THE BACHELOR S29. E7. | THE WOMEN TELL ALL

PHOTO CREDIT | ABC/The Bachelor Key Art

PHOTO CREDIT FOR THE BACHELOR CONTESTANTS | Disney/Matt Sayles

We’re getting towards the end of the season of ABC’s The Bachelor! Last week was Hometowns and next week will be Fantasy Suites - that means tonight is the Women Tell All where we catch up with those who were eliminated and some of the story lines that surrounded Grant and the cast. We also get to hear Jesse Palmer’s take on all of it.

We look at the season overall in terms of an extended trailer and Jesse digs in on some of the moments and storylines that took place during the women’s time on the show. Of course, they mention that Zoe took Grant away for an hour during the group basketball date, he also talks about Carolina and how she became a villain (of course, she shows up to the WTA with a jacket with some of her “famous” quotes), and they try to get into what took place between her and Rose that also became a source of contention as well. Carolina leaves the set as they go to commercial and no one is surprised!

Coming back from commercial, Carolina is still not there but Alexe talks about their relationship with Jesse on the hot seat. Everyone thought that they would go the distance - or at least Hometowns, but Jesse brings another love of her life - the No Drama Llama! During their conversation Carolina comes back walking in front of a camera (couldn’t production have made sure that didn’t happen)? We then hear from Sarafiena who was also someone we thought would make it to Hometowns. Last up is Dina who gets to chat with Jesse. We kind of felt that when her family didn’t come to their date, that would be an issue for him. But it’s not like she didn’t have any representation and it’s a shame that he let her feel that them not being there wouldn’t be an issue for him. It’s an interesting take that because there were some in her family that was interested in meeting Grant and those that weren’t, she didn’t want to create division so she opted to just have her friends there. Of course, Carolina is the final person who comes to the hot seat. She continues to deflect and not take accountability while asking and hoping that Grant will be able to do so!

Grant finally makes his way onto the stage. He talks with a number of the women to talk about their time in the house and lets them know that ultimately, he was looking for the best fit for him. He also chats with Jesse and has a Chubby Bunny competition with him - Jesse won. We also get a bit of a peek into the season finale as well.

RECEIVED A ROSE DURING HOMETOWNS | Litia, Julianna, and Zoe.

DIDN’T RECEIVE A ROSE |

Each night during this season, we will tweet about The Golden Bachelorette and you can chat along with us (@AthleisureMag + with our Co-Founder/Creative + Style Director, Kimmie Smith @ShesKimmie) to see what’s taking place!

Each week we will let you know who our faves were from the last episode and if we’ve changed up since then as it pertains to who we think should go to Hometowns.

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

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

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WHO WE’LL SEE AT FANTASY SUITES

JULIANA

LITIA

ZOE

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THE BACHELOR CONTESTANTS

ALEXE

ALLI JO

ALLYSHIA

BAILEY

BEVERLY

CAROLINA

CHLOIE

CHRISTINA

DINA

ELLA

J'NAE

JULIANA

KELSEY

KYLEIGH

LITIA

NATALIE

NEICEY

PARISA

RADHIKA

REBEKAH

ROSE

SARAFIENA

SAVANNAH

VICKY

ZOE

THE BACHELOR S29. E6. | IT'S TIME FOR HOMETOWNS

PHOTO CREDIT | ABC/The Bachelor Key Art

PHOTO CREDIT FOR THE BACHELOR CONTESTANTS | Disney/Matt Sayles

This season has moved quickly - it’s Hometowns on ABC’s The Bachelor. Grant heads to Boston to meet up with Julianna. They’re going to enjoy Little Italy in her hometown and he learns how to make pizza. They pick flowers together and they even make canolis which is a fun way for them to continue to meet one another.

They make their way to her home and he meets so many people and has 1-on-1 conversations with her parents and you can see that they get along. He lets her know that he is falling in love with her as she told him that last week!

He heads out to NYC to enjoy his next Hometown with Zoe. We see them in Central Park walking around. We know that Grant is originally from NJ so it’s familiar for him. He’s going to meet her family and friends. In addition to her working in tech, she takes him to a shoot with BRIDE’S magazine where they will do 3 looks together. They also meet her family and get to know them more. It seems that it went well although we don’t see them going the distance.

His next date takes him to Wyoming to meet Litia. He is nervous as he knows that not being Mormon may be an issue. They ride horses in the countryside together. They meet her family and then her mom lets her know that she has a surprise and there are even more people there then who he met at Julianna’s! Litia’s mom lets her know that she needs to let Grant know how she feels.

The final Hometowns takes place in Chicago with Dina! She tells him that her family is not going to meet with him because they don’t like the process although it is not a reflection on him. She lets him know that if they go forward, he would get to meet them and they would support their relationship. In addition, she lets him know that they will get to be with her friends, but she is nervous about what this will mean for their relationship. Meeting her friends, we think that he can see how they are her family as well and they reassure him that when he finally meets her family, he will be embraced! The fact that none of her 11 siblings showed up is quite a pill to swallow - you would think that someone would have stepped forward.

With the Hometowns being over, Grant meets up with Joey to get his perspective on how he needs to look at the days ahead. While Joey chats with him, the women are back talking with one another. They realize that there isn’t much time left and they talk about their Hometown dates. Dina hears how everyone had people (and in many cases large families there).

The rose ceremony brings the 4 ladies together as he makes his choices. We finally see Jesse Palmer as he decides between Dina and Zoe for the final rose. playing golf and chatting with one another.

RECEIVED A ROSE | Litia, Julianna, and Zoe.

DIDN’T RECEIVE A ROSE | Dina

Each night during this season, we will tweet about The Golden Bachelorette and you can chat along with us (@AthleisureMag + with our Co-Founder/Creative + Style Director, Kimmie Smith @ShesKimmie) to see what’s taking place!

Each week we will let you know who our faves were from the last episode and if we’ve changed up since then as it pertains to who we think should go to Hometowns.

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

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

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WHO MADE IT PAST HOMETOWNS

JULIANA

LITIA

ZOE

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THE BACHELOR CONTESTANTS

ALEXE

ALLI JO

ALLYSHIA

BAILEY

BEVERLY

CAROLINA

CHLOIE

CHRISTINA

DINA

ELLA

J'NAE

JULIANA

KELSEY

KYLEIGH

LITIA

NATALIE

NEICEY

PARISA

RADHIKA

REBEKAH

ROSE

SARAFIENA

SAVANNAH

VICKY

ZOE

AWARDS SEASON | OSCAR WINNERS

Today the winners of the 97th Oscars took place today and was hosted by Conan O’Brien which aired on ABC as well as Hulu.

As we have done throughout Awards Season, we share our predictions in bold, the ones we correctly identified as winners are in bold italics and winners that we didn’t predict are in italics. Below are the winners which includes those that wwe predicted correctly as well as those we didn’t.

Best picture

"Anora" (Neon)

"The Brutalist" (A24)

"A Complete Unknown" (Searchlight)

"Conclave" (Focus)

"Dune: Part Two" (Warner Bros.)

"Emilia Pérez" (Netflix)

"I'm Still Here" (Sony Classics)

"Nickel Boys" (Amazon/MGM)

"The Substance" (Mubi)

"Wicked" (Universal)

Best director

Sean Baker, "Anora"

Brady Corbet, "The Brutalist"

James Mangold, "A Complete Unknown"

Jacques Audiard, "Emilia Pérez"

Coralie Fargeat, "The Substance"

Best actress

Cynthia Erivo, "Wicked"

Karla Sofia Gascón, "Emilia Pérez"

Mikey Madison, "Anora"

Demi Moore, "The Substance"

Fernanda Torres, "I'm Still Here"

Best actor

Adrian Brody, "The Brutalist"

Timothée Chalamet, "A Complete Unknown"

Colman Domingo, "Sing Sing"

Ralph Fiennes, "Conclave"

Sebastian Stan, "The Apprentice"

Best supporting actress

Monica Barbaro, "A Complete Unknown"

Ariana Grande, "Wicked"

Felicity Jones, "The Brutalist"

Isabella Rossellini, "Conclave"

Zoe Saldaña, "Emilia Pérez"

Best supporting actor

Yura Borisov, "Anora"

Kieran Culkin, "A Real Pain"

Edward Norton, "A Complete Unknown"

Guy Pearce, "The Brutalist"

Jeremy Strong, "The Apprentice"

Best original screenplay

"Anora," Sean Baker

"The Brutalist," Brady Corbet & Mona Fastvold

"A Real Pain," Jesse Eisenberg

"September 5," Tim Fehlbaum & Moritz Binder

"The Substance," Coralie Fargeat

Best adapted screenplay

"A Complete Unknown," Jay Cocks & James Mangold

"Conclave," Peter Straughan

"Emilia Pérez," Jacques Audiard, Thomas Bidegain & Nicolas Livecchi

"Nickel Boys," RaMell Ross & Joslyn Barnes

"Sing Sing," Clint Bentley, Greg Kwedar, Clarence Maclin & John "Divine G" Whitfield

Best international feature

"I'm Still Here," Walter Salles (Brazil)

"The Girl with the Needle," Magnus von Horn (Denmark)

"Emilia Pérez," Jacques Audiard (France)

"The Seed of the Sacred Fig," Mohammad Rasoulof (Germany)

"Flow," Miguel Gomes (Latvia)

Best documentary feature

"Black Box Diaries," Shiori Itō (MTV)

"No Other Land," Basel Adra, Hamdan Ballal, Yuval Abraham & Rachel Szor (No distributor)

"Porcelain War," Brendan Bellomo & Slava Leontyev (Picturehouse)

"Soundtrack for a Cout d'Etat," Johan Grimonprez (Kino Lorber)

"Sugarcane," Julian Brave NoiseCat & Emily Kassie (Nat Geo)

Best animated feature

"Flow" (Janus Films/Sideshow)

"Inside Out 2" (Disney/Pixar)

"Memoir of a Snail" (IFC Films)

"Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl" (Aardman/Netflix)

"The Wild Robot" (Dreamworks/Universal)

Best cinematography

"The Brutalist," Lol Crawley

"Dune: Part Two," Greig Fraser

"Emilia Pérez," Paul Guillaume

"Maria," Edward Lachman

"Nosferatu," Jarin Blaschke

Best costume design

"A Complete Unknown," Arianne Phillips

"Conclave," Lisy Christl

"Gladiator II," Janty Yates

"Nosferatu," Linda Muir

"Wicked," Paul Tazewell

Best film editing

"Anora," Sean Baker

"The Brutalist," Dávid Jancsó

"Conclave," Nick Emerson

"Emilia Pérez," Juliette Welfling

"Wicked," Myron Kerstein

Best production design

"The Brutalist," Judy Becker

"Conclave," Suzie Davies

"Dune: Part Two," Patrice Vermette

"Nosferatu," Craig Lathrop

"Wicked," Nathan Crowley

Best original score

"The Brutalist," Daniel Blumberg

"Conclave," Volker Bertelmann

"Emilia Pérez," Clément Ducol & Camille

"Wicked," John Powell & Stephen Schwartz

"The Wild Robot," Kris Bowers

Best original song

"Never Too Late," "Elton John: Never Too Late" (Elton John & Brandi Carlile)

"El Mal," "Emilia Pérez" (Clement Ducol, Camille & Jacques Audiard)

"Mi Camino," "Emilia Pérez" (Clement Ducol & Camille)

"Like a Bird," "Sing Sing" (Adrian Quesada & Abraham Alexander)

"The Journey," "The Six Triple Eight" (Diane Warren)

Best sound

"A Complete Unknown"

"Dune: Part Two"

"Emilia Pérez"

"Wicked"

"The Wild Robot"

Best visual effects

"Alien: Romulus"

"Better Man"

"Dune: Part Two"

"Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes"

"Wicked"

Best makeup and hairstyling

"A Different Man"

"Emilia Pérez"

"Nosferatu"

"The Substance"

"Wicked"

Best documentary short

"Death by Numbers"

"I Am Ready, Warden"

"Incident"

"Instruments of a Beating Heart"

"The Only Girl in the Orchestra"

Best animated short

"Beautiful Men"

"In the Shadow of the Cypress"

"Magic Candies"

"Wander to Wonder"

"Yuck!"

Best live-action short

"A Lien"

"Anuja"

"I'm Not a Robot"

"The Last Ranger"

"The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent"

THE BACHELOR S29. E5. | WELCOME TO EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND

PHOTO CREDIT | ABC/The Bachelor Key Art

PHOTO CREDIT FOR THE BACHELOR CONTESTANTS | Disney/Matt Sayles

We left Madrid and now we’ve moved onto Edinburgh, Scotland for this week’s ABC’s The Bachelor. We see the women walking around the city and taking in the culture and we know this one is key since Hometowns are next week!

We also catch up with Grant Ellis and Jesse Palmer playing golf and chatting with one another. Jesse meets up with the women to let them know that this week is key and that there will be no roses on the dates, but there will be 2 1-on-1 dates during the week. We learn that Julianna is getting the first 1-on-1 date.

Their date takes them away on a helicopter - the other women see them lift off. They arrive at their castle for the day. Upon entering the castle, they meet a stylist who allows them to select a look for an activity that they will enjoy later on. After a selecting a formal outfit, they walk into a ballroom where a quartet plays for them and they are joined by others dancing.

Back with the rest of the women, the next date card arrives. Sarafiena, Alexe. Carolina, Dina, and Zoe are all on the group date together. Litia receives the 1-on-1. Zoe is bummed that she is the only person who has not gotten the 1-on-1. Zoe is sad and opts to go to bed, but Carolina of course is always the wet blanket of the group.

Back on Julianna’s and Grant’s date, they are having dinner together and getting to know one another a lot more. They connect on a series of similarities and we can tell that Julianna is a shoe in to go to Hometowns.

At the group date, they take in the culture of dancing, eating food of the region, and more. Carolina in her confessional says that dating as a group sucks and she doesn’t recomment it and that she will try to stay lowkey - I don’t see it. They begin to play games and to have a good time. Carolina of course goes back to pulling him away from everyone by refusing to play and interact with everyone else. The rest of the women on the date are ariing their grievances with one another about how Carolina operates and steals Grant at every turn. He was gone for the rest of the day. Now, the group date is in the second portion of the date. He lets them know he has fun, but the other women feel that their time was taken and they couldn’t share more about themselves.

