Just Smile #4

Life, contentment, heartbreak, and what lies ahead. Justsmile Issue Four focuses on the different stages and chapters that play a significant role in each person's journey. In this issue, we hope you can connect with one or more of its stories, regardless of where you are on your own journey.

Cover 1 features OMAR APOLLO, the Indiana-raised 6’5” heartthrob-of-the-moment is about to drop his sophomore record, ‘God Said No’ off the back of a busy year recording between London, New York, and LA. Apollo opens up to Justsmile the night before attending his first Met Gala about grappling with his sexuality and faith, recording during heartbreak, and making a record to let people heal from their romantic wounds.

Cover 2 features CALEB MCLAUGHLIN, the 22-year-old actor is finally wrapping up the chapter that shot him to global superstardom at 15 years old, as he currently films the fifth and final season of Stranger Things. Caleb speaks with Kemi Alemoru while filming in Atlanta about everything from setting new professional goals to riding horses with his cousin in the woods.

Cover 3 features HENRY TAYLOR, the prolific artist and painter speaks with Justsmile about his 30+ year journey from being underestimated in the art world to gaining recognition through his emotive figurative paintings depicting contemporary American life. Despite accolades and collaborations with high-profile figures, Taylor remains grounded, prioritizing authenticity over fame. 

Cover 4 features MEKHI MCKENZIE in WELCOME TO VIRGINIA, Justsmile traveled to Virginia Beach to retrace Pharrell’s pre-Neptunes footsteps – from Princess Anne High School to his neighborhood, Atlantis – and place the Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2024 menswear collection back in the original context that inspired it. Featuring emerging faces from Virginia’s creative scene, flick through to find out exactly why Virginia is for Lovers.

Plus South-African designer LUKHANYO MDINGI speaks with Los-Angeles-based designer MIKE AMIRI. Curator and DJ TONY JACKSON aka SKYPE WILLIAMS dives into multidisciplinary artists that he has his eye on, including RICH AYBAR, ALLEN GOLDER-CARPENTER and SANNA ALMAJEDI. Exceptional fashion editorials from contributors such as EDWARD BOWLEG III, YASHUA SIMMONS and MARCUS CUFFIE. And, a look at Black history in print with BLACKMASS PUBLISHING.