The Talk With David Wills - Author, Photographic Preservationist

Author David Wills

In honor of Nat King Cole’s extraordinary legacy as a singer, jazz musician, style icon, and civil rights advocate the book, NAT KING COLE: STARDUST by David Wills will be the first photography book ever published on the legendary entertainer. Australian born author, photographic preservationist and an editor David Wills has accrued one of the largest independent archives of original photographs.

What’s more exciting is that the book is created in collaboration with the family of Nat King Cole, Johnny Mathis has written an introduction for the book and Cole’s daughters, Casey and Timolin, have written the foreword. Celebrity contributors include Quincy Jones and Leslie Uggams.

Author David Wills and I sat down to chat about the book and some of the highlights.

Giulia: What inspired you to start writing? 

David: My initial inspiration for writing didn’t come from writing itself—but from my love of photography books. As a small child, instead of frequenting toy stores, I was always in libraries and bookstores. I even used to make my own books out of butcher’s paper. That’s where I found beauty in life. To me books were like a portal to other fascinating worlds.

Giulia: Your new release, Nat King Cole: Stardust. What was your inspiration for this book?

David: The book was essentially a labor of love to commemorate Nat King Cole’s 100th birthday. I was originally approached about doing the book by the representative for Cole’s family. I was so honored. At the time I was surprised to learn that the definitive photographic retrospective had never been published. Johnny Mathis wrote a beautiful introduction and Cole’s daughters, Casey and Timolin, provided a heartfelt foreword. Casey and Timolin were only three years old when their father passed away. Therefore—their personal memories aside—they have primarily come to know him through family photos and stories told to them by their late mother, Maria. What they brought to my attention was the generosity and humility of their father, and the radiating effect that had—still has—on anyone whose lives he ever touched. Casey and Timolin have done an extraordinary job carrying on their father’s legacy with their non-profit foundation Nat King Cole Generation Hope, which provides access to music education for children with the greatest need. This book was essentially their idea and was made possible because of them and their love for their father and dedication to preserving his legacy.

Giulia: How did you come up with the title for this book?

David: “Stardust” is my favorite Nat King Cole song, and it just seemed an apt title for the book—a metaphor for the magic of his star presence and the soothing quality of his voice. The song has such a serene, dreamlike quality. Every time I hear it I feel like I’m being sprinkled with fairy dust and lullabied by a beautiful whisper. Cole’s producer, Lee Gillette, urged him to record the standard, composed by Hoagy Carmichael, in 1957. Cole initially resisted, even though he had been singing it on stage since 1954. He considered the number to have been covered, and well, by Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and others. He did one take, and subsequently sang it on the October 1, 1957 episode of his TV show. The single went to #79 on the US pop chart, #24 in the UK, but grew in status over the years to become nearly everyone’s preferred version. The poignant strings introduce Cole’s mellow tones: “And now the purple dust of twilight time. ...”

Giulia: What was your writing process like?   

David: Putting together a photo book, particularly one of this size, requires you to wear many hats as an author. Writing is of course an integral part of telling the story, but each photograph is also worth a thousand words. I generally start with research and interviews, put together a skeleton essay, and then beef it out for the final version. Needless to say you make adjustments for many months until you feel it’s just right. That said, I always find it difficult to reread my books, after they have been published, as there are always things I wish I could change.

Giulia: Tell us about the process for coming up with the cover?

David: For the cover I wanted to capture the essence of Nat King Cole as a gentleman, an entertainer, and particularly as a style icon. At the height of his fame, Cole earned a reputation as one of the most sharply-dressed men in the business. In fact, the term “natty dresser” was apparently coined in reference to Nat. Therefore, I felt the photo of Cole wearing the tuxedo—chic black and white against the drama of a blazing red backdrop—was perfect. A cropped version of the image originally appeared on the cover of the soundtrack for St. Louis Blues (1958). When I discovered that Capitol Records had the original transparency in their photo archive, I was thrilled to be given the opportunity to reproduce it for the book’s cover.

Giulia: What were the key challenges writing this book?

David: When writing a book about any notable person, you always feel an enormous responsibility to represent them in a way that is both entertaining and educational. I’m also very mindful of accentuating the positive. These extraordinary entertainers—whether it be someone like Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe, or Audrey Hepburn—are gifts to the world, and gifts that continue to keep on giving. They should be treated with love and respect. Also, as an author it’s always an interesting challenge to do a photo book on a man. This may sound odd, but with female subjects (like Marilyn or Audrey) your work is done for you—because of the variation in hairstyle, makeup and costume. With men you have to work harder. In the case of Nat King Cole, I was extremely fortunate that the body of photography was so strong and varied.