The women let you Carolina know that stealing him throughout the date was rude and they can’t understand why she continues to pout and look like a damsel in distress. Dina also tells Grant that Carolina is a lot and he needs to think about whether he is really a match for her. Although he has heard this for weeks, he values Dina’s opinion and feels that there is more credability to what he has been hearing.

His date with Litia takes him around the town and you can see how easy it is with her. We’ve always like her for him and it’ll be interesting to see who will get the roses tonight as there have generally been good dates this week. We know that there will be more conversation between the 2 of them at dinner. She lets him know that she is Mormon and he listens to her and you can see their mutual connection.

The women arrive to find out whether they will move onto Hometowns. Carolina asks to talk with Dina before the ceremony starts. Carolina lets her know that she cares about her and recognizes how Dina stood up for her. Thankfully they get back downstairs in time for the ceremony.

RECEIVED A ROSE | Dina, Litia, Julianna, and Zoe.

DIDN’T RECEIVE A ROSE | Alexe, Carolina, Sarafiena

Each night during this season, we will tweet about The Golden Bachelorette and you can chat along with us (@AthleisureMag + with our Co-Founder/Creative + Style Director, Kimmie Smith @ShesKimmie) to see what’s taking place!

Each week we will let you know who our faves were from the last episode and if we’ve changed up since then as it pertains to who we think should go to Hometowns.

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

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

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WHO’S GOING TO HOMETOWNS

DINA

JULIANA

LITIA

ZOE

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THE BACHELOR CONTESTANTS

ALEXE

ALLI JO

ALLYSHIA

BAILEY

BEVERLY

CAROLINA

CHLOIE

CHRISTINA

DINA

ELLA

J'NAE

JULIANA

KELSEY

KYLEIGH

LITIA

NATALIE

NEICEY

PARISA

RADHIKA

REBEKAH

ROSE

SARAFIENA

SAVANNAH

VICKY

ZOE

THE BACHELOR S29. E4. | WELCOME TO MADRID

PHOTO CREDIT | ABC/The Bachelor Key Art

PHOTO CREDIT FOR THE BACHELOR CONTESTANTS | Disney/Matt Sayles

It’s time to travel and we’re making our way to Madris with Grant Ellis and the ladies who are competing for him in this week’s episode ofABC’s The Bachelor. Before we head out, the fallout of The Prom and all the drama that took place between Carolina and Rose took the wind out of everyone’s sales. The women talk about what took place and everyone feels that her extra took time took away from everyone else. She felt that she got the clarity that she needed although it may not have been ideal for everyone.

Jesse Palmer lets them know that they are heading to Madrid and need to meet up with Grant as he has already left. We fast forward to watching Grant walk around the city and the women arrive seeing where they will stay for the next few days. Grant and Jesse catch up playing basketball as well as finding out how the process is going with him. Finally, Grant meets up with the women as they all enjoy sangria. He lets them know there is a 1-on-1 date and he selected Dina to join him. They walk around the city and play soccer with kids in the street randomly. They also dance in the streets for an impromptu session. They head to the Store of Wishes which has letters outside of the shop and they are asked to write a note to affix to the wall. They even take a boat as he navigates around the area. They continue on to dinner where they can get to know one another better. The date ends with them being serenaded as they dance and she receives the rose of the night.

Back at the hotel, the other women are enjoying some down time. They all believe that Dina is coming back with a 1-on-1 and they mention that they would like to have a 1-on-1. Carolina says that she wishes she had more time, but she had her time with him in Vegas and other women have only been on group dates. The women feel that she is ungrateful and entitled and it shows that she does not play by the rules when it comes to sharing him. The group date card arrives and Alexe, Litia, Carolina, Natalie, Rose, Parisa, Julianna, and Zoe will be on the next date. Sarcastically, during Carolina’s confessional, she shares with the audience that of course she is excited to be on a date with multiple women and maybe she will see him kiss other women. That means that Sarafiena will have a 1-on-1 with him.

The group date has arrived and the women are navigating the city on their way to meeting him. They will enjoy a tour and they will ride through the city on donkeys. They train how to be matadors with a wheelbarrow bull. They change into their outfits to compete against one another. Whoever stays on the longest on the mechanical bull will be the winner. They even have an intimate audience watching as well as commentators. Each of the women use a different technique to try and stay on. Alexe and Zoe are the frontrunners and Zoe ends up getting special time with Grant ultimately.

At the after date cocktail party, the women look to spend more time with him. He wants to have good vibes and to be able to learn more about them. Rose chats with Grant about what took place the week before and she lets him know that she didn’t know if she would still be able to stay and hopes that they can continue building on what they have. He lets her know that there is room for growth.

In Zoe’s time with Grant, she lets him know that she can have a hard time opening up to people because she grew up in the South, was adopted, , and there was a lot of abuse that she was involved in. It definitely gives another perspective into how she operates the way that she does.

Carolina complains to the women again about her issues that she has with Grant when she always feels that something wrong is going on. Julianna pulls her aside and lets her know that when she does that and talking about being unsure, she would leave as she thinks it’s unfair for her to stay.

Although she was pulled away, when she comes back Carolina brings it up and they all chat. By the time Grant arrives, she is full on crying and he pulls her aside (again to chat with her) and tries to make her feel better. He decides not to give out a rose for the group date. Julianna feels bad that in pulling her aside to chat has now made all the women get wrapped up in the event.

The 1-on-1 date with Sarafiena kicks off as they are riding around Madrid. They are jumping off the bridge in the pouring rain? After the jump, they make their way to dinner to get to know more about one another. She shares how many times peopel feel that she is good on paper and then things don’t go past that. She lets him know that she is there for the right reason and she wants to be a mom and to have a family. She knows that she didn’t have that kind of love in her life with her family. She gets the date night rose.

The cocktail party arrives for the rose ceremony for the women. Carolina hopes that she won’t cry again which she shares with the women. He lets them know that he has had a great time with the women and that the group date party was a bit much and he heard a few things that were a bit concerning. He asks to see Julianna to find out her side of the story. Julianna tells him that she and the other women do not like hearing the negative things that Carolina says and it bothers them. He tells her that he appreciates her sharing and that it shows how mature she is. Even Grant says that having a private jet and being in Vegas wasn’t enough for her and he finds her behavior to be immature.

He talks with Carolina and lets her know to hear these conversations are having and that she is not telling him what is going on. They speak and yet again there is an issue between Rose and Carolina and other women no longer get the opportunity to speak with him. In addition, Rose decides to leave because she doesn’t feel that it is a healthy environment for her. He lets the women know that Rose has left.

RECEIVED A ROSE | Alexe, Carolina, Dina, Litia, Julianna, Sarafiena, and Zoe.

DIDN’T RECEIVE A ROSE | Natalie, Parisa, Rose (decides to leave)

Each night during this season, we will tweet about The Golden Bachelorette and you can chat along with us (@AthleisureMag + with our Co-Founder/Creative + Style Director, Kimmie Smith @ShesKimmie) to see what’s taking place!

Each week we will let you know who our faves were from the last episode and if we’ve changed up since then as it pertains to who we think should go to Hometowns.

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

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

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WHO WE THINK WILL GO TO HOMETOWNS

ALEXE

CAROLINA

JULIANA

LITIA

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THE BACHELOR CONTESTANTS

ALEXE

ALLI JO

ALLYSHIA

BAILEY

BEVERLY

CAROLINA

CHLOIE

CHRISTINA

DINA

ELLA

J'NAE

JULIANA

KELSEY

KYLEIGH

LITIA

NATALIE

NEICEY

PARISA

RADHIKA

REBEKAH

ROSE

SARAFIENA

SAVANNAH

VICKY

ZOE

NEW YEAR, N3W YOU

Read the JAN ISSUE #109 of Athleisure Mag and see NEW YEAR, N3W YOU in mag.

THE BACHELOR S29. E3. | CONTINUING ON THE JOURNEY

PHOTO CREDIT | ABC/The Bachelor Key Art

PHOTO CREDIT FOR THE BACHELOR CONTESTANTS | Disney/Matt Sayles

We continue on as Grant Ellist navigates the world of ABC’s The Bachelor. We see the ladies competing for him settle into the house and interact with one another. Jesse Palmer arrives and lets them know that in addition to it being an emotional night, he wants them to know about the 2 1-on-1 dates and there will be 1 large group date. The group date includes Natalie, Bailey, Alexe, Alli Jo, Chloie, Serafina, Parisa, Dina, Rose, Litia, Zoe, and Julianna.

With the group date set, we know that Carolina and Beverly will have a 1-on-1 date.

The group date involves The Bachelor School of Finance. Hannah Berner and Daniel Lubetzky of Kind Snacks are part of the date as well. The women don colorful power suits. Whoever wins the most Grant Bucks will win perks in the After Party. Grant Bucks are acquired by answering an array of questions some being finance-oriented and others that weren’t. Bailey ends up winning the most Grant Bucks and looks forward to seeing what that will give her later.

At the After Party, Bailey (in front of the other girls) is given a menu of what she can spend her Grant Bucks on. She decides that she will buy a shirt of his to sleep in as well as desert with him. She leaves him wearing his shirt. Zoe has decided to bring everyone down by being upset in general. She then goes to him and says that she feels that she is being belittled by the other women. He connects with all of the women and gets to know more about the women. Parisa gets the group date rose. He lets the women know that bullying should not taka place. The women figure out the Zoe created this and even when they tried to find out from her, she says that they are being mean to her.

The day after he group date, the women are crying because of how Zoe left everything. Thankfully, we move on to Carolina’s date which starts off with a private jet that will take them to Vegas. They jumped off the side of a building which made them closer and Grant is looking forward to having dinner with her at a beach club. She wants to chat with him to tell her about a condition that she is battling as she knows that for some people, it has been a turnoff. She is prone to seizures and she was very upset by telling him this and he said that he would be there for her.

We find out that Beverly’s 1-on-1 won’t be happening as she is sick and that she won’t be coming back! A date is still in the works as Sarafiena, Litia, and Dina will be going to Vanderpump Dogs to hang out with some puppies. They have photoshoots with the dogs and they take pictures of one another. Lisa Vanderpump herself makes an appearance to see them. She lets them know that they will volunteer with the dogs. Dina and Grant wash a dog together and get to know each other a bit more. Sarafiena and Grant walk a dog together. Litia and him sit outside with their dog to talk about what attracts them to one another. With this 3-on-1 date going so well, he decides to take Litia out for dinner and the other women will go back to the house.

They go to City Hall to have dinner together. He tells Litia about his family life and how his father suffered from his addictions and his mom kept the family going. Litia shares her backstory as she lets him know that her father passed away and they both see that they want to have a solid family. She is given the rose.

Allegedly, Rose tells Carolina that during their first group date, while he was dancing with her, he was actually thinking of Rose which kept her going into a deeper spiral. As the girls talk about the date, Carolina is annoyed that Litia has a rose and even told women earlier that she wishes she didn’t even have her date although it went well. The cocktail party is themed with a prom theme and he sends corsages to all of them. He arrives and let them know that he never went to his high school prom because he focused on basketball. Gary, Jack, Keith and Jonathan from The Golden Bachelorette are with him They all start dancing and take in all of the fun! They enjoy games, pictures, and advice from the men. Even Jack is grilling up a storm - as per usual.

Carolina is so annoyed that while Rose is chatting with Grant, she calls him loudly to say that someone told her that he was thinking of her while she was being danced with. He asks her who said that and lets her know that not only is it a lie, but he doesn’t like that his character is being questioned. Carolina says that she doesn’t want to make it a thing and won’t tell him. Through a process of elimination he realizes it has to be Rose. He asks her and Rose says that that is what she thought she heard him say. He lets her know that that is not what was said and we think that her time is going to be shortlived in the house. The Golden Bachelorette men give Grant the crown as King and each of the women get them as Queens. In dealing with the Rose and Carolina situation the remaining ladies that didn’t have a chance to chat with him are even more annoyed as Carolina had a rose and they had been watching her spiral over the past few days.

RECEIVED A ROSE | Alexe, Carolina, Dina, Litia, Julianna, Natalie, Rose, Sarafiena, and Zoe.

DIDN’T RECEIVE A ROSE | Alli Jo, Bailey, Beverly, Chloie, and Parisa.

Each night during this season, we will tweet about The Golden Bachelorette and you can chat along with us (@AthleisureMag + with our Co-Founder/Creative + Style Director, Kimmie Smith @ShesKimmie) to see what’s taking place!

Each week we will let you know who our faves were from the last episode and if we’ve changed up since then as it pertains to who we think should go to Hometowns.

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

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

---

WHO WE THINK WILL GO TO HOMETOWNS

ALEXE

CAROLINA

JULIANA

LITIA

---

THE BACHELOR CONTESTANTS

ALEXE

ALLI JO

ALLYSHIA

BAILEY

BEVERLY

CAROLINA

CHLOIE

CHRISTINA

DINA

ELLA

J'NAE

JULIANA

KELSEY

KYLEIGH

LITIA

NATALIE

NEICEY

PARISA

RADHIKA

REBEKAH

ROSE

SARAFIENA

SAVANNAH

VICKY

ZOE

THE BACHELOR S29. E2. | THE DATES BEGIN

PHOTO CREDIT | ABC/The Bachelor Key Art

PHOTO CREDIT FOR THE BACHELOR CONTESTANTS | Disney/Matt Sayles

We met the women of this season’s S29 of ABC’s The Bachelor. We also got to learn more about Grant Ellis and what he is looking for as well. We see the women settling in and what they do during their downtime when they are in between dates. Jesse Palmer pops in and he lets them know that they are the 18 women who will get to continue. He reminds Alexe that since she got the First Impression rose, wh will have the first 1-on-1 date. He leaves the date card after telling them that there will be 3 dates. Beverly, Sarafiena, Alli Jo, Natalie, Parisa, Vicky, Chloie, Zoe, Julianna, and Allyshia will be on the first group date. It seems like this date will involve basketball and their date starts now. This date also involves children playing with them as well. They all shoot around, dunk, etc and then when it’s time for Zoe to do it, she forfeits and then decides to shoot her shot by taking Grant upstairs to have a few minutes alone with him. Clearly, the women are not pleased with this move as they felt that it wasn’t the time to do that then. When they arrive to the other women giving them some severe stares, they learn that they will play 5-on-5 and whoever the MVP is will get Grant’s Letterman Jacket in The Bachelor Basketball Showdown. Chloie ends up winning as MVP and gets Grant’s jacket. The women definitely battled it out on the court and even lost some of their press on nails! There are definitely a lot of feelings that took place.

