Teen singer Julie Marie is like most 12th graders who are home-schooled, except that, well, she spends her weekends doing the most interesting things. Like performing “Haiti Girl” in front of fans at BET Experience, and being interviewed by MTV. Interesting things, as in performing in stadiums around the nation, opening for the R&B/pop group act Mindless Behavior. Born in New Hampshire to an American mom and a Haitian dad, the singer-songwriter has already released her first EP entitled “The Movement.” And it’s her voice behind the Generation Z love anthem “Generation”.

Kreyolicious: First off, how long have you been singing?

I’ve been singing professionally for about two years now. But I started singing in church since I was 9 years.

Kreyolicious: While you were singing in church, did you find yourself struck by the voices of any singers in particular?

When I was about 10, I went to my first concert, and it happened to be Alicia Keys. When I saw her up on stage doing her thing, I was star-struck. After the concert, I even got braids in my hair. That was the moment I knew that this is what I wanted to do. I wanted to be on stage and have everyone looking up at me singing along to my songs.

Kreyolicious: Where was this—what venue?

Boston. TD Garden.

Kreyolicious: What was it about her and her singing?

I think it was just the way she carried herself. When she was on stage, she was just having fun doing what she loves—and you could see it in her eyes.

Kreyolicious: You were born and raised in New Hampshire. What was that like?

It’s most definitely different from L.A…The lifestyle there is very homey and everyone is family- orientated. Everyone cared about you basically. It was a culture shock moving to L.A…because you already know the industry…and for me the way I was raised was way different from the the lifestyle here.

Kreyolicious: Do you think you’ve fully adapted at this point?

To be honest…No. I don’t think anyone could adjust to it. It just really important to keep yourself grounded with good people and always remember where you came from. That’s how I go about everyday.

Kreyolicious: This past weekend, you had to do two shows. How do you keep your energy up when you have back-to-back performances scheduled?

I love it! I love performing! I don’t even get nervous! it’s crazy. If I could perform back-to-back shows everyday that would be amazing! But when it comes to getting tired, I keep my Takis, Monster, and Kool-Aid close by.

Kreyolicious: What do you usually do to prep for a show?

Right before a show I eat Takis. It’s kinda become a tradition for me. Then, my dancers and team turn up and dance backstage and pray right before we go on.

Kreyolicious: So, you’ve already recorded an EP entitled “The Movement”. Can you discuss putting it together?

The processes of making “The Movement” was amazing, but also a bit stressful. I love being the studio. I could be there all day—everyday. The only hard part so to say would be choosing what songs would make the EP.

Kreyolicious: Did you have a lot of songs to choose from? And how did you determine which to include?

Not a lot. The team came in and we listened to the songs and it is just about choosing hits. “What will the fans love?” is the questions you have to ask yourself.

Kreyolicious: Did you write all of the songs on the EP?

I co-write my songs with my producer. I keep a journal with me everywhere I go, and I write about how I feel about certain situations going in my life or something that I see. And then when I get into the studio, we turn it into a song.

Kreyolicious: That’s awesome. I think it’s always nice when a performer can also create their own material.

Exactly…It’s more real. The artist connects to the song more.

Kreyolicious: How long did it take for the actual recording of the album?

From start to finish…about eight months.

Kreyolicious: Oh, wow…I think it’s pretty cool that you have a non-profit foundation. What made you start it? And what’s the latest with it?

Thank you! I started when I turned 16. Being half-Haitian and hearing about the earthquake, I wanted to do something about it. For my sweet sixteen, instead of having presents, I had everyone donate towards my charity. Then in July [2013], I went to Haiti for about a month and just gave back. It was amazing to be there and see how they live. It really opened my eyes and made me a lot more grateful for what I have.

Kreyolicious: That’s cool. Was that your first time going to Haiti?

Yes, it was.

Kreyolicious: Going back anytime soon?

I’m planning on going there and doing a concert. I’m very much looking forward to it. My song “Haiti Girl” is going crazy over there so I can’t wait to go back.