It was very important to me to highlight Cole’s significant role in the civil rights movement. Though not exactly on the front lines, he brought black and white people together through his music. For millions of white Americans Nat King Cole was their first experience of a black person being part of their household, their daily soundtrack—whether it was watching him on TV or listening to his records. Also, just by being himself, he broke certain stereotypes unfairly placed on black people through decades of injustice. He was sophisticated, he was elegant, he was charming—he was extraordinarily talented. Basically, he was just himself—a beautiful and refined human being. It was a uniting experience for Americans.

Giulia: What were the highlights of the book?

David: Johnny Mathis’s introduction, Casey and Timolin’s foreword, and contributions from people like Quincy Jones and Leslie Uggams. The book also includes rare personal letters and telegrams from President John F. Kennedy, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, President Lyndon B. Johnson, Jackie Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr. One of the main highlights of Nat King Cole: Stardust is definitely the extraordinary photography. As the book is extremely large in format—14x17.75 inches—it was very important that the images be of the most exceptional quality. For this reason, we went back to original negatives, transparencies and photographs. In some cases, images had to be scanned and laboriously cleaned and color corrected to restore them to their original vibrancy. Capitol Records was wonderful in their understanding of our need for first-generation source material, and the book contains many never-before-seen or published images from their archive.

Giulia: Describe your writing space.   

David: I have an office in Palm Springs, but my writing space is essentially wherever life takes me. I spend a lot of time on the Sunshine Coast in Australia, so I work there too. I find it’s important to vary my creative environment.

Giulia: What are you currently working on?     

David: Currently book projects on Palm Springs, Nancy Sinatra, Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho, the fashion photographer Henry Clarke, and a few others in development.

Giulia: Where can readers purchase this book?    

David: The book will be available on Amazon and also through our website nailorwills.com

NAT KING COLE: STARDUST features over 200 photographs—many never before seen or published and digitally restored from their original negatives and transparencies. It will also include rare images from the Capitol Records photo archive. Cole’s estate has also provided never-before-seen letters and telegrams from President John F. Kennedy, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, President Lyndon B. Johnson, Jackie Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr.

The Talk With Mirta de Gisbert - Gemologist

INTERVIEW BY Giulia Juliet Belkin

PHOTOGRAPHY by Mirta de Gisbert, Zach Boysjoli

It isn’t a Mother’s Day without a little bling, and in 2020, when all of us most likely will be celebrating at home, diamonds will matter even more. Throughout the year, trends filtered in and out, but the demand for diamond, platinum, and gold never died down. Today when fashion influencers across the world are locked down at home, sporting relaxed looks, the bling is still present, because even pajamas go fabulous with a bling, because diamonds are indeed, a girl’s best friends.
But how to choose your diamond if you’re not a specialist or simply don’t know what she’ll like the most. I chatted about gemology with an expert, Mirta de Gisbert, whose Instagram account I have been eyeing for some time now. It’s a real eye candy, especially for ladies.

Giulia: For those who may not know what a gemologist is, what is it and how did you become one?

Mirta: A gemologist is someone who is certified to identify and grade both diamonds and colored stones. There are different schools where you can get certified, but I personally chose the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) because they are the standard when it comes to diamond grading. After all, they created the 4Cs, so what better way to learn than straight from the source. The graduate gemology (G.G) degree is divided into diamonds and colored stones. Additionally, I also got my graduate pearls diploma and advanced jewelry professional (AJP) diploma.

Giulia: Who inspired you? 

Mirta: I found the inspiration within myself but with the help and support of my parents. In 2009, when I told them I wanted to discover what I wanted to do, they could not have been more supportive. I quit my job in Washington, D.C., moved to London and took the next steps to discover my passion - it was the best decision I’ve ever made. You only live once and I firmly believe that if you’re able to, you should allow yourself to find what makes you happy. I am very aware of how incredibly fortunate I was to be able to do this and I still pinch myself to this day.

Giulia: Where did you study for Gemology? 

Mirta: At the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in London.

Giulia: Where are you from originally?

Mirta: I’m from Spain. I was born in Madrid, but my family is from the Basque Country. When I was seven, we moved to Joburg and lived there for 21 years! Since South Africa, I’ve lived in Washington, D.C. (I got my B.S. at Georgetown University), London, San Francisco and now New York.

Giulia: Why do you think it's important to consult with a gemologist when buying a diamond? 

Mirta: You get the peace of mind that you are working with someone who has the credentials to evaluate and grade a diamond. That being said, I have also learned a great deal from dealers, jewelers and sales professionals, who didn’t have their gemology degree but learned by being on the job.

Giulia: What do you like best about your job?

Mirta: There are so many things but the top four would be:

1. Creating pieces of jewelry because they become storytelling/memory vessels.

2. Speaking with a client who wants to propose or buy a surprise gift for their significant other and the love for their partner is palpable. My heart simply melts.

3. I love having my clients trust me to push them outside of their comfort zones to find styles of jewelry that really resonate with them.

4. Being a female founder and meeting other badass female founders.

Giulia: For everyday buyers who don't have professional training, what are some simple things they can look for to help distinguish high-quality Diamonds from lower-quality ones when they are out shopping for jewelry?

