There are two very important holidays in February. Valentine’s Day (2/14) and National Margarita Day (2/22). Mezcal UNIÓN has you covered with 5 recipes to toast the moments!
Actor and activist Adrian Grenier attends “Off the Canvas” Art Basel Music & Art activation featuring El Cristiano Tequila Silver in downtown Miami on December 1, 2022. The night featured performances by Camephat, Kaz James, Moojo, Eran Hersh, B2B, Darmon, Kasia, Talon and Ora, with Hurry Up Slowly.
According to IMDb, Adrian Sean Grenier is an American actor, producer, director and musician. He is best known for his portrayal of Vincent Chase in the television series Entourage (2004-2011). He has appeared in films such as Drive Me Crazy (1999), The Devil Wears Prada (2006), Trash Fire (2016) and Marauders (2016). In 2021 he stars in the Netflix series Clickbait.
One of the Worlds’ fastest-rising events series, Hurry Up Slowly is an experiential events concept focused around immersive musical and Artistic voyages from a team of curators with over 30 years of experience. Native to Miami Florida, with more global aspirations on the horizon, the East-Coast tastemakers have quickly formed a unique identity within the industry’s electronic music landscape, welcoming renowned international artists, Global Brand Partners and more.
El Cristiano was a crowd favorite at the Hurry Up Slowly music Festival in Wynwood, Miami, serving El Cristiano in a Margarita & Paloma as the two speciality drinks. The Festival ran 9pm-3am from Wednesday, Nov 30th to Saturday, Dec 3rd with a surprise performance from Diplo on Thursday Night which was headlined by Blondish originally. It was a beautiful and lively crowd in attendance and the venue, Toejam Backlot, was extremely unique with a very cool vibe.
To kick off Art Basel in Miami, NOBELMAN hosted its annual celebration with Rolls Royce at Villa Positano, a waterfront property in Coconut Grove. A fantastic evening of music and connection, guests enjoyed the exceptional Miami weather as they sipped on delicious specialty cocktails featuring El Cristiano Tequila, with the Black Label Extra Añejo standing out as the go-to of the night and their signature Silver tequila another favorite of the evening.
The evening started with delicious cocktails from El Cristiano, hors d’oeuvres, and caviar with a shot of vodka. Guest mingled and enjoyed the breathtaking waterfront views that the waterfront property had to offer. I sipped the spicy margarita and loved the taste of El Cristiano in the marg, the flavor was bold but not overpowering, and completed the jalapeno notes very well.
Guest also got to look and sit inside the 3 Rolls Royce on the property as well as learn more about the brand and features that Rolls Royce has to offer. Rolls-Royce was a British luxury car and later an aero-engine manufacturing business established in 1904 in Manchester by the partnership of Charles Rolls and Henry Royce. Rolls Royce has pledged to achieve net zero carbon in their operations by 2030 and has plans to play a crucial role in enabling the sectors in which they operate to reach net zero carbon by 2050.
According to the NOBLEMAN website, NOBLEMAN is a premier American men’s ultra-luxury magazine uniquely crafted for the modern gentleman. Distributed nationally, it focuses on the people, places, and events that define creative style, and beyond.
Founded in 2016 by leading publishing entrepreneurs, Doug & Lydia McLaughlin, and headquartered in Newport Beach, California, NOBLEMAN is the arbiter of taste in design, fashion, arts, travel and hospitality, fine dining, real estate, automotive, and technology. With an unparalleled commitment to design, photographic and editorial excellence, NOBLEMAN is more a coffee table book than magazine and defines what luxury is all about.
NOBLEMAN magazine and its digital platform are for the discerning and sophisticated man. The content presents compelling national, and international stories, features, and interviews, including: THE BEST OF MEN’S STYLE, LUXURY AUTO / YACHT / PRIVATE JET – TRENDS AND REVIEWS, LUXURY WATCH & ACCESSORIES, PRESTIGE REAL ESTATE & HOME DESIGN, ELITE TRAVEL + FINE DINING, GROOMING, HEALTH & FITNESS, GIFTS FOR HER / ALL SHE WANTS, PEOPLE: LEADERS OF LUXURY, BRANDS YOU NEED TO KNOW.
