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There seems to be a lot of options when it comes to minimalist, low-profile luxury sneakers today, but Koio is making their name as a stand out brand amongst wide range of competitors. Their made in Italy, direct-to-consumer model lets them deliver the quality and finish of more expensive shoes at a much more affordable price. The Capri sneaker from Koio really encapsulates the brands origins, and demonstrates their expertise in luxury sneaker design and construction. These low profile shoes come in a wide variety of colorways (sneaker talk for colors) and a few different materials that are, nevertheless, all top quality. A variety of all leather options are sure to find a home in your closet, and for a bit more flourish, grabbing a pair with suede accents is a great way to take your style to the next level. For me, I really like the texture of the Italian calf suede, so I went for the Capri Pebble, an all gray tone that has squirmed its way into my closet as a daily driver. However, Koio offers plenty of neutral colorways, blacks, a fan favorite triple white, and some options that pop a little more, like the rose pink Fiore, silver Sterling, or my personal favorite, the Castagna. The beauty of the Capri design and colorways is that they can be worn with so many outfits, and are a very versatile piece to have on hand (or on foot, as the case may be). Koio is not shy about wanting to create a sneaker that can easily transition between all aspects of your life. From the bar to the office to a nice dinner, the Capri’s carry enough class to be at home in most situations. Also, because they are so well constructed by talented artisans in Italy with high end materials, they will last a long time. So my original apprehension at wearing my “nice” sneakers too often quickly faded as I realized how well the Capri Pebble’s withstood the tests of time. And Koio takes that made in Italy philosophy to its extreme. The word Koio, pronounced koy-oh, is even derived from the Italian word for leather—cuoio. Everything from the forms to the laces, and yes, even the shoeboxes, is sourced and made in Italy. Because the materials are so rich and supple, they feel really excellent on your feet. They break in quickly, and even invite you to wear them without socks—if you’re into that. They are called Capris for a reason! The quality materials don’t stop at the outside—every Koio Capri is lined with buttery smooth calf leather, and your feet will thank you for it. With the number of options available to savvy sneaker consumers, it's a testament to Koio’s philosophy and business model that they’ve managed to stand out. Whether you are looking to make a statement, start a conversation, or just have a super clean pair of sneakers to compliment any outfit, you can’t go wrong with a pair of Koio Capris. At $248, they undercut any of their closest competitors, with equal or higher quality, and are a solid investment to keep in your closet. And if you’re wondering what I mean by the Koio philosophy (beyond their diehard commitment to being made in Italy), check out their frequent collaborations with people like JonBoy or Quincy Davis, who have taken risks and pursued unconventional paths in the pursuit of passion. For more information, visit: www.koio.co Story by Thomas Bender

Catriona Gray entered the pageant world in 1999. She was only five years old when she won Little Miss Philippines. “It was more my mother’s choice than mine, to be honest,” Catriona chuckles. “Being on stage, I remember I wasn’t even nervous, in fact, I was more concerned with finding my parents in the audience.” This win was just the beginning of many more victories. Catriona continued to win pageant titles, all culminating in December 2018 when she was crowned Miss Universe. Even with her background in drama, modeling, and dancing, being a pageant queen was never one of Catriona’s dreams. “I never grew up with the dream to enter pageantry or being a beauty queen. Even when I grew up as a teenager, I still didn’t have an interest in pageantry,” she says. “Before the age of 20, I thought pageants were just a show. All I saw was that final coronation night.” But as Catriona got older, her views about pageantry changed and she began to see it was much more than just a coronation. Catriona had a friend go through it in 2014 and saw how much preparation goes into it, as well as the duties and the one-year job that comes with the coronation. “It took a very close friend of mine to join a national pageant for me to see what kind of voice beauty queens had in the Philippines.” Catriona realized how important pageantry is in the Philippines. “When beauty queens speak, the public listens.” At the time, she was volunteering with a charity and realized she could combine her passion for her charity with the platform of pageantry. Around that same time, Catriona noticed a shift in pageantry —contestant’s stories were being emphasized more, to her, almost as much as their physical attributes. The shift made Catriona take pageantry more seriously. When Catriona is on stage, she exudes beauty and grace —she makes it look easy. “We are just women up there; we are not super beings. It does take a lot of effort to look that put together and that beautiful.” Being on stage and exuding confidence is something she works hard at, and is not something she believes she was born with. She confesses to being a naturally shy person. “I’m very quiet. I’m very simple.” For Catriona, it’s a persona she puts on every time she goes on stage. But the moment she steps onto that stage, she is ready for anything. Though she has never slipped, she does have a plan, if it ever happens. “I would just get up and keep going. I feel that it’s a test of grace under pressure. And I feel like the judges look for more in a woman’s character, rather than if she can walk perfectly on stage. It’s not just the physical attributes that can get a woman heard, it’s really what you have to say.” You could say that Catriona is the most beautiful woman in the world, since she holds the title of Miss Universe, but the 25-year-old beauty queen shares that she too had an awkward phase — just like everyone else. “I had an ugly-duckling stage,” she laughs. “I had my growth spurt at the age of 8.” At 12 years old, Catriona was taller than most of her teachers and peers. “I felt extremely awkward, uncoordinated. I had braces. I had terrible skin and a crazy sense of colorful fashion,” she chuckles. Catriona wants to show the world that she is so much more than a beautiful face. As Miss Universe, she wants to make a difference and give back to the community. Becoming Miss Universe has changed her life. “It’s a humongous blessing, but it comes with such a big responsibility.” As Miss Universe, her reach is greater than she ever imagined. She wants her message to be one of education and awareness. “I was drawn to pageantry through giving back to the community, so now, that’s really what I want the tone of my reign to be.” Now that she has the platform, she is raising awareness about HIV/AIDS. She wants to build a better future for children, a better tomorrow. HIV/AIDS is close to home for Catriona. When she was a young adult, she had no awareness and unfortunately, learned the hard