Mirta:

1. Are there any face up eye-visible inclusions?

2. Check the diamond’s shape and proportions to ensure the stone is symmetrical and meets the ideal proportions relative to the shape.

3. Ask for a certificate – in terms of certification, I only work with GIA. There are lots of other labs but the one I trust is the GIA.

4. Move the stone or the piece of jewelry under the light to check that it has life – in technical terms, check its fire, brilliance and scintillation (sparkle).

5. If in doubt, reach out to me or someone like me who can provide you with professional objective advice.

Giulia: Diamonds are always in style, but what are some other stones you see becoming popular in the jewelry industry?

Mirta: Different colored sapphires, emeralds, opals and pearls. Rubies have been pretty quiet but I think they are going to make a comeback. The use of color is becoming more and more popular which I love!

Giulia: What's a typical day like in Mirta's life? 

Mirta: Every day is different, but I really like and need a morning routine – it grounds me. On a “perfect” day, I wake up at 5:45, journal, meditate, get a workout in and get ready for the day. I take Mosi, my Frenchie, on a nice walk, and prepare my breakfast (it varies from ‘pan con tomate’ to an egg white omelet and some veggies). I’m Basque which means I’m a big foodie and breakfast happens to be my favorite meal! Regardless of whether I get all that done, I’m always on my computer by 8:30. I usually finish by 18h or 18h30 but I’ll be answering emails or texts from my jewelers or clients in the evening. Some days I put my phone away at 18h30 and don’t look at it until the next morning and other days, I’m looking at it until I go to sleep!

Giulia: Is Mosi a fan of diamonds and precious stones? 

Mirta: Most definitely! Whenever I show him a ring, if it has diamonds or sapphires, he tends to look at it as if it’s a treat for him! What can I say, he takes after me!

Giulia: As an expert in the field, what sorts of luxury jewelry are you most taken by these days, and why?

Mirta: I love anything with a baroque pearl or a star sapphire! I also absolutely love emeralds. I have noticed myself being drawn to opal pieces as of late.

Giulia: Any exciting new jewelry trends you predict for the near future?

Mirta: Gypsy rings and Toi et Moi rings have made a very big comeback and people are becoming more receptive to pearls as jewelry designers make them more modern through their designs. Using eternity bands as engagement rings is also trending.

Giulia: Are diamonds a Girl's Best friend? 

Mirta: I would say first, get to know yourself, become best friends with yourself and THEN, treat yourself to some diamonds and jewelry!

Giulia: Why did you decide to launch your own jewelry consulting company?

Mirta: I launched my jewelry consulting company to shift perception that purchasing jewelry is overwhelming and always requires a significant investment. As a gemologist, curator and stylist, my mission is to excite and empower my clients by showing them how to maximize the 4Cs to get the best quality and value as well as discover new jewelry designers and styles. On bridal and bespoke pieces, I source the stones and create the pieces at close to wholesale prices. Through the intrinsic storytelling power of jewelry, my vision is to create connections, bring joy and uplift my clients with pieces that truly resonate with them.

Giulia: How is Coronavirus affecting you personally?

Mirta: First and foremost, seeing my family. I was meant to fly home to France for the weekend of March 29 to be with my dad and brother because it marked two years since my mom had passed away and I had to cancel my trip. I was also meant to go to London to visit my brother this weekend and I had to cancel that too. Not knowing when I’ll next be able to see my dad and brother is not a great feeling but I’m taking it day by day and thankful they are safe.

Giulia: Does it have any effect on your job or vice versa?

Mirta: Absolutely. Projects have been less frequent but in full transparency, given the current situation, I haven’t been pushing for them and instead only focused on connecting (with family, friends, clients, creating new friends on Instagram) and providing support to those who want to connect over a shared love of jewelry.
I created the #MyJewelsMyWay challenge on Instagram to connect over our love of jewelry, especially while we are practicing social distancing. I thought it would be fun for folks to go through their jewelry, even the pieces they haven’t worn in some time, and find different ways to wear them. Jewelry is incredibly personal and since it has the power to bring joy, empower and uplift us - why not use it to connect us! I have also been offering complimentary phone/FaceTime consultations where we chat about all things jewelry from people asking me jewelry questions to sharing their favorite pieces to seeking advice for their jewelry business. Feeling connected is more important than ever and I have been wanting to find ways to keep ourselves entertained and bond.

Giulia: Mother's Day is around the corner but since all of us are on lockdown, shopping for a gift becomes a challenge. Especially when it comes to diamonds or precious stones. This is where I feel like your services would be very handy for so many of us.  Can you please tell us how your expertise can help in this uneasy time? 