More About El Cristiano Tequila:
Just introduced El Cristiano, the world’s finest and additive free ultra premium tequila, made by third generation master tequila makers from the finest Jalisco Highlands Blue Agave. El Cristiano is dedicated to producing the purist tequila with no additives – (85% of tequila today has sugars and thickeners added) – with a high focus on harvesting only mature agave aged at least five years and certain sizing through sustainable agriculture practices. By establishing this process, they have eliminated the need for additives which would change the true essence of 100% Highlands Blue Weber Agave.
Created at the Casa Tequilera Aceves. Nom 1499, their foundation and premium flavor profiles, ranging from Silver, Reposado and Anejo to Aged Anejo, Extra Aged Anejos and Extra Aged Reposados, El Cristiano has introduced an entirely new flavor category with their 11 month barrel aged Extra Reposado. Using a distillation method of traditional distill pots with copper, and aging in American Oak barrels, their tequila is always additive-free and gluten-free, using sustainable practices. El Cristiano takes pride in their unique, unmatched collection offerings and tasting notes. This holiday season, featuring the finest Jalisco Highlands Blue Weber Aged Agave, offering exceptional quality and taste, El Cristiano Tequila provides sustainable, additive-free, and gluten-free tequila.
Website: https://www.el-cristiano.com
The Knockturnal: We ask, why a tequila company?
Kristopher DeSoto: Having been raised in Texas, I was introduced to tequila early on and since then, I’ve traveled throughout Mexico extensively and spent nearly 8 years living there. In that time, I noticed that tequilas south of the border were often different from those found on US shelves, the flavors and aromas more robust and expressive. When I moved back to the US after a decade abroad, I was surprised to find that many of the new tequila brands that had become popular were nearly unrecognizable within their flavor to what I knew tequila to be. So, I decided that a traditional, honest tequila crafted from the finest ingredients should be available in the US.
I have not had a linear career path and for the majority of it I worked in helicopter sales and marketing for some of the largest manufacturers. That experience, along with my deep-rooted passion for travel, led me to explore over 50 countries and live on multiple continents by my mid-30’s. That cultural exposure is the best education I could have imagined and influenced what I’m doing today.
Speaking on our brand, a hiatus is a break, pause, or interruption in continuity. In other words, taking time away from the daily routine. Ultimately this is what every culture I’ve encountered aspires to when they are enjoying their adult beverages. We are all trying to have that little escape when we take a break to enjoy our favorite libation. The brand name is literal in that way.
Hiatus Tequila speaks for itself. We put all our focus on what’s inside the bottle, not how fancy the packaging is or what celebrity is pushing it. Respecting traditional processes and the integrity of the farmers and producers involved are key to a product that we can be extremely proud of. Real is good and tastes great!
The Knockturnal: What inspired you to start Hiatus Tequila?
Kristopher DeSoto: I’ve always loved agave spirits, especially tequila, but so much of what we find available on the US side of the border is mass-produced and “watered down” with artificial flavors and especially sweeteners. Long story short, I wanted to make real tequila as I knew it from living in Mexico. My goal was to introduce American consumers to what high quality, authentic tequila can and should taste like. It is vital for me to highlight the true celebrities of the tequila world, who are the hard-working farmers and amazing people that create this complex spirit that is deeply engraved in their culture.
The Knockturnal: What is your favorite tequila cocktail?
Kristopher DeSoto: Honestly, I like to taste the tequila, so less is more. A Hiatus Tequila soda with a twist of lime is full of the natural flavors and aromas that I love, and the fewer ingredients involved also means less calories! But I typically will drink any of our tequila expressions neat at room temperature or possibly with a few rocks if I’m feeling fancy. Tequila can be used in any classic cocktail; with both clear and aged expressions you can basically substitute tequila in nearly any cocktail. Añejo “Old Fashion”, Blanco “Dirty Martini”, Reposado “Mule”….to name a few.
The Knockturnal: What makes your tequila different from other brands?
Kristopher DeSoto: We believe less is more. Our tequilas are all natural, no added artificial flavors, colors, or sweeteners. We age our reposado and añejo long enough to add unique characteristics but not so long that we lose the complexity of the agave, which is what tequila is all about. We know what we are and don’t try to be something we are not. We make tequila for tequila people, the old-fashioned way. The vast majority of tequila sold in the US is mass produced in very industrialized ways, that while can technically be called tequila, is far from the aromas and flavors that good tequila is meant to express.
The Knockturnal: Any advice that you would give to someone starting their own alcohol brand?
Kristopher DeSoto: Be patient. Everything will take much longer than you can imagine. When you think it is time to expand, wait another 6 months. Going too far too fast is not the path to success. And finally, this industry never sleeps, so be ready to work around the clock and particularly on holidays when everyone else is enjoying what your created!