way. “I had a friend, someone who was close to me, get really sick and consequently passed away from medical complications associated with HIV/AIDS. He was only 26,” she says. “I wish I wasn’t pulled to the cause in that way, but that’s how it was.” When that happened, Catriona started volunteering with a group in the Philippines called Love Yourself. Love Yourself provides support, education, free treatment, and counseling to those who have been affected by HIV/AIDS. “It’s so much more than a medical problem, it’s wrapped up in so much stigma.” Today, Catriona is encouraging people to take that first step and get tested. “We shouldn’t have to wait until it happens to someone close to us. It’s really about increasing the dialog,” she says. Catriona explains that there are so many regions in the Philippines where people don’t really know what it is. “We are using education to really empower people to take a hold of their health.” Catriona currently works with amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, to find a cure and is hopeful that they will find one. She explains that there are many ways to get tested, there are even over-the-counter options. “We should shift our mindset to seeing it just like any regular health check-up. Testing positive doesn’t mean your life is over.” There is medication, that if taken correctly and consistently, can really make a difference, she tells me. Catriona believes in organizations, like amfAR, that are looking to make a difference. Her cause is not only to raise awareness and get people to get tested, but also to raise awareness about the importance of finding a cure. Becoming Miss Universe has given Catriona a platform to make a difference in the world, and that’s exciting for her. “It enriches your perspective. I think it’s amazing.” She is empowered to pioneer change for a cause that is so important to her, but it has also shown her so much more about the world and how we are all connected. Before Catriona was crowned Miss Universe, her focus was on the issues in the Philippines, now, she sees how some of the projects happening in the U.S. can be helpful in the Philippines. “It’s been very eye-opening for me. I feel like a sponge every time I get to learn something new.” Catriona is enjoying her time as Miss Universe and making the most of her reign, but the title comes with a number of expectations and hardships. “In the Philippines, we’re one of the biggest social media user nations. Reading comments can get a little overwhelming and trying to measure up to people’s expectations can be overwhelming,” says Catriona. “It’s a process, having to come to terms with the fact they don’t know everything, and never allowing my worth to be defined by what other people perceive of me, especially strangers.” As Catriona enters her last quarter as Miss Universe, she already knows what she wants to do after she passes on the crown later this year. “I would love to continue doing what I do, which is being a spokesperson and being able to work with the various organizations, because at the end of the day, that’s such fulfilling work for me.” Becoming Miss Universe has allowed Catriona to speak up and be heard, and to her, that is power and a huge responsibility. It’s one of the reasons why she was so compelled to enter the pageantry world —and maybe even the reason she was crowned Miss Universe 2018. “I believe when you have an ambition, it’s in your heart for a reason. And when going into Miss Universe, think about what your purpose is. Make the journey about more than the crown, don’t put all your eggs in that one basket, but rather look at it as an opportunity to develop yourself, gain experience, friendships, learn more about your country, and push a cause.” Follow Catriona on IG: @Catriona_Gray, Twitter: @CatrionaElisa, and Facebook: facebook.com/catrionaelisagray For more on Love Yourself visit www.loveyourself.ph Words by Claudia Paredes. Photo credit: The Miss Universe Organization | Fadil Berisha | Benjamin Askinas

Lorenza Izzo was on her first magazine cover, with her mother Rosita Parsons, when she was only two weeks old. By the age of 15, she was walking the runway. Her modeling career was off to a great start. But it’s no surprise that Lorenza found success in the modeling industry —she was born into a family of models. “It wasn’t much of a thought process, my modeling days,” says the 29-year-old Chilean actress. “It was a really nice way to make extra money, but it was never my goal or my objective to become a model.” For Lorenza, it was more of a side project that gave her so much more than she ever expected. She learned a lot from modeling, specifically, work ethic. When Lorenza was 18, she landed her first major campaign: the face of Colcci in Chile —a Brazilian label, which Gisele Bündchen also represented. “It’s a very hard job, it requires a lot of time and effort, and complete surrender of yourself, kind of the way acting does,” she explains. “It taught me what a real career can feel like at such a young age.” The rush she felt being on the runway made it all worth it for her. “There is a lot of adrenaline when performing in front of a crowd, which is what I love doing.” Lorenza wanted to do something different with her life and acting was a natural evolution from modeling as they both put her in the spotlight, which she loved. “At a very young age, I really enjoyed being the center of attention, making people laugh, and performing in every way possible,” she says. She enjoyed drama and theater in school, and discovered that acting came natural to her. “I lied a lot as a child,” she confesses. “I loved making up stories...I even made up that the Spice Girls were my aunts.” At 19, Lorenza realized she should channel these natural instinct of hers into acting. “I loved bedazzling my real life. It wasn’t just a hobby, it was something within me that I couldn’t control.” She had the opportunity to go to New York City and study acting at The Lee Strasberg Theater & Film Institute, so she moved to the United States. After some time in NYC, Lorenza returned to Chile and was cast in her first student film. “When I was on set is when I truly became hooked.” Lorenza was studying journalism at the time, but knew acting is what she was meant to do. “I’m meant to live on a set.” It didn’t take long for Lorenza to start making a name for herself in the film industry. Her first major role was in the Chilean film, Que Pena Tu Boda, which premiered in 2011. The following year, at the age of 20, she landed her first English-speaking role in the movie, Aftershock. “It was a really difficult, physically-demanding shoot,” says Lorenza. She has shot in various locations, under different budgets, and has learned that no matter the stresses of set life, she truly enjoys the experience —the good and the bad. Over the next few years, Lorenza perfected her craft and worked on about a dozen films —some of them with ex-husband Eli Roth, who she met on the set of Aftershock. The House with a Clock in Its Walls, starring Jack Black, was one of the biggest films she had done —until she booked the role of Francesca Capucci in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, and directed by Quentin Tarantino. “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is one of those