Cosmopolitan USA I4 2022_downmagaz.net

Brandon Maxwell dress. Giuseppe Zanotti sandals. Tiffany & Co. Schlumberger ear clips. Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti bangles and ring. Hair: Clayton Hawkins at A-Frame Agency. Makeup: Tonya Brewer at Pat McGrath Labs. Manicure: Thuy Nguyen at A-Frame Agency. Fashion assistant: Charlotte Hadlow. Set design: Danielle von Braun. Production: Crawford & Co Productions. FOR SHOPPING INFORMATION, GO TO COSMOPOLITAN.COM. How do you cope with that kind of scrutiny? Because I am a really emotional person, but I’m also a pretty I kind of just have to push it to the side. I was thinking about happy person. the Kardashians, for instance. Everyone knows them. Everyone knows their kids. I know all their kids’ names. But I know that What else is on your bucket list? I don’t know them truly. So I see why people would think they Seeing how Reese Witherspoon has her own production know everything about me...but we have to live our lives. We’re company, that’s really cool. Maybe down the line, I could do going to slip up. We’re going to make mistakes, but that’s normal. something like that. I would also love to go to the Met Gala. Maybe next year, it will be in the cards for me.10 What’s your main focus in your career right now? Acting is taking over my world. I love it so much. I don’t know I think we can guess the answer, but I want to end by asking: how I’m booking roles because I feel like I’m such a newbie, but If you could somehow press a button and unpublicize your I’ve been working really hard at it. I loved doing The Fallout9 life, would you? with Megan Park. She wrote and directed the movie and she’s Honestly, no, because I have had too many good moments. Obvi- an actor herself, and she had an almost all-female team. Just ously, there are times where I’m like, Ugh, I wish no one knew who seeing that was the most powerful thing ever. Focusing on a I was; I wish I never had to do this. But the good moments still school shooting is such a heavy topic but so important and override those. I’ve learned so much. I’ve met so many amazing needs to be brought to the forefront of conversation, so it felt people. I’ve done so many cool things. I feel like I’ve been on really meaningful to work on. this Earth forever—and I’m not even 20 yet. Do you see yourself continuing to gravitate to these darker 9. The Fallout is about two teens, one played by Maddie, the other by Jenna roles? Would you ever do something like Euphoria? Ortega, who survive a school shooting by locking themselves in a bathroom Yeah! That second season was heavy. I weirdly am most stall. Heavy indeed. attracted to dark, really emotional roles. I don’t know why. 10. Anybody have Anna Wintour’s number? ISSUE 4 Cosmopolitan 99









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The Fame Machine Is *BRB, selling my autograph as an NFT in the metaverse* Officially Switching Gears REPORTING BY CHRISTEN A . JOHNSON, PATRICE PECK, ERIN QUINLAN, AND CAITLIN YOUNGQUIST ILLUSTRATIONS BY JOHANNA GOODMAN

B uckleup; Hashtag Talent we’re all Mining driving this thing now. “With creators around the world We’ve actu- putting up projects themselves, ally been at most mornings, I’m up early on the wheel Instagram doing what I call the of the fame wagon ever hashtag method: scrolling through since digital media turned hashtags like #NYComedian “stardom” into a commu- and #NYSketchComedy to find nal calculus of shares people who aren’t on my radar. and streams, retweets We’re going to see a major shift and traffic spikes. Each in power that will have more smartphone glows with people building their own table for catalytic potential, a tiny storytelling. We need to stay open spotlight. We can make to that to find the talent.” anyone famous, including ourselves. ERICA A. HART, CSA, casting This makes us all stake- director, That Damn Michael Che holders in the future of celebrity. What will we make of it? Here, 15 experts pile into Cosmo’s stretch-limo time machine for a tour of tomorrow’s famescape, which is gonna look a lot like... 102 Cosmopolitan ISSUE 4