The Knockturnal: Are there any new exciting projects/news you can tell us about?
Kristopher DeSoto: We can’t give away our secrets, so stay tuned! But we can say that we have a small production run concept in the works for the near term, and of course some big ambition for the longer term.
The Knockturnal: What are you and your team most looking forward to in the new year?
Kristopher DeSoto: We look forward to educating even more consumers and industry professionals about our favorite spirit! Knowledge is power they say. The more we know, the better decisions we make which ultimately helps keep our industry healthy. Millions of new consumers have started exploring the tequila category for the first time in the last few years. The market has seen a flood of new brands and there is generally very little information available where consumers drink or buy their tequila. Hospitality and alcohol retail professionals are the gatekeepers and the main source of information for their consumers. We, at Hiatus Tequila focus on education to all of these audiences, which is one of the most rewarding parts of our job!
To keep up with Hiatus Tequila check out the links below!
Website: https://hiatustequila.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hiatustequila/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HiatusTequila/
On Wednesday, Nov. 30 The Knockturnal was on the scene of Phillip K. Smith III’s Garden of Reflections with food and drinks by Michael Solomonov (Chef and Owner of Zahav, Abe Fisher, Merkaz, Dizengoff, Goldie, Laser Wolf, Federal Donuts and K’Far in Philadelphia, PA and Laser Wolf in Brooklyn, NY).
Solomonov’s delicious Mediterranean inspired spread included Instagram-worthy Ceviche in Bissli Bag, Hummus Cones with Brussel Sprouts & Green Garbanzo, and Mushroom Baklava. Guests also were invited to indulge in an open bar and enjoy handcrafted cocktails, wine, and champagne. American Express cardholders also received a cookbook: Zahav: A World of Israeli Cooking. The cookbook features many Israeli recipes, personal stories, and a dictionary of related terms.
My personal favorite item of the day was the Ceviche in a Bissli Bag. The flavors were outstanding and unique and eating it out of something that resembled a chip bag was so innovative, convenient, and mess-free to eat at this event.
“Food, culture and art are so intricately linked and I am thrilled to be partnering with American Express and Resy to bring this exciting experience to guests in Miami,” said Chef Michael Solomonov, Chef and Owner of Zahav and five-time James Beard Foundation award-winner.
Resy and American Express to Host Multiple Dining Events During Art Week in Miami Including Dinner Series with Massimo Bottura, Missy Robbins and Mashama Bailey with Original Art by Phillip K. Smith III; Gallery Day to Feature Food by Michael Solomonov
The art featured was “Phillip K. Smith III’s Garden of Reflections.”
Garden of Reflections is an installation composed of 17 columnar sculptures that collage the light, atmosphere, and movement of the space across their highly reflective and folded mirror polished steel surfaces. Organically collected in three different groups, the artwork reacts to the immediate surroundings, colors, and realities of the day. As the light of the space changes, so the artwork changes. As people move within the space, the artwork reacts accordingly. This reflective experience reconfigures and compresses directionality and space, amplifying one’s perception of their surroundings. The result is an installation that is equally powerful and quiet, completely immersive, and changing at all times, no matter day or night.
More about the artist: Working in the Southern California desert’s Coachella Valley, Phillip K. Smith III creates light-based work that draws upon ideas of space, form, color, light + shadow, environment, and change. Featured in many online and print publications, Smith is known for creating large scaled temporary installations such as Lucid Stead in Joshua Tree, Reflection Field and Portals at the Coachella Music and Arts Festival, ¼ Mile Arc in Laguna Beach, and The Circle of Land and Sky at inaugural 2017 Desert X exhibition. His public artworks are sited in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Kansas City, Nashville, Oklahoma City and beyond; and the artist was recently commissioned to create permanent, light-based works for the cities of West Hollywood, CA, La Jolla, CA, and Bellevue, WA. The artist currently has solo exhibitions on view at the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art through August 6, 2023, and at the Palm Springs Art Museum through May 7, 2023.