one-in-a-billion chances. It’s the thing you dream of as an actor,” says Lorenza. Not only did she have the opportunity to work with an amazing cast of actors, but with her dream director. “I’m a massive fan. Everyone in this film is incredibly talented. It was a tremendous experience.” Lorenza did a fabulous job with bringing Francesca to life on the big screen. “She is based on all the starlets of the 60s in Italy,” she explains. “We tried to do something different. She is very funny, full of life —a person who walks into the room and takes over.” Lorenza was excited to play with this role and explore the ’60s. Like most of the characters she has portrayed, Lorenza had a few things in common with Francesca. Though, the actress wishes she was more like her Once Upon a Time in Hollywood character. “She really doesn’t care and just enjoys and lives life, and there is a great beauty to that.” Lorenza just finished filming Women is Losers. Slated for release in 2020, this is her first time producing a movie. “I learn so much from each project that I do,” she said. “There is a lot of research and understanding the world I’m going to be living in and submerging myself into it.” Watch Once Upon a Time in Hollywood in theaters now and follow Lorenza on Facebook, IG and Twitter: @LorenzaIzzo. Words by Claudia Paredes • Photo credit: Rie Rassmussen

Nu Wave Swim celebrated the end of Miami Swim Week with a multidesigner runway show, including Charmosa Swimwear, Revival, Red Carter, and Bleu Rod Beattie brands. Hannah Whelpley, Thais Martino, & Johanna Daru Hannah Whelpley, Johanna Daru, & Thais Matino Click below to launch slideshow > Anya Lesun, Elysze Held, & Diana Fox Rod Beattie & Models Johanna Thompson, Red Carter, & Thais Martino

Top model and former Miss Universe Vietnam 2015 Pham Huong Bee is moving to California. Since participating in the Miss Universe competition, she has become increasingly popular in Vietnam, and has been countlessly booked as an opening and closing runway model for a list of top designers. You are about to see a lot more of this stunning beauty queen. Top: Simonett Ear rings: Nicolina Royale Shoes: Enrico Cuini Jumpsuit: Bronx & Banco Shoes: Enrico Cuini Ear rings: Kimsu Jewels Bracelet: Now PR LA Ring: Kimsu Jewels Dress: Silvana Tedesco Shoes: Gianvito Rossi Earrings: J.ING Ring: Uno De 50 Bracelets: Saskia Joy, Gabriel New York, Uno De 50, Uno De 50, Tacori, Uno De 50 Dress: Flora Bridal Ear rings: Maison Louella Shoes: Ruthie Davis Dress: NF by Nour Necklace: Ir is Trends Bracelet: Ir is Trends Shoes: Enrico Cuini Dress: Lethicia Bronstein Shoes: Gianvito Rossi Ear rings: Tacori Ring: Polluce Keep up with Pham on Instagram: @phamhuongbee, Photo Credit: Caesar Lima. Model: Pham Huong Bee • Makeup: Monica Alvarez • Styling: Jessica Boal • Assistant: David Niño • Hair: James Gilbert

Colombian swim and activewear brand, Maaji, launches its newest collection, Thalassophile, meaning a lover of the sea. The Spring 2020 collection honors those who protect our oceans and preserve the idea of #RealMermaids. A #RealMermaid is passionate about the Earth; she is a dreamer and naturally beautiful because she is true to herself. Click below to launch slideshow > Images by Simon Soong

Letsfit is a company with a clear vision of bringing fitness products to the masses. From resistance bands to fitness trackers and headphones, Letsfit offers a focused line of products for your personal wellness, all at exceedingly affordable prices. Whether you’re strapped for cash or just not interested in bringing your most expensive personal gadgets to the sweaty gym, Letsfit can provide new technology at old school prices. T22 True Wireless Earbuds Letsfit has a full range of sports headphones, including both tethered and truly wireless options. The T22 caught my eye based on all the technology and battery life they have packed into this $40 package. This pair of earbuds feature an insane 80 hours of playback time, thanks to its 2,600 mAh battery! I don’t care what kind of workouts, marathons, or iron mans you are running, these things have what it takes to go the distance. The case of the T22 also features a full-size USB-A port, allowing you to tap that massive battery to charge your other gadgets as well. Sharing is caring. Also, surprisingly, the T22 supports both wired and wireless charging, so on the rare occasions where you do need to charge up the case, it’s extra convenient. Did I mention it has a digital readout for your battery? No LED indicators here, just a straight-up percentage read-out. The T22 also comes with an IPX6 waterproof rating. You won’t take them swimming, but it’s better than the standard IPX4 rating that comes with many other wireless earbuds. 6.2mm dynamic drivers pump out the audio, while an on-board microphone and multi-function buttons on each earbud let you answer your calls. T12 True Wireless Earbuds If you prefer that all-white, stick look for your wireless earbuds, consider jumping to the T12. These are also wallet-friendly at $49.99, and battery-friendly, with up to 30 hours of playback from their smaller case (compared to the T22). The T12’s share a Bluetooth 5.0 chipset with the T22’s for a reliable connection. And instead of the touch controls you might see on some similarly designed competitors, the T12 use small buttons on each bud to keep your costs low. If you love your AirPods, but don’t want to risk them at the gym, or you unfathomably lost one, the T12’s are a great replacement pair at a fraction of the price. ID205L Smartwatches In addition to headphones, Letsfit also has a dozen different fitness trackers at equally affordable price points. Consider the ID205L. I wouldn’t call it a smartwatch, because it isn’t, but it certainly starts to blur that line a little. It has a bunch of features, including call and SNS notifications to keep your phone in your pocket or purse, but it only costs $39.99. Like the T22’s above, I was very impressed with the Letsfit fitness tracker’s battery life. At 10 days between charges, it makes it a lot easier to consistently use and keep on your wrist. And when you do need to recharge, the proprietary cord has a super-strong magnetic connection that takes the guesswork out of adding some juice. Between the extended battery and the super lightweight build, this is the first smartwatch that I’ve been able to keep on overnight. The device tracks your sleep, as well as your daily activity, and even your heart rate, so having technology that enables consistent use is key. As mentioned, it will display notifications from your phone and do a few other tricks, like control your music and offer you breathing exercises, though in general, I found these to be a little more difficult to engage with than just taking out my phone. Key to the Letsfit fitness tracking experience is the App. This is probably the area that could use the most improvement, which isn’t so bad, since it can be fixed and upgraded without your continued investment in new hardware. It gets all the basics right, displaying deep and light sleep times, your average heart rate, and your step count, but it makes it difficult to look at the data over time and pick out trends or exceptions. With accessible fitness products at accessible prices, Letsfit certainly has a market to make everyone’s workouts that much more enjoyable. For more information, visit: www.letsfit.com By Thomas Bender