Mirta: Happy to! I think now more than ever, is the perfect time to explore different styles and designers and hone in on your jewelry style. As such, I would recommend if you’re a mom who wants to treat herself or you have a mom in your life you want to spoil, give the gift of working with your own personal jewelry consultant! As a GIA certified jewelry consultant, I help discover or enhance your/her own personal jewelry style. Since I am not a store and don’t hold any stock or inventory, my recommendations are objective, completely prioritizing the clients’ needs and providing me access to jewelry designers on a global scale. The first step is booking a complimentary phone/FaceTime consultation with me, where I get to learn more about the client through a detailed intake questionnaire. In terms of working together I can do one or all of the following:

1.     Style the client’s current jewelry pieces.

2.     Identify gaps in the current jewelry collection

3.     Curate a tailored selection of jewelry pieces across a variety of styles and price points.

4.     For those looking to create your own bespoke piece, we can have the intake consultation and once the world returns to normalcy and jewelers are back at their benches, we can source the perfect stones and create your piece!

Giulia: On that note, can you elaborate more on your services?

Mirta: Of course! I work on all aspects of jewelry from bridal to bespoke to fashion to fine and with all budgets and all locations. We can work together on a special projects basis and/or via my subscription service.
Special projects:

• This includes working with me to create your bridal or bespoke piece at close to wholesale pricing.

• Similar to a stylist, we can work on an ongoing basis to source and style your jewelry, seasonally or for special events.

Subscription service:

• Through my annual subscription service, I provide a quarterly delivery of jewelry recommendations customized to the season and/or special occasion, specified by the client (birthday, anniversary, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, etc.). Men particularly love the subscription service because it ensures they never forget an important date and a tailored gift idea is sent their way, well in advance of said important dates!

Giulia: Where can our readers follow you online?

Mirta: On Instagram (@mirtadegisbert) and my website (www.mirtadegisbert.com).

3/4 Carat 3 Three Stone Princess Diamond Engagement Ring 14K White Gold I-J Color I1-I2 Clarity Buy on Amazon

Joycuff Inspirational Bracelets Funny Gift for Her Friend Encouragement Jewelry Personalized Mantra Cuff Bangle Engraved Keep Funking Going Bracelets Buy on Amazon

Beetles Holiday Gel Nail Polish Set - 6 Colors Burgundy Red Champagne Gold Gel Polish Kit Snow White Nude Grey Nail Gel Polish Soak Off UV LED Gel Nail Kit Vanish Manicure Home Gift Box Buy on Amazon

Irisnaya Shapewear Bodysuit Scoop Neck Tank Tops for Women Tummy Control Waist Trainer Vest Full Body Shaper (XL, Black) Buy on Amazon

Freshwater Cultured Pearl Necklace Set Includes Stunning Bracelet and Stud Earrings Jewelry for Women - VIKI LYNN Buy on Amazon

The Talk With Allison Munn - Actress

INTERVIEW BY GIULIA JULIET BELKIN

PHOTOGRAPHY RYAN WEST PHOTOGRAPHY

You’ve seen Allison Munn on television for the last two decades … “That 70’s Show,” “What I Like About You,” “One Tree Hill,” Nickelodeon’s biggest series “Nicky, Ricky, Dicky, and Dawn” as mom to the foursome, “Anne Harper” – to name a few!
Allison joins us to talk about her newest show “The Big Show Show” where she plays WWE superstar Paul Wight aka Big Show’s spitfire wife ‘Cassy.”

Giulia: First off let me tell you how excited I am to have you as our guest, because I remember watching you on Nicky Ricky Dicky and Dawn sitcom with my daughters.

Allison: Thank you so much! We had a ton of fun on Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn!

Giulia: I know you began your career in off Broadway- musical and it was the longest running  musical. What made you move into movies? Was that transition easy for you? 

Allison: The Fantasticks was my first big job in New York. I performed in 8 shows a week for two and half years - it was exhilarating and exhausting. I would take a few days off here and there to do commercials or guest stars on shows like Law & Order, SVU and Now and Again and I discovered that I loved it.  After performing in almost 500 shows, I decided to leave The Fantasticks and move to Los Angeles to pursue more film and tv roles. My first jobs in LA were on sitcoms that shot live in front of a studio audience so I feel like my background in theater helped ease the transition to being in front of the camera. 

Giulia: Loved you in That 70's show as Fez's  stalker Caroline. Such a great cast and a great show. What was it like on set? Any amazing stories from that experience? 

Allison: Ah - that was such a fun role. How lucky was I to get to play such a crazy and passionate character? I joined the cast in their third season, when the show was already big hit. I remember being so nervous to shoot my first episode in front of the audience. That ‘70s Show was my first job in LA and I remember the cast being so kind a welcoming to me. They invited me out with them after show nights and became my first friends in LA. I’m still so grateful for that. 

Giulia: I am excited to see you on Netflix's multi-camera family comedy Big Show Show with WWE superstar Paul Wight. I know it's already out.  Why should we be excited to see it?