At the cocktail party for the group date, he congratulates them on putting their effort forward. He asks Chloie to spend some time with him and he lets her know that the radiance that she has is amazing. She got a kiss when they were together and she also got one when she received the jacket. While Chloie is with Grant, the ladies let her know that she overstepped when he took her away.

The Group Date Rose is given to Natalie (she helped one of the little girls calm down when she was out of breath) and you can see the other women happy that at least Zoe didn’t get the rose as she had monopolized Grant’s time multiple times throughout the date and cocktail party.

The next day, we see the women lounging and enjoying the house. Alexe has her 1-on-1 date with Grant which is taking place at the Beverly Center which is closed. They enjoy getting to know one another and she received the rose.

The group date is about to kick off as we get to the next day. Bailey, Carolina, Dina, Ella, Litia, Rebekah, and Rose walk into the space and Mario is serenading them! They’re going to write a song to Grant, perform it, and dance in front of a live audience. Robin Antin assisted them with choreography and she is the creator of the Pussycat Dolls. Carolina wins for her lyrics and she gets to dance with Grant and get serenaded by Mario! She also straddles him and goes in for an epic kiss (that was quite long). Clearly that would be uncomfortable for the other women to see.

The cocktail party after the group date begins. He lets them know that he had a great time with them but he feels that the vibe is off (it’s probably because of the makeout session that they all had to watch). He asked to chat with Rebekah and he asked her if he did something wrong. She lets him know that group dates are tough but she understands that he will need to do what is necessary in order to find his person She walks away feeling good with their interaction. Rebekah chats with the women and Caroline asks for why she feels that the vibe is off - she says it’s tough when he can only choose one person. It’s great that she didn’t say, “well you did a major make out session that we all saw.”

He talks with each of the women to know more about them and where they are coming from. He tells Litia that he is also sick of dating and he gets it. Caroline brings up her experience as well. It was definitely a safe space for all of the women. Grant gives the Group Date Rose to Litia.

As the women get ready for the Cocktail Party, all the women are thinking about the time that they have with Grant. He lets them know that he is happy that they are there and he is appreciative of them giving their time to him. He feels that his person is in the room. Each of the women spends time with him to find out more about what he thinks about things that matter to him.

RECEIVED A ROSE | Alexe, Alli Jo, Bailey, Beverly, Carolina, Chloie, Dina, Litia, Julianna, Natalie, Parisa, Rose, Sarafiena, and Zoe.

DIDN’T RECEIVE A ROSE | Allyshia, Ella, Rebekah, and Vicky,

Each night during this season, we will tweet about The Golden Bachelorette and you can chat along with us (@AthleisureMag + with our Co-Founder/Creative + Style Director, Kimmie Smith @ShesKimmie) to see what’s taking place!

Each week we will let you know who our faves were from the last episode and if we’ve changed up since then as it pertains to who we think should go to Hometowns.

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

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

---

WHO WE THINK WILL GO TO HOMETOWNS

ALEXE

ALLI JO

CAROLINA

JULIANA

---

THE BACHELOR CONTESTANTS

ALEXE

ALLI JO

ALLYSHIA

BAILEY

BEVERLY

CAROLINA

CHLOIE

CHRISTINA

DINA

ELLA

J'NAE

JULIANA

KELSEY

KYLEIGH

LITIA

NATALIE

NEICEY (

PARISA

RADHIKA

REBEKAH

ROSE

SARAFIENA

SAVANNAH

VICKY

ZOE

THE BACHELOR S29. E1. | WELCOME TO THE BACHELOR SEASON 29!

PHOTO CREDIT | ABC/The Bachelor Key Art

PHOTO CREDIT FOR THE BACHELOR CONTESTANTS | Disney/Matt Sayles

We are back with S29 of ABC’s The Bachelor which is led by Grant Ellis who was on Jenn Tran’s S21 of The Bachelorette! We watched him navigate his relationship with her until he was eliminated in week 6 right before Hometowns.

We get to meet Grant through a series of photoshoots, seeing him play basketball, we meet his family, and we catch up with why he’s ready to be The Bachelor and how he will navigate the process. We hear about his father’s addiction, his parents divorced, and how he felt that although he loved them, they didn’t say that to one another. Basketball gave him the ability to focus on what he was going through.

We also see him give his First Impression Rose to his grandmother to let her know that he will always love her and she is his number one. He meets Jesse Palmer as his journey is moments from starting and they figure out how he will take on the night.

We meet Rose who steps out of the limo first and she asks him, will he accept this rose? Litia is a cutie who is Mormon and was born in Hawaii. SHe comes from a large family and although she’s not great at basketball, she says that he can bring the skills and she will bring the sparkle. J’nae brought chalk and it was such a cute moment between the 2 of them because she is a basketball fan. The women really brought it by sharing themselves and finding cute ways for him to remember them. It’s always interesting to see the reactions of the other castmembers as they watch the other entrances and this year, having a Llama in the group is quite a sight to see.

All the women have finally arrived and are in the house. He welcomes all of them and thanks them for their entrance and being there. He lets the know he is looking for a wife, he wants, a family and he asks them what does love mean to them? He lets them know what it means to him. He also shares that his mom signed him up for the show in case they weren’t aware. Grant’s sister also swings by to let the women know more about him as well as to meet him.

The First Impression Rose means a lot more this season as she will be guaranteed to come into the mansion but she will also get the first 1-on-1 dayte! Alexe is the first one to get the rose. Going into tonight’s episode, we guessed based on profiles alone that Alexe, Alli Jo, Allyshia, and Julianna would go to Hometowns. We now know that so far all of the women we predicted are closer to getting there.

RECEIVED A ROSE | Alexe, Alli Jo, Allyshia, Bailey, Beverly, Carolina, Chloie, Dina, Ella, Litia, Julianna, Natalie, Parisa, Rebekah, Rose, Sarafiena, Vicky, and Zoe

DIDN’T RECEIVE A ROSE | Christina, J’Nae, Kelsey, Kyleigh, Neicey, Radhika, and Savannah

Each night during this season, we will tweet about The Golden Bachelorette and you can chat along with us (@AthleisureMag + with our Co-Founder/Creative + Style Director, Kimmie Smith @ShesKimmie) to see what’s taking place!

Each week we will let you know who our faves were from the last episode and if we’ve changed up since then as it pertains to who we think should go to Hometowns.

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

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

---

WHO WE THINK WILL GO TO HOMETOWNS

ALEXE

ALLI JO

ALLYSHIA

JULIANA

---

THE BACHELOR CONTESTANTS

ALEXE

ALLI JO

ALLYSHIA

BAILEY

BEVERLY

CAROLINA

CHLOIE

CHRISTINA

DINA

ELLA

J'NAE

JULIANA

KELSEY

KYLEIGH

LITIA

NATALIE

NEICEY

PARISA

RADHIKA

REBEKAH

ROSE

SARAFIENA

SAVANNAH

VICKY

ZOE

FIGHT FOR WHAT YOU LOVE | JACK HUSTON + MICHAEL C. PITT

Last month Day of the Fight was released into theaters. It tells the story of Irish Mike as he prepares for his fight at Madison Square Garden. As we lead up to this big event, we also get to see the people, places, and things that make up his life. With an incredible cast that includes Michael C Pitt (Boardwalk Empire, Asphalt City, Reptile), Ron Perlman (Hellboy franchise, Sons of Anarchy, StartUp), Joe Pesci (Goodfellas, Casino, The Irishman), and Steve Buscemi (The Sopranos, Fargo, Boardwalk Empire) to name a few - we're drawn into his world as well as the decisions that he makes.

We had the pleasure to sit down with Jack Huston (Boardwalk Empire, Expats, House of Gucci), writer, producer and making his directorial debut along with lead actor, Michael to talk about this film, how it came to be, moments that they enjoyed, the takeaway that they want others to have from it, and the power of cinema.

ATHLEISURE MAG: We watched this movie last night and we’re boxing fans. So we were already excited to see the movie. It was even better that it was not the traditional and formulaic boxing film that we are used to seeing! Before we delve into the movie, Jack you wrote, directed, and produced it. What led you to creating this film? Michael, what made you want to be part of this film?

JACK HUSTON: I had the great opportunity to work with Michael many years ago on Boardwalk Empire.

AM: Which was an amazing series!

JH: Thank you! I always had memories of Michael punching sandbags and going off to the boxing gym. So maybe, I had him there in my head. But I also had the memories of just how much I loved working with Michael just him being such a beautiful actor and he has always elevated any season that he was in. Somebody who just conveys so much through his eyes. He has this amazing sense of sensitivity and vulnerability with a hard exterior you know and he could play every part. When I sort of conceived the film, I could not imagine anybody else in the role. It’s amazing where you have these moments where you are literally right there with someone else’s voice in your head. So, I wrote and came up with the idea for the film with Michael in the role and I went to him and said, you’ve got to do this role! He asked me, where’s the script and I was like, well I haven’t written it yet. So we worked and sort of developed it through the years. It was a great fight worth having to get Michael to play this part. I thank God everyday that I got the opportunity to do it with him.

AM: Wow, that’s great to hear. What drew you to the film Michael?

MICHAEL C. PITT: Permission to speak freely?

AM: Of course.

MCP: This film chose me. Jack chose me. My very good friend, my buddy, and my collaborator basically said that he wanted me to do this. He pulled me out of the gutter to play this film. We made it with a lot of love and a lot of heart. We made it to inspire the younger generation and so I hope we do.

AM: It was incredible. The casting was incredible obviously in addition to Michael, Joe Pesci, Steve Buscemi, Ron Perlman -

MCP: Well that’s all Jack! I have no idea how – I mean I used to call him The Prince! I have no idea in hell how he did it!

AM: That part!

MCP: Yeah, how he assembled those older men – they are not the easiest and they are set in their ways.

AM: Haha you are basically asking what we’re trying to say so I thank you for navigating that one! How'd you do that?

MCP: To get them in the room. That was all Jack. All Jack. Thank God we were able to get those guys!

JH: You know, it’s funny. When you write it for certain people, I think that just like Michael said, the film was all heart and it was all love. The two elements or the two characters that were written specifically for the film were Mike and Joe. Joe was – you know, I heard his voice and that’s him singing in the movie. I was developing this character that had dementia and we needed an actor with such a history and almost where their reputation proceeded them the way that they find them in the film, they have to have such a body of work because they are suffering from dementia. Then I heard him sing and I thought, what if he doesn’t speak, but you hear him sing? That’s what brings back the memories because when my grandma when she was suffering from dementia, music would bring her back in the room. She gained that lucidity through that – through music and that’s what sort of happened.

But, getting Joe was landing the white whale because the film wouldn’t have happened. He pretty much secured our financing! I think it was kind of like, “ha ha if you get Joe Pesci, we’ll secure your financing for the movie.” Then we went ahead and got Joe Pesci. Then they were like oh shit, we have to finance the movie. But it was a big gamble and I think again it came down to the collective love of what we were trying to make and a bit of a throwback to the movies that aren’t made like this anymore. It is an homage to that type of picture. It’s all about feeling, all about character, all about the sort of real human struggle and the human condition. The kinds of films like Mike was saying that made us fall in love with cinema and hopefully, it will inspire other people to fall in love with cinema all over again.

AM: What did you draw from, Mike in terms of your character and how did you approach playing him?

MCP: Oh, that’s such a difficult question because it was set up – Jack set it up for me to experience this role. So it was a bit like, “ok, I set everything up, you’re trained, and now ding, ding, ding – go out there and do everything and get out into the ring and make me proud.” Basically, that’s how it was set up for me and it’s hard for me to watch, but I do notice that it does make people feel. I do think that that is a very important thing that Jack touches on. It’s really smart to be streetwise, it’s very good to keep your poker face up and to keep your guard on. But you need to feel things. We need to feel things or we’re not human. I hope that people have the courage to feel when they are watching the film.

AM: There were so many themes that we enjoyed when watching the film: redemption, resilience, fortitude, and even being able to establish things in the future that you know will not be yours to enjoy; however, you have created the fingerprint for that to happen. Of course, the whole past, present, future of everything that is going on in the film is just really great. What stuck out for you as moments in the film that you really enjoyed?

JH: God, there’s so much! You know what? It’s wonderful when you’re able to step back and say, this role is yours. Run, enjoy, feel it, and experience it. Witnessing the actors coming together and what was made, the writing was elevated to such an extent, but that is exactly again, going to the beauty of relationships. I have to say that I think that what Michael and a lot of our actors did is that they gave very honest performances. There’s a lot of truth in them and I think that everyone is always talking about forgetting to go to the movies. I always say that I like to remember things and I like to feel that scene in my heart and gut and I want to wake up thinking about that.

Certain images – I like when everything comes together and that’s usually as a common goal. There are a lot of surprising scenes that on the page read one way, but my God it’s gorgeous to witness 2 lovely actors take it and run with it. You know, it was magic. I spent a lot of time crying when I was looking at the monitors. It was huge moments of gratitude for me.

AM: Michael, was there anything that stuck out with you?

MCP: In the filming? Every single day! Every single day, every single moment. It’s a beautiful memory for me. Listening to Jack talk, you know, I don’t know why I started thinking about when I was a little boy and my mother has 4 kids tugging on her and we’re trying to make ends meet and she would buy $1 movies at Blockbuster. Blockbuster was going out of business and she would buy $1 movies, and I would just sit in front of all of these movies and I never saw a bad movie, I never saw a movie that I didn’t like.

JH: Yeah, right!

MCP: These films changed people. A film that makes you feel is a film that you see and it changes people. Those were films that changed my whole direction of life!

Every moment of every single day of every single second that I was filming, it was incredible! So people should go see it!