Nestled on bustling King Street is Hotel Bennett — Charleston, South Carolina’s newest luxury hotel. A refreshing addition to the Holy City, Hotel Bennett is an architectural gem adorned with mint green shutters and quaint black lanterns. But it’s the entryway that truly evokes awe. A world of elegance rests beyond the front doors — dramatic spiral staircases, tall, tufted seating areas, delicate hand-painted murals, and artistic tile. The lobby houses a posh cocktail lounge with a baby Grand piano as well as a pink-hued champagne bar named Camellias. Click below to launch slideshow > Hotel Bennett boasts 179 guestrooms and suites. During our stay, we resided in a junior suite, which has a bedroom, living room, and bathroom. The beautiful room is outfitted with eyecatching chandeliers, dark wood furniture, and a soothing color palette of gold, soft blues, and cream. The bedroom features a king bed with plush white bedding, a desk, and bookshelves stocked with hardcover novels wrapped in twine. The bathroom is just as serene with it’s white marble tile, inviting pedestal tub, and separate rainfall shower. I highly recommend adding on The King’s Club during your stay. For an additional cost, guests have access to this exclusive space where refreshments are served daily and a private concierge is present. As the name suggests, you’re treated like royalty here. There is an open bar stocked with top-shelf liquor and five food presentations (prepared by the hotel’s Chef de Cuisine) throughout the day: continental breakfast, light fare lunch, afternoon tea, evening hors d’oeuvres, cordials, and desserts. Here, we enjoyed a light breakfast, where scrambled eggs, sliced ham, fruit, pastries, and a Bloody Mary bar were served, and a lunch that featured a salad bar with grilled chicken, poached shrimp, and an assortment of cookies. Situated on the 6th floor, the outdoor terrace provides a lovely view of King’s Street and additional seating. Hotel Bennett has a variety of topnotch dining options, including Gabrielle (formal dining), Camellias (champagne bar), Fiat Lux (rooftop dining by the pool), and La Pâtisserie (a casual bistro that serves “the city’s finest breads, pastr ies, and sandwiches”). Gabrielle is a gorgeous two-story restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows, leather chairs, and a stunning crystal art installation draped overhead. Helmed by Executive Chef Michael Sichel, the masterfully-executed dishes are inspired by the chef’s work in Europe and New Orleans. The dinner menu boasts mouthwatering dishes, including grilled octopus, French onion soup, steak, and seafood. Click below to launch slideshow > We dined at Gabrielle for Sunday brunch and had the challenge of selecting from an array of dishes that each sounded more scrumptious than the last —Breakfast Beignets, Crepes Amandine, Shrimp and Grits, Lemon Ricotta Toast, Gabrielle Burger... To start, we ordered the Biscuits & Gravy with Amish Chicken Ground Sausage. Not your typical southern dish, this was elevated fare. The biscuits were warm and fluffy, while the gravy was creamy yet light, and incredibly delicious. Every morsel was devoured. For our main dishes, we ordered the Belgian Waffle with Smoked Pork Belly and Organic Strawberry syrup; and Eggs Bennett: Storey Farms Organic Poached Eggs and Filet Medallions topped with beraniase. Both plates featured a symphony of flavors that came together harmoniously. I definitely recommend dining at Gabrielle —the food is excellent. Retire to The Spa Hotel Bennett for some R&R. The spa boasts five treatment rooms, a relaxation area, and fitness center. While you wait in the relaxation room, help yourself to some water, tea, and light snacks. We experienced the 80-minute Ultimate Aromatherapy Massage in the couples’ room, and left completely invigorated. The spa menu also features facials, like the Gold Hydralifting Facial, and body treatments, like the Holy City Healing Wrap. Whatever treatment you choose, you’re sure to feel pampered and refreshed. Charleston is a popular destination for weddings, and Hotel Bennett’s Crown Ballroom is the perfect place to celebrate your nuptials. Honestly, every corner of the hotel presents a beautiful backdrop for photos, especially their rooftop which has a heated pool, Fiat Lux, and six private rental cabanas outfitted with seating, a TV, refrigerator, fan, bottled water, and fruit basket. During our visit, the hotel was bursting with wedding guests and intimate parties enjoying champagne and tea at Camellias, which serves an extensive collection of bottle and by-the-glass offerings, caviar, ceviche, tartare, desserts, and Afternoon Tea (from 2-4 pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday). Hotel Bennett embodies Charleston charm and luxury,and is the best when it comes to the city’s accommodations. For reservations, visit www.hotelbennett.com or call 833-331-9616. Hotel Bennett is located at 404 King St., Charleston, SC 29403. By Vanessa Pascale, Images courtesy of Hotel Bennett

On her days off, you will find Allison Miller catching up on zzz’s and the latest episode of HBO’s Big Little Lies. However, nowadays, those days are few and far between for the 34-year-old actress who stars as Maggie Bloom, a breast cancer survivor, in the NBC drama, A Million Little Things. Allison, who was born in Rome, Italy, remembers moving around a lot during childhood. After spending some of her childhood in Kentucky, she moved to Tallahassee and became involved in an afterschool program where she performed three plays a year, was trained in tap, jazz, and more. “I was able to find friends and ultimately find the thing that I loved.” That thing was acting. Allison very briefly attended Boston University before attending Rhodes College for her freshman year. She then transferred to the University of Florida in Gainesville. Throughout her time in college, she pursued fine arts and took up painting. Then, she thought she might go into speech pathology. [Fun fact: She speaks both Spanish and French.] “The whole time I was doing this, I continued to do plays. I just kept coming back to acting.” In 2004, Allison was one of eight actresses chosen as finalists to play Laurie in the VH1 reality show, In Search of the New Partridge Family. “I auditioned completely on a whim. I thought I was going to live in New York and pursue theater. I was working at a bakery and I saw that VH1 was holding auditions in Orlando.” Once she got there, she lived at Universal Studios with others who were also pursuing the show. “That’s actually where I got a manager.” In 2006, Miller made the move to Los Angeles to pursue acting full time. From there, she would appear in a few small roles on television series that included, General Hospital, CSI: NY, Desperate Housewives, and Boston Legal, before landing series regular roles as Michelle Benjamin on NBC’s Kings, Skye Tate on FOX’s Terra Nova, Carrie on NBC’s Go On, and Sonya Struhl in Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why. Her big breakout role happened in 2018, when she landed the role of Maggie Bloom on NBC’s new drama, A Million Little Things, which centers around the lives of a group of friends who become motivated to