Stan Culture on Steroids Virtual Mind Melding “Celebrities of the future won’t long for global domination. Instead, they’ll “We know from history that major technological invention build loyal communities of mega-fans always affects celebrity. If through subscription-only content, you had asked someone in creating FOMO and a need to belong.” 1915, ‘What will fame look like five years from now?’ a good FIFI ORELAJA, influencer talent manager, Gleam Futures prediction would have been the explosion of silent film. Algorithmic Shock My prediction now: Keep an eye on virtual reality. We “I think a common assumption know that people care about is, Oh, people just want to be feeling close and intimate famous because they’re nar- with celebrities. And with VR, cissists. No, many people are you can go through the portal pushed into putting themselves and inhabit another person’s out there and commoditizing perspective. It’s a form that themselves because they know nobody’s really figured out yet. that, in America, a little bit of fame can be helpful. It’s about Artificial intelligence is opportunity. another area to watch. The qualities that make people Fame is driven by technol- people—the autonomy and ogy now. The more we move to unpredictability—that’s the gold algorithmic feeds, the more algo- standard AI is aiming for. The rithms are going to be determin- closer we get to that, the more ing who’s famous. And fame has likely it is that we’re going to have always come with pitfalls, like AI celebrities. It’s a little creepy online hate, loss of privacy, loss and really exciting.” of autonomy. This is something ‘real’ celebrities understand— SHARON MARCUS, PHD, author of they know they can’t control the The Drama of Celebrity narratives about themselves. They have entire teams to deal Legitimacy as with that. a Side Effect Now, though, average peo- ABIGAIL BARLOW, 23, AND EMILY ple are learning these lessons BEAR, 20, aka Barlow & Bear, on their own, and that can be aspiring musicians who wrote an incredibly traumatic. They actu- unofficial Bridgerton musical, ally can’t handle it because they recorded the process on TikTok, aren’t narcissists. With the con- and...won a Grammy for it this year tinued democratization of fame, we’re going to see more people EB: This shouldn’t have been suffering the downsides.” possible. Our project was com- pletely DIY—no money, no TAYLOR LORENZ, technology record label, no PR. And yet here columnist, Washington Post we are with a Grammy. AB: The history of the music industry is that artists basically have to sign their life away and won’t own what they’ve created. EB: Having the power to post a video and immediately reach 10 million people? It’s pretty incredible. Our project would not have happened the way it did if it didn’t exist on social media. This is the way of the future—the power of the people, which is very powerful. ISSUE 4 Cosmopolitan 103

More Monetary Control “We often think of fame and wealth as going hand in hand, but they don’t always. A lot of times, Black and brown creators get famous but then see their work monetized by white cre- ators. Like Jalaiah Harmon, the teen who created the Renegade dance, or Kayla Newman, aka Peaches Monroee, who came up with the phrase ‘on fleek.’ So when we think about fame and influence, we also have to think about who’s getting paid. The next generation of cre- ators is very aware of this ineq- uity. Some are already using social media to hold people and platforms accountable for appropriation. Last year, a group of Black creators pro- moted the #BlackTikTokStrike hashtag, refusing to add their work to a dance challenge until TikTok addressed its apparent preferential treatment of white users. Power is being able to make money off your creative work and being the person who has the right of control over it.” ALICE MARWICK, PHD, author of Status Update: Celebrity, Publicity, and Branding in the Social Media Age The Fall of The Comeback of Pure Charisma QUOTES HAVE BEEN EDITED FOR LENGTH AND CLARITY. Tokenism “Fame has no look, sound, or specific “One of our founding policies in aesthetic anymore. It’s no longer about 2015 was that we would not sub- mit actors for casting calls until being the most glamorous. The main we ensured the script was an things I’m looking for are raw talent and authentic representation of our community. Younger audiences the drive to be one of the greats.” now demand such representa- tion—in gender, sexuality, race, JULISSA “TROPHY” BARTHOLOMEW, senior director of and culture. A&R (artists and repertoire), Interscope Records Entertainment executives know this. They try to keep their finger on the pulse so their com- panies don’t disappear. With so many highly skilled trans and non- binary actors coming onto the market, excellence is the future.” ANN THOMAS, founder and CEO, Transgender Talent 104 Cosmopolitan ISSUE 4