AM: In thinking about the concept of deadlines with the movie literally being the Day of the Fight, you know that you’re seeing everything that is happening or lead up to the day of the fight, but you also understand that there is this health condition that is going on so if he does box, this could be another timeline that takes place. What was the thought behind running these multiple timelines as well as the past, present, future, aspect as well?

MCP: Jack, you mentioned this wonderful quote by Hitchcock (Psycho, Rear Window, The Birds) and I think it’s so great that you need to say it.

JH: Yeah, Hitchcock did an early - well before I say that, in this film initially, you didn’t find out about his medical condition in this script until the fight and when he gets knocked down. Then you put things together and realize why this day has been like this.

It’s funny because when I was in the edit, I used an old Hitchcock quote which is, “2 people sitting at a table having a conversation and that’s one thing. You put a bomb under the table, the conversation becomes very different.”

MCP: So his condition is the bomb.

AM: Right.

JH: His condition is the bomb, but the audience –

MCP: Which is brilliant.

JH: It’s good for the audience to know that because every single one of those scenes where you know it’s a ticking bomb makes that scene all the more weighty because it’s possibly the last time that he is seeing any of these people. So you’re on this journey that only Irish Mike knows about!

MCP: From a writing standpoint, it’s a really brilliant thing for people to hear.

JH: Yeah.

MCP: It sets and puts the tension in every scene.

JH: Every scene!

MCP: It puts the motivation in every scene, every character, and so his condition is the bomb under the table during the conversation.

JH: And you know that, so it’s even better when you’re watching it for the second time. Even though you know it when you're watching it for the first time, it works great for the second time as it is really set in. A lot of people have come to multiple screenings and they have told me that they are so happy that they got to see it again. They gained so much more from the second viewing. I love films that you can watch over and over again! I think that this is a film that you can watch a bunch of times.

AM: Our thoughts exactly as we want to watch it again. Even when watching it last night in preparation for today’s discussion, it was incredible. We love a film that is in black and white. There was nothing to not love about this film. In an additional viewing, it will be great to see more of the little things that maybe weren’t seen the first time! Just from top to bottom, it was a great watch! Then to be able to see it and talk with both of you about this has been really amazing!

MCP: Ditto! Ditto! It’s really nice to talk to you as well.

AM: So great chatting with you and I hope that it gets all of the awards it deserves because it’s so great!

JH: You’re so sweet! Please go yell that at the rafters as we need people to come and support this movie!

AM: 100%

JH: We love you for it!

IG @dayofthefight

@thejackhuston

@michaelcarmenpitt

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | Front/Back Cover, PG 16 - 27 + 30 - 43 Day of the Fight/Jeong Park | PG 28 Day of the Fight/Peter Simsonite |

Read the DEC ISSUE #108 of Athleisure Mag and see FIGHT FOR WHAT YOU LOVE | Jack Huston + Michael C. Pitt in mag.

AWARDS SEASON | OSCAR NOMINATIONS

Today, actors Bowen Yang (SNL, Wickedd, Fire Island) and Rachel Sennott (Saturday Night, The Idol, Bottoms) were the host for the 97th Oscars nominations that were announced this morning. This show will be a bit different as there won’t be any live musical performances and in many ways it will be a love letter to LA who has been battling wildfires. This show is slated to air on Mar 2nd live on ABC and on Hulu.

As we do throughout Awards Season, we share our predictions in bold, the ones we correctly identified as winners are in bold italics and winners that we didn’t predict are in italics. On the night of the event, we will share who we predicted correctly as well as those we didn’t that won.

Best picture

"Anora" (Neon)

"The Brutalist" (A24)

"A Complete Unknown" (Searchlight)

"Conclave" (Focus)

"Dune: Part Two" (Warner Bros.)

"Emilia Pérez" (Netflix)

"I'm Still Here" (Sony Classics)

"Nickel Boys" (Amazon/MGM)

"The Substance" (Mubi)

"Wicked" (Universal)

Best director

Sean Baker, "Anora"

Brady Corbet, "The Brutalist"

James Mangold, "A Complete Unknown"

Jacques Audiard, "Emilia Pérez"

Coralie Fargeat, "The Substance"

Best actress

Cynthia Erivo, "Wicked"

Karla Sofia Gascón, "Emilia Pérez"

Mikey Madison, "Anora"

Demi Moore, "The Substance"

Fernanda Torres, "I'm Still Here"

Best actor

Adrian Brody, "The Brutalist"

Timothée Chalamet, "A Complete Unknown"

Colman Domingo, "Sing Sing"

Ralph Fiennes, "Conclave"

Sebastian Stan, "The Apprentice"

Best supporting actress

Monica Barbaro, "A Complete Unknown"

Ariana Grande, "Wicked"

Felicity Jones, "The Brutalist"

Isabella Rossellini, "Conclave"

Zoe Saldaña, "Emilia Pérez"

Best supporting actor

Yura Borisov, "Anora"

Kieran Culkin, "A Real Pain"

Edward Norton, "A Complete Unknown"

Guy Pearce, "The Brutalist"

Jeremy Strong, "The Apprentice"

Best original screenplay

"Anora," Sean Baker

"The Brutalist," Brady Corbet & Mona Fastvold

"A Real Pain," Jesse Eisenberg

"September 5," Tim Fehlbaum & Moritz Binder

"The Substance," Coralie Fargeat

Best adapted screenplay

"A Complete Unknown," Jay Cocks & James Mangold

"Conclave," Peter Straughan

"Emilia Pérez," Jacques Audiard, Thomas Bidegain & Nicolas Livecchi

"Nickel Boys," RaMell Ross & Joslyn Barnes

"Sing Sing," Clint Bentley, Greg Kwedar, Clarence Maclin & John "Divine G" Whitfield

Best international feature

"I'm Still Here," Walter Salles (Brazil)

"The Girl with the Needle," Magnus von Horn (Denmark)

"Emilia Pérez," Jacques Audiard (France)

"The Seed of the Sacred Fig," Mohammad Rasoulof (Germany)

"Flow," Miguel Gomes (Latvia)

Best documentary feature

"Black Box Diaries," Shiori Itō (MTV)

"No Other Land," Basel Adra, Hamdan Ballal, Yuval Abraham & Rachel Szor (No distributor)

"Porcelain War," Brendan Bellomo & Slava Leontyev (Picturehouse)

"Soundtrack for a Cout d'Etat," Johan Grimonprez (Kino Lorber)

"Sugarcane," Julian Brave NoiseCat & Emily Kassie (Nat Geo)

Best animated feature

"Flow" (Janus Films/Sideshow)

"Inside Out 2" (Disney/Pixar)

"Memoir of a Snail" (IFC Films)

"Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl" (Aardman/Netflix)

"The Wild Robot" (Dreamworks/Universal)

Best cinematography

"The Brutalist," Lol Crawley

"Dune: Part Two," Greig Fraser

"Emilia Pérez," Paul Guillaume

"Maria," Edward Lachman

"Nosferatu," Jarin Blaschke

Best costume design

"A Complete Unknown," Arianne Phillips

"Conclave," Lisy Christl

"Gladiator II," Janty Yates

"Nosferatu," Linda Muir

"Wicked," Paul Tazewell

Best film editing

"Anora," Sean Baker

"The Brutalist," Dávid Jancsó

"Conclave," Nick Emerson

"Emilia Pérez," Juliette Welfling

"Wicked," Myron Kerstein

Best production design

"The Brutalist," Judy Becker

"Conclave," Suzie Davies

"Dune: Part Two," Patrice Vermette

"Nosferatu," Craig Lathrop

"Wicked," Nathan Crowley

Best original score

"The Brutalist," Daniel Blumberg

"Conclave," Volker Bertelmann

"Emilia Pérez," Clément Ducol & Camille

"Wicked," John Powell & Stephen Schwartz

"The Wild Robot," Kris Bowers

Best original song

"Never Too Late," "Elton John: Never Too Late" (Elton John & Brandi Carlile)

"El Mal," "Emilia Pérez" (Clement Ducol, Camille & Jacques Audiard)

"Mi Camino," "Emilia Pérez" (Clement Ducol & Camille)

"Like a Bird," "Sing Sing" (Adrian Quesada & Abraham Alexander)

"The Journey," "The Six Triple Eight" (Diane Warren)

Best sound

"A Complete Unknown"

"Dune: Part Two"

"Emilia Pérez"

"Wicked"

"The Wild Robot"

Best visual effects

"Alien: Romulus"

"Better Man"

"Dune: Part Two"

"Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes"

"Wicked"

Best makeup and hairstyling

"A Different Man"

"Emilia Pérez"

"Nosferatu"

"The Substance"

"Wicked"

Best documentary short

"Death by Numbers"

"I Am Ready, Warden"

"Incident"

"Instruments of a Beating Heart"

"The Only Girl in the Orchestra"

Best animated short

"Beautiful Men"

"In the Shadow of the Cypress"

"Magic Candies"

"Wander to Wonder"

"Yuck!"

Best live-action short

"A Lien"

"Anuja"

"I'm Not a Robot"

"The Last Ranger"

"The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent"

IN TIME | CHARLES VANDERVAART

Currently, you can enjoy the second half of the S7 of STARZ's Outlander which is a historical romance time travel series based on the books written by Diana Gabaldonof the same name. It follows Claire Randall (Caitríona Balfe), a British nurse who travels from the 20th-century to 17th-century Scotland. In the new timeline, she meets and falls in love with a Highland warrior, Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan). With only 1 more season left, we're looking forward to see what other stories will be told in future spin-offs which we're looking forward to.

We sat down with Charles Vandervaart (Holly Hobbie, The Craft: Legacy, Murdoch Mysteries) who plays Jamie's son, William Ransom to find out about how he came to this show, what he loves about it, as well as upcoming projects that he is involved.

ATHLEISURE MAG: What was the first film or series that made you fall in love with acting and when did you realize that you wanted to be an actor?

CHARLES VANDERVAART: I was very young. I remember going to a play at my local theatre when I was about 6, and I was just enthralled by it. In the car home I asked my parents if I could try to do a play. I got my first ever gig at that same theatre. I fell in love with acting playing Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol.

AM: What do you enjoy about storytelling?

CV: Storytelling is so very human, we come together in the telling of stories. We can learn to empathize with and learn from others and in doing so, learn more about ourselves and the world around us. We endure through stories. Beauty that may otherwise be lost is protected and preserved in story.

AM: We've enjoyed watching Outlander and we know a number of fans also enjoy the book, how much did you know about this series before you came to it?

CV: My aunt has been a really big fan for years now. I remember her talking about the show when we would get together for holidays. I watched a couple of episodes on my own before I auditioned, but after my first audition I binged the whole thing and fell in love with the story.

AM: You play William Ransom. Can you tell us about your character and how he fits into the world of Outlander?

CV: William Henry Clarence George Ransom is the bastard son of Jamie Fraser, however he believes he is the biological son of the 8th Earl of Ellesmere, who died on the day of his birth along with his mother. He was raised by Lord John as the 9th Earl. He grew up in affluent circles, learning about the world through the lens of the ultra wealthy in England. English patriotism and a loyalty to the crown became major aspects of his identity. When William learns of his true parentage, his entire identity shatters. He becomes this tornado of rage, feeling betrayed by Lord John and everyone else who kept this secret from him.

AM: How do you approach playing William and what is it like acting in a period piece?

CV: Well I get a lot of help from the writing, costumes, accent, etc to create William. Carol Ann Crawford, the dialect coach on the show was a tremendous help in finding William’s accent. Once I start talking like him, the rest of William quickly followed.

AM: We know fans of the show enjoy the cast and of course, Sam Heughan. What is it like playing against him?

CV: I remember one of my last scenes in season 7 was with Sam, even though we’ve been filming for a year at this point it only hit me then that my character’s dad was Jamie Fraser. It felt a little like I was watching the show in real time. I was feeling very grateful for this amazing journey. He's a hell of a scene partner.

AM: A few weeks ago, S7 part 2 began releasing episodes what can you tell us about this portion of the season?

CV: Identity crisis is central for Mr. Ransom. S7 part 2 involves a great deal of pain for William. He also hurts a lot of people this season. Let's hope he grows from his pain and becomes better. I think he needs some therapy for sure.

AM: In terms of filming a show such as this, we imagine that it can be long hours - what do you do to prepare when you're going on set and what do you once you complete filming for the day?

CV: Coffee coffee coffee!! The long days and early starts can be a lot, no one likes to wake up at 4am. The Scottish Highland air help wakes you up though, one of the many perks of shooting in such a wonderful country.

AM: When you're not on set, how do you stay in shape and what are 3 workouts that you do that we should consider adding into our routines?

CV: Rock climbing has been my go to over the last couple of years. I absolutely love it. It feels nice to have such a simple task to complete that requires creativity and athleticism. As far as gyming goes, my three go to’s are probably hip thrusts for legs, pull ups for my back, and shoulder press for shoulders and triceps.

AM: When you're taking time for yourself, what would we find you doing?

CV: I love a good hike, outdoor rock climbing, gardening.. get me outside and I’m happy.

IG @charles_vandervaart

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | PG 87 Dio Anthony/Groomer Valissa Yoe | PG 88-93 STARZ/Outlander |

Read the DEC ISSUE #108 of Athleisure Mag and see IN TIME | Charles Vandervaart in mag.

63MIX ROUTIN3S | CHARLES VANDERVAART

Read the DEC ISSUE #108 of Athleisure Mag and see 63MIX ROUTIN3S | Charles Vandervaart in mag.

9LIST STORI3S | MARIA CAMILA GIRALDO

Read the DEC ISSUE #108 of Athleisure Mag and see 9LIST STORI3S | Maria Camila Giraldo in mag.

THE BACHELOR S29. E0. | MEET GRANT AND THE WOMEN ON THIS SEASON

PHOTO CREDIT | ABC/The Bachelor Key Art

PHOTO CREDIT FOR THE BACHELOR CONTESTANTS | Disney/Matt Sayles

On Jan 27th, we will be glued to our screens to enjoy S29 of ABC’s The Bachelor which is being helmed by Grant Ellis who was on Jenn Tran’s S21 of The Bachelorette! We watched him navigate his relationship with her until he was eliminated in week 6 right before Hometowns!

A few weeks back, a first look of the women competing in his season was provided via ABC’s The Bachelor Facebook account!