live fuller lives after the unexpected death of a close friend. “I read the script last year. Wow, was that really last year? I immediately felt a kinship with Maggie. I cried at the script —the scene when Rome is sharing his struggles with his friends— and I just knew I wanted to be a part of it right away. I went into the audition and the showrunner told me I was really good, but initially, I didn’t get the part.” A little bit later, she was called back to do a chemistry read with James Rodday (who plays Gary) and the rest was history. “I have never felt so connected to a character or project. Preparing to play Maggie, I talked to real breast cancer survivors. It makes the role much more accessible when I get to hear all of their personal stories. It makes me commit to the authenticity of the experience. I have a responsibility. I can’t half ass it.” Season Two of A Million Little Things will take an in-depth look at Maggie and Gary’s relationship once out of crisis mode and we’ll get to see more of Maggie’s family, which is promised to be a “continued mystery. The showrunners don’t really give us too much either, so we’re in it with the audience in a way.” In addition to making new friends in Vancouver, where A Million Little Things films, Allison is currently editing a short that she also directed. With such an exciting, whirlwind year under her belt, Allison is really focusing on bringing more ease into her life. “I operate from a pretty anxious place and so much of my focus needs to be on maintaining peace. I actually got a tattoo to remind me not to worry. It says Nessun Leone, which is No Lion in Italian. Because there’s really no lion chasing me. It’s a good reminder to slow down.” Watch Allison in A Million Little Things; Season Two returns to NBC this fall on Thursday nights at 9 pm EST. Follow her on IG and Twitter: @allisonemiller. Words by Briana Dodson. Images courtesy of NBC

There’s only a few hours to go before Tony Gonzalez boards a long flight with his family to enjoy a few weeks exploring Amsterdam, Croatia, Portugal, and more. The first leg of the trip, he’ll be attending MindValley, a collective of seminars, speakers and workshops based on the teachings from Vishen Lakhiani’s New York Times bestselling book, The Code of the Extraordinary Mind. It’s some much needed downtime after the amazing, crazy year the former football tight end has had. Tony, who is notably con sidered the greatest tight end of all-time, was recently inducted into the Hall of Fame in February 2019 —his first year of eligibility. “David Baker, this 6’7, 400-pound guy comes around to deliver the news. You either get a knock at the door or you get a call that you didn’t make it. They put all of the nominees up in a hotel and you then wait to see what happens. I saw him [David] coming around the corner. My kids were on FaceTime. My cousin Dennis was there. And I started dancing. A lot of guys cry. I didn’t cry, but you start to reflect a little bit on all of the things that could’ve happened and you think about your career. I’m so thankful. I just feel so much joy.” Growing up in Huntington Beach, California, he would go on to play college basketball and football at The University of California Berkeley before getting drafted in the first round of the 1997 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs, where he played for 12 seasons. After that, he was traded to the Atlanta Falcons, where he continued to play for another five seasons. A fourteen time Pro Bowl selection, Tony currently holds the NFL record for career receiving yards (15,127) by a tight end. He also is second all-time in receptions with 1,325, trailing only Jerry Rice. Now that he’s off the field, Tony wants to continue to reinvent himself in other ways. He’s currently an analyst of the NFL’s pregame show and has a podcast Wide Open, that will be debuting later this summer. “I love being around the guys on the pregame show. It keeps me around football and it’s very similar to playing. It’s a performance. When the red light comes on, you know millions of people are watching. You can’t just show up and do well. It’s a process. But I enjoy the hell out of it!” Wide Open will highlight the stories of all people and the greatness of whatever it is they’re doing —chefs, athletes, actors, scientists— and talk in-depth about the pivotal moments that brought them success. “In my second year in the NFL, I dropped 16 balls and got benched twice. You always do the most learning in the hardest times in your life. I was bullied as a kid pretty badly. It’s one of the moments in life that gave me grit and edge. Shit happens, that’s why it’s a bumper sticker,” he laughs. “So I wanted to hear other peoples’ stories and understand how they achieved the success they did.” Inspiration for the podcast came simply from Tony’s day-to-day life, which includes reading lots of books and soaking up copious knowledge. “I read coaching biographies, from biographies on Jerry Rice, Michael Jordan, etc. I like reading about Oprah, Benjamin Franklin, Abraham Lincoln —the list goes on. I’m reading all the time. I’m also really interested in health and nutrition, and how the mind works. So getting these kinds of people, with their own stories and journeys on the podcast is really cool.” In 2009, Tony co-authored the book, The All-Pro Diet, which details his diet and workout routine and provides practical suggestions for others to follow the same path. Later that year, he also co-founded All-Pro Science, a sports nutrition company that manufactures a complete line of protein shakes, vitamins, and other supplements. The products in the APS line mirror the philosophy that he speaks to in his book, focusing on a balance of foods from all-natural sources. From 2013 to 2017, Tony worked with FitStar, a company that makes mobile fitness apps, helping people get in shape with customized workouts delivered via iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. To say he has kept pretty busy is an understatement. When he does have downtime, you can find him spending time with his partner October and his four children. “Being a parent and a husband, doing a little bit of acting, this podcast… all of it makes me excited. You always want to keep leveling up and the moment is now. I love the people that put themselves out there. Right now, I’m reading a book on negotiation,” he says with a laugh. “It’s never enough for me. I want to always be expanding.” Keep an ear out for Tony’s podcast, Wide Open, this summer. For more on Tony Gonzalez, follow him on IG and Twitter: @tonygonzalez88. Words by Briana Dodson · Photo credit: Lily Ro