A Niche Superstar Paradox The Stars You’ll See “A person who’s famous on one in 2032 platform can be unknown beyond it. 1. THE CAUSE- Fame is becoming faster, more LEBRITY fleeting—the celebs of tomorrow are people we haven’t even heard of yet.” “Back in the day, you could be just a pretty MAXWELL LOSGAR, entertainment director, Cosmopolitan person online. A lot of users now want mean- More Black Fame as a ing. We’re going to see Women Moguls Team Sport more people thrust into the spotlight through “A lot of people think of writing, “Today’s internet is evolving social-justice pursuits. directing, and performing when into a form called Web3, Their fame will be gener- we talk about diversifying TV which means we’re going ated based on how they and film, but the business side from a centralized social web package their marginal- matters too. Decision-makers to a decentralized spatial ized or stigmatized sta- like agents, lawyers, publicists, environment where people tus—and ultimately managers—do they under- can interact in new ways. represent minoritarian stand your culture and motiva- The metaverse is part of that values.” tions? Organizations like the ecosystem. It’s where all the National Black Public Relations blockchain-enabled tools, 2. THE CANCELED- Society and Women of Color from cryptocurrency and LEBRITY Unite are making headway wallets to NFTs and digital in diversifying these spaces. goods, come together. This “Kim Kardashian and Change is slow, but it’s coming.” gives rise to storyworlds that Paris Hilton pivoted into drive community participation. mainstream entertain- PAMELA CHINAWAH, multicul- ment from sex tapes, tural entertainment publicist In the next five years, we recouping their status by could see celebrities and being up front, then Lingering fans unified in the creation transforming theirvisibil- Hierarchies process. For example, fans of ity into sustained celeb- a TV series could purchase rity. But the parameters BOBBY FINGER AND a ‘development NFT,’ giving of what society deems LINDSEY WEBER, cohosts of the them the ability to interact acceptable shift by the gossip podcast Who? Weekly in the writers’ room to help week. Not everyone will produce shows and earn get to pivot from the BF: Social media has made it from the content they help scandals of the future.” possible for anyone to build a develop. Web3 will lead to huge audience, but it’s hard to direct engagement between 3. THE BORE- imagine a time when traditional celebrities and fans in ways LEBRITY agents, publicists, and so on we’ve never seen before.” won’t be required to take some- “Another group of peo- one to the A-list. FALON FATEMI, cofounder and ple who will be famous LW: Every new platform will have CEO, Fireside are your down-to-earth, its own set of “famous” people. It’s normal types who just up to those people to transcend represent a slice of life. into more traditionally popular They’ll rise to promi- formats like movies, music, and nence by producing a TV. Even the world’s most famous very comforting, slow TikTok star is simply a TikTok star. hum of content. It’s funny BF: And I simply cannot think because it sounds so about the metaverse. boring and plain, but it’s hard to find boring and plain on the internet.” CRYSTAL ABIDIN, PHD, digital anthropologist and ethnographer of internet cultures ISSUE 4 Cosmopolitan 105



HAILQuenes TO THE INTERVIEWS BY JULEE WILSON PHOTOGRAPHS BY RUBEN CHAMORRO POLAROIDS BY VINCENZO DIMINO AFTER YEARS OF FAN DEMAND, RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE HAS FINALLY GIVEN US AN ALL-WINNERS ALL STARS SEASON. TO CELEBRATE, THREE OF ITS FAMOUS FACES REVEAL THEIR BEST-KEPT BEAUTY SECRETS. ISSUE 4 Cosmopolitan 107

Jaida FAVORITE CLEANSER (JAIDA) HAIR: GEE L WALTON/@OMGEEWIGS. (TRINITY) WARDROBE: JEFFREY KELLY/@JEFFREYKELLYDESIGNS. HAIR: EDWARD SMITH/@EDWARDSIZZAHANDS2.0. MAKEUP: KÁLYD SEBASTIAN ODEH/@CALLITODEH. ESSENCE HALL “Honey, even if perfect skin comes naturally, you have to maintain it with the best ingredients!” Caudalie Vinoclean Instant Foaming Cleanser, $28, us.caudalie.com FAVORITE FOUNDATION “It goes on with amazing coverage and makes me feel stunning.” Juvia’s Place I Am Magic Velvety Matte Foundation in 400 Ethiopia, $22, juviasplace.com FAVORITE LIP COLOR “I love to mix Fenty lip colors to create the perfect shade. But straight out of the tube, they are perfect too!” Fenty Beauty Stunna Lip Paint Long- wear Fluid Lip Color in Undefeated, $26, sephora.com What’s the best beauty If you could leave the What’s a beauty tip you How do you hope drag advice you’ve received house with only two live by? changes the way people from another drag artist on beauty items in your bag, see you and the queer or off the show? what would they be? I spray my foundation brush community? once with setting spray. Next, Don’t be afraid of the makeup. First, probably a palette. I apply a pump of founda- I hope it shows that it’s pos- We can have as much fun or Does that count as one? tion to the brush and then sible that even a little boy as little fun as we want to with A palette and then a wig, spray it a second time before from Wisconsin can be in it. We can always take it off because when the hair is on, putting it to my face. It allows the spotlight. and start again. It’s just the fantasy is real. the makeup to set and the makeup. color to go a lot further. 108 Cosmopolitan ISSUE 4