ABOUT GLOBAL DINING ACCESS BY RESY:
Global Dining Access by Resy is a dining program for eligible* American Express Card Members that provides elevated access to top restaurants in the United States and internationally. Card Members can utilize the program’s benefits – to get access for exclusive tables, Priority Notify, event access – by having their eligible American Express Card on file in their Resy profile. In the U.S, Global Dining Access exclusive tables are available at 500+ restaurants including Carbone (NY) Lilia (NY), Via Carota (NY), Zahav (PHL), Monteverde (CHI), Mi Tocaya (CHI), Mother Wolf (LA), Kato (LA), Contessa (MIA), Rose’s Luxury (DC), Sarma (Boston), Carbone Vino (DAL) and more.
Global Dining Access members are also invited to purchase tickets to Global Dining Access events featuring top chefs and restaurants. Past events have included World’s Best Restaurant noma’s 5-day residency in New York City (May 2022) and Platinum Coast (September 2021), a floating restaurant on a barge in Manhattan’s East River featuring Nancy Silverton, Kwame Onwuachhi, Stephanie Izard and more Global Dining Access Chefs.
*Global Dining Access by Resy membership extends to eligible U.S. American Express Cards: Platinum Card®, Business Platinum Card®, Corporate Platinum Card®, The Centurion Card, Centurion Business Card, Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card, and Hilton Honors American Express Aspire (see Global Dining Access Terms and Conditions).
Pop the champagne, Alexis Lauren is now open in the Coral Gables neighborhood of Miami. The Knockturnal was honored to be invited and get an exclusive first look at Alexis Lauren Collective.
Alexis Lauren Collective, a medically-backed luxurious beauty destination was founded by husband-and-wife duo, Dr. Michael and Alexis Renda, the Alexis Lauren Collective aims to redefine high-end aesthetic skincare in a modern beauty collective, marrying injectables with bespoke skincare treatments in a self-care sanctuary.
Alexis Lauren Collective’s approach is personalized to each client, with results-driven, medical-grade services. At the Collective, the team believes in offering what is best for you in the moment, satisfying varying skin desires, and generating transformational results. Clients can receive treatments through individual visits, or through a monthly membership in which clients receive monthly custom treatments, exclusive pricing, and members-only perks. Services that will be available at launch include injectables, custom facials, microneedling, and chemical peels using premium products with medical-grade devices and technology.
With regard to product, the “Collective Cabinet” comes complete with trusted, scientifically proven brands to complement on-site treatments, including cult-favorite Biologique Recherche, Skinbetter Science, iS Clinical, and more. Alexis Lauren Collective will also house devices that offer the finest methods of skin refinement, like Oxylight Ionix, in addition to an array of facial equipment from LED to microcurrent, and more. Guests at this event all received samples from Biologique Recherche to enjoy.
“My husband Michael and I came together to fill a void we saw in the skincare space: an ultra-luxe beauty collective that cares as much about its members as it does results,” said Alexis Renda, co-founder of Alexis Lauren Collective. “Our service menu is tailored to serve the client, not overwhelm them.”
Co-founded by trauma surgeon Dr. Michael Renda, his medical background strengthens the backbone of the business model along with the team of specialists presiding over the Collective.
“The ability to take care of patients with catastrophic traumatic injuries and burns has allowed me to develop a deep understanding of wound healing and our body’s resilience,” says Dr. Michael Renda. “This translates into the aesthetic realm as many of the skincare products and procedures are designed to remodel the skin, and at a cellular level elicit the body’s wound healing response.”
The evening was filled with good company, celebration, champagne, and pure bliss to celebrate the newest medically-backed luxurious beauty destination in Coral Gables.
Interviewing the dynamic duo and learning more about them and their endeavors was truly inspirational.
The Knockturnal: What inspired you to start your own beauty collective?
Alexis Lauren Collective Founders: “When we moved to Miami several years ago, I was looking for a place for injectables and facials and I couldn’t find an experience I loved. So, Michael and I started discussing what was missing in the space and what it would take to open a beauty collective that was luxurious and also offered bespoke treatments that really catered to the client and their needs. We wanted to marry the concept of injectables with high-end, highly curated skincare treatments.”
The Knockturnal: Have you always been passionate about beauty?
Alexis: “Yes, I have loved the beauty industry ever since I was a child! I was a ‘90s baby and read every copy of Seventeen and CosmoGirl magazine I could get my hands on—I even asked for retinol in middle school.”
The Knockturnal: What is your earliest beauty obsession?
Alexis: “I had so many obsessions and they were not good (ha)! Do you remember Sea Breeze and St. Ives Apricot Scrub?”
The Knockturnal: As a trauma surgeon, can you shed light on how it makes a difference to have true medical influence involved in aesthetic skincare? What can members expect as a result of having true medical expertise presiding over the collective?