Kreyolicious: What were your impressions of the country?

I love how everyone is family…like literally everyone [Laughter] the whole town is your family! I love how everything is so chill and you can just relax and crack some jokes on the beach.

Kreyolicious: What part did you go to?

Port-au-Prince briefly. Mainly Les Cayes and Port-Salut.

Kreyolicious: Do you know Creole?

Yes. Fluently. My grandmother taught me when she came to the US when I was 4.

Kreyolicious: Your parents moved to Los Angeles to support your career, so obviously they approve of your career choice. What’s the biggest lesson they’ve taught you?

The biggest lesson they’ve taught me was to remember where I came from.

Kreyolicious: Speaking of where you came from…where do you want to end up in your career?

L.A. I plan on staying here. Eventually, I want to move to England for a short time, but as of now, L.A.

Kreyolicious: In terms of accomplishments…in terms of a full-length album?

I’m actually starting on the album right now…I’m on tour with Mindless Behavior and Aaron Carter so soon I am going to be doing my own tour and selling out arenas.

VISIT JULIE MARIE’S WEBSITE| FOLLOW JULIE MARIE ON TWITTER| BUY HER MUSIC ON iTUNES| JULIE MARIE ON YOUTUBE

While most kids his age are passing time in front of video games , watching anime, tweeting and Facebooking, 10th grader Avery Racine is overseeing the operations of Teen2Teen, a his very own non-profit, while balancing school work, volunteering, and participation in school sports (he’s on his school’s soccer, basketball, and lacrosse team). Teen2Teen is the youth branch of Phoenix Rising for Haiti, a volunteer non-profit group. The Arizona-based teen philanthropy mogul, who leads fellow teens in changing the lives of other teens in other countries including Haiti, took time out from his busy non-profit executive schedule to tell us about Teen2Teen Rise.

How did you come up with the idea for Teen2Teen Rise?
I came up with Teen2Teen while watching news coverage of disasters such as those in Haiti, Chile etc. I noticed a pattern of care and concern directed primarily at women and children. I understand and agree that they are the most vulnerable. However, the disconcerting part was that teens, which can also be a vulnerable group, were never mentioned. It was as if we did not exist. When my mother started her foundation and started going to Haiti we saw the same thing. She would come back full of tales of the “cute kids” but never mentioned the teens. When I asked her about the discrepancy she admitted that it was really not something that she thought of. So I decided that as a teen I needed to take action.

Have you been to Haiti?
Although my family is Haitian, I have yet to go to Haiti. My first trip is planned for June of this year. My goal for that trip is to hold a one week sports and peer counseling camp at Ile-a-Vache.

Do you have any plans and dreams for Haiti in the future?
My goal is that Haiti is fully rebuilt after the damage done by the earthquake, and that its economy becomes strong and self-sufficient. I would like to see teens finish school, go to university and be able to find jobs and stay on the island as adults and make it stronger.

Do you think that some kids your age take some things for granted?
Yes I feel that most kids my age do take many things for granted, including myself. Living in the United States, many are sheltered from the difficult things that happen around the world in places not as fortunate.

What has Teen 2 Teen Rise accomplished so far?
Teen2 teen got off to a great start. We launched the organization at a fundraiser for Phoenix Rising for Haiti and as our first project, we went to a half-way home in Phoenix AZ called Family Promise and had a fun day themed Make your Own Masterpiece. The event was the brain child of one of our youngest Regional Envoys, Cedric. Next, we went to an orphanage in Mexico and did electronics drive for the teens. It was fantastic. We had plenty of other fantastic people from our church bring clothing. But the teens were so happy to get true teens stuff such as MP3, video games etc. One of our Regional Envoys Danni Pietz is working diligently to set up a peer group in CA. The goal is to be a positive influence to teens in high risk areas. We are working on a partnership with another group in order to cover a wider area. We are also raising money for scholarships to sponsor students at some of the schools in Haiti and have many other short term and long term plans to really make a difference in the lives of teens affected by disaster and poverty.

