Entertainment

Saved by the Bell’s: Haskiri Velasquez

On her acting journey, future goals, and the magic of manifestations by Rachel Soko.
We Chat With… Olympic Snowboarder Lindsey Jacobellis

Interview by Laurie Mega

The winningest snowboarder in history, Lindsey Jacobellisis a 31-time World Cup gold medalist, 10-time X Games gold medalist, and 6-time world champion. She is a 4-time Olympian, who won the silver in 2006. She’s also the founder and host of the Nissan Supergirl Snow Pro, a women-only snowboarding competition that features both pros and amateurs in Big Air and Snowboard Cross competitions.

We caught up with Lindsey just a few days after her win at Supergirl, and just before she finished packing for Europe to finish her World Cup tour. She chatted about Supergirl, what drew her to snowboarding, and the importance of mentorship, especially for young women in her sport.
Help! My Teacher Doesn’t Like Me

How to Deal

By AyalKorczak

We all have our favorite teacher. You know, the ones that just make class amazing, even if the subject is a bore. But what do you do when the opposite happens? What if the teacher seems to constantly pick on you? Or blatantly ignores you? What if, no matter what you do,a certain teacher just doesn’t like you?

Here’s how to handle this prickly situation:
Movie Review

We Watched It: HOOKING UP
by Valerie Mulder

Despite the somewhat cheesy impression Hooking Up’s poster and tagline might give off, you’ll find that it is not your standard rom-com.
Real Life Helping Yourself

HowTherapy Can Improve and Even Save Lives

By Valerie Mulder

Have you ever felt down? Worried? Hurt? Unmotivated? Of course you have — we all have, after all, it’s been quite a year, especially with social distancing.

But do you feel this way more often than you feel at ease or happy? If these feelings persist, you might be showing symptoms of depression or anxiety disorder. But, good new -- therapists are here to help you learn how to process your emotions, adjust your reactions, and build your own happiness even when times are tough. Let’s talk about talking about it.
Offbeat Video Game Roundup

Offbeat Video Game Roundup
By Chris Benson

Remember Fortnite, that little game we wrote a whole article about last issue? What about Minecraft? Grand Theft Auto V? If you know video games at all, you’ve heard of these juggernauts. Giant titles with AAA budgets and well-oiled marketing machines dominate gaming news and discussion, leaving little room for lesser-known games. Here are some offbeat and unique games that we think deserve more time in the spotlight.
Meme Culture

Meme Culture by Katya Lien

What can galvanize and motivate more than 53,000,000 people from across the globe to come together, cooperate, and spread the word to work towards one common goal? (Aside from the fight against COVD-19, of course.) An Instagram picture of an egg. If that’s not the best, most emblematic, and somehow poetic representation of meme culture, I don’t know what is.
Ain't Too Proud's Jelani Remy

Jelani Remy recently played Eddie Kendricks in the Tony-winning Broadway production of Ain’t Too Proud.

Broadway’s Ain’t too Proud is a show anyone of any age would enjoy. When we saw it in February 2020, we noticed people of all ages sitting in the audience, which just goes to show you even teens will have a blast at the show.
The Show Must Go On

Celia Rose Gooding, star of Broadway’s Jagged Little Pill, on her journey from page to stage and why teens can relate to the musical’s deep subject matter.
By Rachel Sokol
Lady Jetset

Luxury Service for Younger Ladies by Lana Engelhart

Imagine this: going to the prom in a gown picked and sent to wherever you are…exclusive and just for you. And don’t worry about a hefty designer price tag, because this one is an amazing deal even though it should cost a fortune. No use for the dress after the prom? No room to store it after your big event? No problem. You can pick, rent, return the dress—all with the help of a concierge team. Guess who is on their way to major “likes” and a one-of-a-kind experience? Why, you are!
All That’s Ryan Alessi

A cast member of the iconic 1990s Nickelodeon reboot, Ryan Alessi is a Chicago-bred and L.A.- based actor who cut his teeth as a part of the Windy City’s famous Second City comedy troupe. We chatted with him to find out what growing up was like, his charity work, and of course what it’s like on the set of the hit show.

