MATT, 25 | San Diego, CA (Copy)

NATE, 33 | Chicago, IL (Copy)

MICHAEL, 32 | Long Beach, CA (Copy)

QUINCEY, 25 | Miami, FL (Copy)

ROBY, 33 | Los Angeles, CA (Copy)

RYAN, 36 | Boston, MA (Copy)

SPENCER, 27 | Chicago, IL (Copy)

TERMAYNE, 28 | Naperville, IL (Copy)

TINO, 27 | Playa Del Rey, CA (Copy)

TYLER, 25 | Wildwood, NJ (Copy)

ZACH, 25 | Anaheim Hills, CA (Copy)

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

THE BACHELORETTES S.19 E.10 | FANTASY SUITES PART II

PHOTO CREDITS | ABC The Bachelorette/Gizelle Hernandez

Tonight we’re on the 2nd night of the Fantasy Suites on ABC’s The Bachelorette! It’s clear that tonight will have a lot of new information for us to take in that has been teased throughout the season with Rachel Recchia and Gabby Windey. Jesse Palmer has his work cut out for him. We pick up with Gabby and Erich who were talking about the fact that she is still in the process and he doesn’t like it. In this case, you’ve signed up for a show where this is very much so the format, so it shouldn’t be an issue that is surprising to everyone. Although they talked about this off camera during Fantasy Suites, it’s the rehashing of this that we can is on Gabby’s mind. Gabby reaches out to Jesse so that she can gain some perspective and talk through her feelings.

She prepares for her overnight date with Jason and knows that she needs to make the decision that is the right one for her. Jason in his confessional lets us know that since his Hometowns, he knows he is there for Gabby, BUT he isn’t ready to be engaged! Jason and Gabby are going to play tennis which he used to play in college! She wants to show that she can enjoy or at least do something that he is passionate about. He teaches her how to serve and you can see the ease that is between them. It looks like a great fit, but we know that Jason has expressed his own concerns. From the tennis court, they head to the pool and Erich can hear their date while he’s looking out his balcony.

Back on the date, they catch up on how Hometowns was for both of them and how Jason’s parents were. The vibes seem positive and they’re reasonably on the same page. As they move to dinner, he knows that he needs to be transparent. He tells her that he is not fully there yet because of the environment and he wonders what’s real and what’s not. Again, Gabby has to leave the table and talk through what is happening and think about what this means in terms of the new reality that she is faced with. When he sees how she is doing, he lets her know that he is still in it, but he wants to do it outside of this bubble. Her decision with him is whether she wants to move forward with him or not. Even though everything is up in the air, she decides that she will spend the night with him because it could change things and she could get to know more about him.

Even though they had their night, by the time they were behind closed doors, it took a turn and it seemed like he couldn’t talk to her about the future. SHe realizes that he never loved her or intended to be with her and she sends him home.

We switch to Rachel who is about to have her final date with Zach to have a great day with him. Their date involves exploring the town while they get to know one another even more. They enjoy some tequila in a tasting at a little outdoor bar. They talk about the Hometown experience that they had and how much fun she had with his family. They explore foods, readings and so much more as they get to know more about one another. The date has put them both at ease and it seems like everything is going in a positive direction. Her biggest concern beyond being at this point on the other side with Clayton is, how will she decide which of these men are the ones for her?

As they transition into the evening portion of their date, Zach is looking forward to talking with her more as he sees his future with her and wants to be her husband. She lets him know that the week has been an interesting one as she was at this point previously with Clayton and she doesn’t want to bring those emotions into her present and future. He recognizes that this is tough and he wants to make sure that she is loved and cared for. They opt to do the Fantasy Suites.

We catch up with Zach and Rachel the next morning and we are aware that there was an extensive conversation between the two of them. Zach says that when he woke up, he was feeling confused because going into the night he wasn’t confused - now he is. Rachel told him that he may not be ready for a commitment due to his age and then she kicked up her questioning to the point where he was caught off guard. Her concern came out of nowhere to him and he feels that she was putting on a front! He decides that he wants to talk to Jesse. Visibly upset, with a few tears, he tells him what took place and how he feels about it. He explains that he feels a bit lost as every other interaction that he has had with her, he felt that there was a connection, but at Fantasy Suites, he realized that they both acted differently. When the cameras were not on them, he felt that the way she was acting wasn’t authentic and she kept harping on his age of 25 (where she is 26). He was surprised by this and he realizes that there may not be a future there. Jesse tells Zach that he needs to talk to her and let her know.

We check in with Gabby and we know that only Erich is left and she is grappling with the fact that the person that is here, may not be the person she is meant to be with. But she knows that she must follow her heart.

The guys get ready for the rose ceremony and they chat a bit with Jesse about where they are mentally in this process. We see Aven who is still very happy with how his dates have been and he has no reservations. Tino also feels confident as they have great dates; however, he knows that the Hometown with his parents wasn’t the easiest. Zach is feeling unsure and sick to his stomach heading in to see Rachel at the ceremony. He tells Jesse that before she offers the rose, he wants to talk to her to get the clarity that he needs. Rachel’s men assemble and look at the 2 roses that will be given out. Rachel arrives and Jesse catches up with her and tells her that Gabby will not be at the rose ceremony because they are on 2 separate journeys. So at least we know that Gabby is not leaving and this totally makes sense.

Rachel says that she is so excited and happy to see them and to have spent time with him. Before she hands out the roses, Zach asks to talk with her.

Gabby decides that she needs to speak with Erich to lay out what she feels and to be clear about where she is coming from and what she deserves.

Erich is getting ready for the rose ceremony and he realized that he shouldn’t have harped on things that they had already discussed off camera. She heads over to his room to tell him that with the craziness of the week, she has really learned a lot about herself and she didn’t realize the decisions would be this hard. She explains that she was so upset because she felt like he didn’t trust her. In their time together, she saw what it was that she deserves and she felt that he taught her that. She tells him that he is the only one left and that she loves him. Erich is definitely excited at the turn of events and she tells him that she has to process everything on her own terms because it is foreign to her. She says that there is no point in having the rose ceremony because it is her and him.

Elsewhere in Mexico, Zach tells Rachel what has been bothering him. Apparently, the finale is so crazy, they didn’t even get into it and we have to wait until next week!

GABBY’S REMAINING MEN | Erich

RACHEL’S REMAINING MEN | Aven, Tino, Zach

GABBY SENT HOME | Jason

Each night during this season, we 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.

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!

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WHO IS AT HOMETOWNS

AVEN [Rachel]

ERICH [Gabby]

TINO [Rachel]

ZACH [Rachel]

THE BACHELOR CONTESTANTS

ALEC, 27 | Houston, TX

AVEN, 28 | San Diego, CA

BRANDAN, 23 | Carlsbad, CA

CHRIS, 30 | Redondo Beach, CA

COLIN, 36 | Chicago, IL

ERICH, 29 | Bedminster, NJ

ETHAN, 27 | NY, NY

HAYDEN, 29 | Tampa, FL

JACOB, 27 | Scottsdale, AZ

JOEY, 24 | Brookfield, CT

JAMES, 25 | Winnetka, IL

JASON, 30 | Santa Monica, CA

JOHNNY, 25 | Palm Beach Gardens, FL

JOHN, 26 | Nashville, TN

JORDAN H., 25 | Tampa, FL

JORDAN V., 27 | Alpharetta, GA

JUSTIN B., 32 | Solana Beach, CA

JUSTIN Y., 24 | Brookfield, CT

KIRK, 29 | Lubbock, TX

LOGAN, 26 | San Diego, CA

MARIO, 31 | Naperville, IL

MATT, 25 | San Diego, CA

NATE, 33 | Chicago, IL

MICHAEL, 32 | Long Beach, CA

QUINCEY, 25 | Miami, FL

ROBY, 33 | Los Angeles, CA

RYAN, 36 | Boston, MA

SPENCER, 27 | Chicago, IL

TERMAYNE, 28 | Naperville, IL

TINO, 27 | Playa Del Rey, CA

TYLER, 25 | Wildwood, NJ

ZACH, 25 | Anaheim Hills, CA

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

THE BACHELORETTES S.19 E.9 | FANTASY SUITES PART I

PHOTO CREDITS | ABC The Bachelorette/Gizelle Hernandez

Okay now, we have a back-to-back night of ABC’s The Bachelorette! Definitely looking forward to what’s happening as last week’s clips showed an interesting season! We are back with Rachel Recchia Gabby Windey, Jesse Palmer and the remaining men in Mexico! We know that there will be overnights and this is the weekend that things went topsy turvy for both women when we they were in Clayton’s season.

The ladies catch up to talk about the decisions that they have to make. Rachel likes Tino, but she can’t shake the fact that his parents were not her biggest fans. She knows that he does care for her because he said that he was falling in love with her. She feels that she needs clarity on him. WIth Zach, she knows that the pieces are there and that she has never been left in the dark with him. She doesn’t feel like she is ready to commit to him. She really likes Aven and knows that they have a great foundation with one another. She’s nervous because she hasn’t told him how she feels about him. She knows that he is falling in love with her, but she was too nervous to say it back.

Gabby loves her connection with Jason and feels that he is the most emotionally available. She is falling for him, but she doesn’t know if he is with her! She has so much fun with Johnny, but she feels that they are in different places in their lives. She also had great banter with Erich and she let him know that she is falling in love with him - just like he is with her!

Fantasy Suites will take place this week and both are prepared to fall in love this week. Gabby and Erich are up first and enjoy swimming in this lagoon. They jump off of this structure with various heights which definitely would make us scared. They eventually take the big leap and we continue on with the next portion of their date with the dinner where they can get to know more about one another. Erich lets her know that he is in love with her and doesn’t want to leave Mexico without her. She lets him know that she is falling in love with him. They take another leap by going to the Fantasy Suites together.

We catch up with Rachel as it’s time for her overnight date. She kicks it off with Aven! We also see Tino looking upset that she will be on dates and that he can’t imagine her doing any overnights with anyone! Aven and Rachel are on a yacht laying around and getting to know one another. They talked about Aven’s Hometown and he lets her know that his parents liked her and accepted her. Rachel acknowledges that they made her feel that way!

Jesse checks in with Tino to see what his thoughts are. Tino says that waiting when you’re not getting a date card is a tough situation. Tino lets Jesse know that their Hometown was great, but his parents left her with a feeling that wasn’t the best for her. Tino feels the process is worth it; however, he knows his parents definitely added some drama to the situation - especially his father! He tells Jesse that he has fallen in love with Rachel since Bruge! He feels his family will have an effect on her decision.

The day date portion of Rachel and Aven’s day continues to the evening when they get to know more about one another. She lets him know that she was nervous to respond that she felt the same way. She explains that on her last journey, the love word was thrown around carelessly. She finally tells Aven that she is falling in love with him. She also knows that he is ready to be engaged. He reads the Fantasy Suites card and of course, they make their way there! They wake up the next day and Rachel lets us know that Aven is the whole package!

Rachel’s next date is with Tino. She continues to think about the fact that his family was not receptive of her and she wants to talk with him about it later that night! They ride horses and sit near a pool to talk about the past couple of days. Tino acknowledges that the night portion of their Hometowns didn’t go the way expected. We hear in Rachel’s confessional that if she’s not feeling it, she doesn’t see a path forward. In his, he states that he hopes that they can enjoy their date, but when the night portion comes - he wants to be able to dig into the layers to tell her about it so that she can be happy and comfortable with everything that has transpired. As they settle into their dinner portion of the evening, Rachel tells him her experience being with his parents. She even highlights that his father really left an impression. They tell each other that they love one another and they partake in the Fantasy Suites.

We pick Gabby up with Johnny! They’re also on a boat known as the Moonshine as they lounge and continue to chat with one another. Although they are having a great date in the daytime, as they look at the ocean, she asks him if he’s prepared to be engaged. He doesn’t really answer and she feels that he is not ready to commit. Johnny says that he can’t commit and they part ways before continuing on the journey. Because she knows that they are in separate places, she sends him home.

While she sends Johnny home, Jesse asks if Jason is ready to get engaged and he says he isn’t. This is pretty tough ultimately for her.

Erich sends her a note asking to meet him on the bridge. At first, it’s a happy surprise, but he rehashes a conversation that they had in the Fantasy Suites - where he feels like this portion of the experience is cheating on him. Gabby feels defensive that they are going over this again and feels that he’s adding a negative spin on the time that she needs. She feels like he is testing her and she doesn’t like it!