Francia Raísa always knew she would pursue acting. “I used to watch telenovelas with my grandmother. I would turn to her and say, ‘I’m going to do that when I grow up,’ I just didn’t know how,” says Francia. It didn’t take long for Francia to land her first role on a big network like Freeform (formerly known as ABC Family). At 16 years old, she pursued dancing, and was quite good at it. So good, that it led to her first big TV role. “In my backup-dancing journey, I met a manager. At the time, she was looking for a bilingual Latina —and I am! So she signed me, and about six months later I booked Bring It On. It’s been a rollercoaster ever since.” That first role as Leti in Bring It On: All or Nothing was just the beginning of a long, successful journey with Freeform. In 2008, Francia landed the role of Alex Delgado in Freeform’s TV movie, The Cutting Edge 3: Chasing the Dream. Francia shares that MGM didn’t really want to hire her for The Cutting Edge. “They thought there was someone else who was a stronger actor, but I was the only one who knew how to ice skate,” she explains. In the end, it was her ice skating background that got her the part, but this wasn’t a victory yet. “They kept saying I was very green —that comment really bothered me. I actually had a hard time with the first Cutting Edge movie, because I had that feedback in the back of my head, which made me really work hard.” At the time, Francia didn’t have a strong acting background. “I was going with the flow. I learned on set how to be on set and how to act,” she says. After The Cutting Edge, Francia decided to take acting lessons. “I can’t just fake it. There was natural talent, but there is more to the craft and I didn’t want to BS my way through.” Francia loved being in front of the camera as a teenager, but there was more to it for her. “When I was 16, the movie Thirteen came out. That one really struck me hard, because I was a little rebelde when I was a teenager. And I’m an older sister, so watching that movie really opened my eyes to what kind of influence I was putting in my younger sisters —it woke me up.” This is when the power of the entertainment industry became very clear to her. Francia realized she too could tell stories that moved kids, the way Thirteen moved her. Booking roles as a Latina is not an easy task. But Francia separated herself from the rest by being really good at other things, in addition to acting. “My dad was really big on putting me in everything when I was little, like karate, dance lessons, ice skating when I was 11; I was a competitive ice skater,” she explains. So, when it was time to audition, she was ready. “For Bring It On, the dance portion was part of the audition. And I was like, I got this. No problem! I know that helped me book the part.” The same year (2008) Francia landed The Cutting Edge, she was given a more permanent home on Freeform —playing Adrian Lee in The Secret Life of the American Teenager, which aired until 2013. Fourteen years later, the now 31-year-old actress continues to work with the network (her second home) where it all started. Francia currently portrays Ana Torres on Grownish, which was renewed for a third season. “I’m so different from Ana, it’s not even funny,” Francia laughs. “It’s hilarious when I go try on costumes for Ana, because our stylist always asks me if I like it, and I say, ‘Francia doesn’t, but I’m sure Ana does.’” Though Francia is so different from her character, she still has a lot of fun with Ana and has enjoyed creating her as the show evolves. But there are some similarities between the two. “We both grew up Catholic, so I understand that background a lot. I understand her mentality and naiveté sometimes. But my 19-year-old self definitely cannot relate to her. I was in such a different place in my life. I was two years into a relationship with someone who was 17 years older than me. So I probably would have looked at her like, Girl…you better chill. But me now, I have more grace for her and I would put her under my wing and tell her she is doing great.” Grown-ish’s second season is coming to an end and Francia is enjoying how the writers are developing her character. “My older self sees her as a little sister and I just love her,” she says. Francia is excited to see Ana grow and not only experience adult things, but handle them in an adult way. In Season Two, episode 15, Ana had her heart broken, and the way she handled it was a key indicator that she is, in fact, growing as a person. “If it was the first season, she would have acted a lot more dramatic and emotional. On that episode, she had a very mature approach to her heartbreak. The way she responded to him, freshman-year Ana would have said, ‘Yeah’ —because she doesn’t want to lose him, but sophomore-year Ana was like, ‘No, I deserve better than this.’ She is seeing her worth more, getting stronger and more confident.” Francia has done some growing up herself. Her accomplishments, from Bring It On to Grown-ish and everything in between, are a true testament to her talent and an inspiration for all Latinas trying to make it in Hollywood. “I’m one of the few Latinas that’s still working and has been consistently, thankfully, in the last 14 years,” she says. While Francia portrays Latina characters on television, her roles are written in a way that keep her from falling into Latina tropes. “I don’t know how I didn’t fall into it, honestly,” she says. Francia explains that she’d audition for those stereotypical Latina roles, but in the end, she didn’t book them. Instead, she found herself landing roles like Adrian Lee in The Secret Life of the American Teenager. “It was crazy. I didn’t realize how blessed I’ve been in my career until recently.” Francia has found much success in television and is very happy with the roles she has booked, but it was a challenge for her managers to appropriately represent her, and send her on auditions where she would be booked. “It felt like I was trying to fit in. There were plenty of times when I was frustrated because I would get an audition for something, and I would read the breakdown, and I’m like, They are looking for a white girl,” she explains. It was evident to her that her representatives didn’t know what to do with her. Francia recalls sitting in audition rooms and being the only Latina. “They are not going to want me. I’m going to an audition where it’s all white girls, and then me. Great! This is a waste of my time,” she remembers. “It was tough because I was not just competing with other Latin women, but literally, white girls.” While Francia has found her place in Hollywood today, she remembers the day she visited a dialect coach to learn how to talk like Rosie Perez, because that’s what was requested during her auditions. “It’s impossible, she is a character of her own,” she would tell herself. “The problem is one Latin actress makes it and Hollywood wants everyone else to do it.” Francia recalls when Sofia Vergara became famous for portraying Gloria in Modern Family and how that influenced her auditions. “So I’m out there trying to be sassy and be big and have an accent and I just don’t.” Audition after audition, Francia has stayed true to herself, which has paid off and landed her roles on television shows she is proud to be a part of. Francia is lucky to have found a network that aligns with what she believes. Over the years, Freeform has reached out to Francia with content that moves her and inspires her. “I love the message that Freeform is putting out there—a new kind of forward, diversity, inclusion, everything. They are really trying to overcome boundaries and I respect them for that,” she says. “With Secret Life, that was the first time the ABC Family ever talked about sex and teen pregnancy. None of the other shows were like that, it was the first of its kind, and I got to be a part of it.” When Grown-ish came, Francia felt that she had a purpose on this network. “Now, I’ve been trying to go beyond telling and bring more to the table.” She has spoken with the President of Freeform to make that move forward. “I’ve been with the family for a long time, I want to briqng content and direct, and do more.” “I’m so different from Ana, it’s not even funny,” Francia laughs. “It’s hilarious when I go try on costumes for Ana, because our stylist always asks me if I like it, and I say, ‘Francia doesn’t, but I’m sure Ana does.’” Catch Grown-ish on Freeform every Wednesday night. Sophomore year is coming to an end, make sure to catch the season finale August 7th. Follow Francia on IG, Twitter, and Facebook: @FranciaRaisa Words by Claudia Paredes · Photo credit: Storm Santos