Allison: The Big Show Show is a really fun sitcom that the whole family can sit down together and watch. The series starts out with WWE Superstar Big Show retiring from wrestling and taking on the biggest challenge of his life - his family. It’s currently streaming on Netflix worldwide.

Giulia: Who is your character and why would we love her?  

Allison: I play Cassy Wight, Big Show’s wife. She devoted mom to her daughters and step-daughter, a loving wife and a successful career woman. She the kind of mom who has it all together…until, at one point in the show, she doesn’t. Her family builds her back up again and she’s better than ever. 

Giulia: What's it like to work with a WWE superstar? 

Allison: Working with Big Show is a dream. He’s funny, kind and one of the hardest workers I know. 

Giulia: Besides work I know you are a mom of two. How does Covid-19 affect your work and family today? How are you guys coping with it? 

Allison: Well, we’ve been quarantined together for over a month now, and it’s going well…I think? Some days are better than others, haha. My husband and I have been homeschooling them and trying to keep the days fun. We’ve done a bunch of puzzles (we’re currently on #8) and we set up a tent in the back yard to camp out under the clear, smogless LA sky. That was fun. We go on walks and schedule Zoom meet-ups and do the occasional birthday drive-by.

Giulia: Do you think life after a pandemic will change? If so, how ?

Allison: I think about this all the time. Will more people choose to keep homeschooling their kids? It’s not for me but a lot of parents in my community are enjoying the freedom it allows. Will a majority of our doctor appointments change to Telemedicine? When can we see concerts again, go to games? Will companies see how much easier & cost-effective it is for their staff to work from home? Will I ever feel comfortable when a stranger has a coughing fit at a coffee shop? Will I still be a hugger? There are still so many unknowns and I think that’s adding to the anxiety we feel when we look at what’s happening in the world. 

Giulia: You are a big supporter of Rock the Vote which builds the political power for young people. What do you want for the younger generation to be in terms of politics? Why do you think it's important?

Allison: I’m passionate about getting young people to the polls. Our country has one of the lowest rates of youth voter turnout in the world. Many people like to blame it on apathy but that’s not necessarily the case. Studies have found that a lot of young people want to vote and care deeply about what’s going on in the world, but are intimidated by the complex voter registration rules. Rock the Vote helps young voters navigate the voting process and empowers them to use their voices. I love that this organization has been around for over 30 years and that they’re nonpartisan.

Giulia: Since JOLIEGAZETTE highlights fashion, I would love to hear your opinion. What do you like about fashion today and what would you change? 

Allison: Well, personally I love that high-waisted jeans and pants are in fashion. Loving the oversized blazers as well. Oh - and sneakers! I’m really into comfort these days, can you tell? On the other end of the spectrum, I’ve been seeing a lot of bermuda shorts lately and I can’t believe my eyes. They were so unflattering when I was in middle school - I can’t imagine they’ve gotten any better. Haha!

Giulia: Do you work with a stylist or prefer to style yourself ? 

Allison: Given the chance, I definitely prefer to be styled by someone else. I’ve learned that putting a great outfit together is not one of my talents and that it’s best to leave that to the professionals. Haha.

Giulia: Sustainability, recycling fashion, vintage, consignment is becoming a big deal today. How do you feel about it? 

Allison: Sustainable fashion is healthier for our planet and the people who live here. It reduces our carbon footprint, saves natural resources and saves animals lives. I love that the fashion industry is moving in this direction.

Giulia: If you could turn time back, what advice would you tell your young self? Why? 

Allison: I would tell my young self to enjoy my down-time between jobs and not stress too much over getting the next one. Take the trips - missing one audition won’t make or break her. I’d also like to tell Young Me to sleep in, read all the books, go to all the movies, take all the workout classes & learn a new language because pretty soon she’ll be married with two kids and she’ll find it almost impossible to find the time to do those things again. 

Giulia: What is next for Allison? 

Allison: Agh - I wish I knew! This Coronavirus lock-down has us grounded for at least another month and I’m not sure what the future holds beyond that. I have a few projects in the works and hopefully we’ll get a Season 2 of The Big Show Show. In the meantime, I’m laser-focused on finishing Puzzle #8. 

Giulia: Thank you Allison. For everyone who enjoyed this conversation, check out Netflix’s the multi-camera family comedy  “The Big Show Show” with Alison Munn and WWE superstar Paul Wight aka Big Show, premiered on April 6,2020.

The Talk With Elizabeth Grullón - Actress

INTERVIEW by Giulia Juliet Belkin

Photography: ASHLEY NGUYEN

From young girl dreaming of becoming an actress to her own action figure, actress Elizabeth Grullón is the definition of self-made in Hollywood. A product of humble beginnings, she is a first generation American born to Dominican parents in Queens, NY. Since an early Elizabeth found films as an inspiration in life and her parents supported her dream. Elizabeth pursued her acting by attending the University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theater B.F.A Actor Training Program where she met Ken Washington, the father of the program and mentor to the likes of Oscar winner Maheshala Ali. Ken encouraged Elizabeth and her parents to send her to the program.