Tomorrow, we’ll continue with the remainder of the Fantasy Suites to see how it all shakes out!

GABBY’S FANTASY SUITES DATES | Erich + Jason

RACHEL’S FANTASY SUITES DATES | Aven, Tino, Zach

GABBY SENT HOME | Johnny

Each night during this season, we 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.

We also suggest a podcast that we’ve become obsessed with over the past few seasons, Wondery’s Bachelor Happy Hour to get their feedback!

---

WHO IS AT HOMETOWNS

AVEN [Rachel]

ERICH [Gabby]

JASON [Gabby]

TINO [Rachel]

ZACH [Rachel]

THE BACHELOR CONTESTANTS

ALEC, 27 | Houston, TX

AVEN, 28 | San Diego, CA

BRANDAN, 23 | Carlsbad, CA

CHRIS, 30 | Redondo Beach, CA

COLIN, 36 | Chicago, IL

ERICH, 29 | Bedminster, NJ

ETHAN, 27 | NY, NY

HAYDEN, 29 | Tampa, FL

JACOB, 27 | Scottsdale, AZ

JOEY, 24 | Brookfield, CT

JAMES, 25 | Winnetka, IL

JASON, 30 | Santa Monica, CA

JOHNNY, 25 | Palm Beach Gardens, FL

JOHN, 26 | Nashville, TN

JORDAN H., 25 | Tampa, FL

JORDAN V., 27 | Alpharetta, GA

JUSTIN B., 32 | Solana Beach, CA

JUSTIN Y., 24 | Brookfield, CT

KIRK, 29 | Lubbock, TX

LOGAN, 26 | San Diego, CA

MARIO, 31 | Naperville, IL

MATT, 25 | San Diego, CA

NATE, 33 | Chicago, IL

MICHAEL, 32 | Long Beach, CA

QUINCEY, 25 | Miami, FL

ROBY, 33 | Los Angeles, CA

RYAN, 36 | Boston, MA

SPENCER, 27 | Chicago, IL

TERMAYNE, 28 | Naperville, IL

TINO, 27 | Playa Del Rey, CA

TYLER, 25 | Wildwood, NJ

ZACH, 25 | Anaheim Hills, CA

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

IT'S ABOUT THE MUSIC | CHEAT CODES

It may be the end of the summer, but festival season continues and here in NY, we're excited for Labor Day Weekend when Electric Zoo brings some of our favorite DJ/Producers to Randall's Island for 3 days of music from Sept 2nd - 4th! We caught up with one of the acts who will hitting the stage to get the scoop ahead of their performance.

Matt Russell, Trevor Dahl and KEVI make up Cheat Codes, a trio that has been collaborating with a number of people from Demi Lovato, Afrojack and Wiz Khalifa to name a few. They shared how they came together, how they got their name and their collaborative process. They also talk about dropping HELLRAISERS Part 1, 2 and 3, upcoming country music with Jimmie Allen and Dolly Parton and of course their upcoming performance for EZoo!

ATHLEISURE MAG: When did each of you fall in love with music and what was the moment that you realized that you wanted to be a DJ?

MATT RUSSELL: 3rd grade music class, they handed me a recorder, I made hot cross buns sound like Beethovens 5th, and it was over. We didn’t start the project by DJing we just wanted to make songs, and once we started gaining momentum we had to learn very quickly. Our first DJ gig was rough, let me tell you.

AM: Tell us how the 3 of you came together to become Cheat Codes?

MR: We all met in LA, but came from different musical backgrounds. Trevor was doing acoustic singer songwriter music, Kevi was a rapper, and Matt was in an indie/hip hop project. I was making beats for KEVI’s rap project, and Trevor needed a studio, so he turned my laundry room into a dope recording set up. We had the idea to just mess around and do a session together, and thats when we wrote Cheat Codes first song “Visions”.

AM: Where did the name Cheat Codes come from?

KEVI: My brothers were in this band called Clear Static, and they had a lot of early success. They were opening for Duran Duran at Madison Square Garden and I came out to support them, but was dumbfounded by everything they were accomplishing. So I asked my bro Tom, how you doing this, and he told me “I found the cheat code little bro” haha!

AM: As a trio, what do each of you bring to created your DJ group?

TREVOR DAHL: We all handle different roles, which allows us to do more and not get burned out. Matt handles a lot of the live set, live edits, etc. I finish a lot of the production on the songs, and Kevi handles a lot of the visual aesthetic, as far as merch idea, album artwork ideas etc. but we collaborate with each other on everything. We usually agree on most things.

AM: How do you find inspiration when you are creating new music?

MR: Well we do a lot of collaborations, so I think that makes it easy. Just trying to find something that works well for both artists, but is still representative of our sound.

AM: What’s your process when it comes to creating your music – do you have set roles?

K: It just depends on each song, but we all write and bounce ideas off each other. We all have vocals on different records as well. But dividing and conquering helps us do a lot more for sure.

AM: You have collaborated with Demi Lovato, Kaskade, Afrojack etc. When you’re collaborating with other artists, what are you looking for when you’re thinking about whether you can work together?

TD: Just an idea that sounds like Cheat Codes, but still works for the other artist. With Demi, we had the demo idea and we just thought her voice would sound awesome on it so it was kind of a no brainer. With Kaskade and Afrojack we really wanted to lean on their production sound and write some cool vocals that would compliment their ideas, so those were a little more production driven.

AM: How would you describe the Cheat Codes sound?

MR: At this point we’ve done every genre basically so we’re its hard to put in a few words. We kind of have different eras, where early on it was almost tropical house leaning, then kind of went more pop, dance, but we definitely hate being put in a box, we get bored easily.

AM: I’m a huge fan of Squid Games and I can’t wait for when the next season drops, you made Way Back Then an Official Squid Games Remix. How did that come about?

MR: Well we binge watched the show, stayed up all night actually. We were having an argument on the best way to watch it, with Korean voiceovers and subtitles or English dubs, then the idea hit.

AM: Tell us about HellRaiser Part 1, 2 and 3 as you released these albums over the last 18 months. What was the concept behind it and why is it a series of 3 albums?

MR: It was originally 1 album, and then Covid hit. We couldn’t tour for 8 months, so we just spent extra time in the studio, once we had all these ideas, it didn’t sound like 1 cohesive project, there were more 3 distinct sounds, so figured why not, we’ve never done an album before so lets go big.

AM: We know that you have been teasing a country album for awhile. Why was this a genre that you wanted to incorporate your sound into?

MR: We've always been song and vocal driven, and one of our early influences was Avicci, so it never seemed too out of bounds for us. When we were making Hellraisers, we had this record called "Never Love You Again." It was never intended to be tended to be a country record, the production is more dance, but we just needed a very soulful voice that matched, and little big town jumped on. Something about their harmonies and soul made the record what it is, so we kind of went down a rabbit hole.

AM: Is there a synergy between EDM and country music?

K: Yeah for sure, I mean EDM is so global, and its taken us so many places around the world, some of the best times to blast country music is on a road trip, or hitting up an isolated place, and I think that works really well especially in a festival environment. Just bringing good vibes and people together.

AM: Jimmie Allen is going to be on this record, what can you tell us about the music that you worked on with him and what was that like?

MR: What I like about this record is, it's not a typical country record. Jimmie's vocals aren’t overly twang, and the lyrics aren’t about trucks or anything. So it became this easily accessible thing whether you like dance music or country or pop.

AM: Are there other country artists that are also on this record?

TD: We have Matt Stell, MacKenzie Porter, Madddie and Tae, Lady A, and we’re working on one with Dolly as well.

AM: With it coming out Sep 30th, what are you doing to promote this album, will you participate in country festivals and will these songs also be incorporated into other sets that you’re doing outside of the country scene?

K: Yeah, we've already performed some of the records at different electronic festivals this summer, so it kind of just depends on the vibe and the edit. We’ll be doing Rodeo World in Vegas in December, so catch us at the official after party.

AM: You’ve been creating so much music, are there other projects that are coming out that we should keep an eye out for?

MR: Yeah we’re already working on the album after this, so stay tuned, we can’t really talk about it though.

AM: We’re looking forward to EZoo as you’ll be here in NY! What are you excited about for this festival?

MR: We play in NYC all the time, but I think this will be the biggest festival we’ve played here, definitely electronic based. I think I heard everyone's dressing up as animals, so I’m excited to fulfill my fantasy as a sexy elephant. Stay tuned.

AM: When you’re performing at EZoo, do you have routines that you do prior to your set to get prepared for the show and do you have things that you do after your show to relax?

MR: Yeah we usually play “Kill, Marry, F$#%” and then follow that up with 30 burpees and we’re ready to hit the stage. Afterwards we relax by putting on our noise cancelling headphones and listening to ASMR.

AM: How do you balance your schedules from when you’re performing a festival, being on tour, your residencies, creating music etc?

TD: Yeah we just have to prioritize what’s most important, so we’ll usually block off time to be in the studio where we won’t play shows no matter what. But organization is key for sure.

IG @cheatcodes

PHOTO CREDITS | Cheat Codes

Read the AUG ISSUE #80 of Athleisure Mag and see IT’S ABOUT THE MUSIC | Cheat Codes in mag.

THE BACHELORETTES S.19 E.8 | LAST HOMETOWN + MEN TELL ALL

PHOTO CREDITS | ABC The Bachelorette/Gizelle Hernandez

We pick up where we left off on ABC’s The Bachelorette for Aven and Rachel Recchia’s Hometown which took place in Salem! The two had a great time learning about love spells and finding out about the town’s history. Rachel met his family and even with their questions, she knew that they enjoyed meeting her and she felt much better than she did with some of her dates! Interestingly enough, we didn’t get to see who received roses but we heard that everyone minus Tyler (who was sent home).

We see Rachel, Gabby Windey, Jesse Palmer and the remainder of the men at the Men Tell All special. We heard about all the drama that we’ve been hearing all season long. Jacob apologized for his behavior with Gabby and Hayden wasn’t even there to talk about how inappropriate he was. It seems like the next few weeks are definitely going to take us into some twists and turns!

GABBY’S HOMETOWN DATES | Erich, Jason, Johnny

RACHEL’S REMAINING HOMETOWN DATES | Aven, Tino, Zach

Each night during this season, we 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.

We also suggest a podcast that we’ve become obsessed with over the past few seasons, Wondery’s Bachelor Happy Hour to get their feedback!

---

WHO IS AT HOMETOWNS

AVEN [Rachel]

ERICH [Gabby]

JASON [Gabby]

JOHNNY [Gabby]

TINO [Rachel]

ZACH [Rachel]

THE BACHELOR CONTESTANTS

ALEC, 27 | Houston, TX

AVEN, 28 | San Diego, CA

BRANDAN, 23 | Carlsbad, CA

CHRIS, 30 | Redondo Beach, CA

COLIN, 36 | Chicago, IL

ERICH, 29 | Bedminster, NJ

ETHAN, 27 | NY, NY

HAYDEN, 29 | Tampa, FL

JACOB, 27 | Scottsdale, AZ

JOEY, 24 | Brookfield, CT

JAMES, 25 | Winnetka, IL

JASON, 30 | Santa Monica, CA

JOHNNY, 25 | Palm Beach Gardens, FL

JOHN, 26 | Nashville, TN

JORDAN H., 25 | Tampa, FL

JORDAN V., 27 | Alpharetta, GA

JUSTIN B., 32 | Solana Beach, CA

JUSTIN Y., 24 | Brookfield, CT

KIRK, 29 | Lubbock, TX

LOGAN, 26 | San Diego, CA

MARIO, 31 | Naperville, IL

MATT, 25 | San Diego, CA

NATE, 33 | Chicago, IL

MICHAEL, 32 | Long Beach, CA

QUINCEY, 25 | Miami, FL

ROBY, 33 | Los Angeles, CA

RYAN, 36 | Boston, MA

SPENCER, 27 | Chicago, IL

TERMAYNE, 28 | Naperville, IL

TINO, 27 | Playa Del Rey, CA

TYLER, 25 | Wildwood, NJ

ZACH, 25 | Anaheim Hills, CA

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

THE BACHELORETTES S.19 E.7 | IT'S HOMETOWNS

PHOTO CREDITS | ABC The Bachelorette/Gizelle Hernandez

We’re back watching tonight’s ABC’s The Bachelorette and it’s Hometowns! Rachel Recchia and Gabby Windey are separating and packing as they will go to their men’s hometowns! Jesse Palmer checks up on both of them to figure out how they are doing as they prepare to leave the ship.