They just released the contestants official images and we wanted to make sure you see these women.

As we do each season, we have shared these images (we’ll update their ABC gallery images) and we’ll begin to make the best guess on who will be going to Hometowns! We can’t wait to see how Grant and Jesse Palmer will vibe as he continues through the season and what surprises will be along the way.

Each night during this season, we will tweet about The Golden Bachelorette and you can chat along with us (@AthleisureMag + with our Co-Founder/Creative + Style Director, Kimmie Smith @ShesKimmie) to see what’s taking place!

Each week we will let you know who our faves were from the last episode and if we’ve changed up since then as it pertains to who we think should go to Hometowns.

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

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

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WHO WE THINK WILL GO TO HOMETOWNS

ALEXE

ALLI JO

ALLYSHIA

JULIANA

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THE BACHELOR CONTESTANTS

ALEXE

ALLI JO

ALLYSHIA

BAILEY

BEVERLY

CAROLINA

CHLOIE

CHRISTINA

DINA

ELLA

J'NAE

JULIANA

KELSEY

KYLEIGH

LITIA

NATALIE

NEICEY

PARISA

RADHIKA

REBEKAH

ROSE

SARAFIENA

SAVANNAH

VICKY

ZOE

THE INTENTIONAL ONE | BOZOMA SAINT JOHN

When you think of a brand, you think about its ethos; products it makes; how it engages with those who purchase it as well as their followers. As you delve deeper, there are campaigns, collaborations, how it presents its assortments and how it is seen in terms of how it changes our lives and the way that we move.

This movement and exchange takes place with thoughtleaders and we're thrilled that this month our cover is with the former CMO of Netflix, Endeavor, CBO of Uber, and Marketing Exec at Apple Music, PepsiCo, and Beats Music - Bozoma Saint John. Without a doubt, she is a badass in the boardroom and she is bringing her brand of creativity on S14 of BRAVO's The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills as a full-time castmember which premiered on Nov 19th. We can't wait to see her navigate her season. We wanted to talk with her about her fingerprint on some of the most innovative brands on the planet, how she approaches her work, the launch of her hairline Eve by Boz, and being on RHOBH!

ATHLEISURE MAG: All right, so I mean, I followed your career for a number of years and have been blown away by just the Innovative companies. Just things I couldn't have imagined as a kid growing up to see you doing that. What led you to that journey to work with these Innovative companies?

BOZOMA SAINT JOHN: Well, I don't really believe in the 5 or 10-year plans. I don't even really believe in like a 2-year plan. I think you have to follow you know, the feeling of the moment. We're always in a state of evolution and so it's more important to understand like where you are and what you're trying to achieve than it is, where you're actually going. Because in hindsight, it will look like you had a plan.

I don’t know if I can answer that there was a plan in working for the innovative companies. I believe I’m an innovative person and therefore the companies found me and my job style.

AM: Do you have key moments that you're really proud of that you did at these companies?

BSJ: Yeah, of course. I don't know that there's a company I've ever worked for where I didn't feel proud of something I did there. You know, I think that as long as you know your focus on doing your best work, that there can't be a bad job.

AM: Right.

BSJ: You know, there can't be a bad work experience and so I could rattle off a whole bunch. I mean, it's like when I was working for Spike Lee (School Daze, Do the Right Thing, Malcolm X), working on Carmen the commercial for PepsiCo featuring Beyoncé (Dreamgirls, Austin Powers in Goldmember, Lemonade), who had her first solo gig was great.

When I was at Mountain Dew, working on the, AND1 Streetball initiative, it was amazing. That was the first time any of the big companies paid attention to these Black men who were playing on concrete. It was also the first time we ever created a brand lead film called First Descent using Mountain Dew and obviously, I also did the Super Bowl Pepsi Halftime Show featuring Beyoncé, followed by Bruno Mars, followed by Katy Perry, followed by Lady Gaga and those were big.

Then at Apple, I mean that was creating Apple Music.

AM: Yeah.

BSJ: You know, as the biggest thing probably because it just changed the way that we listen to music in the way that people consume it.

At Uber, it was working with LeBron James, on his production company because he was trying to break out of, you know, just playing basketball and trying to branch out and nobody wanted to give him a job because they didn't believe that athletes could do that kind of thing. And then we made this amazing piece of content which it was said he should just shut up and dribble. Which led to his own transformation in terms of his vocal presence and what he felt like he should be able to say and that he's more than an athlete. That's where it was coming from.

At Endeavor, it was working on Miss Universe and crowning Zozibini Tunzi as the first Black South African with the crown and that same year, all five beauty queens, who are black.

AM: Yup.

BSJ: So you had Miss Universe, Miss America (Nia Franklin), Miss USA (Cheslie Kryst), Miss Teen USA (Kaliegh Garris), and Miss World (Toni-Ann Singh of Jamaica). Who were all black. (Editor’s Note: In 2019, Black women won all 5 major beauty pageants for the first time in history).

AM: That was incredible and I had the pleasure of styling Nia Frankin for an editorial shoot during her reign and it was such an amazing experience.

BSJ: Oh nice.

Of course, my good friend Cheslie Kryst unfortunately, lost her life to suicide.

AM: She was lovely. I had the pleasure of interviewing her and was so sad to hear of her passing.

BSJ: Then at Netflix, it was you know, making the world understand that content can travel. You know, it's been the long-held belief that you can't use content from Spain in France or French content in Nigeria or Nigerian content in the US. I proved all of those people wrong especially because we used the pandemic as the way to do it. So a show like Squid Game would never have been possible. without that moment in time.

AM: 100%

BSJ: You couldn't have predicted that show. I mean, the creator, Hwang Dong-hyuk had been trying to sell it for 12 years!

AM: I didn’t know that until after the series came out which was incredible.

BSJ: You couldn't have sold it without the pandemic, without me being a global citizen. A true global citizen understands that language is actually not the barrier, it's the access and so if you break down the walls of access then people will be able to enjoy other cultures.

AM: I mean, I have to say Love is Blind, I've watched every edition of it starting with the US, Habibi, Japan, etc and going through the various countries.

BSJ: Yeah!

AM: Prior to watching Squid Game, I didn’t watch shows in subtitles. But after I got hooked on Squid Game, I realized that there was so much content that I was missing that I wanted to enjoy and I haven’t stopped since. I realized that if I watched that, why can't I enjoy the Swedish thrillers on Netflix, true crime etc?

BSJ: Yeah! A weird, violent, and comedic drama!

AM: We're actually going to a VIP Editor Event at Squid Game: The Experience as guests of Johnnie Walker tonight after spending time with you and I can’t wait to kind of get into the game ahead of the second season launching next month!

BSJ: Yeah, you could never predict that, that would work.

AM: I just love hearing all the different things that you've talking about. You’re also an author and you released your book The Urgent Life: My Story of Love, Loss, and Survival, which is a powerful memoir. Why did you want to share something like this as it is so vulnerable, and so amazing.

BSJ: Because leaders are just supposed to be fierce. They're supposed to be behind the corner office, behind a very heavy desk without showing any vulnerability without showing their humanity. Oftentimes, I think people think that if you go through something difficult that somehow, then you can't rise to the top.

AM: Right.

BSJ: That your traumas have to stop you. And that's not true. And so, if more leaders were able to share their humanity and have more empathy about who they work with and how they work, how they show up and we probably would have a better culture all the way around, not just even corporate culture, but in politics and in social reform and in charities, If we would just show more of our humanity, perhaps we just have a better world anyway.

AM: When I read your book, it was the first person that I knew that looked like me that could be both. Like, you're clearly very fierce, but the fact that you can still embrace these other elements was intriguing to me as I continue to learn to be more vulnerable as I figure out how to apply it for me. I commend you for that.

BSJ: Well I'm only fierce because of my vulnerability - just because of the things I've been through. You know, you don't become fierce because you sat in one place and everything was peachy keen, you know. So, I actually don't understand that dichotomy. I don't understand it when people think that like, your vulnerability is weakness.

AM: Right.

BSJ: You know, I think you say that, you know, there's so many catchphrases that people use that they don't actually understand.

AM: Right, it’s like a whole retraining. I find myself at 45 examining and thinking about how I look at things and seeing that you can be this and this and that one doesn’t deplete the other.

BSJ: Exactly! People like these catchphrases, but don't actually apply them! Like vulnerability is strength so yippie, yippie yippie, but you don't actually show your vulnerability - so how are you strong?

AM: Yeah.

BSJ: The way that people think about these phrases that have become a way of being - almost like a badge.

AM: Yeah.

BSJ: But don't actually apply life to it. They say, you know, be unapologetic, but yet you are apologizing – you’re afraid to show up as exactly as you are because you are apologizing. You may not want to say that. Because it's embarrassing. It makes you feel like you're not. But don't say that you are if you aren't behaving in that way.

AM: You are a woman who never stops. You have a hairline and as we were in prep for this cover interview and I was watching your IG even more than I already do, that’s when I saw what your new company is Eve by Boz. Tell me about this and why did you want to create it?

BSJ: Yeah, well I think as much from my business acumen you know being a Black woman in Corporate America obviously means that most of the time I'm one of one or one of few and our hair is always a topic of conversation, even if we don't want it to be. So having had the experiences in corporate where, you know, people have often said stuff about my hair you know whether it's like oh I know you know Boz is going to be crazy today if her hair is white. You know, where she's gonna be more reasonable because her hair is straight.

And it's not even just like from white people. A lot of people do that and so it's like well-meaning well-intentioned, who say things like, oh you're going into a board meeting, you should probably pull your hair back so that it's, it's not too much.

AM: Exactly.

BSJ: And then you have, you know, the legality of it all with like The Crown Act and having to find ways to just simply exist without the threat of being fired or the threat of being kicked out of school or whatever places you have to be where you just simply are trying to exist as your natural self. I remember when I got on the Apple keynote stage and yes, I was the first Black person but also, besides look, I'm a Black woman and I'm going to show up that way. Steve Jobs built that stage. Everybody knows that he showed up in the black turtleneck and his jeans and everybody has followed suit since. Maybe it's not a black turtleneck but it sure is a blue button down and maybe some cargos that were switched out from the jeans.

AM: Which is still the same look in essence.

BSJ: It was the same white tech boy look. For me, it was how do I do that, but in my own way? Truth be told, for me it was like, look, I want to wear something that makes me feel my most comfortable and most powerful, which meant that I was wearing a pink Mimi Plange dress, and my pink Louboutins with the little puff on the back. My hair was in a curly afro and very shortly thereafter, there were Tweets and comments both positive and negative about my hair and that's just one instance where I made a deliberate choice to wear my hair a particular way.

AM: Yeah.

BSJ: When I got my job at Uber and I was a Chief Brand Officer, I did decide to show up with my braids down to the back of my kneecaps, because it was like look where else are you gonna see anybody in the Chief seat like that.

At the time that I became the Chief Marketing Officer at Netflix, I was the only Black C-suite executive with budget in any of the most profit companies on the planet. The only one man or woman. It was important to me, then also to show up with my hair however, the hell I wanted to show it.

Now the challenge has been that I happen to like hair and wearing numerous ways. Whether I have somebody fabulous like Nikki styling my hair or I'm at home. I have made wigs. I have cut my hair, I have - well, Nikki, has had to take care of some of my cuts – that’s fine and we won’t talk about that - ha! But the point is that, regardless of what I'm doing, I've always had to manipulate the hair so that it matches my texture, so that it matches my complexion, so that it feels more like me. Why do I have to do that when 80% of the consumer base is Black or women of color? The product that is being made is being centered around white women. That doesn't make any sense as they are under 20% of the of the market. Now I can see makeup companies - I understand. You are focused on white women even though they happen to be 50% of the marketplace or whatever, because you know that's quote unquote majority. But is it a majority because wasn't it just because it wasn't available?

AM: Exactly.

BSJ: So you change that dynamic and you make it available, then shouldn't the numbers increase? So that goes for makeup, other beauty products, skincare etc. But when we talk about hair, the numbers already exist. It's not as if we're saying, oh do this, and they will build this and they will come. They are already there, you're just not even serving them.

AM: Right.

BSJ: So it was Innovation like lace color. I mean right now I just have 3. Can you imagine if I had 40?

AM: Wow!

BSJ: And I'll get there. Right now, we have 3. You know, can the textures not be named these ridiculous names that don’t have anything to do with us?

AM: That part!

BSJ: No disrespect to the Burmese, but why am I wearing Burmese curly?

And who named it Yaki Straight?

AM: Liteally was just going to say where did Yaki come from?

BSJ: Was it an actual yak? What are we saying? What are we talking about?

AM: When you were there with the names, I was literally like, what about Yaki?

BSJ: I know right? Where did that come from?

Why does everything have to be Kinky?

AM: Exactly!

BSJ: So my point in the building of the company was yes, both from a product standpoint and being Innovative in that way because of lace, textures, etc. But also because I want the narrative to change. So what we call the hair and where it's produced. So it's very important to me that every tag had created in Ghana. So meaning that the hair is still sourced from Asia, because that's the number one market and it's very difficult to change the supply chain from there, but manufacturing doesn't have to be done there.

AM: Right.

BSJ: So manufacturing in Ghana, using ingredients that are found on the continent, whether that's Moringa, Baobab Tree Oil, Rose hip, Shea Butter, Palm Tree Oil – these are all amazing ingredients that are found all over the continent. We've been using it for a Millennia and so some of the big, you know, companies are already using that in terms of, soaps, lotions and things like that. You'll see a lot of Shea Butter, and Moringa is starting to make its way into the marketplace. But it's still not used in hair and it's not treated. So most of the time, what people do when they purchase these units, is that whether it's wigs, closures, bundles - they're getting it out of a plastic bag first of all. It stinks to high heaven because it hasn't been washed and hasn't been processed in a way that's healthy for us. So, I changed all of that, including the packaging that you receive the hair in, it's fabric. It's actually a bonnet.

AM: Oh, wow!

BSJ: It’s a bonnet that is used as the bag to put the hair in.

AM: That's smart.

BSJ: The fabric I made myself at GTP which is Ghana's first textile company was founded by Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, who was Ghana's first president. And they're established and their mission was to also showcase the patterns of Ghana to the world. So why not follow in those footsteps? On top of that, it's like the hair products that go to treat the hair – by the way, we don't have any that are specifically formulated for extension hair and so I did that.