Dr. Michael Renda: “The ability to take care of patients with catastrophic traumatic injuries and horrible burns has allowed me to develop a deep understanding of wound healing and our body’s resilience. This translates into the aesthetic realm as many of the skincare products and procedures are designed to remodel the skin and at a cellular level elicit the body’s wound healing response. For example, Sculptra, is designed to act as a catalyst to induce new collagen formation which helps redefine facial features for a more youthful look. Everything in medicine always boils down to the basic building blocks of biology, and that is no different for the aesthetic space; therefore my background only helps strengthen the medical backbone of our business model.”
The Knockturnal: What is it like running a business (so far) as a husband-and-wife duo?
Alexis Lauren Collective Founders: “We like to describe starting this business like walking in the dark in the middle of the night from the bathroom to the bed. You have your hands out and are blindly walking trying not to trip or hit your shin. Having a business partner on the same page as you, with the same goals, work ethic and reliability though has been key. The hard part is the access to your business partner. It never ends. We wake up and the texts between each other start at 7am to discuss the business, troubleshoot, answer emails etc. We are working on this balancing act but we can’t imagine doing this with anyone else. Seeing a project take shape that was merely an idea is uniquely gratifying. It is all a steep learning curve.”
The Knockturnal: What inspired the interiors?
Alexis Lauren Collective Founders: “Alexis as much as she won’t admit it is truly an aesthete—she has unparalleled taste and style. She was able to put together a mood board that our architects took one look at and brought to life. One of our mottos is “let’s slow things down”. The client is on a journey the second they immerse themselves into ALEXIS LAUREN. Time stands still from the moment they walk in the front door to their treatment room. Every wall and door is curved and custom made, just like the experience.”
The Knockturnal: How do you spend your free time in Miami?
Alexis Lauren Collective Founders: “We are total creatures of habit. We have our favorite places and things to do and we repeat them over and over again. We love the water, which makes Miami so special to us. Fitness is also paramount to each of us. You can always find Michael at Anatomy and Alexis taking a Pilates class at Tremble. We are total homebodies!”
Follow Alexis Lauren Collective on Instagram @alexislaurencollective and check out their website www.alexislauren.com to follow their journey and book your services.
Alexis Lauren Collective:
4203 Ponce de Leon Blvd
Coral Gables, FL 33146
The Knockturnal was recently on the scene of an early exclusive fan screening of “Camilo: Camilo: El Primer Tour de mi Vida | El Documental.” These early premieres occurred at the Rooftop Cinema Club Miami and Rooftop Cinema Club Los Angeles.
Camilo Echeverry, commonly referred to as Camilo, is a Colombian singer, musician, and songwriter. Camilo was born in Medellín, Colombia in 1994 and married Evaluna Montaner in 2020. Camilo’s nominations include a Latin Grammy Award for Best Urban Fusion/Performance and more. The top singles he is known for are “Tutu”, alongside Pedro Capó and Shakira, and “Desconocidos”, with Mau y Ricky and Manuel Turizo. His music is generally categorized as Latin pop with a mix of urban music and is noted for his romantic lyrics and soprano voice. Camilo is currently signed to Sony Music Latin.
The Knockturnal was on the scene of the Miami screening. The night started off with cocktails, photo ops, and grabbing your favorite movie candy and freshly popped popcorn. The drinks were on theme with drink names such as “la tribu”, “mis manos” and “amar es nuestra revolucion.” My personal favorite was the “la tribu”, this cocktail was a tequila-based drink with passion fruit, lime, agave, and triple sec. La tribu was a refreshing and flavorful drink to have while enjoying the documentary. We also had to make sure we grabbed some of the sweet candy and fresh popcorn. After grabbing our goods we captured videos (reel on our IG) and pictures in front of the many great photo ops. There was a tent, car, and more places to capture content with the documentaries name on it.
Lastly, we all went into the rooftop movie theater and watched the documentary under the beautiful Miami stars. To keep up with the documentary make sure to follow the hashtag #CamiloHBOMax and follow @palantehbomax and @camilo.
Photo credit courtesy of HBO Max.
Club LIV, located at the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach, FL was the place to be last week for the BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards. The spectacular and extremely exclusive event was hosted by Mike O’Neill, BMI president and CEO, and Catherine Brewton, BMI vice president, creative.