Gabby heads to New Orleans for the first time to meet up with Jason! She will only visit 3 men! He takes her around New Orleans to wear and throw beads and she gets to meet his family and connects with them.

Now Rachel is with Zach in his hometown where they get to watch planes taking off.

Back to Gabby, we go to Johnny and his hometown. As soon as he meets her, he lets them now that they will hang with his family first so she can meet them. Gabby was very nervous - but we can’t fault her since she didn’t really get any alone time with her. Although she wins his family over, Johnny tells his mom that he doesn’t know if he is ready yet for that.

Rachel is at the Jersey Shore with Tyler. She’s excited to be with him, but feels that they are the most behind in terms of their relationships. They hang out on the board walk and she realizes even more that she isn’t in the same place with him as she met a number of his friends. She doesn’t want to continue the date. He heads home where he has to tell his family that she broke up with him. This was definitely a rough date.

Gabby’s final hometown is with Erich in New Jersey. He lets her know that they will go to his parents first before their date. She meets his family and they receive her well, but they tell her how important it is to have and keep your commitments. Later on, during their date they both share how they are falling in love with one another.

Now Rachel is with Tino in Santa Clarita, CA. His parents have a lot of questions and it doesn’t feel like they are on board with this process. His father is very doubtful about whether their relationship is sustainable. While Rachel talks to his mom, she sees that even if Tino wishes to go forward, his family will not be behind this and has heavy skepticism. When you look book at when Tino talked to her before meeting the parents, when she voiced concern over whether his parents would like her or not, he shut it down quickly saying they would. After meeting his parents, he shared that he wished that he had been more upfront with her.

Although Gabby has completed all of her dates, Rachel still has one more Hometown date with Aven. It will be interesting to see how that one goes and to see who the ladies will continue to move forward with next week!

GABBY’S HOMETOWN DATES | Erich, Jason, Johnny

RACHEL’S REMAINING HOMETOWN DATES | Aven, Tino, Zach

RACHEL SENT HOME | Tyler

Each night during this season, we 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.

We also suggest a podcast that we’ve become obsessed with over the past few seasons, Wondery’s Bachelor Happy Hour to get their feedback!

---

WHO IS AT HOMETOWNS

AVEN [Rachel]

ERICH [Gabby]

JASON [Gabby]

JOHNNY [Gabby]

TINO [Rachel]

ZACH [Rachel]

THE BACHELOR CONTESTANTS

ALEC, 27 | Houston, TX

AVEN, 28 | San Diego, CA

BRANDAN, 23 | Carlsbad, CA

CHRIS, 30 | Redondo Beach, CA

COLIN, 36 | Chicago, IL

ERICH, 29 | Bedminster, NJ

ETHAN, 27 | NY, NY

HAYDEN, 29 | Tampa, FL

JACOB, 27 | Scottsdale, AZ

JOEY, 24 | Brookfield, CT

JAMES, 25 | Winnetka, IL

JASON, 30 | Santa Monica, CA

JOHNNY, 25 | Palm Beach Gardens, FL

JOHN, 26 | Nashville, TN

JORDAN H., 25 | Tampa, FL

JORDAN V., 27 | Alpharetta, GA

JUSTIN B., 32 | Solana Beach, CA

JUSTIN Y., 24 | Brookfield, CT

KIRK, 29 | Lubbock, TX

LOGAN, 26 | San Diego, CA

MARIO, 31 | Naperville, IL

MATT, 25 | San Diego, CA

NATE, 33 | Chicago, IL

MICHAEL, 32 | Long Beach, CA

QUINCEY, 25 | Miami, FL

ROBY, 33 | Los Angeles, CA

RYAN, 36 | Boston, MA

SPENCER, 27 | Chicago, IL

TERMAYNE, 28 | Naperville, IL

TINO, 27 | Playa Del Rey, CA

TYLER, 25 | Wildwood, NJ

ZACH, 25 | Anaheim Hills, CA

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

REMAINING FOCUSED | JULIANNA PEÑA "VENEZUELAN VIXEN"

We're very excited about this month's cover, Bantamweight Champion Julianna Peña who will be fighting Amanda Nunes in the title fight in Dallas on Jul 30th for UFC277. This anticipated rematch is one we'll be glued to and just ahead of it, we took some time to catch up with the 'Venezuelan Vixen' herself! We wanted to know about her journey in the MMA, being the first woman to win The Ultimate Fighter - Season 18, joining the UFC, being a coach on Season 30 of The Ultimate Fighter, and how she trains to be Octagon ready!

ATHLEISURE MAG: What led you to MMA and when did you fall in love with the sport?

JULIANNA PEÑA: When I was 19 years old, my sister asked me to join a women’s cardio kickboxing class with her and I needed to lose some weight, so I joined the class. It came naturally to me and I wanted to explore it more. I immediately fell in love with it. And when I eventually started winning fights, the joy combined with the rush of winning solidified my obsession for MMA.

AM: You’re known as the Venezuelan Vixen. How did you get that name?

JP: I have to credit that to my coach that gave me that name early on in my career.

AM: What did you learn about competing on The Ultimate Fighter and becoming the first woman to win in Season 18?

JP: I learned that I still had so much more to learn, and that I still do. Not only is every fighter different, every FIGHT is different. Because as I’m learning and growing, so are my competitors. It taught me to never feel as though I know everything. There is always more to learn, more room to grow, more fights to win, and more fighters to challenge ahead. Always a student of the game.

AM: Last season, you and Amanda Nunes were coaches for The Ultimate Fighter. How did it feel to be there as a coach versus competing and what does it mean to you to work with those who are coming up and to give them the tools that they need to operate at their best?

JP: It was really interesting to be a 135lb woman giving advice to male MMA fighters twice my size! It was a little strange at first because I wasn’t sure how they would take my advice when we’re in very different divisions with different disciplines. But it soon became second nature. It was exciting to see them grow but it was also difficult getting to know them, their strengths/weaknesses, and then having to see them get eliminated. It was also very interesting to coach against Amanda because I was able to get a better understanding of her approach and methods, whereas before, I had only known what it was like to be fighting against her in the cage.

AM: We always like talking about workouts that athletes do that optimize their work in the sport, what are 3 workouts that you do?

JP: I love to run. All my workouts are what I do for and in camp. But running and strength/conditioning/lifting weights are others that I do. I love to swim and do yoga if I get the time.

AM: What is a typical training session/day like for you and how is it different when you are preparing for a fight?

JP: I train 2-3 times a day except on Sundays when I’m not in camp. I train MMA a few times a week but not nearly at the pace I do while I’m at camp.

AM: When it comes to training, how important is the mental aspect of it to you and how do you strengthen that area?

JP: The mental aspect of MMA training is just as important as the physical aspect of the sport. Especially as a mother, it’s very important for me to prioritize that work/life balance. I'm constantly reminding myself to remain focused and avoid unnecessary distractions while I’m training, so that I can, not only be the best fighter, but also be the best mother I can be to my daughter.

AM: In looking at your IG, we loved seeing your daughter Isa standing with you when you were doing promos for your fight last year or even when you’re training in the gym. It reminded me of being able to watch my mom work when she owned her own couture boutique. I think it’s powerful for kids to be able to see what their parents do. How is it to balance your duties as a mom, training, being a champion fighter and also building other areas of your brand/portfolio?

JP: Thank you! That’s so incredible that you have such fond memories of your mother and that you had a role model that also struck a great balance between work and parenthood. At the end of the day, my daughter comes first. She is the greatest joy in my life. And my duty to her to be a good mother is my ultimate responsibility. She will always come first. And the rest seems to fall into place as long as I continue to stay focused and motivated. Isa will forever be my biggest win in life.

AM: If we want to eat like an MMA fighter, what are the foods you eat that assist you in being an amazing champion and what are items you enjoy splurging on?

JP: My splurge is PINKBERRY or frozen yogurt of any kind. I train so much I can virtually eat what I want but I use Eat Clean Chicago to help prep me for the week and it ranges from spaghetti to baked chicken or salmon depending on the day.

AM: You have an amazing record 12-4-0. You are fighting Amanda Nunes in Dallas for a title rematch main event for UFC 277 on July 30th. When you fought her last year, you won the Bantamweight Title. Heading into Saturday’s fight, what are the days leading up to game time like when you touch down in Dallas?

JP: I’m actually already in Dallas! I got in earlier this week. Fight week is always a bit crazy – there are media interviews, press conferences, weigh-ins, and more.

And all of that is still in addition to an even more intense training schedule. Put it this way, I can’t wait to enjoy a bit of free time and sleep next week!

AM: After a fight, what do you do as you come down from all the energy and focus that you needed in the Octagon?

JP: Other than enjoying my victory?? I enjoy time with my daughter!!! That’s the easiest way to come down from that adrenaline rush that comes with months of training. Just fun and relaxation with Isa and my family.

AM: In addition to fighting, you are also a commentator for MMA fights as well. Why is this something that you wanted to add into your portfolio and what do you like about doing this?

JP: I love to talk and I love MMA. I always want MMA to be a part of my life!

AM: Earlier this summer, you threw the 1st pitch at the White Sox/Dodgers game in Chicago! How exciting was that experience for you?

JP: That was beyond exciting! The Chicago White Sox were so welcoming and truly made it an experience I will never forget. And it’s always fun to meet the players and coaches because it makes watching the game so much more fun. If they ever want me back, I’m a phone call away!

AM: When you’re not training or prepping for a fight, how do you take time for yourself?

JP: I spend my free time with my daughter. I’m so busy all the time between training and my other endeavors so any free time I have, I spend it with her. I haven’t sat on my couch in three months. I’m looking forward to putting my feet up.

AM: With all the successes that you have had, being a champion in the UFC and being able to do what you love – what do you want your legacy to be in the sport?

JP: I would love to be remembered for my ability to bring home victories even when the odds are stacked against me; being able to have opened the doors and break barriers for other working mothers. If you believe in yourself and are determined enough, there’s no reason that you can’t have it all. I dream of being inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame one day.

IG @venezuelanvixen

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | Pillar Marketing Corporation

Read the JUL ISSUE #79 of Athleisure Mag and see REMAINING FOCUSED | Julianna Peña “Venezuelan Vixen” in mag.

9LIST STORI3S | LA LA ANTHONY

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

THE BACHELORETTES S.19 E.6 | CLOSER TO HOMETOWNS

PHOTO CREDITS | ABC The Bachelorette/Gizelle Hernandez

We’re back watching tonight’s ABC’s The Bachelorette and we’ll be in Amsterdam! Rachel Recchia and Gabby Windey are excited as they know that Hometowns is around the corner. It’s sure to be a big week ahead. The ladies catch up and the guys are getting ready for their dates.

The date card arrives for Rachel’s men and they find out that Zach will be on the 1-on-1 - his 2nd one. Tino definitely has thoughts on the fact that he’s not on the date.

The men over at Gabby’s receive news on who will get the 1-on-1 and it’s Nate.

Jesse Palmer catches up with the women to find out how they are holding up. Both are excited but we hear how Gabby is really thinking about what it would mean with Nate as he has a child and she doesn’t know how she would be as a mother.

While the remaining guys wonder why Nate got the date, we wonder if Logan really means to be there for her. Gabby and Nate walk around the city getting to know one another. We realize that she has even more misgivings then we thought that she had regarding being with Nate and her daughter. She lets him know that she feels so much for him, but she doesn’t know if she is ready to be a mom even though she knows that if she met his daughter, she would fall in love with her. Ultimately, she sends him home and they only have their first half of the date. She wonders if she made a good decision as he was so kind to her even when she let him know that she was sending him home.

Rachel’s date take place in a large tulip field where they only bloom for 2 weeks. Zach seems so excited to be on the date. They pick tulips, ride bikes, enjoy cheese, get wooden shows and bought some lemonade! They even head to a windmill which adds a quaint layer to their date and keeps it casual where they can get to know a lot about one another. They even enjoy being in a hot tub to take in the atmosphere. Their date continues at a museum where they see a number of art pieces and they continue to talk about their relationship. They connect and continue to be vulnerable with one another. She gives him the rose and we begin to see who will be at Hometowns!