AM: Oh wow!

BSJ: I partnered with a Black woman chemist, Jerry Watson, who is amazing. She's worked at all the big companies before. She has a few patents herself and I wanted to formulate new products that I could then own the formulas and also use for these specific products that I'm making. So that meant shampoo, conditioner, leave-in conditioner. A hair perfume which is my favorite of the line. In three scents, Genesis, Rose of Eden, and Earth Bomb - those use Baobab Tree Oil, Rosehip and Moringa Oil respectively. I made a Goddess Paste which is an edge control.

I have this product called Native Skin, which is innovative because it hides the lace. So it's like a paste that you put on the lace to camouflage it again in three colors so that you can match it to your shades. And It just felt to me like once I was going, there was no stopping. The truth of it is that I think I made this for myself because I made it for anybody. You know which is just like I've been in the spotlight, and doing my hair and all kind of ways for a long time. Sometimes I want to pick out some hair and go!

AM: And how many SKUS would you say you started with?

BSJ: I have 166 SKUS.

AM: Wow.

BSJ: Yeah, so big.

AM: My background is in wholesale so listening to you talking about the assortment and how a number of them fall into 3 shades, I felt that it was 100+ maybe even as high as 210 – 250.

BSJ: Yeah exactly!

AM: Do you envision going to HSN or QVC down the road? I created a collab line with a footwear brand it being able to be on that platform to talk about the brand as well as the designs I created was a great way for consumers to become engaged and to drive sales.

BSJ: Oh right, right, right! You know, I don't know if I want to do HSN. Maybe. My primary concern is that I'm in control of the entire chain. So I don't know that I want to go in that direction. Right now, I have direct to consumer (DTC) via the website, the only retail location actually is in Ghana at my headquarters, where if you're in Ghana, you can come to the store and purchase.

AM: Okay.

BSJ: I plan to own my own retail, so I don't plan to, you know, sell through any big box. If I have a big box, it'll be my own. So right now, it's like I want to be able to build the consumer base to understand the product first and then create the demand to have retail myself.

AM: It’s really interesting to hear about Eve by Boz and the innovation that is built into it and how it is structured! I can’t wait to see how it continues to move forward!

How did you decide to come to The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills?

BSJ: That came after the fact in my sabbatical while writing my book, I was trying to consider where else to go. You know, what else I wanted to do, what company I want to work with. There wasn't anything that was really drawing my attention. I had a few meetings that were great companies but just nothing that I felt passionate about, and then I made the decision to start my own and build my own.

Which was scary and all of the things. Because it's just like, oh my gosh. I could just comfortably, go and sit in somebody's seat, get paid a lot of money and just keep doing that, you know? But starting my own thing felt like such a departure from anything that I thought I ever wanted to do. And so, when I got the call about the Housewives, it almost felt like just keep going.

AM: Yeah!

BSJ: You know, in the same direction where it's like, look, I'm not ignorant to the fact that it's a huge platform that people are excited about that other women have created businesses off of, but you know, not for nothing. I don't believe that there are any, who have started the way that I'm starting, right with the kind of purpose that I have.

AM: Well, that was the thing that caught me by a surprise. I've been watching Housewives since the very beginning starting with the Orange County and I have watched every franchise and there is generally a very specific type of woman and I'm like but you're coming out completely different. All anyone has to do if they have not followed you previously is to Google you!

BSJ: Right! I already exist! I appreciate that because also you know, how do I say this? In my entire career, it has been about quote unquote representation.

My entire career. I can't remember a time when I was working where it was just like, oh I'm just Boz to be Boz. I don't remember a time. It's always been like, oh, you're representing this entire group of people and then it got worse and worse and worse as I became more and more and more successful, it was like what if I had failed on that Apple stage - we all know.

AM: Of course.

BSJ: There wouldn't be another one. You know it!

AM: Facts.

BSJ: I don't even have to explain it to you and not only that, it's like every space has had to be shattered. We've had to represent it every single space. So on this show, I look at it and I'm just like but then why not represent here? You know it's like what about the corporate baddies who look like me, who act like me, who don't care about wearing a gray suit, who want long claws, and weaves down to their asses. What about them?

AM: 100%

BSJ: Why not have the self-made girl down there? You know it's like I've been a widow for 11 years, 11 years. That’s a long time. My daughter was 4 when my husband died. I at the time I wasn't like it just the whole future looked so far.

AM: Yeah

BSJ: Everything just looked like it was just too far to get to and now she's 15 and a half. We're talking about colleges and it's remarkable to me that I've been able to come as far as I've come and so again, this is not a knock to anybody who's done a different way.

AM: Right.

BSJ: I'm just saying there's some of us out here who've made it ourselves. Who like when you see the success and what we came through, everything have our claw marks on it.

AM: That part, I’m feeling that in my soul right now!

BSJ: Because we climbed ourselves. Nobody gave this to me. So there's not a single day that goes where I'm just like, oh my gosh, I'm so like, oh, what if this happens? No, I've seen the worst already. I've been to the bottom already and I climbed out and so there's nothing that scares me about anything. And so that's why it's like I'm like what about those women? Like where are they in this lineup of people that we see or are they not important enough to be represented? They're more of us and they're all done.

So my hope is that being on this show is yes both about getting a platform for my business, but also doing what I've always done which is simply represent for those who are not represented.

AM: I love hearing this.

Are there any other upcoming projects that we should keep an eye out for?

BSJ: I know, right? You never know. Tomorrow I could be like – Anita!

AM: I have followed you for so many years. I've awalys been impressed by you with everything that you've done. The fingerprint that you have left across industries, verticals, and projects is amazing and has left significant and dynamic impressions! So I know that there is always more out there!

BSJ: But that's what I find is so beautiful about life. Again, just going back to why I live my life the way that I live it. You know it's I think again it's so cliche when people say like carpe diem.

AM: Right.

BSJ: Because they don't even know what they're talking about. I know I look pretty, but I'm a Latin student, you know, High School and in College, I took Latin the entire time. Carpe diem doesn't mean Seize the Day. It actually means A Plucking of the Day. It's more delicate and intentional, so carpe diem, quam minimum postero credula means pluck today - trusting as little as possible into the next one.

AM: Ooo.

BSJ: That's the whole thing. So the idea that you will trust tomorrow.

AM: Right.

BSJ: That you trust what's not yet seen.

AM: Right.

BSJ: Versus making today, the most important thing, the most powerful thing. It's crazy to me. And so that's why I'm living this life this way. You know, I'm taking everything that I can, I'm making everything as I go. It's like tomorrow I might wake up and have a new idea and I'll go do that.

AM: Exactly!

BSJ: You know? But I'm not worried about what's to come, because I'm so excited about the life that I'm living today. So there is no need for me to worry about what comes or when I go from this planet because I'm gonna live the best one that I can. It's not it's not flippant to me. So again, people say these words and they say them without knowing. They're like, “oh live like today's your last,” are you really though? Are you truly? Are you waiting until six months from now to be the thing that you want to do? Are you waiting a year to ask for that raise? Are you still in a relationship that you shouldn't be in? Because why? You're gonna wait five years until your kid gets a little older? I don't think so. So for me, it's like if you're really gonna live this life to its fullest then you have to start actually living a true story!

AM: Wow.

I think back to Paul and I sketching out this magazine in the Summer of 2015 and then we dropped the first issue in Jan 2016. In addition to thinking about concepts and flow, I made a list of 10 people that I wanted as a cover and you were in that list of 10 and here I am talking with you as our cover for our 107th issue!

BSJ: Girl really? I didn’t know that! Oh wow that’s amazing!

AM: I just appreciate you being out there and being all the positions that you did where who else would have done something like that and for you to be the first to leave that door open in other areas for other people it’s a legacy that you can proud of.

BSJ: Oh thank you. That means a lot and I really appreciate that.

AM: When you’re navigating from point A to point B, you do look up and out to see what other trailblazing is going on. So seeing all the things and where you continue to go, I'm just so happy to see somebody that's like this. Then when you were announced on the show, it became next level and I was just like, ok, she's gonna shake some shit up.

BSJ: Exactly. No, that's just it. I mean no I really really really appreciate you saying that though because I do think it's it's really so important for us to be seen. And the thing is like, you know, in addition to us seeing each other, I want other people to see us you know? It goes back to like even the company where I'm just like man, I do not see us.

AM: A lot of times we don’t.

BSJ: How are we centered? Because if you actually saw us, you would talk to us.

It's like, look, we need more opportunities to be seen in more beautiful ways and more intentional ways. You know, it's like it can't just be one note or one-dimensional.

AM: Exactly.

BSJ: And so that's why I also find it really important that, you know, both from just like I don't take the image to be superficial at all. It's like people often do that, like, what's the big deal about clothes and I'm like, no, it's very important.

AM: It’s huge.

BSJ: When you’re out, when people can spotlight you and say that one. So that's why it's like even in doing this I'm like okay you know we just got to make sure that it looks the way it's supposed to.

AM: Yeah, I'm a very first show every show.

BSJ: This, we are on the same wavelength! I can't! I don't I understand it when people show up halfway it just makes no sense!

AM: It's just not how I was raised. I come from people who did multiple things within their careers and I know that it is possible to be able to navigate that, but it has to be done right!

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We enjoyed being able to sit down with Boz to talk with her about her career, outlook, RHOBH, and more while we were in the midst of shooting her cover editorial for our NOV ISSUE #107! Our shoot included looks that can be worn in Fitness, Out + About, WFH/Lounge, and Night Out.

THE INTENTIONAL ONE COVER EDITORIAL | TEAM CREDITS

PHOTOGRAPHER Paul Farkas | FASHION STYLIST + CREATIVE DIRECTOR Kimmie Smith | MUA Ashley | HAIR STYLIST Nicky Newland |

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THE INTENTIONAL ONE COVER EDITORIAL | STYLE CREDITS

FITNESS LOOK | PG 16 - 26 | SKIMS Bandeau | GORWEAR Progress Thermo Bib Tights | DEEPA GURNANI Lalika Earrings |

OUT + ABOUT LOOK | PG 29 + 30 | PANTORA Florence Jacket + Florence Pants | WOXER Rib Tank Top | SIMONE I. SMITH X MISA HYLTON The Misa Doorknockers |

WFH/LOUNGE LOOK | PG 33 - 42 | PANTORA BRIDAL Taylor Robe | ATHLEISUREVERSE LUXE Lace + Tulle Deep V-Neck Adjustable Tap Pant Bodysuit | PONO BY JOAN GOODMAN Azalea Clip Earring + Mini Barile Maria Necklace |

NIGHT OUT LOOK | PG 44 - 54 | HWIT Red Gown | DEEPA GURNANI Teresa Earrings | MIRIAM HASKELL Necklace |

THE INTENTIONAL ONE COVER EDITORIAL | PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS

| SONY Alpha ILCE 7RM5, FE 50mm F1.4 GM, FE 70-200 mm F2.8 GM OSS II, FE 24-70 mm F2.8 GM II + HVL-F45RM Wireless Radio Flash | SIRUI Dragon Series Bendable RGB Panel Lights Set of 2 of B25R*2 Kit + DJ280 |

Our cover editorial took place at 77 Greenwich PH. This luxurious space was the perfect setting to showcase the looks and the vibes for this story. We sat down with the team at 77 Greenwich to find out more about the property and specifically the penthouse unit.

ATHLEISURE MAG: When did this residential condominium open, how many units are still available, and can you tell us about the neighborhood that it is located in?

77 GREENWICH: 77 Greenwich officially opened in 2020, and it has quickly become one of the most sought after addresses in Lower Manhattan. Out of its 90 luxurious homes, there are a variety of unit types still available for purchase, most notably the Cloud Club Residences on our uppermost floors, which we just released. Located in the heart of Lower Manhattan, the building is on the west side of the Financial District overlooking the Hudson River and Battery Park. Our pocket of Lower Manhattan is a burgeoning but off-the-radar neighborhood that has rapidly transformed into one of the city's most convenient and vibrant places to live. Aside from the 80+ acres of waterfront parks at our doorstep and Manhattan’s newest Whole Foods Market a block away, we’re adjacent to nearly every subway line, and we can walk to a dynamic mix of cultural hubs such as the new Perelman Performing Arts Center. Lower Manhattan has also developed an award-winning dining scene, from Michelin-starred restaurants to the newly made over Tin Building at The Seaport. Residents of 77 Greenwich overlook all of this and soak in expansive views of New York Harbor and the Statue of Liberty. This "New Downtown" offers the perfect combination of contemporary living with historic charm, and is one of the most desirable places to live in the city.

AM: Who are the architects/developers that are involved in 77 Greenwich and what can you tell us about them and how they came to this project?

77G: 77 Greenwich was designed by FXCollaborative, a renowned New York-based architecture firm celebrated for its sustainable and innovative designs, with interiors by Deborah Berke and Stephen Brockman of TenBerke. The vision for the tower was to create a structure that blends seamlessly with the historic neighborhood while offering a refined, luxurious lifestyle. The building’s pleated glass curtain wall is a testament to FXCollaborative’s ingenuity, maximizing natural light and framing breathtaking views of the New York Harbor and Freedom Tower. FXCollaborative is known for its commitment to green building practices, and this project was designed to meet LEED certification standards, reflecting their dedication to sustainability.

The development of 77 Greenwich was spearheaded by Trinity Place Holdings, a respected name in real estate known for revitalizing and creating exceptional properties. Trinity Place Holdings aimed to make this project a cornerstone of Lower Manhattan’s transformation into a vibrant residential and cultural hub. Their vision encompassed more than just luxury living, and thus incorporated a new public elementary school to foster community growth and strengthen neighborhood connections.

AM: 77 Greenwich has 42 floors and 90 residences. What are the community amenities that are offered in this building that residents can enjoy?