The evening started with the artist, producers, family members, and other VIP guests walking the red carpet and showcasing their outfits, as well as being interviewed, and photographed before they get into the awards show. We got the pleasure to speak with a variety of artists such as; Christopher ‘YC’ Pearson, India Shawn, Lil Scrappy, Adiz “Bambi” Benson, Travis Porter, Morray, 808 Mafia, ATL Jacob, DJ Khaled, and the 2022 BMI Icon, Busta Rhymes. The interviews can be found on our Instagram.
After the Red Carpet guest made their way inside the event where they could listen to jams played by DJ Nasty and guests were welcomed by DJ Khaled. Guests also were invited to indulge in an open bar and hors d’oeuvres. On the menu were; chicken and waffles, many types of empanadas, and a variety of flatbreads. My personal favorite was the carne asada empanadas they were filled with some much flavor and the meat was cooked to perfection.
The crowd got to enjoy performances from singer-songwriter Pheelz and Morray. Towards the end of the night Busta Rhymes preformed “Break Ya Neck,” “Scenario” and “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See” with Spliff Star and DJ Scratchator. Closing the evening Busta Rhymes and Pharrell Williams preformed “Pass the Courvoisier.”
“As one of the pioneers of hip-hop, we are excited to honor Busta Rhymes as a BMI Icon,” said Brewton. “Through his award-winning solo work, countless collaborations and acting, Busta is a true innovator in every sense of the word and has made a dynamic impact on legions of fans and music creators worldwide.
Rhymes launched his musical career in the early 90s with the hip-hop crew Leaders of the New School. He moved on to become an in-demand collaborator, appearing on numerous tracks for other artists before he officially went solo in 1996 with his massive hit, “Woo-Hah!! Got You All in Check.” The single was quickly certified platinum, earning him his first GRAMMY nomination. Throughout the ’90s and 2000s, he was a creative force, topping the charts, including debuting at number one in 2006 with his seventh studio album, The Big Bang. Several of his hit songs, such as “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See,” “Break Ya Neck,” “Dangerous,” “Gimme Some More” and “What’s It’s Gonna Be?,” featuring Janet Jackson, became hip-hop anthems, solidifying his place as one of the most in-demand rappers in the industry. In 2020, he independently released the critically acclaimed ELE 2: The Wrath of God, with NME saying it was “arguably one of the best-produced hip-hop albums of the last five years.”
Beyond his work in music, Rhymes has appeared in several films and television series, including in Shaft, Finding Forrester, Master of None, The Rugrats Movie and he competed in The Masked Singer on FOX.
As the 2022 BMI Icon, Busta Rhymes joins an elite group of music creators who have received BMI’s highest honor. Past BMI Icons include: Janet Jackson, Patti LaBelle, Nile Rodgers, Snoop Dogg, The Jacksons, LA Reid, Babyface, Al Green, Isaac Hayes, James Brown and more.
Song of the year: Justin Bieber hit “Peaches,” featuring GIVĒON and Daniel Caesar.
Songwriter of the year: Megan Thee Stallion and Christopher “YC” Pearson tied. YC and Megan Thee Stallion co-wrote three of the most performed R&B/Hip-Hop songs.
Megan Thee Stallion: “Body,” “Cry Baby” and “Thot Shit.”
Christopher “YC” Pearson: “Time Today” and “Wockesha” and Pooh Shiesty’s “Back in Blood”
R&B/Hip-Hop publisher of the year: Sony Music Publishing
Producer of the year: D’Mile. His work included: Silk Sonic’s “Smokin Out the Window,” “Skate” and “Leave the Door Open,” and “Fair Trade” by Drake and Travis Scott.
Top producer citations: Isaac “Zac” De Boni, ATL Jacob, Michael “Finatik” Mulé, Kanye West, Charlie Handsome, and Rogét Chahayed.
Lastly, but definitely not least, Busta Rhymes was named a BMI Icon at the 2022 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards.
To learn more about the BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards, visit here and use the hashtag #BMIRnBHHAwards on social media.
The Knockturnal: Please tell us a little about yourself.
Sam Paige: “I am a content creator who blew up on TikTok during the COVID-19 quarantine. I have 3 million followers, I am 27 years old, and grew up in Connecticut but currently reside in South Florida.”
The Knockturnal: If your life was a theme song what would it be and why?