By Rachel Jacoby Zoldan
FaceTune, Filters, and Fake Friends, Oh My!

When—and Why—I Decided I Hated Social Media

By Katya Lien, college student

I recently deleted all of my Instagram followers. Well, not all of them. But over one thousand of them. And here’s why...
Is Fortnite Alright?

By Chris Benson

By now you’ve heard of Fortnite. You’ve probably played it. Fortnite continues to be the most popular video game in the entire world, so it’s kind of hard to miss. Many people love Fortnite, others can’t stand it, and some even think it’s bad for you. With so many opinions flying around, it can be difficult to know what effects the game really has on us. Let’s review the facts.
On Stage With... Oklahoma’s Rebecca Naomi Jones

The Broadway veteran talks about her role as Laurey in the hottest ticket in town.

By Rachel Sokol
DAAN’s DESTINY

Teenager Daan Creyghton stars as Sal in the hit Nickelodeon show, Hunter Street, which has currently aired for 3 seasons. Although he resides outside of America, we couldn’t resist featuring this talented actor in this issue, and he graces our cover, too. Daan dished on everything from the show, to life overseas, to juggling academics with acting.
Meet The Last OG’s Taylor Mosby

With a slew of different film and TV projects in the works right now, the 16-year-old actress talks career ambitions, what it’s like having Tiffany Haddish as her mother, plus the one beauty product she’s recently fallen for.

By Rachel Jacoby Zoldan
The Real World

Join the Movement
@halfthestory Combats the Negative Effects of Social Media

Marketing expert and public speaker Larissa (Larz) May was juggling two lives: one, as a student at Vanderbilt University, and another as a popular fashion blogger who often covered New York Fashion Week. Her Instagram was pretty impressive, but behind the scenes told a different story. Larz was exhausted and sleep-deprived from working 17 hour days and battled debilitating anxiety. She realized she wanted to do more with her social media platform than cover fashion trends. And thus, @halfthestory—a non-profit combating the negative effects of social media on mental health—was born. Throughout the month of May, @halfthestory produced a play in NYC about mental health in modern society in honor of #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth.

Larz shares her story and mission with American Teen readers and explains ways you can get involved.
From the Heart

Making Dreams Come True

By Christina Bradshaw

Kylee McGrane had always loved princesses, fairytales, and community service. So when she was a 20-year-old sophomore at the College of Mount Saint Vincent in New York, she came up with a totally brilliant idea: She dressed up as her favorite Disney character, Elsa, and visited sick kids at the local hospital. Of course, the patients loved it! That one visit inspired many more. With help from her college roommate Maggie McAndrews, in 2014 Kylee launched a nonprofit called A Moment of Magi, a “dressing up” charity with chapters at colleges across the country. Their volunteers have made thousands of kids smile.

We spoke to Kylee about her magical journey.
Broadway’s Eva Noblezada Dazzles in Hadestown

By Rachel Sokol

There’s an awesome new Broadway musical called Hadestown (Pronounced: “Hay-dees-town”) that you must check out next time you’re in NYC. Based on Greek mythology, it’s the tale of two love stories that intersect. Hadestown is the underworld where the audience meets young lovers: Orpheus and Eurydice. (played by Eva Noblezada) The audience first sees Orpheus and Eurydice above ground and then she goes to Hadestown and he follows to bring her back.
A Chat With Free Reign’s Jaylen Barron

By Christina Bradshaw

Jaylen Barron always knew she wanted to be an entertainer. It’s no surprise then that the 20-year-old is starring in her own Netflix series, Free Rein. We chatted with Jaylen about the show, the social causes she cares about, and her college dreams. Mark your calendar: Season 3 of Free Rein will be out this summer!