77G: The amenities at 77 Greenwich have been thoughtfully designed to enhance every aspect of residents’ lives, from wellness and leisure to entertaining and convenience. The highlight is Cloud Club 77, located on the penthouse level and rooftop, which offers breathtaking views and exclusive spaces, including an art-filled lounge with a fireplace, a private dining room with a catering kitchen and a double-height fitness center. Families enjoy the fully-supplied children’s playroom, while fitness enthusiasts utilize the training studio and the multipurpose game room with direct access to an outdoor terrace. Outdoor areas, crafted by Future Green Studio, include a rooftop garden with a grassy lawn, a meditation deck, grill stations, dining spaces and a play area for children. All of 77 Greenwich’s residents have access to these top-floor amenity spaces. Additional outdoor features include a Japanese rock garden, pergolas, a dog run and a zen garden on the 12th floor, providing another tranquil retreat above the urban setting. Practical amenities include a 24-hour attended lobby, dedicated storage spaces, bike storage and a package room.

AM: This property is clearly luxurious, what can you tell us about the environmental sustainable elements that are here?

77G: 77 Greenwich is designed to meet LEED standards, emphasizing environmental responsibility and sustainability. The building incorporates energy-efficient systems, including high-performance windows and advanced HVAC systems that reduce energy consumption and are private to each residence. The use of sustainable materials throughout the building is central to its design, and the inclusion of green rooftops and gardens provides both aesthetic appeal and environmental benefits. These features, combined with its energy-efficient infrastructure, make 77 Greenwich a model for luxury living that is also ecologically responsible. The building integrates green design seamlessly, ensuring that its residents can enjoy an elevated standard of living without compromising on sustainability.

AM: Tell us about the outdoor space which was designed by Future Green Studio.

77G: The many outdoor spaces at 77 Greenwich, designed by Future Green Studio, are a standout feature. This Brooklyn-based landscape architecture firm is known for its innovative designs that integrate nature with urban living. At 77 Greenwich, they have created multiple outdoor spaces that offer both relaxation and recreation. The open-air rooftop garden spans 3,600 square feet and includes a grassy lawn, a play area for children, a meditation deck and grill stations. The design promotes a sense of tranquility amidst the hustle and bustle of the city. Additionally, the Cloud Club level features a Japanese rock garden and lounge areas, offering residents a peaceful space. Below, a 2,350-square-foot terrace on the 12th floor includes pergolas and a dog park, catering to the needs of families and pet owners. The outdoor areas are thoughtfully designed to make the most of 77 Greenwich’s sweeping views while offering residents an intimate and serene escape within their building.

AM: We’re thrilled that our cover editorial took place in the penthouse of Greenwich 77! What can you tell us about the floorplan of this unit that was designed by TenBerke.

77G: The Penthouse at 77 Greenwich is a stunning example of contemporary elegance, designed by TenBerke, with recent customization options led by Stephen Brockman. Spanning 3,531 square feet, this four-bedroom, five-and-a-half-bathroom, plus home office residence is truly one of a kind. The design prioritizes open space and natural light, with floor-to-ceiling glass windows framing breathtaking views of the New York Harbor. The penthouse features an expansive great room with southern, eastern and western exposures, offering panoramic views of the city’s skyline and waterways. Finally, the Penthouse includes a private loggia terrace, adding 219 square feet of outdoor living space overlooking New York Harbor. The design emphasizes both stylish functionality and timeless elegance, with sleek materials like Blue de Savoie marble countertops and custom fumed sycamore vanities. There are very few newly constructed homes of this size available in Downtown New York City.

AM: For those that may be interested in buying this unit, what options do they have to customize this space?

77G: The penthouse at 77 Greenwich is a customizable masterpiece. Led by Stephen Brockman of TenBerke, customizations are available for buyers, offering options to tailor the space according to their individual tastes. From custom millwork to bespoke finishes, the design team allows for personalization across the home.

Buyers can choose from a range of high-end materials and finishes, such as custom cabinetry and flooring options. Whether it's altering the layout, adding additional built-in features, or refining the color palette, the options available enable prospective buyers to create a truly personalized residence that fits their lifestyle and aesthetic.

AM: What are some of the key features of this property that our readers should know about?

77G: 77 Greenwich offers an extraordinary blend of modern luxury, thoughtful design and a location that captures the essence of downtown living. The building features 90 residences, ranging from one to four bedrooms, each outfitted with high-end finishes and appliances. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame breathtaking views of the New York Harbor and iconic landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, offering an unparalleled living experience in Lower Manhattan.

All of 77 Greenwich’s residents can take advantage of its top-floor Cloud Club 77 suite of amenities, including the Cloud Club lounge private dining room and a double-height fitness center overlooking the Hudson River. The rooftop garden, designed by Future Green Studio, offers residents a peaceful outdoor retreat with a children's play area, meditation deck and spacious dining areas with grill stations. There is also a multi-use game room and a fitness center with terrace access, making it a perfect blend of relaxation and active living.

The location of 77 Greenwich places residents in the vibrant Lower Manhattan area, close to a wealth of cultural, dining and entertainment options. Nearby, Manhatta offers elevated dining experiences with panoramic views, while the Perlman Arts Center in the World Trade Center complex provides world-class performances. With its proximity to world-renowned restaurants, shopping and cultural landmarks, 77 Greenwich offers an unmatched lifestyle.

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The penthouse also comes together with its impeccable staging which was done by ARTEFACTO a 3rd generation Brazilian firm that manufactures its own furniture as well as supplies a cohesive look in an array of properties! We wanted to know more about the inspiration behind how they staged 77 Greenwich PH, the history of the company, their recently launched showroom here in NYC, and more. Pietro Bacchi shares this and more with us.

ATHLEISURE MAG: We enjoyed shooting at 77 Greenwich St PH and as we have spoken to the building about this particular unit, we’re looking forward to speaking with you as well. We wanted to know more about your business and the staging that you did at the penthouse, which is beautiful. Before we delve into that and the staging that was done there, can you tell me about ARTEFACTO as a firm, its history, and what you guys do?

PIETRO BACCHI: ARTEFACTO is 48 years old and it’s in its third generation. The firm was started by my grandfather in São Paulo Brazil. My father formalized the corporation and brought it to the United States via South Florida. We quickly became market leaders in Florida, and throughout South America and now, we want to kill it in the Northeast. I run the New York operations with my twin brother, Bruno. We're very happy about this New York expansion.

AM: Did you always know that you would work in the family business?

PB: In the beginning, I wasn't really sure, to be honest. When I started seeing all of the components together from the design to the manufacturing and delivery, it gave me a whole different scope. I started thinking about how big this business could actually be. I got to see the real craftsmanship and quality of work that goes into every piece. We have about 1 million square feet of manufacturing and showroom space including the recent New York expansion. That’s 1 million square feet under one roof. We do absolutely everything from upholstery to woodwork to leather and suede.

AM: Wow.

PB: Yeah, from designing SKUS on a computer, to making prototypes to launching a whole line.

AM: What are the kinds of projects that are of interest to your firm when you're looking to add things into your portfolio? You were talking about obviously you have the manufacturing but then you also have all of the staging that you do as well.

PB: We have quite a few different streams of business that we've been adding to our model in the last four or five years. One of them is a staging. The reason that we do staging is because it's beneficial for all parties.

AM: Right.

PB: It’s great for ARTEFACTO because our products are displayed in a beautiful apartment instead of sitting in a warehouse waiting for delivery. So it's kind of an extension of the showroom. Obviously, the developer can show the unit more beautifully and the idea behind it is that it actually sells completely furnished which happens about 80-85% of the time. So that's a huge model for us. We really specialize in residential, but now we’ve branched off into the commercial sector as well. We just finished Casa Cipriani in New York City, I don’t know if you have been there.

AM: Yes, it’s lovely.

PB: We just finished that project. That was one of our bigger commercial projects. And we have a lot in the pipeline, but of note, we did the Hotel Du Cap Eden Roc in the South of France for their 150th year anniversary.

AM: Nice!

PB: So that that's kind of the key piece of why we work so well with the real estate sector. You can't really do that at that level of customization if you don't have the manufacturing component. It’s not the most beautiful part of the business, but by far one of the most important.

AM: Tell us about your Madison Ave.showroom.

PB: We got super lucky. We found the perfect corner on 32nd and Madison with double-height ceilings on the first floor. There’s a tree that we blew the ceiling out for so you could see it from the first and second floor. The first floor is more of a museum-styled concept; all of our new collection living room sets. Upstairs, we have distinct spaces designed: living, bedroom, dining six times over. We have different fabrics available for customization and everything you see on the showroom floor is ready for immediate delivery in two weeks.

AM: Wow, that’s amazing!

PB: That's one of our big selling points because, you know, everybody knows how long you wait for furniture especially after COVID.

AM: A 2 week turnaround is phenomenal because we have friends that are still waiting for their couches and it's been 8 weeks.

PB: I've heard eight months at one point!

AM: Yikes!

So what's your role at the company as well as your brother to get a scope of the kind of the things that you are involved in.

PB: My brother handles the complicated and important backend… manufacturing, the warehouse, and logistics. I handle business development, the PR teams of course, marketing and product development. But together, we're working on this big United States expansion.

We picked Miami as our first showroom in the United States - my analysts looked at, from the American public point of view - because Miami is the bridge into the United States.

Whereas New York is known as the bridge to the rest of the world. In New York, you have the best architecture and developers. The restaurants are amazing and the culture is next level as well. So it made sense as a solid move. Believe it or not, it's very similar to São Paulo with its character, and similar kind of aesthetic in interior design, fabrics, etc.

AM: We get that. Recently we watched a few thriller series on Netflix that take place in São Paulo and the similarity is interesting.

In looking at the penthouse at 77 Greenwich as a point of reference, when you take on a new project or you partner with a residence or developer, can you walk us through like, how you stage a property from where do you start, and what's the inspiration? There were just so many details and elements of that place that really came together beautifully.

PB: Absolutely. I mean, I’m definitely very proud of our projects. Usually, we hear from the Sales Team of the building if it's a new development. We listen to the problems that they're having and usually the number one problem is that the clients can’t visualize themselves in the space. They don't have an imagination in terms of what a dining table of 8 people or 10 people will look like in a space. How many people are in the living room? Especially in these bigger apartments - it's especially difficult. So then, we look at the floor plan and we dissect it. We look at the mood and the feeling that we're going for. Obviously our Miami line is completely different from our New York line, and that’s completely different from our Hamptons line.

So we have quite a few pieces to choose from and then basically, they pay me a deposit which is one-third of the staging package furniture process. But the reason the developers love it so much is because the remaining amount is paid after the property sells. It's about marketing property and so it's an investment on both sides essentially.

AM: Right.

PB: It's an investment for us because obviously, it's the products that would probably be sold and shipped out from the warehouse. It's also an investment on the broker’s part or the developer because there is a deposit. They are trying to maximize those profit margins, so it gives them an opportunity to do that.

AM: What are the some of the key elements that you added into 77 Greenwich St PH that you would like to highlight, especially?

PB: I think the double-size sofa. It’s a beautiful touch there by the window.

AM: I love that piece. It makes such a statement.

PB: And that's kind of why we put that oversized mirror on that wall, because anywhere, you sit in the apartment and you get the view of the water and the Statue of Liberty. I think the most important thing that we think of when we go to stage an apartment is, what are the first five seconds of a person who's going to buy? What is the reaction going to be? That's why we make it as big as possible and as grand as possible. We really try to invoke all five senses! We have the music playing, the aromas in the air, the lighting is correct. I think it's a huge part of it.

AM: From start to finish for this Penthouse unit for example, how long did it take for you to Stage it?

PB: So between getting floor plans and preliminary estimates and that kind of thing, that takes about a week - week and a half.

AM: Oh, wow!

PB: Then once the client is ready to move forward, it takes about two weeks to install and deliver.

AM: That's pretty quick. Wow!

So, for developers that are reading this, how can they begin to work with you or reach out to you so that they can talk about their project?

PB: Yeah, whatever they prefer. I think the most important thing ever is to come into the showroom on Madison that we just built because it is - and it's not because we did it - jaw dropping from every angle!

AM: We definitely want to drop by to see your showroom for ourselves.

For those that have their own homes who are also reading this issue, are they able o go on your website and buy their desired pieces a la carte like they would at another furniture or interior design store?

PB: Yeah, we do have an online presence. But for the high-end furniture realm that we're in, it’s more common for them to come into the showroom so that they can come in and sit down on the furniture and actually see it. We also offer a design service where the clients come in and the designers and the architects come, they bring their floor plan and make sure everything's in sync. We do a full presentation of swatches and fabrics to marble, and art as well as accessories. We really try to make it a turnkey solution.

AM: Wow, that's amazing.

PB: Right, for these clients and architects.

AM: It’s been great to find out more about ARTEFACTO and its scope. What has it been like for you to be involved in this business that has been around for three generations?

PB: I mean, first off, I couldn’t be more happy to do this! We have had a lot of positive feedback even though we have only been open in the New York showroom since September. There have been a lot of clients walking in, a lot of people hearing about the brand for the first time, which is amazing!

I think Brazilian furniture definitely had its time back in the day, you know, with Oscar Niemeyer, Sergio Rodrigues, and other designers of the world and then it kind of died down. So Vèr - our new collection - is our fresh take on the community.

Vèr really pulls from The Mid-Century Modern design that Brazil had to offer with all the natural woods and natural lines and what we've created is completely different than anything you see on that entire block.

IG @artefactousa

Read the NOV ISSUE #107 of Athleisure Mag and see THE INFLUENTIAL ONE | Bozoma Saint John in mag.

FULL CIRCLE MOMENT | WALTON GOGGINS

This time of year is an exciting one as we begin to close one and look ahead to the next one. While we maintain our normal schedules, we also infuse it with the Holiday season - it’s great to share with friends and family, exchange gifts, increase celebratory moments, and so much more! We all know that they are key dates coming up that are focused on the exchange of gifts as well as obtaining them at various points. We took a moment to chat with Walton Goggins (Preadators, The Hateful Eight, Django Unchained) to find out about why he partnered with Walmart for the holiday season, what he loves about this time of year, and upcoming projects that he is involved in!

ATHLEISURE MAG: Obviously, we're going to talk about your amazing partnership with Walmart and what's going on with that. But we have a few questions to ask you because our readers are so excited that we're able to chat with you.

WALTON GOGGINS: Okay, okay, alright, fantastic!