While Rachel is having a great night, Gabby makes her way to the remaining men and you can see that she’s down after sending Nate home. Prior to her arrival, the guys agree that they want to be there for her as they know it’s tough. She let them know that she is there because she wanted to tell them what happened in person and she hoped that they weren’t freaked out. They let her know that they are there for her and they can understand why she feels the way that she does. After letting them know, she leaves them and lets them know that she will see them soon.

Gabby’s group date includes Logan who has yet to be with the other men in such a large setting officially. Erich, Jason, Johnny and Spencer. Their date is about being open-minded and to explore how they can communicate with her. They meet a woman who welcomes them in a room lit in red with a whip. You can definitely see the nerves on the men as they figure out their safe words. They answer some intimate questions, they get blindfolded while Gabby whips and puts whip cream on them.

The men continue to the after party of this date as there us a rose on the line which gets one of them into Hometowns. Gabby is visited by Jesse and lets her know that Logan tested positive for COVID-19. They have to cancel the cocktail party to ensure everyone’s safety. No rose is given out tonight and Jesse lets them know that the event is not taking place. That also means that Logan is no longer in the mix due to getting COVID-19.

Rachel’s group date is next with her 4 men. They get a chance to hang out while taking in the city with cheese and to get some 1-on-1 time with her as well. It’s another date where there is an element of the strong man. In this date, just like the other one, then men are asked to take off their shirts. Rachel puts sunscreen on them and they shoulder cheese wheels that are tied to wooden planks. Each time, they add an additional layer of cheese wedges. The final round had 8 wedges (4 on each side) - this is definitely not a comfortable challenge. Tino ends up winning the challenge although Ethan was pretty close in winning it. She spends some time with each one which is nice and they will continue onto their date later in the evening where they can dig deeper. That night she chats with Aven, Tyler, Ethan and Tino. Ultimately, Tyler gets the group date rose. Tino is upset because he feels that they had a connection and he didn’t get a rose that night. He feels that he needs to rethink everything at this point.

Although Logan was sent home, the ceremony continues and Gabby has 3 roses to give as she has decided that she won’t see 4 families. Rachel gives Aven and Tino a rose so we now know who will be going to Hometowns.

GABBY GAVE ROSES TO | Erich, Jason, Johnny

RACHEL GAVE ROSES TO | Aven, Tyler, Zach,

DIDN’T RECEIVE A ROSE | Ethan, Logan, Nate, Spencer

Each night during this season, we 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.

We also suggest a podcast that we’ve become obsessed with over the past few seasons, Wondery’s Bachelor Happy Hour to get their feedback!

---

WHO WE THINK WILL GO TO HOMETOWNS

AVEN [Rachel]

ERICH [Gabby]

JASON [Gabby]

TINO [Rachel]

TYLER [Rachel]

ZACH [Gabby]

THE BACHELOR CONTESTANTS

ALEC, 27 | Houston, TX

AVEN, 28 | San Diego, CA

BRANDAN, 23 | Carlsbad, CA

CHRIS, 30 | Redondo Beach, CA

COLIN, 36 | Chicago, IL

ERICH, 29 | Bedminster, NJ

ETHAN, 27 | NY, NY

HAYDEN, 29 | Tampa, FL

JACOB, 27 | Scottsdale, AZ

JOEY, 24 | Brookfield, CT

JAMES, 25 | Winnetka, IL

JASON, 30 | Santa Monica, CA

JOHNNY, 25 | Palm Beach Gardens, FL

JOHN, 26 | Nashville, TN

JORDAN H., 25 | Tampa, FL

JORDAN V., 27 | Alpharetta, GA

JUSTIN B., 32 | Solana Beach, CA

JUSTIN Y., 24 | Brookfield, CT

KIRK, 29 | Lubbock, TX

LOGAN, 26 | San Diego, CA

MARIO, 31 | Naperville, IL

MATT, 25 | San Diego, CA

NATE, 33 | Chicago, IL

MICHAEL, 32 | Long Beach, CA

QUINCEY, 25 | Miami, FL

ROBY, 33 | Los Angeles, CA

RYAN, 36 | Boston, MA

SPENCER, 27 | Chicago, IL

TERMAYNE, 28 | Naperville, IL

TINO, 27 | Playa Del Rey, CA

TYLER, 25 | Wildwood, NJ

ZACH, 25 | Anaheim Hills, CA

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

VACATION VIBES | LA LA ANTHONY

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

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

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

LA LA ANTHONY: Oh thank you!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

IG @lala

PHOTO CREDITS | Baileys Colada

THE BACHELORETTES S.19 E.5 | WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

PHOTO CREDITS | ABC The Bachelorette

It feels like ABC’s The Bachelorette will dig deeper as Rachel Recchia and Gabby Windey continue to navigate their journey. By dividing the men last week, they are able to focus on what they’re looking for without the distraction of trying to see if the man that they are interested in is there for them.

We kick off the week in Belgium. We’re still not over how Logan took Rachel’s rose, but is really interested in Gabby.

Tino, Zach, Meatball, Ethan, Tyler and Logan are on a group date with Rachel. Aven will have the 1-on-1 date with her. Logan goes to Rachel’s to see her ahead of the group date. He lets her know that after getting all the roses from her that he wants to be with Gabby. It’s such a tough spot for her to be in and to have to go through!

We also feel like every guy for the most part that tries to switch to the otherside, it doesn’t bode well for them. It' will be interesting to see what happens with him.

The guys for Rachel’s date are meeting her in Bruges. The guys don’t know why Logan is there but they enjoy seeing a mud match. Rachel is back in her room upset that yet another man has left prior to a rose ceremony. Firmly in her legitimate feelings, Jesse Palmer swings by to see what’s going on. She lets him know how this is devastating and she feels that the guys have to keep picking her back up and she feels that it is tough on them.

She decides to cancel the day portion of the group date, but plans on attending the after-party.

Logan talks to Gabby to let her know that he broke up with Rachel and that he wants to move forward with her. He’s in limbo as he has to wait to hear back from her on whether he will have that chance.

Gabby goes straight to Rachel to let her know that she knows and to see how she is doing. It’s interesting how the two of them always talk with one another and even when they’re hurting, they explain that if they feel they should continue with someone - they should! It would have been interesting to see how this segment may have been different with Kaitlyn and Tayshia as it was a girl moment where they really needed to have your bestie pick you back up again.

At the afterparty, the remaining men for Rachel are excited to get some time with her and they note that there is a rose on the table. They hope to still have a good time with her. Rachel apologizes for not holding the morning date. She fills them in on what happened and says that if they don’t want to be there, they should go. Ethan asks to spend some time with her. He lets her know that he is there for her and they share a kiss.

Tino tells her that by not having that group date, he didn’t feel seen. Meatball chats with her as well as the rest of the guys as they go above and beyond to make her feel better. She lets them know that she wanted to show up for everyone and to be at 100% because that is what she is asking of them to do with her.

The group date rose goes to Tino. Zach feels bothered by it; however, he is happy for Tino.

Gabby’s group date has the remaining men (minus Logan who is in limbo and Johnny who will have the 1-on-1 date). The men are touring Bruge, they take a boat ride on the river, enjoy some waffles, play soccer in the park with little kids and she gets to see their personalities. They continue on playing Belgium games where they play rock, paper, fish slapped across their face.

The men meet up for the after-party portion as they reflect on how much fun they have had. Logan arrives and the look of shock on their faces leaves some tension.

Logan gets to sit with Gabby and chat with her, somehow, we don’t believe him when he says he wants to be with Gabby either. She gives the group date rose to Nate.

Logan thinks there is some tension with the guys in the fact that he has switched over. He hopes that Rachel finds her person. Aven and Rachel have their 1-on-1 date. They take a carriage ride through the city as they explore Bruge. They enjoy some chocolates at a local shop, they stop by a group of women who make lace on veils. They look over the city in a watchtower as the sun sets which looks spectacular. They make their way to dinner to spend more time and to talk about things that they need to know about one another.

Aven shares how stability and security is so important to him. His mom made him a bracelet that he has given to Rachel to hold for awhile in hopes that things turn around for her as he knows how tough it has been. She gives him the date night rose. They go outside to watch the fireworks.

Nate loops Johnny on Logan joining the group. Johnny and Gabby have their 1-on-1 date. Their date took place on a beer farm where they enjoyed a flight to sample the flavors. They get to sit in a Bruges Beer Tub. They have a fun time trying the treatments that they share with one another and sitting in the beer. They continue on to dinner where he talks about his feelings, being vulnerable and wrestling with emotions that he’s not sure where they came from. He receives the date night rose.

All the men assemble for the cocktail party. Logan being there makes everyone uneasy from him ruining the group date for the men on Rachel’s side and potentially taking a rose from those on Gabby’s side. Gabby’s men connect with her and he opts to bring fish to slap her as a way to connect to the group date that he wasn’t on.

At the rose ceremony, Mario, Michael and Meatball didn’t receive roses. Gabby’s men are shocked that he’s there and now they know that they have to step it up. They will continue onto Amsterdam.

GABBY GAVE ROSES TO | Erich, Jason, Johnny, Logan, Nate, Spencer,

RACHEL GAVE ROSES TO | Aven, Ethan, Tino, Tyler, Zach

DIDN’T RECEIVE A ROSE | Mario, Meatball, Michael

Each night during this season, we 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.

We also suggest a podcast that we’ve become obsessed with over the past few seasons, Wondery’s Bachelor Happy Hour to get their feedback!

---

WHO WE THINK WILL GO TO HOMETOWNS

AVEN [Rachel]

ERICH [Gabby]

ETHAN [Rachel]

JASON [Gabby]

NATE [Gabby]

TINO [Rachel]

TYLER [Rachel]

ZACH [Gabby]

THE BACHELOR CONTESTANTS

ALEC, 27 | Houston, TX

AVEN, 28 | San Diego, CA

BRANDAN, 23 | Carlsbad, CA

CHRIS, 30 | Redondo Beach, CA

COLIN, 36 | Chicago, IL

ERICH, 29 | Bedminster, NJ

ETHAN, 27 | NY, NY

HAYDEN, 29 | Tampa, FL

JACOB, 27 | Scottsdale, AZ

JOEY, 24 | Brookfield, CT

JAMES, 25 | Winnetka, IL

JASON, 30 | Santa Monica, CA

JOHNNY, 25 | Palm Beach Gardens, FL

JOHN, 26 | Nashville, TN

JORDAN H., 25 | Tampa, FL

JORDAN V., 27 | Alpharetta, GA

JUSTIN B., 32 | Solana Beach, CA

JUSTIN Y., 24 | Brookfield, CT

KIRK, 29 | Lubbock, TX

LOGAN, 26 | San Diego, CA

MARIO, 31 | Naperville, IL

MATT, 25 | San Diego, CA

NATE, 33 | Chicago, IL

MICHAEL, 32 | Long Beach, CA

QUINCEY, 25 | Miami, FL

ROBY, 33 | Los Angeles, CA

RYAN, 36 | Boston, MA

SPENCER, 27 | Chicago, IL

TERMAYNE, 28 | Naperville, IL

TINO, 27 | Playa Del Rey, CA

TYLER, 25 | Wildwood, NJ

ZACH, 25 | Anaheim Hills, CA

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

THE BACHELORETTES S.19 E.4 | RACHEL + GABBY'S SEPARATE JOURNEYS

PHOTO CREDITS | ABC The Bachelorette

ABC’s The Bachelorette starts with Rachel Recchia, and Gabby Windey pleased that they will be on separate journeys. We see that Meatball (James) was given a second chance. The guys in the house hear Hayden talking smack about Gabby and Rachel’s reaction to when he said he didn’t want to be with Gabby. James feels that because he has been given a second chance, he doesn’t want to ruin it - I’m sure that he will bring it up. Jesse Palmer joins the guys at their home and lets them know that the journey will continue, but the women are in France. He also lets them know that Tino (for Rachel) and Jason (for Gabby) will be flying out not to Paris to have 1-on-1 dates with them. The remainder of the men will fly out later in the day to have their journeys continue on.

Rachel and Gabby chat in a cafe as they wait for the men to arrive. Rachel shares how she felt awful that 3 men rejected her rose publically which makes her wonder if the men she has chosen are there for her. Gabby says that the highest highs come after the lowest lows.

