TikTok makeup sensation Payton Aquino (aka Payton’s Makeup) gravitated towards the arts as a teen. “I think I’ve always been really creative! I did a lot of art classes in high school and took a strong liking to detailed drawing,”…
TikTok makeup sensation Payton Aquino (aka Payton’s Makeup) gravitated towards the arts as a teen. “I think I’ve always been really creative! I did a lot of art classes in high school and took a strong liking to detailed drawing,”…
Few people have the opportunity to meet their idols. Fortunately for Kari Riley‘s budding writing career, she was one of the rare exceptions. “With my book Through the Blues, it kind of just fell into my hands. I never really…
In her early adult life, Amanda Gyllensparv enjoyed professional success, but lacked personal satisfaction. “I graduated from high school in 2015. The first thing I tried to figure out was if I should start college after high school, as so…
Dance is to Indigenous communities as breathing is to survival. “Dance has always been part of our culture since time immemorial. It is a cultural expression at its purest and as old as humanity itself,” explains director/producer Jason Brennan. “It’s…
Tony Ofori’s love for his grandfather also nurtured his passion for performance. “My grandfather was and is a lover of the arts himself. Not only is he a writer and editor, but he was also a musician in his own…
As a Potawatomi woman, storytelling holds a special significance for Alexis Lynn. “Being Indigenous but growing up removed from our community, I’ve been trying to reconnect to our culture and one thing that has always been prevalent to me is…
Chelsea Clark’s involvement with gay vampire comedy EZRA progressed alongside of her friendship with series creator and star Luke Hutchie. “I first heard about EZRA last summer when Luke and I were just becoming friends. We had known each other…
Music has proven not only to be RIDI’s anchor in changing times, but also her compass to her true self. “Whilst I was transferring schools and changing systems, I felt as though nothing really was permanent and solid,” she admits.…
Lauren Buglioli’s international childhood allowed her passion for performance to flourish. “I was born in LA and was lucky enough to discover my passion for acting as a child. I’m really grateful to have been exposed to a lot of different…
Acting is about persistence for Athena Park. “It all started in elementary school. It was grade 4 and the drama teacher was auditioning the grade 7 and 8s for the production of The Rockin’ Tale of Snow White,” she reminisces.…
What do you do if you’re sick of media not giving queer narratives the attention they deserve? If you’re Luke Hutchie, you found your own media company, Hell Yes Entertainment. “I think for so long, larger companies have viewed LGBTQ+…
Jessica Vill’s fascination with cosplay began over a decade ago. “I would say 2010 was my first time doing cosplay. It was just on Instagram and it kind of bled onto YouTube and then it kind of became a thing…