Former Miss Teen New York USA Lisa Elizabeth Drouillard has never fallen from the spotlight since her triumphant 2011 crowning. Drouillard, a student at John Jay College studying Criminal Justice, hops at schools and all over the nation to speak to teens. And that’s when she’s not at local events hobnobbing with community leaders.

The beauty queen sounded off to Kreyolicious.com on developing confidence, her roots and her plans for the future.

Tell us about growing up as a New Yorker with Haitian roots.
I am the only girl and the youngest of four, so growing up I was very sheltered. I learned to speak and understand Kreyòl from my grandmother who is bilingual. Growing up as a Haitian-American, my household was and still is so much fun but very disciplined. You know when it is time for fun and time to be serious and respectful. The only challenge was not being allowed to go to any of my friends birthday parties without being chaperoned…Forget about slumber parties. That was an absolute no.

What would you say is your definition of beauty?
My definition of beauty is simply being content with yourself. If you are comfortable wearing your hair back, short, kinky or straight, you do that. Once you are comfortable in your own skin, your true beauty will radiate wherever you go.

Going with this definition of beauty you gave me…is that pretty much how you saw things in high school, or is this something you’ve come to learn?
This is definitely something that I have come to learn. My look is continuously changing. I am seeing things that I once disliked about myself become perfected as I mature both physically and mentally.

Beauty contests have been around since the beginning of times, practically. But they still get the thumbs down from some people, who feel, that well, they are sexist.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and I respect that. Pageants involve an array of different women. Every woman has a main topic and that would be to win the crown of course, but they also have bullet points and that just may be to get fit, overcome stage freight, or accomplish something people say they couldn’t. The list goes on. It is more than just parading a woman’s body on stage in a swimsuit or a gown, it is truly the lessons learned and the hard work that goes into even competing. It may seem easy, but in all actuality it is far from it.

Do you think of yourself as a feminist?
Having experienced and observed so many things in this industry and throughout my life, I can firmly say that I am a feminist. I feel like women can do anything we put our mind to and we should not be exempt. I am in favor of equality in every sense of the word. However, in my opinion I feel like once we can come together as women and collaborate instead of competing as far as who has the better occupation or the better texture hair etc, we will be respected and more will be given to us.

Think back to that night when you were elected Miss Teen New York. And when you heard your voice announced. What was going through your mind?
I knew whoever won that coveted title [would get] to go to the Bahamas and compete for the national title of Miss Teen USA, so that was all that was going through my mind, me actually being the New York representative going to Bahamas. The best moment of my life by far.

When was the last time you went to Haiti?
I have not been to Haiti, but I am going this summer and I cannot wait to be there. I am sure that I will have a great time.

I remember coming across this article once. It was basically about women in their 30s, 40s, and as old as their 60s and so on, giving advice to younger folks. And one of the things that the author wrote was that “However pretty we think we are, we are three, four, heck even eight times as pretty.” Of course, that’s a paraphrase of what was said, as I can’t locate this said article at the moment. Sometimes, according to this same author, it’s not until years later when we look back at photos of ourselves that we realize how pretty we were. What are your thoughts on this?
That is a really beautiful perception however, I do not agree completely only because we are a work in progress and continuously changing as humans. I know my childhood self looks nothing like who I am today.

Definitely. Now as a beauty queen, who carries herself with such confidence, what advice do you have on developing confidence in one’s self, one’s looks. Having a great self-image, too.
We have to love ourselves first. If one does not love what he or she sees in the mirror—that is a problem. Not only does it cause major insecurities, but it also makes you needy for compliments—as well as [makes him or her] a very easy target to get picked on. It is not always easy to feel so confident with yourself because—lets face it—we all have that one thing that we probably wish we could change about ourselves, but it starts from loving the beautiful person that you are and leaving no room for anyone to tell you otherwise.