Jesse meets with the rest of the guys and lets them know that they will be on Virgin Voyages and the men will be split into their 2 groups. The entire ship will be for them. They each have their own common areas, quarters etc. So it will be nice to see the focus shift a bit. We see each of the dates taking place in the rain in Paris from finding the perfect beret, making crepes and taking stunning sites - these are the dates that they deserve.

The double date comes back together as they enjoy each other and the men chat about their date while The Bachelorettes catch up to see how things are going. For dinner, they go back in their individual dates to try to find out more about one another. Tino and Rachel have their dinner in a cathedral which looks amazing and he asks how she is doing after the brutal rose ceremony. She appreciates him checking in and says that she wants to talk about family, goals, etc. She lets him know about her insecurities and her expectations. She wants to have her career and she wants her husband to understand that she can fly around the world, but also have a family. Tino talks about how both of his parents worked and they were a partnership and everyone came together. We’re loving Tino for Rachel and he gets the 1-on-1 rose! She lets him know that she likes what she sees and cares about him.

Back on the ship, Gabby’s date card arrives for Nate, Kirk, Quincey, Erich, Michael, Mario, Spencer, Johnny on the group date.

Back at Gabby and Jason’s date they have their dinner at another location. Gabby calls out that he is reserved and he acknowledges it and says that he was put out of his comfort zone and he was uncomfortable with being there because he is sensitive with his energy. Growing up, he felt that he wasn’t good enough when he would look at other kids and he would try to prove himself with tennis, hated it and then quit. He said it takes him a bit to warm up because it was years of feeling those emotions. He lets her know that through his therapy, he learned that he had to speak up to get what he wanted. He doesn’t know if Gabby thinks he is making sense, but she says that she gets it. She explains that with her estrangement with her mother, she felt those feelings and felt that her love was taken away from her and she had to go through therapy to learn how to receive love. Thankfully they connect and it’s nice to see where they have similarities and how they could support one another. She gives him the 1-on-1 rose and the belief that this could go somewhere.

Gabby’s group date involves the men boxing French style. Whoever wins will have a 1-on-1 date with her for a rose. Rachel has also arrived and is bringing her men to watch as well ahead of her group date. Rachel hears Gabby’s guys profess their feelings, but Rachel’s men aren’t giving her eye contact and interacting with her across from the boxing ring. We also hear Logan say that maybe he made the wrong decision as he sees Gabby and thinks that he should have went with her.

The winner of the boxing match is Spencer who will have the 1-on-1 date. Rachel is breaking down feeling that her men are not really that into her. At the Pink Agave lounge on the ship, they have their time together to get to know one another.

Rachel is going through it because her guys are not making her feel wanted. The guys are oblivious to what is taking place and are excited to do a competition. She questions whether she should be the bachelorette. She tells the guys that she is upset because she feels unseen and that no one came over to acknowledge her. She realizes that when she spoke to them, they looked shocked that she had a bad experience.

The group date kicks off and all the men race to her and give her hugs. She lets them know that she wants to be chosen. The date is with a flirtation coaches as they show how thy flirt, french kiss their own hands, smell the guy’s armpits, and writing love letters to Rachel. She appreciates the effort and as the winner will conclude in a dinner date for a 1-on-1, she needs to think about it. Logan is still debating on his feelings for Gabby even though he accepted Rachel’s rose!

Tyler and Rachel have a 1-on-1 with one another. She loved that he had a poem at the ready to tell her. He lets her know about his past and how he bought someone he loved a house, but she didn’t want that life. He was heartbroken, but he is not closed off to love. Tyler accepts the rose.

Logan pulls Jesse aside and lets him know that he thinks that he should let Rachel know that he has feelings for Gabby, He also wants to talk to Gabby to see if there are feelings there.

The men assemble ahead of the rose ceremony. Logan plans on going to the cocktail party to talk with Gabby. Both women say that they enjoy that they are on their separate journeys. Nate and Gabby bond and their chemistry is undeniable. Hayden connects with Rachel and talks with her about his dog and how he is close to passing away. He wants her to know that he is there for her - but he didn’t share how he was rude to Gabby!

So while he fumes with others that he didn’t get the reaction that he wanted (we felt that she acknowledged it), James fills her in on how he was beyond inappropriate. She thanks him for letting him know and she addresses Hayden immediately. She lets him know what she was told, he denied it and she walked him out.

Rachel was so upset that they decided to cancel the cocktail party and go straight to the cocktail party. A number of guys didn’t get talk with Rachel and Logan is concerned that he didn’t get to say what he wanted to say to Gabby. Logan accepts the rose knowing he wants Gabby and the guys on Rachel’s side are saying that they need to let 1 week go by with no drama.

GABBY GAVE ROSES TO | Erich, Jason, Johnny, Mario, Michael, Nate, Spencer,

RACHEL GAVE ROSES TO | Aven, Ethan, James, Logan, Tino, Tyler, Zach

DIDN’T RECEIVE A ROSE | Hayden, Jordan, Kirk, Quincey

Each night during this season, we 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.

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!

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WHO WE THINK WILL GO TO HOMETOWNS

AVEN [Rachel]

ERICH [Gabby]

JAMES [Rachel]

JASON [Gabby]

NATE [Gabby]

TINO [Rachel]

TYLER [Rachel]

ZACH [Gabby]

THE BACHELOR CONTESTANTS

ALEC, 27 | Houston, TX

AVEN, 28 | San Diego, CA

BRANDAN, 23 | Carlsbad, CA

CHRIS, 30 | Redondo Beach, CA

COLIN, 36 | Chicago, IL

ERICH, 29 | Bedminster, NJ

ETHAN, 27 | NY, NY

HAYDEN, 29 | Tampa, FL

JACOB, 27 | Scottsdale, AZ

JOEY, 24 | Brookfield, CT

JAMES, 25 | Winnetka, IL

JASON, 30 | Santa Monica, CA

JOHNNY, 25 | Palm Beach Gardens, FL

JOHN, 26 | Nashville, TN

JORDAN H., 25 | Tampa, FL

JORDAN V., 27 | Alpharetta, GA

JUSTIN B., 32 | Solana Beach, CA

JUSTIN Y., 24 | Brookfield, CT

KIRK, 29 | Lubbock, TX

LOGAN, 26 | San Diego, CA

MARIO, 31 | Naperville, IL

MATT, 25 | San Diego, CA

MICHAEL, 32 | Long Beach, CA

NATE, 33 | Chicago, IL

QUINCEY, 25 | Miami, FL

ROBY, 33 | Los Angeles, CA

RYAN, 36 | Boston, MA

SPENCER, 27 | Chicago, IL

TERMAYNE, 28 | Naperville, IL

TINO, 27 | Playa Del Rey, CA

TYLER, 25 | Wildwood, NJ

ZACH, 25 | Anaheim Hills, CA

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

THE BACHELORETTES S.19 E.3 | THE JOURNEY CONTINUES

PHOTO CREDITS | ABC The Bachelorette

ABC’s The Bachelorette starts with Rachel Recchia, and Gabby Windey asking about how they will begin to designate which guy if focused on them. They know there are some that have a set person in mind, but they know that the ones that have yet to figure it out, need to start making decisions. Jesse Palmer meets with them to let them know that each of The Bachelorettes will have a 1-on-1 date. There will also be a massive group date as well. Rachel’s date will be Zach. Their date includes a touch base with Karamo from Queer Eye, where he styles them in fun looks for their date at an exclusive movie premiere.

While Rachel is on her date, Gabby goes to hang out with the guys and they’re enjoying hanging out with themselves. She eventually leaves them and feels that they are not giving their best effort. She feels that they’re being lax because there are 2 women available.

Back at the house, Gabby feels like she’s not being embraced and feels uncomfortable. She feels that the people that she wants to like her, don’t.

The next date card arrives and Erich is chosen for the date with Gabby. Now we know that Erich is kind of playing with both of the women and hasn’t hidden this fact from the guys in the house.

Back on Rachel’s date, they have a red carpet experience where they get their pictures taken and they view a movie in a large empty theater. Matt White plays on the piano for them as Me & You plays which has photos/videos of Rachel as a kid and growing up! Zach also has a compilation as well. It’s a pretty cute date and Rachel hears his mom congratulating him and wishing him well on his journey. Rachel’s mom also sends her well wishes too. They share that their dads took them to airstrips just to see pilots take off and they can’t believe that they both experienced that. Zach admits that he is falling for her during the confessional and he is given the date night rose.

Even when Gabby gets knocked down, we love how she bounces back! She heads over to the guys’ house and picks up Erich. Their date card said that 3 is a crowd - her grandfather is with them! They are doing a sound bath - this is a very Gabby date! They continue on to go bowling and Gabby finds a woman to be on her grandfather’s team while she is on a team with Erich. They kiss and she feels a lot better then she did the day before. They continue on to the next part of the date for dinner. Gabby gets overwhelmed as they’re talking because she’s upset with her feelings about her mom and she feels that she’s so complicated when Rachel isn’t. She talks with Jesse as she tries to figure things out. They talk for a bit more and she gives Erich the date night rose.

Celebrity photographer Franco Lacosta takes images of the women in bridal gowns, but then the guys arrive and as this is a large group date they have a number of outfits - the guys have sexy car wash, maternity looks, a family photo and then men on the flight as well as those in the hospital - it’s a crazy date to be sure! They also do a few proposal photos as well.

The date continues at SoFi stadium where the Chargers and the Rams play. They have time on the field to get to know more about them and to really start sorting the men as well. There’s great chemistry between Aven and Rachel which is so nice to see. Rachel is so happy with the connections that she is having. Gabby sits down with Tyler and lets her know that he has feelings for and wants to pursue Rachel. She is also told this by Hayden and Jacob say the same thing.

Aven gets the group date rose from Rachel. Rachel lets them know that because of the tough week, she can’t give a group date rose to anyone. Gabby tells Rachel what took place with the various guys. She wasn’t annoyed with them wanting Rachel, but she didn’t like the insulting way that they went about it.

As the men wait at the cocktail party prior to the rose ceremony, Jesse lets them know that it is canceled. He lets them know that this process is not working for them. The women will continue separately. If they accept the rose from the person who gives it to them, that is the person that they will be focused on - that’s it.

The men assemble as they have decisions to make. The women feel that it’s time that the beginning of the separation process will need to happen so that they can genuinely be on their journey. Gabby acknowledges that there was a struggle in having 2 Bachelorettes and she lets them know that some convos were hurtful to her. Rachel gives a rose to Tino and he accepts it, Logan accepts her rose, Termayne doesn’t accept his rose - he is placed back in line and can’t offer that rose to someone else, Alec doesn’t accept the rose, Tyler accepts his rose, Ethan accepts his rose, Jordan accepts his rose, Meatball doesn’t accept his rose and Hayden accepts the rose. Gabby gives Nate the next rose and he accepts, Johnny accepts his rose, Spencer accepts his rose, Jason accepts his rose, Mario accepts his rose, Kirk accepts his rose, Quincey accepts his rose and Michael accepts the rose.

When a guy didn’t accept the rose, although he was placed back in line, the rose was removed from Rachel.

Interestingly enough, Meatball who decided not to take Rachel’s rose towards the end went back to her and asked if she could give them more time. Now that both women are on their separate journeys, we’ll see if the guys will continue to stay with the women that they have chosen.

GABBY GAVE ROSES TO | Erich, Nate, Jason, Johnny, Jordan, Kirk, Mario, Michael, Quincey, Spencer

RACHEL GAVE ROSES TO - Aven, Ethan, Hayden, Jordan, Logan, Termayne, Tino, Tyler, Zach

DIDN’T RECEIVE A ROSE | Alec, Jacob, James/Meatball, Jason, Termayne

Each night during this season, we 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.

We also suggest a podcast that we’ve become obsessed with over the past few seasons, Wondery’s Bachelor Happy Hour to get their feedback!