Laura - Vintage slip from by Moshi Moshi Sister Sister, www.moshimoshisistersister.com; Necklaces: Vienna necklace by Eye of Iris www.iristrends.com / Instagram: @eyeofiris - pearl necklaces, earrings, choker, and belt (worn as bracelet) from City of Angels Vintage, Instagram: @cityofangelsvintage; Rings, stylist’s own Vanessa - Dress by Miss Tashina, www.misstashina.com / Instagram: @miss_tashina; Necklaces by Aaron Perez, Instagram: @vvron__, City of Angels Vintage, Instagram: @cityofangelsvintage, and Jenny Dayco, Instagram: @jennydayco; Earrings, stylist’s own; Cuff bracelets by Rue 21 www.rue21.com / Instagram: @rue21 It’s early July in New York City when I arrive at the The Whitby Bar & Restaurant and find Vanessa and Laura Marano waiting at the hostess stand. Vanessa, 26, —best known for playing April on Gilmore Girls and Bay on Switched at Birth— is dressed in all black: a short flowy dress, paired with a leather jacket, and sneakers. Laura, 23, —recognized for her portrayal of Ally on Disney TV series, Austin & Ally, and most recently as Celia on Netflix’s The Perfect Date, opposite Noah Centineo— is wearing a short, fitted blue denim dress with black Nikes. Their dark brown hair is in waves and swept away from their faces. The energy surrounding the Marano sisters this evening is light and bright. The Los Angeles natives have been acting in TV and film since they were children, but this week is major as they are releasing the first film they produced and acted in together, Saving Zoë. “Because we’re going to be go-go-go in the next two weeks, I don’t think it’s going to truly hit us until two weeks from now. But we’re like, ‘We did it! We put a movie out.’ This is a moment of celebration no matter what. This is amazing,” Laura exclaims animatedly. In the works for twelve years, Saving Zoë was a way the Marano sisters, plus mom, could harness some control in their careers. “Saving Zoë itself was kinda born out of like, one of us getting fired off of a job; one of us booking a movie that was supposed to be career-changing; and then an investor embezzling money and that film never going; and then getting fired again; and then the writers strikes; and there’s no work; and it was just so many things that were like, OK, this isn’t going well right now,” Vanessa explains, adding that this was before they landed the TV roles they’re known for. When Vanessa and Laura’s parents realized that these two still wanted to pursue acting, in spite of the myriad setbacks and disappointments the entertainment industry doled out, their mother, Ellen, got proactive.“That was the first time my mom went, ‘OK, fine. If we’re going to do it, we’re going to the bookstore. Let’s read a bunch of books, and we’re going to find one to option and we’re going to focus on making that.’ We went to Barnes & Noble, picked out a bunch of books with teenage girls on the cover, and Saving Zoë was the one we fell in love with. Twelve years later, here we are. But it’s just crazy to think that she was so against it and it wasn’t until everything happened to us that she feared: the rejection, the hardship, us sacrificing normal childhood experiences for roles we weren’t ultimately going to ever get,” says Vanessa. “I missed a whale-watching trip in third grade,” Laura quips. Vanessa was 14 and Laura was 11 when the two, along with their mother, decided to pursue the challenge of taking the YA book to the big screen. To say it was a long, arduous process is an understatement. “It’s been an insane roller coaster of just like, perseverance, rejection, excitement all of a sudden, rejection again,” Vanessa laughs. “And excitement now for this week,” adds Laura. “It’s finally coming out in America!” The Marano sisters call what happened next, kismet. They reached out to Alyson Noël, the author of Saving Zoë, and requested a meeting. “Alyson is like, ‘This is super weird, I was watching you,’” says Vanessa. Coincidentally, Alyson and her husband had recently started watching Gilmore Girls, where Vanessa portrayed Luke’s daughter, April. Alyson met with the Marano ladies and ended up giving them the rights to her book. “I think the fact that two siblings were coming forward, and this book spoke to us so much… She just believed in us and worked with us for 10 years,” says Laura. The production of this film was such a labor of love that no one was paid —including screenwriters Brian J. Adams and LeeAnne H. Adams, and director, Jeffrey Hunt— until the film was sold and went into production. Saving Zoë was shot in 15 days, edited in about 3 weeks, and took another 2 years to get distributed. What really motivated these ladies to make this film was that no one was really interested in shining a light on what they thought was an important subject: online sexual exploitation. “People kept being like, ‘Eh, that’s not what your audience wants. Your audience wants light and fluffy.’ And I think that pushed us even more to be like, No, we’re going to keep going then. We’re going to make this personal because…” says Vanessa. “We are our audience!” Laura exclaims. “Yeah, we believed so much in the story. It is a story about young women, for young women, told by a mother-and-two-daughter producing team,” says Vanessa. “Our hope really is that mothers and daughters can sit down and watch this and have a conversation afterwards. But the fact that people were scared and didn’t want to talk about the subject and were like, ‘Eh, there’s no place for this in the film world.’ We were like, Alright, that means we absolutely have to keep going and have to get it made, because if people don’t want to talk about it, that means we should be talking about it.” Dresses by Tashina Hunter; Necklace on Laura by Aaron Perez; Body Chains, stylist’s own The whole project is a departure for Vanessa and Laura —it’s the sister’s first foray into producing a film and their first time —in a long while— taking on such serious roles, especially side by side. It was a scary yet exciting experience, Laura tells me. “We both have played dark characters before. I know Vanessa has really put her foot into drama —there’s a point when you’re tired, where you’re coming up with phrases that aren’t real. But....” Laura smiles. “Like, put your foot into drama,” Vanessa adds. “I think that’s a famous phrase, no one really says it but,” Laura continues. “Dame Judi Dench has been known for putting her foot into drama,” says Vanessa without missing a beat. Vanessa and Laura are elated to see how their fans react to them in these dramatic roles. The film is not only a departure for them, but for most involved, including the director, writers, and a few of the