Who did you look up to growing up?
There were so many women that I looked up to growing up such as Halle Berry, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Gabrielle Union just to name a few.

You’re a sought after speaker on the motivational speaker circuit. Do you ever get stage fright? Or—freeze out?
All the time! My heart is racing because you do not want to be boring or forget to thank the people who invited you and most importantly, you do not want to forget what you are there to speak about. [Laughter]. Trust me, the mind wanders when you are put in the hot seat.

What would you say is the most rewarding thing about going out there and speaking with youths?
I am older now, but when I was in my reign as a teen and I started doing these speaking engagements, it was really difficult showing these young girls and boys that I am just like them. They would look at me like I am this little princess whose job it is to pretend to care. So, the most rewarding was to leave most of my speaking engagements knowing that I made a positive impact and they understood me, Lisa, not Miss New York Teen. I still continue to do public speaking with the youth around Brooklyn and New York City and it has gotten a lot easier, they come up to me and want a picture or ask me questions that they were afraid to ask out loud.

When you go on your public speaking tours and events, do you tend to formulate your speeches according to your audience and from the feedback you received from previous speaking engagements?
Yes, I do. The fun fact about my speeches is that they are never written or rehearsed. I always ask the person who invited me two things and those are: What is the demographic, and what is the mission statement—if the organization has one. Keeping those two in mind, when I arrive to the event that I am scheduled to speak at, I am ready to go! After my first few words, I am able to feel how receptive my audience is and from there on I know in which direction to go.

With this in mind, what advice do you have for girls out there who may not have the confidence at the moment, who may not believe in themselves, whether their intelligence or beauty? How can they develop that, like now, as opposed to looking back and thinking, “Man, I was pretty fine then and didn’t know it.”
We are human, so we will always doubt ourselves no matter what. But, it is important to surround yourself with people who love you and want to see you do well. A healthy surrounding is a healthy mind set.

What advice do you have for those who are pondering on entering beauty contests?
If beauty pageants are even a thought, then they should absolutely give it a try. If you have to question yourself about something then there is a curiosity. The only way you will know if that is for you, is to give it a try. Now, I am not saying go out into the world and try everything that you are curious about, but be logical and make the decision that is best for you!

What do you appreciate the most in Haitian culture?
The food and the music! I have never been to Haiti and every time I hear Konpa or eat diri ak djon djon, I feel like I am home.

Your parents enrolled you at the Barbizon School of Modeling in Manhattan, and you’ve been modeling and entering pageants since you were 14. Of course when you’re out there, there are times when you don’t win. Or get the crown. How did you deal with those moments of disappointment?
I did not complete my session with Barbizon, I remember the third week I just wanted something different. When I started competing I lost 3 times but that was for other systems, not for Teen USA. I would cry when I lost a pageant because so much goes into it, mentally, physically, and emotionally. I would also vent to my family who are biased so that balanced everything out [Laughter]. Miss New York Teen USA was my first try at that system and I ended up winning. But it was from the lessons learned from the previous pageant systems that have helped me get such an incredible win.

You’re studying Criminal Justice at John Jay College. How is that coming along?
It is coming along great! I love it, one more year and I am finished.

So many young women have turned pageant wins into even bigger dreams. What are your plans?
I have the acting bug now so my plans are to act and definitely continue modeling and hopefully do major ad campaigns. Magazines are fun but it is time to take it to the billboards and big screen! I am ready!

[Photo Credit: Pageant Photo: BENZO]

When you’ve lived in Paris for most of your life, moving to New York can be grunting, even for a native New Yorker. Such was the cup of pretty boy model Luka Sabbat, when he relocated to the city where dreams are made true. There was the expected culture shock. “It was just kind of weird in the way people acted,” Luka remarks when drawing NYC and Paris side by side. “People gave hugs here—when I was kissing girls cheeks for years.”