---

WHO WE THINK WILL GO TO HOMETOWNS

AVEN [Rachel]

ERICH [Gabby]

HAYDEN [Rachel]

JORDAN [Gabby]

NATE [Gabby]

TINO [Rachel]

TYLER [Rachel]

ZACH [Gabby]

THE BACHELOR CONTESTANTS

ALEC, 27 | Houston, TX

AVEN, 28 | San Diego, CA

BRANDAN, 23 | Carlsbad, CA

CHRIS, 30 | Redondo Beach, CA

COLIN, 36 | Chicago, IL

ERICH, 29 | Bedminster, NJ

ETHAN, 27 | NY, NY

HAYDEN, 29 | Tampa, FL

JACOB, 27 | Scottsdale, AZ

JOEY, 24 | Brookfield, CT

JASON, 30 | Santa Monica, CA

JAMES, 25 | Winnetka, IL

JOHNNY, 25 | Palm Beach Gardens, FL

JOHN, 26 | Nashville, TN

JORDAN H., 25 | Tampa, FL

JORDAN V., 27 | Alpharetta, GA

JUSTIN B., 32 | Solana Beach, CA

JUSTIN Y., 24 | Brookfield, CT

KIRK, 29 | Lubbock, TX

LOGAN, 26 | San Diego, CA

MARIO, 31 | Naperville, IL

MATT, 25 | San Diego, CA

MICHAEL, 32 | Long Beach, CA

NATE, 33 | Chicago, IL

QUINCEY, 25 | Miami, FL

ROBY, 33 | Los Angeles, CA

RYAN, 36 | Boston, MA

SPENCER, 27 | Chicago, IL

TERMAYNE, 28 | Naperville, IL

TINO, 27 | Playa Del Rey, CA

TYLER, 25 | Wildwood, NJ

ZACH, 25 | Anaheim Hills, CA

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

LEAD WITH WONDER | ALYSIA REINER

This month, we're catching up with one of our faves Alysia Reiner (who graced our cover back in 2017 for our JUN ISSUE #18). She has been in a number of shows that we have enjoyed from Netflix's Orange is the New Black, HBO's The Deuce and ABC's How to Get Away with Murder. Her commitment to her roles and how she peels back the layers of her character like an onion is what makes us excited to see what she will do next. As a storyteller, Alysia is an actress and a producer who is compelled to find stories that explore themes that are at the forefront of what we're navigating as a society.

We caught up with Alysia in late May days before the launch of Disney+'s Ms. Marvel. We talked about how we navigated the pandemic, the power of storytelling, how she approaches her projects, her work in front of and behind the camera, what we can see her in next, the importance of representation and women's ownership of their bodies and how she advocates for these issues.

ALYSIA REINER: How are you, how was your pandemic? Congratulations for keeping the magazine afloat!

ATHLEISURE MAG: Wow obviously we went through it and we had to make a lot of decisions. The fact that we were able to keep it going was amazing!

I can only imagine as for you during the pandemic, you were working!

AR: It’s funny because when it all shut down, I started getting offers for work as early as that first summer. I turned down a lot of things because I just didn’t feel safe enough, just the way you were talking about. It was before vaccinations and it was just like, no this is not worth risking my life for and risking my family's lives for. In those early days, you just didn’t know!

Different people took it very differently and took it more seriously! I mean, we took it very very very seriously from the beginning and it wasn't until Ms. Marvel came that I felt that they had the money quite frankly to keep it really safe. They were testing every day! When the deal closed, within an hour, they had someone come to my house to test me – within an hour!

AM: Ok, they were like, “we’re going to start right!” That’s amazing! It’s so fun to be able to catch up with you as the last time we were with you it was for our cover for your June cover shoot 5 years ago - in person of course. At that time Orange is the New Black was about to release it’s 5th season, Better Things had it’s 1st season that was already out there and you were dropping your clothing line.

So being able to catch up as you have such a presence and I always love hearing from you – it’s good to see what you’ve been up to! I have always thought that you should be a super hero and/or in the Marvel universe so it was no surprise to me to hear that which is so exciting.

You’ve been in a number of shows that I have loved seeing you in How to Get Away with Murder, The Deuce – which I loved your character in that. I was like, “that girl can rock some sunglasses!”

AR: I mean on a fashion level, that was so freaking fun right? The 1970’s style, I can live in! It’s so fun!

AM: It’s fun to see you in STARZ's Shining Vale and you’re going to be in Ms. Marvel, what do you love about being a storyteller and a creator?

AR: I think my favorite part is telling stories that help evolve humanity you know? I have been really lucky to have been part of some seminal art in that way like Orange is the New Black which really changed the way people saw incarcerated people, particularly incarcerated women. The amount of women that have been incarcerated has increased by 731%. 731% in the past 30 years and it’s not because women are being more illegal. It’s about this system of slavery that we have embraced and if anyone has not seen Ava DuVernay’s 13th, it’s a really seminal piece about what I mean by that. But, how we see the incarcerated population, mass incarceration and the business of incarceration and additionally how we see the trans community.

There has been some incredible things that we have seen from trans humans and acceptance of that as well as push back from people that are deeply afraid. But, I always say that that’s how you know you’re succeeding is when people get afraid. I feel so grateful to be part of that kind of filming. With Better Things, we saw an authentic flawed mother in a way that we had never seen before. Now with Ms. Marvel, we’re getting our first ever Muslim superhero. It feels so outrageously wonderful and I feel so lucky to be part of that storytelling. That’s my favorite part. I was talking to someone last night, another producer friend. She was at a meeting for the Oscars for The Academy and someone said and I’m paraphrasing here – that really in America, the 2 ways people get their information is education and entertainment.

It’s so deeply important that our education system isn’t banning books and that people are able to learn everything from Critical Race Theory, the Holocaust where some people are trying to fight against that so it’s deeply important that we educate people on that. But the truth is entertainment has become a piece of our educational system and so for me, there’s a level of responsibility with that. I want to enlighten people and to entertain them obviously, but I want to connect with them and I don’t want people to feel so alone. I want them to feel part of, connected, loved and that they belong. I also want to be able to illuminate certain things that people don’t know because it’s only when we know about things, that we can change them.

AM: What do you look for when it comes to taking on projects whether it’s from the actors lens or a producing role?

AR: I think it’s exactly that. I look for if this is a story that needs to be told and I am the best person to tell this story. Is this a story we have seen a 100 times before? I will be honest. I was asked to look at a project a few days ago and I chose not to do it because first of all it was a story that had been told a lot of times and I felt it had some stereotypical tropes in it and some tropes that were very specifically about an image and the importance of one’s looks essentially. I was like, I don’t need to tell that story. I don’t need to be part of this essentially antiquated ugly duckling storyline. I feel like it’s one of the stories that we have told since the beginning of time. The ugly duckling that turned into the swan, but I don’t feel like we need to tell that story anymore. We can write a new story about how we perceive ourselves and how we love ourselves regardless of what we look like. I guess the question is, what is the new story there? I haven’t cracked that but I do know that I don’t think I need to keep telling that story.

AM: Do you have a process that you go through when you begin to prepare for your characters?

AR: I feel like every character tells me something else. I sort of have to ask the character what they need. Certain characters it’s about a pair of glasses or an accent or a psychological gesture. Some is about research. Is it a period of time that I wasn’t alive during. So each character, sometimes it’s internal and sometimes it’s external. So each character sort of talks to me and tells me what they need if that makes any sense.

AM: In looking at your other projects that you’ve done. You have Egg which you produced and acted in. How did this come about and how did you get attached to it?

AR: Oh, such a good question. Egg was based on a play that I did almost a decade before. I thought it was such a seminal piece about motherhood and the choice to be a mother. When I first did the play, I was not a mother yet and I hadn’t decided if I wanted to be yet. I loved the questions, conversations and thoughts that revolved around the issue. Around what it means to be a mother, what does it mean to be a father, what does it mean to be a parent, what does a family mean, what are those dynamics, what does it mean to be childless, what does it mean to be childless by choice and why does society have so much problems with that? I loved that piece and thought there was such insightful wisdom in it and it was hilarious. The writer did such an extraordinary job with balancing those two things.

Almost a decade later, I bumped into the writer on a ferry from Fire Island. She was coming from Kismet, Fire Island, so I like to say she was coming from Kismet. She said that she just wrote the screenplay for Egg and if I wanted to read it. I said, yes. A decade later, it was still all of these things that we don’t talk about. I remember before I became a mother, all of these people were asking me when I was going to be and it’s as if it was anybody’s business!

AM: I was going to say that! It’s like to ask that question, you don’t know if the person may not physically be able to or simply chooses not to because they like their lives as is.

AR: Exactly! It blows my mind how people think that it’s their business! Once I had my child, it became about when I would have a second child. I was disgusted and horrified at people’s responses. I would say, I don’t think that we’re having anymore and people would say, “oh, just the one?” They were like mourning for the second child that I wasn’t having. You just have no idea what’s going on in anyone else’s life and what’s best for them.

It’s the same conversation that we’re having now with abortions. I am so ok if you are deeply Christian, deeply Catholic and think it’s a sin and horrific to have an abortion. I am so down with that. I don't care who care who you are and you can believe whatever you want, just give me ownership of my own body. That is my only request. Every human deserves ownership over their own body. This whole thing is so deeply saddening to me. The idea of children being born and unwanted – can we just talk about that? People being forced to have children, so you’re bringing a child into the world that is unwanted and that is absolutely heartbreaking.

AM: We're days or weeks away from hearirng the decision on Roe v Wade which has been around for 50 years, if SCOTUS strikes it down, what other precedents that have been established like contraception, interracial marriage, gay marriage – how will these be handled?

AR: It’s in so much trouble.

AM: It’s mindboggling to me.

AR: I will advocate for and love on every human being to have access to their own body. That’s really important to me and that’s a big piece of what Egg Is about. It’s on iTunes and we sold it to Gravitas so you can now watch it online. I think it’s a really important time to watch it as it’s about this moment. There is a conversation in this movie that’s about abortion. So it’s really important that we have these conversations and that we don’t stop. That’s part of arts power is to help have those conversations.

AM: Circling back to what we were talking about before, how did you get attached to Ms. Marvel?

AR: I don’t know how everybody gets attached to a Marvel project. I would say that for me, it came up out of the blue. I never auditioned for anything, I didn’t know I was being considered and they are so secretive that essentially, all I knew was that I was being considered for a new show called Ms. Marvel and that I had to sign a NDA to even be considered for it. My lawyers had to do the contracts for it and they wouldn‘t even tell me my character's name until we signed. I couldn’t read anything, it was top, top, top secret. Even though it’s coming out in June, it’s been top secret to the very end. They won’t let me say anything except that I’m in it and I had a blast! I’m so excited to be part of the Marvel family, not only because of this particular story which has the first Muslim superhero, but that they keep on breaking boundaries in the world of cultural change. In the Eternals we saw a gay superhero and a blind superhero, a deaf superhero and they really use the art and the comics as a way of a Trojan Horse to talk about the things that we are sometimes afraid to talk about on this planet right know. I am so excited to be part of that family of storytellers that are down with talking about things that other people may be afraid to talk about.

And representation, authentic representation of all communities.

AM: Can you tell us about where this series sits within the MCU? We read somewhere that there is another movie coming out and will you possibly be in this movie as well.

AR: I am not, but there is some crossovers with some of the Marvels. There is definitely potential for my character to cross over additionally in the future.

AM: That’s very cool! What was it like being on that set?

AR: It was so much fun! It’s a great group of humans. Sana Amanat (Marvel Rising: Initiation, Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors, Marvel Rising: Chasing Ghosts) our showrunner, is so fantastic and what’s so exciting about her is that the character is loosely based on her and that’s so cool. To be with the person that it is based on is awesome. Another magical surprise was that Meera Menon (You, Outlander, Dirty John) who directed my first picture that I was a producer in for Equity was the director of a couple of the episodes. Marvel is so secretive that they didn't even tell her that they were casting me. I texted her and I was like, hey I’m coming to Atlanta for a project and I heard you were there and she said she was and she didn’t even know. I thought maybe she put in a good word for me she had no idea. It was so fun to be back on set with her and it was so exciting when Kevin came to visit. We became a really tight group of humans. We may have gotten a tattoo together. One of the actresses that I got really close to is named Yasmeen Fletcher (Andi Mack, Upside Down Magic, Let Us In) and she turned 18 right at the end of our shoot. She brought her uncle in and he's a tattoo artist for her birthday and we may have gotten matching tattoos.

AM: There is something about entertainment being a way to educate because you can hear something, but when you’re watching it you can think about it and you’re seeing things happen. Even if it’s not an experience that you’re aware of, it has to change you as a person one way or another or to at least get that element of being able to look out for it.