Elizabeth career began with a series such as FX “Mayans M.C.,” ABC “Scandal,”, ABC “The Catch", CBS “Criminal Minds.” She was also the voice of ‘Camilla’ in Disney’s “The Owl House.” Some of her latest achievement include landing the role of Abigail Hayes, wife of a newer character Dr. Hayes, played by Richard Flood on the “Grey’s Anatomy” show.

Elizabeth also performed full motion capture for the highly anticipated video game “Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order” as the central antagonist ‘The Second Sister;’ aka 'Trilla Suduri,' once a promising Jedi, now an Inquisitor for The Empire and the final boss to beat the game. With this role Elizabeth Grullón has become a fan favorite and is officially part of the Star Wars canon including her very own action figure.

When Elizabeth is not acting she teaches meditation and mindfulness in Los Angeles. An avid meditator, Elizabeth empowers herself through meditation which helps her to find her authentic voice in the industry.

Giulia: How did you start your Hollywood career? 

Elizabeth: My mentor at the actor training program I attended at the Guthrie Theater, Ken Washington, introduced me to my first manager while I was still living in Minnesota. A year later, I moved to LA without a single connection except for that manager. We met and they started sending me out on amazing auditions right away but I don’t think I was ready at the time. It took years of slugging away at auditions, doing small guest roles here and there, commercials and trying different approaches before things started falling into place a bit more. I credit meditation with helping me release into a sense of alignment and flow. As I became more intimate with myself and began valuing myself more the jobs roles got better and more “me.” Ultimately, I think success is about feeling worthy.

Ms.Grullón is committed to using her voice to help protect the planet and the environment. She believes Earth is the most sacred gift that we have been given and therefore will be lending her voice to the issue of climate change as well as pushing for legislation to protect the planet. Elizabeth also plans on joining forces with her mother, Mercedes, a retired head start teacher for low income families, to help children of undocumented parents gain access to basic resources and medical care. 

Giulia: How does it feel to become part of the iconic TV series, "Grey's Anatomy"? 

Elizabeth: It’s such an honor! I have so much respect for the show and everyone involved. It’s impressive to witness the evolution of a series like that over so many years. I feel grateful to be a small piece in a magnificent puzzle.

Giulia: Can you share a little about the character you are portraying?

Elizabeth: Yes! I play Abigail Hayes, wife of a newer character on the show, Dr. Hayes, played by Richard Flood. The audience gets to see our relationship develop over a series of flashbacks which give a lot more insight into Dr. Hayes.

Giulia: What’s it like preparing for a role?

Elizabeth: Shout out to the writers of “Grey’s Anatomy” - they gave me such a gift. The moment I read the words for the first time I was bawling my eyes out. Writing like that makes my job a lot easier.

Giulia: What is your dream role? 

Elizabeth: I’d love to bring a role I played in the Star Wars universe - a woman by the name of The Second Sister - to the big screen. That would be a ‘pinch me’ moment for sure.

Giulia: Who inspires you in Hollywood and why? 

Elizabeth: My friend Lena Waithe inspires me - she’s so dedicated to her community. It’s very powerful to have someone firing on all cylinders who genuinely puts “us” before “me.” I also love Regina King, another phenom. King does it ALL and she makes it look easy. There are so many women who blow me away every day! Women of color in particular are simply miraculous.

Giulia: What did your every day look like before the Coronavirus started?

Elizabeth: I’m an actor so no two days are ever the same. Generally I would meditate, have coffee, get ready and go to an audition or to meet a friend for lunch. Probably run a few errands, chat with family. Some days I’m on set making Star Wars or Party of Five or Grey’s Anatomy but those days are less common. Most of an actor’s life is preparing for those days. 

Giulia: How does the current situation in the world affect you personally? 

Elizabeth: My entire industry has slammed to a halt, but more importantly I have a lot of family and friends in New York City - that’s where I’m from. I have a cousin who works in a Covid-19 hospital in Brooklyn and has contracted the virus. Personally, I am one of the lucky ones - I have what I need and I am afforded the luxury of staying home. It’s definitely been a strange and surreal time. I’m just taking it one day at a time, as gently as I can.

Giulia: I hear you are an avid meditator. How do you think meditation can help us in the situation of this pandemic? 

Elizabeth: I am! Mindfulness can help to ease our anxiety. It empowers us to unhook from fear which is widespread in our media and culture, especially now. When we soften our anxiety in this way, we are able to hold a loving space for ourselves and others which is sorely needed right now. Nurses, first responders, doctors - the people on the front lines need our calm, peaceful, loving presence. Adding more fight or flight response to the collective does not help. I could go on and on - mindfulness really changed my life.

Giulia: How do you wish to use your voice? 