AM: We've been a fan of yours since - you have too many things to name - Justified, Righteous Gemstones, George and Tammy, and the list can go on in film as well as in TV. We find you to be such an amazing actor who plays immersive and diverse characters. When did you realize that you wanted to be an actor?

WG: What a great question! I don't think that there was like a bolt of lightning that happened. I think it happened over the course of a very long period of time. I was raised mostly by women and a lot of interesting characters were around in my childhood and all of them just happened to be really interesting great storytellers.

AM: Right.

WG: So I'm listening to a lot of stories and then once I was given the microphone to start telling my own stories, you know, I had a natural kind of built in audience that just kept saying, “no, keep talking Walt."

So, you kind of have that encouragement, you know, right out of the gate. It's hard to kind of do anything else. I genuinely just wanted to see the world. That was the main thing. Then it just - one life kind of dovetailed into the other and the opportunity to see the world, and to be able to be a storyteller was just something that fit. You know, how do any of us really go about things? What are the decisions that any of us make that lead us on the road that we're going to be on for the rest of our lives? You know, is it fate or is it an accident?

AM: Mmm.

WG: What is it? That I don't know. But I'm so grateful for my life and grateful for the opportunities that I've had to tell the stories that I have!

AM: Absolutely!

WG: Including Walmart Black Friday Deals!

AM: Exactly! Without a doubt!

Why did you want to be connected to this amazing project and tell us more about it.

WG: Well, first and foremost, Walmart is a part of American culture. It’s not the whole culture, but it's certainly part of American culture. It is a corporation that has been in all of our lives for such a very long time! And where I come from on Fairburn Road, a lot of my friends as we got older, we started to work there and I had the good fortune - I'll tell you a little bit about my history with this company.

AM: Please.

WG: I was a poor kid from the South and I made really good grades and I had the opportunity to go to school. But we didn't have a lot of money and we had to pay the rent. I got a small Scholastic Scholarship, you know. But in addition to that, there was a gap of funding that we just couldn't make that square around that square if you will and my mom, you know through our friends or whatever, heard that Walmart, had a grant.

AM: Oh wow.

WG: It was a sizeable amount of money and when I went you know in 1988 or 1989. I’m dating myself, don’t tell anybody!

AM: Ha! That's okay!

WG: My mom encouraged me to write this essay, you know, to the Walmart. That's how it works and that’s what I did - and I won!

AM: Wow.

WG: The money that I, I desperately needed, you know, my first year in college and in addition to that incredible opportunity, this company gave me - they also printed an 8x10 picture of me. I don't know what it was. I think it was a headshot. It was my first headshot, I think that's what it was. They put it up in their store, you know, for the better part of 6 months. People would call me because you know we didn’t have cell phones then, but they would leave these stupid messages on my answering machine, “saw your picture in Walmart, Walton. Are you part of the Walton family?"

So anyway, that's kind of my history with this company. This opportunity kind of came along and they sent this script and I thought, “wow, what a what an interesting way to sell things, right?” You know, it's a hybrid between entertainment and doing what we're gonna do anyway, which is to find things for our loved ones at the holidays. Black Friday deals have been around for a long time. They played an important role in my family's ability to buy things for Christmas and it does for a lot of people in this country and all over the world and I thought, what a cool thing to be a part of. I'm so happy that I did it. There's all these wonderful actors that I work with like Ian Somerhalder. There are others like Lisa Rinna, Taye Diggs who I've known for a while, Anthony Ramos and it’s great folks and it's 10 stories. These stories are vignettes if you will. There’s a supernatural genre, action genre, mine is a Western genre!

AM: Shocker!

WG: But you know what? I've done action!

AM: Of course!

WG: I have done a lot of genres in my time, but this is one that they saw me in and invited me to kind of come along this journey. We had such a great time filming it. You know, it was just so much fun and they’re such a great company to work for and work with. So, when I think people will watch them and they'll see the things that they want to buy and some things featured in a way that makes them laugh. It brings a smile to their face and so it’s a great way to go about it!

AM: Well, do you know when your episode will drop, do they all drop at one time? Like what's kind of the flow?

WG: Well you know, there are ten. I’m not exactly sure when they all drop. I know mine will drop towards the end of November which is, which is kind of very, very exciting because it's getting close to Dec. I think more will be revealed as it goes on. The first one drops on Nov. 11th-17th. I think that’s the first block and they're kind of rolled out from there.

AM: Wow it’ll be great to see them!

What do you love about the holiday season?

WG: I just love the opportunity to commune with family and friends. You know, we all have our rituals right? We all have the things that we do but the thing that I do that I've been given the opportunity to do is I don't really watch a lot of sports. I’m not that guy even though I played a bunch of sports growing up.

I make a fire and I sit around that fire with my family and with my friends and I have a glass of wine and I listen to music. And I just commune. What better thing is there than that and to tell people that mean something to you how much you love them?

AM: That's really nice and very sweet!

You're always working on so many projects. I can't wait till White Lotus comes out and I know that you have a bunch of other stuff as well. Is there anything that you would like to share with us, that you're working on that we can keep an eye out for?

WG: Well, you know, I think you said it, you know, I got a bunch of things that are coming out. I have a few movies that are coming out. My wife has a movie that she wrote and directed called The Uninvited, which is dropping pretty soon.

Then there is The White Lotus and we just finished the new season of The Righteous Gemstones!

AM: So excited for both of those shows! I'm really excited for The Righteous Gemstones.

WG: So good. It's so good.

AM: Everytime I watch that show, I grew up in the Midwest with an Evangelical and Pentecostal background and there's just so many things that happen on that show and my boyfriend will ask, “Is that real?” and I'm like, “yes!”

WG: Oh yeah! That’s real and that one is real too!

We're going back to Fallout here pretty soon. And then, kind of beyond that, reading and waiting and seeing what the future brings everybody else! But right now, Walmart!

We enjoyed sitting down with Walton to talk about his career and the Christmas campaign that he is involved in. You can check out his videos for this campaign Something's Cooking and Can't Handle the Heat as well as an array of celebs that participated in Deals of Desire.

IG @waltongogginsbonafide

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | Walmart/Tina Rowden

HER RING OF TRUTH | SARAYA

As avid readers know, that have enjoyed reading our issues have included a number of wrestlers who performed in the WWE in their career. Saraya, who was known as Paige when she was with the WWE was one of our favorites that we enjoyed seeing in the ring as well as seeing her on E! Total Divas where we got to know more about her between each ring experience as well as how she connected with her fellow Superstars.

Even after leaving the WWE, Saraya continues to embrace her passion for wrestling as it is a family business. We wanted to know more about how she came into the industry, what it's like when she is going into the ring and out of it, currently wrestling with AEW, and upcoming projects that she is involved in!

ATHLEISURE MAG: It's amazing that your family runs the World Association of Wrestling promotion, your mom owns and operates the Bellatrix Female Warriors, and your brothers wrestle as well. What led to you eventually participating in the sport as originally it wasn't something that you, thought that you would do.

SARAYA: I’ve been surrounded by wrestling my whole life. I’ve often made the joke that I have been wrestling since I was a fetus. My mum was pregnant with me and didn’t realize and was having matches with me all snuggled up in her womb haha. I’ve always loved it, but I was stubborn and tried to fight it since my whole family was in it. I tried to rebel into a different field instead. But one day my dad was one woman short in a match, she had not turned up, so he asked if I could fill in and I already knew a few moves since I grew up in the business. I said to my dad “Yes, but my brother has to wrestle in the match too so I’m comfortable.” So my brother dressed in a pink Power Ranger outfit. He threw on a padded bra, I did the match and the rest is history!

AM: We know that you come from a wrestling family, but when did you fall in love with wrestling?

S: When I was 13. Once I had that match, I knew there was nothing that would make me feel the way the adrenaline of wrestling made me feel.

AM: When did you realize that you wanted to do it as a career?

S: Also when I was 13. My dreams of becoming a vet or a zoologist quickly left my brain after that first match. (Thanks dad).

AM: I remember when I saw you on the E! show Total Divas where we got to follow you along with other WWE Superstars to see about your life in the ring and outside of it! What did it mean to you to be part of the WWE and to share your life on the E! show as well?

S: WWE was always my dream. I always, from the very beginning, wanted to be a WWE Diva. They were so beautiful yet so bloody badass!! That was so inspiring for a little girl like me.

I never thought I would get in, though. I looked very different to the women back then but that didn’t mean I was gonna give up trying. When I finally got signed my life changed forever. I remember Triple H coming up to me on the side of the stage and saying “welcome aboard” and shook my hand. Then a hell of a rollercoaster ride started.

I loved being asked to be a part of Total Divas. I was younger and a little more wild so it was good TV and the producers always make sure you have a drink in your hand haha, but I had a lot of fun with the girls and got to bond extra with them because not only were we on the road every week of the year but during our days off we would be filming together. It made for great lifelong relationships and memories!

AM: While at the WWE you had a number of accomplishments from being the youngest female champion in WWE history, a 2X WWE Divas Champion, and the inaugural NXT Women's Champion as well as being the only woman to hold both a WWE and NXT Women's Championship simultaneously. When you look back at your time there, what are you most proud of?

S: All of that!! Haha those would be my most proud moments. I would say my merch numbers too. I got my first merch tee, which said “Think Again” on it and it sold out quickly. I believe that gave me leverage to get on the main roster because they were like… “Hang on this girl that isn’t on Raw or Smackdown is selling numbers like that??”

I’m always proud that I remained myself. The weird little pale emo kid, that helped me big time with the fans I believe.

AM: You currently wrestle for AEW and you were the AEW Women's World Champion! How has your time at the AEW been and what does it mean to have acquired a title there too?

S: Being at AEW has been a lot of fun. I love love love the women’s locker room. They’re all so supportive of one another and everyone gets along so well. Being in another larger company at first was hard. Even though my contract had come to an end, I had some guilt like I betrayed WWE, but I didn’t do anything wrong! Haha. Then being out of wrestling for so long made it difficult to adjust to the newer fan base. They can get pretty toxic these days and I remember thinking, “Did I make a mistake coming back?” But AEW has treated me so wonderfully and I’ve loved my time here so far. And to win the Woman’s Championship on top of all that?? Incredible. I never thought I would wrestle again so I cried when Tony Khan told me haha.

AM: What are some upcoming matches that you can share with us that we can keep an eye out for?

S: I’ve actually been taking a short break the end of this year. Just for other projects and to take care of my mental health a bit. I never give myself time off, so it was much needed. But I will say to look out for someone else and that’s Harley Cameron! She’s the full package and an all-around amazing person!!

AM: We know that as a wrestler, you spend a lot of time on the road. What is an average week like for you in terms of travel, training, resting your body etc.?

S: WWE days were more hectic with live events. But these days with AEW, for me personally, they have given me a more relaxed schedule. Which I appreciate. I fly Tuesdays, work Wednesday and fly home Thursdays and will have the odd PPV at the weekend. I try to eat as good as possible and I should be in the gym more than I am if I’m being honest haha.

AM: Before you go into the ring, do you have any routines that you do to prepare for your fight and are there things that you do when you come out of it?

S: I pee lol and go into a corner and relax for a second. I get very, very nervous beforehand and need that time alone. When I come back out from the match, I hug whoever I wrestled and thank them, shake my producer and Tony Khan’s hand and then go to the locker room and just sit for a second.

AM: Outside of the ring, you're a board member for the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Why is this so important to you?

S: It’s important because abuse is not just physical. It’s financial, mental, and verbal too. If I can use my platform to save someone’s life, I will absolutely do so.

Domestic Violence is extremely common and being part of something like that and also knowing so many women and men who’ve gone through something like that is heartbreaking. I’ll always use my platform for good.

AM: You shared your story in Fighting with My Family and you have a memoir that is coming out, Hell In Boots: Clawing My Way Through Nine Lives. Why did you want to share your story and what does the memoir cover that we may not know about from the film?

S: Well my movie was the PG version haha. I want people to know exactly what I’ve been through since birth to now and hopefully be inspired. It’s not for the faint of heart though.

IG @saraya

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | PG 67, 9PLAYLIST PG 72 + 9DRIP PG 74 Shaun Vadella | PG 68 + 9DRIP PG 74 + 76 Phil Chester |

Read the NOV ISSUE #107 of Athleisure Mag and see HER RING OF TRUTH | Saraya in mag.

THE BACHELOR S29. E0. | MEET GRANT AND THE WOMEN ON HIS JOURNEY

PHOTO CREDIT | ABC/The Bachelor Key Art

On Jan 27th, we will be glued to our screens to enjoy S29 of ABC’s The Bachelor which is being helmed by Grant Ellis who was on Jenn Tran’s S21 of The Bachelorette! We watched him navigate his relationship with her until he was eliminated in week 6 right before Hometowns!

A few weeks back, a first look of the women competing in his season was provided via ABC’s The Bachelor Facebook account! (where you can see videos that include more information on him as well as sneak peeks on the upcoming season!

As we do each season, we have shared these images (we’ll update their ABC gallery images) and we’ll begin to make the best guess on who will be going to Hometowns! We can’t wait to see how Grant and Jesse Palmer will vibe as he continues through the season and what surprises will be along the way.

Each night during this season, we will tweet about The Golden Bachelorette and you can chat along with us (@AthleisureMag + with our Co-Founder/Creative + Style Director, Kimmie Smith @ShesKimmie) to see what’s taking place!

Each week we will let you know who our faves were from the last episode and if we’ve changed up since then as it pertains to who we think should go to Hometowns.

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

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

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WHO WE THINK WILL GO TO HOMETOWNS

ALEXE

ALLIE JO

ALLYSHIA

JULIANA

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THE BACHELOR CONTESTANTS

ALEXE

ALLIE JO

ALLYSHIA

ANDREA

BAILEY

BEVERLY

CAROLINA

CHLOIE

CHRISTINA

DINA

ELLA

J'NAE

JULIANA

KYLEIGH

KELSEY

LITIA

NATALIE

NEICEY

PARISA

RADHIKA

REBECCA L.

REBEKAH G.

ROSE

SAVANNAH

SARAFIENA

VICKY

ZOE

9LIST STORI3S | TAYE DIGGS

Read the NOV ISSUE #107 of Athleisure Mag and see 9LIST STORI3S | Taye Diggs in mag.