Going Places is another project that you’re involved in that’s coming out soon, what can you tell me about this movie and why did you want to be attached?

AR: It is so fun! So, the filmmaker is Max Chernov (Star Trek, Star Trek Into Darkness, Blood Brothers) and I read the script and I thought of my God it’s so fun this is such a ride that I want to be on. We had just wrapped Ms. Marvel, there were a lot of stunts involved in this project and I wasn’t afraid because I had just done Ms. Marvel. But I did know what questions to ask now that I would have never known because I did Ms. Marvel. When the offer came in I asked them would there be a stunt coordinator, would there be a stunt double? Because I did my own stunts on Ms. Marvel, but they did have all of those people just in case I couldn’t do my own stunts. It was so much fun. I did stunt training and stunt fighting. I loved it so much.

Similarly, it’s a high action adventure comedy that has some deep things to say. I love something that is deeply entertaining that also has some deep things to say. Ms. Marvel does it by talking about racism quite frankly. Going Places does it about our perception of success and what does it mean? Similar to Ms. Marvel, it’s about high school students and it looks at what success is and what does it mean. These high school students have just graduated and are on their way to college and the amount of pressure they put on themselves. In this moment, when I’m looking at every headline that you’re reading right now that talks about this generation. The teens of today are under such pressure and they’re really struggling with mental health. I love this script because it goes there about what the pressure we’re putting on young adults – teenagers. I now have a 13, and is technically a teenager. What does it mean to be successful. I like to call the COVID times the meditation retreat that none of us signed up for. I really see it that way. How can we use this experience to really grow ourselves, to learn and to really evolve? I don’t think that we can do that unless we are willing to really go deep and to look at what’s not working. We have so many kids that are not happy.

So something is not working friends. How do we change that? I feel so deeply that I only want my kid to be happy and I don’t care about her grades and whatever. I care that she does her best because I want her to feel the esteem about that. Really looking at what are the messages that we’re sending young people going into the world and why is not working really – let’s be honest. There is a disconnect there. So many young people are so deeply unhappy.

AM: This is true. Because you have played in so many roles. Are there roles or topics that are sitting on your vision board that you would like to do through this art?

AR: Ooo such a good question! I think I’m deeply curious in this moment it would be really fun to do a period piece. I’ve done it on stage and I did it for one movie, but I would like to do more in the past. Something that is deeply gripping and talks to the moment today which would be the Salem witch hunts. It would be interesting to do that as we’re pretty much primed for that right now. So that’s really interesting to me. If there were a way and I was just talking about this yesterday with some producers – I’m really curious how we tackle abortion and the war on women right now. What does that look like, how do we do it it in a way that it is the Trojan Horse where more people will watch and that it isn’t just a preaching to the choir situation. Doing it in a way that everyone is watching. I know that Handmaids Tale is that but to an extent is there a different version that really talks about it in a different way and maybe not in a dystopic way that Handmaids Tale so clearly is. Those are issues that I’m really curious about. I’m producing a movie right know called Flat or James Thomas Thinks The Earth is Flat which is an unlikely buddy comedy between an 8th grade Black science student and a very infamous NBA player who thinks the Earth is flat. The 8th grade student has to convince the NBA player that the Earth is in fact an oblong sphere in his science fair. It’s so fun and a real buddy comedy and a real movie for anyone from 9 to 99. We have Kelly Park (Call Me Kat, How I Met Your Father, The Game) who is the director who is a fantastic director. She has done a bunch of TV including The Upshaws, Grace and Frankie – she has incredible TV credits. I’m producing it with Diana DiMenna who produced What the Constitution Means to Me and Thoughts of a Colored Man and Spencer Paysinger, the TV show All American, is based on his life and he is the writer and producer. Another actor Brian Tyrell Clark – I’m super excited about that. That’s the kind of storytelling that I want to tell. We’ve never seen – at least I have never seen a movie about a brilliant 8th grade Black science student. And I will probably be one of the very few white people in the the movie. The movie is predominantly a black story and it’s about Black joy and obviously, it’s a Trojan Horse to how science and medicine has failed the Black community which it has in a 100 different ways and we will be going there. We also really want to celebrate a beautiful family. They are a beautiful intact family and we want to celebrate a Black scientist coming into the world and to celebrate his brilliance and intelligence. I’m on the board of the Geena Davis Institute and we talk about when you see it, you can be it. The importance of representation and how so many girls when they saw The Hunger Games, the amount of girls that took up archery or when Queen's Gambit came out, the amount of people that took up chess! That’s our dream for Flat that we get this huge ginormous blockbuster hit so that kids can be excited about science!

AM: That I so exciting and can’t wait until this comes out.

AR: I am so exited about that for multiple reasons but also being the environmentalist that I am, I believe that science is an innovation from youth and the ability to see things in a new way and to reimagine what can be possible. It can change everything.

AM: Like we’ve been talking about, if you’re not being represented, there isn’t an easy way to know this is something that you would want unless you have the path to place you there. I think this is awesome.

We were also talking about the madness of the pandemic and a lot of us had to adjust our lives and to figure things out. We also had random hobbies and interests that came out of this. But you became a firefighter or you trained for it at least!

AR: (Laughter) I am officially a Probational Firefighter. I passed all my tests!

AM: I mean! How did you decide that this was something that you wanted to do and what was it like training. We love watching 9-1-1 and 9-1-1: Lonestar and any type of show along those lines. I can imagine you doing anything, but I didn’t have that on the Bingo card – but I can see it happening.

AR: During the pandemic, we lived on Fire Island which is a small island off the coast of Long Island. It’s a series of villages where there are no guards. In our village, there is no police, no hospital, no doctors full-time. The only thing there is volunteer firefighters. I feel like that community created a safe haven for myself and my family. I like to say that when I was a little girl I would read Little House on the Prairie books – I loved them! I dreamed them! I dreamed that one day I would live that way but I knew that it wouldn’t be possible. Then the pandemic happened and I lived like Little House on the Prairie. I was alone on the island, there were very, very, very few people on the island. In our community, maybe there were 10 families and no one was going near each other. It was a really seminal moment in my life and I was so deeply grateful to that community as it felt that it saved my life by giving me health and safety and I wanted to give back to the community. Really all there is is volunteer fire. Similar to anything that I have ever done that is really really really hard, I had no idea how hard it was going to be going in. So, I said yes and I thought I want to do this and it’s going to be easy. I didn’t think it would be easy but I didn’t think it would be so hard. I started my training and some day I may actually write a book about it.

AM: You absolutely should!

AR: It challenged me on so many levels that I didn’t anticipate! The first level was my teachers were all older white men and a majority of them being Republican I believe. I had never spent so much time with so many older white men in my entire life. I was not educated that way – I grew up in NYC – it was a very different crowd. I didn’t feel that I was good at this. I’m still learning. I have a lot of acumen for a lot of things that I do in my life and I feel pretty good as an actor, I feel that I’m not a super strong producer but I have produced a couple of successful movies, I have movies that are in development and a number of TV shows that are in development – I know what producing is and I know how to do it successfully. I have been married for more than half of my life now and I feel pretty successful at that and I feel successful as a parent and my child is doing great. I do not feel successful as a firefighter. Every day I would come home from training and you can ask my husband, my chief, my best friend – hours of tears happened.

I felt like I could not do this. The physical work was really, really, really hard and I am incredibly strong, you know me, I work out everyday, but there is a level that I just couldn’t. The body weight it takes to hold a hose, you’re carrying 70lbs of weight on your body and you’re carrying tools and climbing up a ladder and a gas mask on with oxygen on your back and you’re blindfolded basically. It’s bonkers and then I was never good at standardized tests as a kid and every week, we would get these tests and then we had a 4 hour exam at the end. I have to tell you that the first few exams I did, I failed! I hadn’t felt like a failure in a really long time and I really, really, really felt like one – because I was failing. I’m not exaggerating and I had to become ok that I got a 70 and not a 100. I have an A type personality, I need a 100.

AM: Same!

AR: I wasn’t getting 100s and I would train at home physically every single day. I passed in the end. My training will never stop. I will continue to train because part of being a firefighter is always being ready for an emergency.

AM: That’s pretty amazing and I can definitely see how it would be a little humbling as well. But to also know that your commitment to your community and to give back in a way that was able to give back to you in terms of being a safe haven was so important that you were able to navigate that to get to where you ultimately wanted to be able to do which I think is cool.

AR: Aw well thank you!

AM: I can imagine that that was really tough. I thought, well dang, some people were just making sourdough bread during the pandemic!

AR: One of my best friends when I called her hysterically crying and snotty, she said you know what, do your best. If you fail, it will be the best parenting lesson that you could ever give your child. She said, show your child that you can do your best, still fail and still get back up! I have the chills even saying that again and I said ok, I’ll give it my all and if I fail, it will be the best parenting lesson of all. That got me through. I called her later and said, “I’m a horrible mother, I passed!”

AM: But she also got to see that sometimes you can give 100% of yourself and you may not get that back and that’s realistic too! Things happen.

AR: She saw me coming home hysterically crying, struggling with standardized tests which was really, really, really good for her.

AM: What do you want your legacy to be seen as for all the work you do in front of and behind the camera, the activism that you do and just the way you dig in as someone who is so present?

AR: Wow, the first thing that comes to mind is my dad was a management consultant and the motto for his company was, “make a difference and have fun.” I put that on his gravestone and it’s really my words to live by. The words that I think about for my life are love, service and wonder. Our production company is called 2 Wonder Full To Be Limited and my biggest goal particularly as I age is that the older people get, the more that feel to know things, that the uncertainty is untenable and I want to be more and more willing to not know and to be comfortable with the uncertainty and to be ok with that and to not need to know. I want to keep on wondering. I would say that wonder is my biggest legacy because it’s only when we wonder we can keep on growing and learning and that we can keep on loving other people as opposed to whether you know that someone is doing something that is wrong and you know and you’re mad – there isn’t a lot of space there. But if you wonder, you can think about why someone did something. I wonder – there’s a little breath there. I guess my hope really is that it’s my dad's thought to make a difference and to have fun. That fun is really key. As I learned in my course, joy is an act of resistance and now more than ever it’s so important that we value joy!

AM: I love the word wonder!

AR: Yeah, I love the word wonder.

AM: When you say it, it’s nice sometimes to think about that as opposed to the black/white or win/fail. But when you say wonder, it gives you that air to breathe and maybe to put yourself in a number of positions and maybe I should do that a lot more because sometimes I’m like no – it’s this.

AR: Well, it’s comforting to know. To love yourself through that. It’s comforting when you think you have the answer, but to wonder, that’s where the air is.

IG @alysiareiner

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | PG 43 - 51 + PG 169 - 171 9LIST STORI3S Laurie Bailey | PG 52 - 57 STARZ/Shining Vale |

Read the JUN ISSUE #78 of Athleisure Mag and see LEAD WITH WONDER | Alysia Reiner in mag.

THE POWER OF RELATIONSHIPS | BETTY WHO + ELAN GALE

We love reality shows and a number of our readers enjoy The Bachelor/The Bachelorette and even tweet along with us during each episode. We love seeing the social interaction, the dates, experiences and more. Prior to the pandemic, reality shows that focused on relationships went to the next level with an array of social experiments from Love is Blind, The Circle, The Ultimatum and more. These shows break new ground and really allow us to analyze how we interact with another.

On June 24th, The One That Got Away hits Prime Video. It allows people to look at their past to see if someone at that time could be a great fit for them. We caught up with singer/songwriter, Betty Who who is the host of this show. We talk about how she got attached and what we can expect. We also talk with Elan Gale who serves as the showrunner and executive producer delves into the intricacies of relationships with us.

ATHLEISURE MAG: It was such a great show to watch as who doesn’t love how we continue to explore social experiments when it comes to dating? What drew you to this show to want to be part of it?

BETTY WHO: I am such a fan of reality dating shows and it actually started with The Bachelor! I wasn’t really a fan of this and being in this sort of world. Then I got the chance to perform on The Bachelorette in Becca’s season. I was shooting it and I was thinking, “this is crazy – this world and this whole thing.” So I got super into The Bachelor and The Bachelorette and that’s how it introduced me to the world and now I feel like I’m a connoisseur and I’m all about it now! So when this conversation sort of started, someone came to me and asked if this would be something that I would be interested in. I was like, “guys, I don’t want to oversell it but, I would crush this job!” I think that this is a very powerful combination for me. I feel very lucky and yet very perplexed as to why they booked me, but I did what I could and I think that I showed up and showed out I think!