Elizabeth: I want to empower young brown-skinned girls everywhere to follow their hearts and know that they are worthy of all of the best life has to offer. I want to help people feel seen and understood through my work. I want to use my voice to help protect and restore our environment.

Giulia: What is next for Elizabeth? 

Elizabeth: That all changed when Covid-19 stormed on to the scene. I have some projects on the docket at the moment but they are all on a long quarantine pause. The only thing that matters now is our health and telling the people we love that we love them. Now is the time for us to sweep the fear from our hearts.

Giulia: Well said!

The Talk With Erin Carlson - Author

Erin Carlson reminds me of character Carrie Bradshaw. Stylish, beautiful, clever, the only difference is Erin does not write about relationships, she writes about great women of our time. Her first book on writer-director Nora Ephron titled “I’ll have what she is having” released in 2017 and her second book titled “Queen Meryl: The Iconic Roles, Heroic Deeds, and Legendary Life of Meryl Streep” released in 2019 and highlights the legendary Meryl Streep. We sat down with Erin to talk about her career as a journalist, writer and Queen Meryl of course.

Giulia Juliet Belkin: What were you like as a child? Who are you today?

Erin: As a little girl I was curious, funny and stubborn. I loved to paint, draw and write stories — anything that flexed my creative muscles. Today, I'm the editor of a regional society magazine in the Bay Area called The Nob Hill Gazette, and the author of two nonfiction books about Meryl Streep ("Queen Meryl") and writer-director Nora Ephron ("I'll Have What She's Having.") In a way, I'm still doing what I loved as a child! How does that saying go? "The creative adult is the child who survived." I've always identified with that statement.

Giulia Juliet Belkin: What life experiences have led you to write a book. 

Erin: Formerly, I was an arts and entertainment reporter at The Associated Press in New York City, then I covered the entertainment industry for the trade publication The Hollywood Reporter. So I had accumulated the journalistic experience necessary to report two biographies about two powerful women in Hollywood, which required me to spend hours (and hours) reaching out to celebrities, filmmakers and the like to talk to me about what it was like to work with the great Meryl Streep and Nora Ephron. The reporting and interviewing process was tricky to navigate, and I'm most proud of writing these books without getting any complaints of inaccuracies! It sounds glamorous, but it is very stressful. (I can't believe I still have my hair.)

Giulia Juliet Belkin: I know she is fabulous, but why Meryl?!

Erin: Because she is, hands down, the greatest actor of our time. "That's all," as Miranda Priestly would say.

Erin for October 2010 issue of Cosmopolitan for a feature on women in the media.

Giulia Juliet Belkin: Is this your first book? 

Erin: My second! And fingers crossed, there will be a third if I can finish my novel.

Giulia Juliet Belkin: How long does it take you to write a book? 

Erin: Per my contracts with my publisher, I had a year to write and report both I'll Have What She's Having and Queen Meryl. For each book, I spent about nine months reporting and three months writing (literally, locking myself in my office for days on end, in 14-hour stretches. Eek!).

Giulia Juliet Belkin: What would you say is your interesting writing quirk? 

Erin: I would say nursing the same cup of coffee throughout the day, and reheating it in the microwave no less than 20 times a day to keep it warm.

Giulia Juliet Belkin: What is the key theme and/or message in the book? 

Erin: With Queen Meryl, the message I would like readers to absorb is that you should never let anyone define who you are! You get to define you, and write the story of your own life. Meryl never listened when her critics complained she was too technical an actress, or not sexy enough to play a certain role. She went after those roles anyway, and played them as no other actor could. Her greatest strength is her self-confidence, which was instilled in her as a young girl by her mother, Mary, an artist and larger than life character herself. 

Giulia Juliet Belkin: What was the process for coming up with the cover?

Erin: My publisher, Hachette Books, wanted to go in a more joyous, optimistic direction for the cover of Queen Meryl. They chose a gorgeous picture of her, which she liked, in addition to a vibrant color palette (pink, black, gold and white) that captures a certain joie de vivre for which Meryl is not given enough credit. She's seen as very serious, which she is, but she's also very playful, too. Her close friends know her as funny, spontaneous and lively.

Giulia Juliet Belkin: What has been your biggest curveball? Your biggest surprise? 

Erin: Going back to my previous answer, I didn't realize Meryl was so much fun. That is, until I started reporting the book and discovered she had an impish sense of humor on the set of her films (she once mooned the director of The River Wild) and she's been known to bum a cigarette off a co-star. She has cooked and baked for her co-stars too. She is the mother of four children, and so her maternal energy is strong. She loves to laugh and joke around.

Giulia Juliet Belkin: Who are your biggest influencers? 

Erin: Nora Ephron, Tom Hanks, Greta Gerwig, Jia Tolentino, Louisa May Alcott.

Giulia Juliet Belkin: What do you like to do when you are not writing? 

Erin: I read a lot (mostly nonfiction!) and listen to news podcasts and love to catch the latest film at the Embarcadero Center in San Francisco.