Why is drag such a power- What’s a surprising Has fame changed the way What do you hope your legacy will be? ful art form? makeup hack that every- you present yourself? Without a doubt, that one should know? people will remember that I am a fierce queen and It allows anyone to I definitely think it requires that I’m great at what I do. transform into anything! It’s Adding contact lens solution you to step up your game their very own Superman/ to any of your powder eye- at all times. It also makes woman/they suit. shadows can turn them into you a little more on guard liquid eyeliner. about what you put out into the world. Trinity THETUCK FAVORITE SETTING SPRAY “This setting spray keeps makeup looking right while I twirl and shake this boo-tay!” One/Size On ’Til Dawn Mattifying Waterproof Setting Spray, $15 for 1 oz., onesizebeauty.com FAVORITE EYE CREAM “It’s hydrating plus you can imme- diately add on concealer.” Kiehl’s Avocado Eye Cream, $54 for 0.95 oz., kiehls.com FAVORITE CONCEALER “It doesn’t crease and it does the job perfectly. I haven’t found another product as good.” Urban Decay Stay Naked Correcting Concealer, $30, urbandecay.com

Yvie ODDLY How do you feel while And do you have a mantra What’s your best skincare How do you want people to getting glammed up? that you repeat when advice? remember you? you’re getting ready? Like a blank slate. Getting If you wait for your skin to I think my legacy will be into drag puts me in a sort of Stay focused and hurry the fully dry after washing your that I inspired others to live meditative trance that I only fuck up, girl! face, it will absorb oil-based more exploratory, authentic, start to snap out of when I moisturizers better than if and radical lives. But at a finally become Yvie. It’s like you slap them on right out bare minimum, I’ll take “She my mind’s equivalent of of the shower. Groundbreak- won RuPaul’s Drag Race!” being on Airplane Mode. ing for me. FAVORITE SKIN PREP FAVORITE EYESHADOW FAVORITE MASCARA “They exfoliate, do your serum, “Pigment, pigment, pigment! The “I wear false lashes but use this moisturize, and prime all in one blendability is incredible too! The mascara to paint them even pad. They’re also individually pack- possibilities are endless, mama!” blacker.” aged, so they’re great for travel.” Nars Summer Unrated Eyeshadow Dior Diorshow Mascara in #090 Black, Coffeeface 3-in-1 Pads Exfoliate. Serum. Palette, $59, narscosmetics.com $29.50, dior.com Moisturize., $59 for 32, coffeeface.com 110 Cosmopolitan ISSUE 4



The Last Page You + Glory Every issue, we ask readers to weigh in on our theme... and this time around, y’all had *thoughts*. BY ANNABEL IWEGBUE Which type of fame do And if you were to be famous, But do you actually want to you think carries the most which type would most appeal be famous—for 15 minutes influence? to you personally? or for life? 39% 8% 31% 14% 52% Social media TV Hollywood Other Yeah, I’d welcome clout! personality 24% 23% 10% 25% 23% 2% Hollywood Music TV personality Not for the I’ve never really Sports life of me. thought about 16% 16% 6% 2% it...maybe? Music Social media Political Other 9% Political What would be the best part? Does the number of Where do you get your followers a high-profile person celebrity intel? 25% 3% has matter to you? (Check all that apply.) The money, It’s all about baby! the influence. 60% 95% 28% No. 17% 2% Instagram TV 27% 13% The bougie I want 45% 17% lifestyle. people to I do pay closer Yes—that’s really see me. attention when a how I know TikTok Facebook 17% person has, say, they’re worth 36% more than 5,000. their fame. 41% 2% I’d like to change the All of the News websites None of the above. above world. 29% Twitter Has celebrity culture ever Famous people affect the way Who do you consider the most negatively impacted you? you participate in or think about: famous person alive? 50% 58% 3% 2% “Kim “Taylor Swift” Kardashian” I definitely feel like it has toxic Fashion Romantic Friendships “Oprah” elements, so yes. relation- “Beyoncé” 17% 0% “Ariana 31% 19% ships “Queen Grande” Beauty Family Elizabeth” If I really think No, it’s fun and 3% “Britney about it, yeah, a entertaining! 4% 11% “Barack Spears” Work Obama” little. Money None of the “Rihanna” 2% above Politics GETTY IMAGES. 112 Cosmopolitan ISSUE 4 Give a scan to dig even deeper into this issue:



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