AM: I think that it’s such an amazing fit because in watching you, we’re used to the formats of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette where the host is interacting with the primary person and the people competing. In this situation, we have 6 people that are exploring themselves, you coming in and connecting with them and being able to interact with them when they’re broken down in the experience of it all! There are some intense moments and being able to see you in that way, what was your takeaway in watching all of this?

BW: I think that I really appreciated the opportunity to have conversations with those contestants in that moment. I think that as someone in my personal life, I really want to be warm and a safe space for my friends. I want to provide that warm energy with people and that’s something that I also like to do on stage as an entertainer. You want to create that safe space where people want to be able to come in and enjoy themselves. It was a new way for me to stretch my muscle in that way as it was 1-on-1, but still in this very highly curated environment where it’s still fundamentally about entertainment for us. I love to have a job, I love to entertain and I love to have all of these incredibly talented and creative people who know so much more about how to make a reality television show because what do I know? They’re like, do this and I’m like, ok this is such a fun adventure and I was in good hands! I think that that is a huge part of my enjoyment and experience on the show being such a positive one. I give that all to the people who sort of held my hand along the way. I feel very lucky.

AM: I saw the initial 6 episodes via the screener ahead of the launch on Jun 24th and I can’t wait to see the remaining 4! I really want to know as every episode I was transfixed!

BW: I’m so glad that you’re hooked! This is exciting!

AM: I am so hooked. As a reality junkie – I love this format.

BW: Oh, so you’re our target demo! So if you’re loving it, this is good news!

AM: For sure! At first when I heard the concept about the portal I was a little confused about it. But then I started watching it and getting how you guys delved into picking people from there past. Although at one point, I was like, wait they literally just got the guy that followed her on Instagram? I’d be mad too. To see you reasoning with her and asking her to go back one more time because there was a better person, was pretty funny.

BW: Um yeah, we’re definitely a little bit shady! But I think that that is my favorite part! I was watching to do some prep before I hosted a television show. I was looking at getting a lay of the land. I saw all of these hosts that did different things and I was watching Nick and Vanessa from Love is Blind.

AM: Love that show!

BW: I love that show and I was checking everybody out and I know that this isn’t a dating show, but I think that Jeff Probst – how shady Jeff Probst is on Survivor is one of my favorite things about the show! The way that he says, “so and so, I see you’re still having a tough time over there.” He is not afraid to stir shit up and I think that that’s especially amazing. I pray for a season 2 so that I can get even more. I just wanted to be nice the first time around and to have everyone like me as I was totally a fish out of water. But now that I know what’s going on, I’m ready to start some stuff up – you heard it here first!

If you have enjoyed watching The Bachelor/ette, Elan Gale executive produced both of these shows for a decade. A few years ago while we were tweeting along with others about these shows during a season, we noticed Elan talking about the episodes and providing insights.

With the launch of TOTGA, we talk about the power of relationships, what makes a good show and the impact of our interactions.

ATHLEISURE MAG: As long time watchers of The Bachelor/The Bachelorette, it’s amazing to chat with you and we love interacting with you on Twitter to hear your thoughts. Before we get into The One That Got Away, what is it about relationships that you love delving into as this is something that has been a large part of your career in creating these shows?

ELAN GALE: Great question! I think that the honest answer is that I have always felt that my relationships are the greatest things in my life. I have a hard time focusing on anything else if I’m being really honest. I always found that I only know what I know. I am only around the people that I am around, I only have relations with people that are in my life and generally from where I’m from because that’s where we are and that’s how we meet. Relationship shows have always given me an opportunity to just watch other people interact with each other and watch them build bonds that hopefully are life changing. It doesn’t necessarily mean that the relationship has to be permanent. I think that that is something that often we put too much emphasis on because almost all of our relationships are impermanent and it doesn’t mean that it’s not important or that it doesn’t change us or make us grow.

So watching people focus on things that are non-linear like relationships which are probably the most important aspects of their lives as well – I think it’s really interesting and it’s a window into how we interact with each other. I think that people are really interesting! I like watching them do whatever the hell they want to do!

AM: So what do you find to be the secret sauce in terms of putting that into TV as a medium? What are the dynamics that make a good show about relationships?

EG: I think that more than anything, we’re looking for people who are effusive. Anyone could be a good TV dating contestant really. What’s hard is finding people who want to explore their emotions in real time. When something happens to me, I process it. I take some time and I’m pretty shy about how I interact with my own emotional life. I would go so far as to say, almost a little cowardly in the way that a lot of people who come on this show aren’t. There’s an incredible bravery in being able to say that I am going to go through all of these intense emotions, but I’m also going to allow people into that and to let them into my world. So finding people who have specific points of few, strong emotions, strong desires, but simultaneously willing to be able to get it wrong because that’s what we usually do. We almost always get it wrong until we get it right! But it doesn’t mean that those are the most compelling relationships either!

Looking at relationships that are raw and based on feelings rather than logistics, I think that TV shows do a really good job of removing the logistics from relationships. I think that’s also one of the things that people find the most jarring about them. It doesn’t feel real to me because the logistics are taken away. But I have found personally, and maybe this is just me, I have found that when I am falling in love, when I’m in a relationship and when I am with people that I feel are important parts of my life – logistics do kind of take a back seat. If we’re going to continue to claim that relationships are the most serious driving force in our lives, then putting logistics to the side is probably a good idea. You can probably figure that out later. The weird magic of love and whatever is the stuff that you can’t do later and you can’t figure that out thoughtfully over time – I don’t think.

AM: I don’t think so either! What brought you to want to be part of this project. I watched the screeners and I’m obsessed, the fact that all of the screeners weren’t available at once made me mad because I’m so invested and I want to know what happens!

EG: I’m so glad you liked it. Thank you for watching!

AM: It was a great watch. I took a Sun and just let the storytelling unfold!

EG: That makes me so happy! Honestly, these 6 people just went for it. This is a terrifying show. You don’t know who is coming through that portal and who you are letting into your life. That is such a bravery that they had to step into this – I don’t have it! That’s part of what was so exciting to me. I have a similar relationship that I think that most of the people in the audience had – I wish I could do that to have the tenacity and the openness!

AM: I could never!

EG: For me, I have done so many dating shows where strangers meet strangers. There is such an interesting dynamic there and I love those kind of shows. I love watching those shows, but secretly probably the show that I am most addicted to is 90 Day Fiance. What I love about this show is that by the time you meet these people, they really have complex relationships. You have to peel it back like an onion as a viewer. So this – all the things that I love about dating shows, people meeting for the first time and adding this layer of complexity where you get to watch people who they were, previous iterations of themselves and for me, I really wanted to approach this show differently from any other show. I wanted to treat it like sci-fi. I wanted the portal to be like a real-time machine and if I’m being honest, this might sound really crazy – for me the show took more inspiration from Rick & Morty than any other dating show I have worked on in the past. Looking at this like one tiny sliver of the multiverse where you can suddenly live a life that you have never lived for a short amount of time and see what that life may have been like. Yeah, if those relationships can go back into the real world, maybe they do – I don’t know. But if they do, that’s really interesting and beautiful, but more importantly, this slice of life, this time and this place where nothing really exists is interesting. In the first episode, Jeff meets someone who he hasn't seen in 15 years. They were 2 people and now they're 2 different people just like everyone else is. Getting to watch them date for the first time, but also being able to come to terms with how they’ve changed and to see that through the eyes of someone that’s dating them, it’s really one of the most transformative processes for me as a viewer. At the end of the day, that’s what I am. Getting to watch them and these things that were happening and to be able to watch them and to really see them going through it! The thing that I am most excited about is that no one was focused on results. Everyone got a happy ending but it doesn’t mean that it’s the one that audiences were expecting. I think that we’re set up to believe that dating shows end like this. And maybe they don’t have to. Maybe dating is enough. Maybe moments with people and experiences that you share, looking inward on yourself through the eyes of someone who knew you back then – maybe that’s enough. I think it is and I think that that’s what makes the show so different.

AM: That’s so true. I think that when you look to The Bachelor/ette where you have a designated person that is available although in the upcoming Bachelorette there are 2 – but you have the designated person and then you have this whole group of people who are another dynamic. The idea that you have a couple of people for a certain person and how they interact with the separate house and the main house, that’s something because they’re also bringing in their own versions of the person that they know. That’s a whole other sociological study right there!

EG: I think you made a really good point. One thing that I think that this show does really nicely is that it plays up the dynamic friendships that the leads have with each other and of course with the arrivals as well. They’re going through this incredible process together and it’s something that no one else has ever been through before. The bonds are permanent and we don’t just revel in the rivalries on the show. Someone goes out on a date 2 days ago and their friends are hoping and wishing and praying that they come home happy and had a good time. Again, it’s all about building that universe. We talked about this on set. We called our location Lacuna. You never see it on camera – it’s just something that we talked about internally.

Lacuna is an unwritten piece of a story or a missing page in a book. We just kind of tried to build an environment where whatever story that person had been living, it was paused for a moment. They were encouraged to write a new story in this period of time and they go off into the world. Maybe it folds nicely into what you already have or maybe it doesn’t but it’s going to be interesting and it’s going to be messy. That’s what I love so much about the show too! Life is a fucking messy, disaster 90% of the time! Acting as if things are linear, perfect and meant to be – maybe they are, but there is also something about embracing chaos. I think dating is chaotic and I think that that is also what makes it fun. I’ve never gone on a first date and went, “it’s remarkably average and I can’t wait to do it again.”

AM: How did you go about finding the arrivals? There were those like the person from the confirmation, another who went to school together and then you had the one who just followed the lead on Instagram?

EG: Honestly, it was the most complicated process that I have ever been part of. Primarily, the way that our casting team did it was talking to family and friends of the individuals and trying to figure out people who they would be interested in. The leads also gave lists of people that they thought about, wondered about or were curious about. So there was some kind of dynamic combination of people that their mom or sister might have thought was perfect for them, a best friend or if they were close to their ex – someone that they thought that they knew. It could also come from someone from their very very long list or someone who was fascinated by them on their social media and felt more connected than maybe they actually were.

I think it also points out the way that we all create our own histories. We all tell our own stories or what part of our lives are important or not. I think that in a lot of the cases of the leads that they may have been more impactful on the lives of others than they realized. That’s really empowering for a lot of people where something that you said, or something that you did or a look you gave someone – even if it wasn’t meant in a romantic way, it stuck with them and made you important enough to go through a whole casting process, get on a plane, go to LA and then just walk through a portal to see someone. You had to have meant something to someone to fill them with a feeling and that’s a great place to start a relationship. Even if it doesn’t go somewhere because everyone can feel that a question that has haunted them, can be answered in a way that everything else is guessing. It’s fun to have a moment in life where you get to answer the many questions where I don’t know about you, but I’m haunted and plagued and live in a state of permanent regret! If I could go somewhere – can you imagine knowing what the sliding door version of your life is or lesser so the Butterfly Effect of Ashton Kutcher version? It’s a good movie, underrated – fun!

AM: Like you said, in watching this show, removing the dating/romantic aspect – you think about the coffee cart guy you see everyday on the corner and during the pandemic, you didn’t have it and you felt that there was a hole. The concept of relationships and interactions and what it means to you and the other person is an interesting dynamic.

What do you want people to walk away with in watching this. Should we all be digging into our past to find our relationships to figure our shit out?

EG: It’s such a good question! I’m not confident that the takeaway should be that we should go back into your past to find your future. I don’t think that’s the answer. I do think that the takeaway should be, that if you are actively looking for love, you should leave no stone unturned. I think that most people will not find their future from their past. A lot of people might. But if you’re curious about something and you have been looking for this long, maybe you don’t need a portal to do. Maybe you do and I’m glad that these people did, but these days you can pick up a phone. You can send an email and ask a question and it will probably lead nowhere because most things in life do. It might lead you somewhere really magical and you might find the one that got away and that would be pretty fucking cool.

IG @bettywho

@theyearofelan

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDIT | Prime Video

Read the JUN ISSUE #78 of Athleisure Mag and see THE POWER OF RELATIONSHIPS | Betty Who + Elan Gale in mag.