Giulia Juliet Belkin: If you had to describe yourself in three words what would they be? 

Erin: Ambitious, clever, empathetic.

Giulia Juliet Belkin: Are you working on anything at the present you would like to share? 

Erin: I'm writing a novel — wish me luck!

The Talk With Brian A. Metcalf

PHOTOGRAPHY/ Karina Dobra EDITING/ Mark Saprykin
INTERVIEW BY AND ART DIRECTION /Juliet Belkin
HAIR / Dimas Korneychuk
MUA / Kseniya Durst
STYLED by Juliet Belkin

Brian Metcalf , is an Asian-American artist, director, film producer, actor and screenwriter. His work includes directing, producing and writing the micro-budgeted drama/thriller The Lost Tree and Living Among Us starring John Heard, William Sadler, James Russo, Esme Bianco, Andrew Keegan and Thomas Ian Nicholas.
Metcalf also helped produce a documentary called Little Gandhi which was submitted by Syria for consideration for an Academy Award in the Foreign Language Film category. It was the first entry ever by Syria and won the Murray Weissman Award for the poster Brian created for Little Gandhi.
His latest film “Adverse” is about a man who tries to save his younger sister after he discovers she is addicted to drugs and caught in a seedy underworld. Mickey Rourke stars as Kaden, the underworld boss who runs operations and who hires Ethan (Thomas Ian Nicholas), a rideshare driver who discovers his younger sister (Kelly Arjen) has become entangled in drugs and debt.

He is currently writing a screenplay for his new film he is producing with actor Mickey Rourke.

Juliet: Tell us more about your new film "Twilight Into Darkness" ?

Brian: Twilight Into Darkness is a film about a detective who is trying to stop a serial killing who is going around terrorizing the city while at the same time, trying to solve his own demons.

Juliet: You currently finished filming Adverse, in one word tell us what it's about? 

Brian: One word, wow. Okay I would say that word is "protective".

Juliet: You've got an amazing cast including Penelope Ann Miller,  Lou Diamond Phillips, Sean Astin, Thomas Ian Nicholas and Mickey Rourke who is now producing your new film. How did you two meet? 

Brian: Mickey and I met on the film Adverse. We were doing a lot of scenes together and we really hit it off. There was a mutual respect for each other and similar vision. 

Juliet: What is it like to work with Mickey Rourke? 

Brian: It is a dream come true to work with him. As a child, I watched Mickey Rourke in many films and always admired his acting ability. I knew he was quite talented and I had always dreamed of working with him. Between takes, we discussed doing another project together and I jumped at the opportunity.

Juliet: What were you like as a child?

Brian: I was very shy. I didn’t have many friends. I would just stay home and draw a lot of times in the summer and watch countless amounts of films. 

Juliet: Was there a pivotal moment when you decided to follow your passion for filmmaking?

Brian: I remember as a child I would watch movies all the time while drawing. I knew during my 12th birthday that if I was ever given the opportunity, I would make feature films but I did not think that opportunity would ever come.

Juliet: When do story ideas usually hit you? 

Brian: Story ideas hit me at all hours of the day and night. There are times when I will wake up from a dream or nightmare and then I’m obsessed with writing it down so I won’t forget. Other times, I think of past experiences and that’s when I feel I have something to talk about. And other times, I might see something on the news and come up with an idea based off of that. Most of the time, I try to base all my ideas in some way on some past experiences.

Juliet: Whose directorial work are you most inspired by? 

Brian: I have been inspired by many directors for different reasons, not just one. Francis Ford Coppola, Spike Lee, Paul Thomas Anderson, James Cameron, Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, Alfred Hitchcock, Stanley Kubrick are all fantastic directors for their different visions. They all have different reasons as to why you can learn from them.

Juliet: Your dream collaboration?

Brian: This film with Mickey Rourke is one of my dream collaborations along with the great cast we intend to bring on board. There are so many great talents out there but this collaboration is one of my dreams come true.

Juliet: Where do you want to go from here? 

Brian: I want to keep working on a variety of interesting and different projects. I would like to keep collaborating with great, diverse talent while having larger budgets to work with and I want to keep enjoying what I do.

Juliet: What advice would you give to a young person following in your footsteps as a film director?

Brian: My advice would be to keep honing your craft and keep learning. If you want to be a filmmaker, do your research on the films you admire. Learn how those filmmakers did what they did. One thing I do is attend a lot of Q&As so I can learn from the filmmakers. I take every opportunity I can to ask those directors questions so that I can learn from them. I watch many films and feel I will never stop learning.  When you think you know it all then you stop learning and progressing. I want to keep improving my skills not just as a director but also as an actor, producer and writer. Learning everything you can in this business can be extremely helpful. Acting lessons can help you to communicate with other actors to get the performances you want. Writing helps you to understand structure in scripts. Producing can help you learn what you have to work with on projects. It all is important to learn.