actors. “We had never produced before, that was a departure for us. Ken Jeong is playing a very dramatic role, that’s a departure for him from comedy.... I think it was such a kismet thing, of people really wanting to do something they’ve always dreamed of doing and do something different than what they had been doing. This group of people got together and were like, ‘Let’s make something meaningful to all of us,’” says Vanessa. But this is just the beginning for these nascent producers. The Marano sisters have already optioned two more books and are excited to work on those. “We love telling stories. We love telling stories in any capacity, whether it be as actors, producers, maybe as writers someday, maybe as directors someday,” says Vanessa. “To get the opportunity to tell a story that’s important to you, about a topic you’re extremely passionate about —we feel incredibly lucky, and feel an incredible sense of, ‘Alright, this is what we should be doing.’” Vanessa and Laura also intend to act in their future projects. Before Saving Zoë, it had been a long time since they have acted in the same project. “Our very first time doing a television show or very first theatrical job, we played sisters together,” Vanessa shares. “And then we never worked together again!” Laura says theatrically. “Until now,” says Vanessa. “Until now. Yeah, we’ve had our individual careers, which was kinda awesome,” says Laura. The following responses pour out swiftly and comedically. Vanessa: We did do some work together. Laura: We did. This has been our biggest role... Vanessa: To-date. Laura: The background voices in Finding Nemo. Vanessa: That was a big moment. It was a loop group. Laura: LG. Vanessa: That’s right! We didn’t play sisters in that one. Laura: I’d like to think we did. Vanessa: I don’t know. We’ll never know, because the story of the baby sea turtles wasn’t really explored as much in Finding Nemo. Laura: It was when I was doing it. Vanessa: Laura had a whole backstory. Laura: I had a whole backstory as always —as an actor, you have to have it, damn it! Vanessa: That’s right. Their bantery exchange is entertaining and makes you wish you were a part of the Marano clan. Was it challenging to work together? Do you two get along for the most part? “Well, Mom was there, too,” says Laura. “She produced the movie as well with us. There was all three of us like, loving each other.” “And wanting to kill each other,” adds Vanessa. “Wanting to kill each other. Respecting each other,” says Laura in a sing-songy voice. “And yelling at each other. And crying with each other and then laughing for no reason, after all of those things with each other. We were so sleep deprived,” Vanessa laughs. “I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world… I think we made something really special and I’m really glad we got to do it all together.” Gown by Kenneth Barlis, www.kennethbarlis.com, Instagram: @realkennethbarlis; Ring, stylist’s own; Earrings from City of Angels Vintage, Instagram: @cityofangelsvintage Vanessa and Laura have an endearing familiarity about them that makes you feel like you could be the best of friends and that je ne sais quoi (both are quick-witted, fun-loving, and charming) that makes people stars. There’s no questioning it —they were born to entertain. I mean, their IG story that showed the 14+ ways to watch Saving Zoë definitely demonstrates it. And to think, their mother didn’t want them to go into acting. “How it really did not work out for her on that,” says Laura. “She was not supportive of that because she loves us and she knows that it’s a tough business. We really had to prove to her —Vanessa particularly.” For two years, Vanessa told her parents she wanted to act professionally. “Not really understanding what that was. But Mom owned a children’s theater, and I just knew I liked acting. I liked memorizing lines. I was like, I want to do it more. And for two years, she said no. She was like, ‘It’s a horrible industry, you’re going to give up your childhood.’” Finally, Ellen, conceded and took the girls to an agent “who supposedly turned kids down, and crushed their spirits.” Ellen, Vanessa, and Laura went to the agent’s office, and Vanessa auditioned. “She called my mom in and was like, ‘I’m going to take her.’ And my mom was like, What!?,” Vanessa explains. “And I came in and I was like, ‘I don’t have an agent.’” says Laura in a sweet, childlike voice as she makes an innocent face. “And the agent was like, ‘Honey, I’ll take you, too.’” Laura smiles. “That one. That one’s cute. I like what she’s doing there,” quips Vanessa. “Then, it was just our mom driving us pretty much every day of our lives on the crowded 405 freeway turning to the back and being like, ‘Do you guys really want to do this, because we can turn around right now? We don’t have to do this.’ She was so against it for so long. At that point, we were like, We get to leave school early and listen to Destiny’s Child in the car,” says Vanessa enthusiastically. “Oh, what a time. What a time to be alive,” says Laura with comedic wistfulness. Nuclear leather dresses by Ritual, www.ritual.fashion / Instagram: @ritual_official; Skirt by AYA by DK, www.ayabydk.com / Instagram: @aya_by_dk; Jacket by Moshi Moshi Sister Sister, www.moshimoshisistersister.com, Instagram: @moshimoshisistersister; Sunglasses by Aldo, www.aldoshoes.com / Instagram: @aldo_shoes What would fans be surprised to find out about each of you? “I think that we really have the yin and yang within us, in each of us,” says Laura. “Let me clarify. When people first meet us, right away, we kinda seem like, Vanessa’s the realist/pessimist and I’m like the optimist. Vanessa is like really analretentive, and I’m really like, Ah. Let it go. It’s fine. But I really do think that both of us have those different sides of the spectrum qualities within us.” Vanessa smiles. “You really think I have a side of me that’s like, ‘Let it go. It will be fine!?’” Vanessa asks incredulously. “You do! I know you do. 100%,” says Laura. “That makes me so happy. Is it just when I’m watching The Housewives?” Vanessa asks. Laura smiles. “You definitely are in a place of zen when watching The Housewives, for sure,” says Laura. “That’s when I feel my most zen, when I’m watching Bravo, for sure,” adds Vanessa. Do you two give one another acting tips? “Oh, for sure,” says Vanessa. “Oh yeah, definitely,” says Laura. “We’ve been doing that since 5 and 8,” says Vanessa. “Vanessa is so protective. She’s such an older sister. She’s very on top of it, and she’s like a little director. For me, I was like, ‘Vanessa knows what she’s doing, right?’ I was like, I really feel like if I give any notes at all, in any capacity, on something other than production, we might all explode,” Laura says lightheartedly, about working together on Saving Zoë. Necklace from City of Angels Vintage, Instagram: @cityofangelsvintage; Ring by Jenny Dayco, Instagram: @jennydayco Follow Vanessa on Facebook, Twitter, and IG: @VanessaMarano Follow Laura on Facebook, Twitter, and IG: @LauraMarano For more on how to watch Saving Zoë, visit geni.us/SavingZoe Words by Vanessa Pascale Photographer: Josh Williams/ JBW Photography | www.joshwilliamsphotography.com Styling: Jenny Dayco | www.jennydayco.com Hair & makeup: Melissa Bedi | www.melissabedi.com