Sam Paige: “Juice” by Lizzo would be my theme song. “I resonate with so many aspects of Juice. Lizzo sings, “If I’m shining, everybody gonna shine.” If I am shining I want all my friends and family to shine. Also, on the internet, I want everyone to feel like they are so beautiful and the best version of themselves… literally shining. A Lizzo “Juice” line states, “I was born like this, don’t even gotta try.” I was born like this, I was born thick and fat. It is what it is and I am rockin’ with it. Another line I resonate with is, “I’m like Chardonnay, get better over time.” I, like many others, was not one of those girls that peeked in High School. I am out here growing and becoming my better self each and every day. Lizzo: “Heard you say I’m not the baddest bitch, you lie.” I have faced hate comments online and IRL. Despite the negativity, I don’t care what you say, I am the baddest bitch.”
The Knockturnal: Tell us about your TikTok journey. What made you want to start a TikTok?
Sam Paige: “I got into TikTok, like most of us, during quarantine. My friend wanted to learn a dance and realized how great of a dancer and how quickly I could catch on to the moves. After this, I rediscovered my love for dance after not being in the studio for about 6 years. It started with dancing in bikinis (what I continue to do) and sharing my love for body positivity. I genuinely didn’t think anyone would care to see a plus-sized girl dancing in swimwear but is happy the internet proved her differently because it is now my career.” 
The Knockturnal: Tell us more about Dance.
Sam Paige: “I started dancing when I was five, I told my mom that I wanted to be on Broadway. She believed in me and my dream and placed me in dance, choir, and theater. I really love dancing, I stuck with it for 15 years! I even danced for one year on my college’s pom team. Honestly, the experience was shitty… I couldn’t jump as high due to me being a big girl and was told to sit out of dances multiple times because of that… But now the jokes are on them because I am the only one dancing for a living. I think dance is a great way to express myself and I find these TikTok dances extremely fun and enjoyable to learn.”
Fun fact: Sam learns TikTok dances in about 10-15 minutes depending on the difficulty and only needs to do them 3-4 times to get the perfect one.
The Knockturnal: Has TikTok led you into any other creative passions?
Sam Paige: “Since joining TikTok I have discovered a love for modeling. I feel when people model via Instagram they are always considered “Instagram models.” All because of TikTok and my followers I have been able to walk in the past two Miami Swim Weeks. Last year (2021) I walked for boohoo – this is when I really discovered my passion for modeling in a more serious light. The boohoo show was at the Versace Mansion in Miami which was a magical experience.. After, I made my way to NYC for New York Fashion Week (2021) where I walked for two different clothing designers. Just recently I walked in Miami’s 2022 Swim Week, where I walked in three different shows and represented four different designers. I have also done some modeling gigs for e-commerce brands in South Florida. I really enjoys the modeling experience and being a part of the evolution in body positivity within the modeling community.”
Email Sam to inquire about her modeling services.
The Knockturnal: What are some struggles you face as a plus-sized content creator?
Sam Paige: “Some struggles that are faced are; people are really shocked that a fat girl could have a following. I see this struggle when collaborating with different brands. I feel that many brands and businesses are shocked and are in disbelief that a curvy girl can help represent them. I also have noticed that the bots on social media are always flagging my posts for nudity or inappropriate content because I have physically more skin on my body, even though I am showing the same or even less skin than others on the same social channels.”
The Knockturnal: What does diversity and inclusion in the modeling and content-creating world mean to you?
Sam Paige: “Diversity and inclusion mean the world to me… I wouldn’t be where I am if I was just a stick figure little girl dancing on TikTok… There are a million billion girls of that nature.” What has really gotten me far in my career is the fact that I am different. I am curvy and plus-sized. My goal is to include more plus-sized people as content creators or models. I really want people to see that just because they are bigger they should not be limited from being a content creator or model as a career. I am so pleased that significantly more companies are giving curvy girls these opportunities. I have gotten to work with brands that I thought would never give a plus-sized creator or model the time of day. Some brands I have worked with are Lucky Brand, Aeropostale, and boohoo. Even some plus-sized companies, like Torrid, see the value in a plus-sized girl representing them online and modeling. I owe everything to people who want to have inclusion. I can’t wait to have more diversity!”
The Knockturnal: Although the fashion industry has progressed a lot in the past few years, what are some challenges that you believe still need to be addressed or faced?