Sabbat was only three years old when his German-British stylist mom and fashion designer Haitian dad hopped on over to Europe. Back in the USA, more than a decade later, the teen was walking down Greene Street when famed shutterbug Kevin Amato stopped him. Amato was on the brink of shooting the Hood by Air campaign and thought Sabbat was ideal. More such work followed. The modeling sensation eventually signed to the agency Re:quest.

Now barely eighteen, Luka is already being called an icon by trendsetting publications like Complex and Mass Appeal. He has worn the clothes of some of the hippest clothing brands. But mind you, he’s not planning on being a model forever. The skateboard-loving, kreyolicious lad has fashion in his platelets, and has taken a strong liking towards the industry. He doesn’t just want to wear clothes anymore. He wants to make them. He doesn’t want to just convey art; he wishes to someday to create art.

How are you doing today?

I’m good bread.

That’s great. What’s people’s reaction when they find out that you’re a model?

Girls love it. Dudes just ask me how [to become one]. So many people wanna be models. I don’t know why. It’s not for everyone. Some people have no look. But, whatever. Most people think it’s just cool.

​It’s not for everyone? Why do you say that?​

‘Cause being a model isn’t for everyone. Not everyone is good looking, and not everyone has a look. Period. Just because you shot for your little homies’ big cartel brand doesn’t make you a model. Stop it.

Do you think that lookism is just as big of a problem as the other isms?

Not sure what lookism is exactly, so let me not…

​Lookism is being judged and being discriminated against because of your looks…and just being looked at a certain way by others….​

Whatever, like lookism is sort of a problem. I can spot a lame real quick and decide if you’re lame, but like Fredo Santana said: “I can look at your swag and tell that you losing, nigga”—but some people have more to them than their clothes. But, [being] lowkey makes or breaks a person in the fashion world.

Say the word modeling to some and there’s this notion of countless parties, runway shows, and stuff like that. But what is it really like? Walk us through a day in the life of Mr. Luka Sabbat, model.

Well, there is a lot of that. I get to meet many people and designers. Fashion Week is great. I get invited to shows. Great seats, then after parties. Chain smoke throughout the night and find a girl to go home with. I’m taken now, but that’s how it was.

“Destructive”, “binge-filled”, “excessive” are some of the words that have been used to describe the modeling industry. How do you stay grounded?

The men’s industry is different from the girls. Many girls encounter sexual offers as I heard of many of them and it’s relatively corrupt, depending your position and who you’re signed to and whatnot, but the men’s is simple.

When was the last time you went to Haiti?

I haven’t been to Haiti yet, but going this summer—or soon—to visit some family.

Do you think that male models have it better than female models in terms of self-image?

Males definitely have a different image control. The media is sexist in a way. A woman’s image easily can be changed and is more sensitive. But, as a man, to a lot of girls I’m candy. Many girls I’ve been with were solely with me because I was a model and s__ like that.

​Wow. How long did it take you to figure out that certain girls were trying to be with you because you’re a model?

I mean, when just last year, some girls just told me, without my money or so-called “cyber fame”—I’m just a regular-ass boy. For some reason, girls are just attracted to men that have a name for themselves…or a “cool” title.

Have you since then developed a test to determine whether someone is trying to be with you out of love, or out of interest, or whether they want you to be the candy on their arm?

No tests though—just vibes. I can definitely tell. I love talking to girls who have no idea who I am nor what I do.

What makes a girl attractive?

[A] genuinely fun girl. knows when to act, knows when to step up for herself, loyal, not f__ing annoying. I mean just a bit annoying. I mean…just enough annoying. It’s only human…

[ Photo: Via Instagram; Street photo YoungJun Koo; Supreme photo via @livedopeness ]

Luka Sabbat on Instagram | Luka Sabbat on Twitter | Click Here to Visit the Luka Sabbat Website |

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Teen pageant princess Joanie Jeanty landed in Puerto Rico yesterday for the Miss Teen Latino Universo pageant.

Here she is a few minutes prior on the airplane.

Wishing her the very best.

According to her Facebook page, she is a native of the city of Jacmel, and lives in Port-au-Prince.

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