Sam Paige: I believe although the fashion industry still has a long road of progression ahead of them they have been trending in the right direction. It has really helped my confidence to wear outfits that make me feel good in my own skin… I have seen a lot of changes in fast fashion. I find fast fashion is a lot easier to shop while being plus-sized whereas luxury brands still have a long way to go. It’s great that Gucci offers a 3XL now but it’s still not enough for the masses. I love shopping at Shien but think they could be more size-inclusive as well, their biggest size is only one size bigger than mine. I would really love to see extending in size so all people could experience the clothing they want to wear to express themselves. I am extremely sick of oversized clothing being available to straight-sized girls and making the clothing fit plus-sized girls but not offering it their size… It makes no sense.”
The Knockturnal: What advice would you give to someone who wants to get into content creating or modeling?
Sam Paige: “I have only experienced the modeling world as an influencer and it has definitely helped in my case. I want to say I am not trained as a model so everything I have learned has been from my own experience, photographers, and fashion designers that have guided me. I suggest that you sign up with an agency that you trust and go from there. Content creation comes down to consistency. It is also very important to find your niche and work your niche to its full capacity. Even now it’s hard for me to post things that don’t consist of me dancing due to my following. Post three times a day on TikTok if you have to. Whatever you decide your niche is stick with it!!!!”
The Knockturnal: Give us all the Miami Swim Week 2022 tea!
Sam Paige: “This past Swim Week I participated in three different walks. I walked in “Splashing Lights” for FLKD, the next show was for “The Society” created by designer Krissy King, and the last show was for “Miami Swim Week – The Shows” which was hosted at the SLS. In the next show the designer, Diva Kurves, had only curvy girls which were really inspiring to walk with plus-sized girls. I also walked for another brand called “Porshia” where I walked in a swimsuit cover-up. I enjoyed all the walks and found each one to be very different. I also got invited to an influencer event and got to go to the “Good American” event at the 1 Hotel South Beach Miami.”
The Knockturnal: What has been the best vacation you have been on?
Sam Paige: “I graduated from Johnson and Wales with a Bachelor’s in Hospitality Traveling Tourism with a concentration in cruise line management. I always had an interest in traveling but decided I didn’t want to work on a cruise ship after working on one for a little. Travel has now become something I am even more passionate about because I have experienced some crazy things. Last year, my best friend Morgan, AKA @bald_baddie on IG, and I went on a 20-day Europe trip. It was probably the best trip of my life.
The Knockturnal: Any new and exciting news you can share with us?
Sam Paige: “I will be walking in New York Fashion Week in September of 2022, I will also be going to Playlist Live in Orlando (The Ultimate Creator Event) in September (right after my birthday).” Playlist Live will be my first content creator event, and I am super excited! I also am slowly working on a swimsuit line with a company hopefully coming out in April.”
Keep up with Sam on TikTok and Instagram to follow her journey.
Juliette Porter of MTV’s hit reality TV show Siesta Key and Jaymi Zentner Washburn, co-designer alongside Juliette Porter, hosted the “Into The Jungle” runway show for Miami Swim Week 2022. Into The Jungle featured JMP The Label’s 2022 & 2023 swimwear collections. Into The Jungle was styled by the one and only Rebecca Weinberg of Sex and The City.
The evening started with photos, mingling, and a couple of Cosmopolitans while we waited patiently to enter the runway show hosted at the Paraiso tent. The majority (if not all) of the cast members from MTV’s Siesta Key were present to support Juliette. While we were waiting on the show to start, cast members were filming for season 5. Siesta Key relocated from Sarasota County to Miami-Dade for season 5.
According to JMP The Label’s website, the brand was established in 2021 by MTV star Juliette Porter, JMP The Label is a premier designer swimwear and apparel brand. JMP The Label boutique luxe collections reimagine swimwear for the independent babe on the go – from the beach to the bar, and beyond, each piece is thoughtfully designed to fit every woman. As a body-positive lifestyle brand, all women are kept in mind when creating the perfect look and feel. Precise fits and luxurious fabrics in a wide range of styles and silhouettes make JMP The Label effortlessly chic. With the perfect mix of casual and cool, the JMP vibe goes way beyond the beach or poolside hangs. Plus, with men and children’s swim, JMP The Label now lets everyone join in on the fun.
Juliette and Jaymi believe that swimwear can be an intimate exposure, which is why JMP The Label’s mission is to empower women to embrace their beauty. JMP The Label features inclusive models and leads important conversations around positive body image, women’s health and wellness, and normalizing beautiful and natural bodies of all sizes.
Make sure to follow JMP The Label on IG and check out their website for size-inclusive and fashionable swimwear and clothing!
