You might remember Crystal Russell from such features as the ‘Kool Thing’ beauty editorial that we shot last year. What the 90s-inspired snakeskin and orange lewks she was repping might not have told you is that—while being a natural in front of the lens—she is primarily a dancer, who makes films and takes photos on the side.
This time around, we asked the multi-hyphenate creative to step behind the lens and introduce us to fellow performers she knows and is inspired by. The result? Some oh-so-cute snaps of dancer Shivawn Joubert and the ‘charismatically asthmatic pop duo’ Cat & Calmell — wearing Miu Miu ‘fits that dreams are made of, no less.
After training in their respective fields for most of their lives, the four artists share how developing their skills has gone hand-in-hand with their own personal growth. These four (very!) talented people are defining success on their own terms, and paving their own paths towards it. Get to know them better below, where they each show us a glimpse of what it means to be a young creative today.
Name: Crystal Russell
Age: 19
Occupation/s: Model, dancer, photographer, and filmmaker.
Describe your dream performance — what outfit are you wearing, what does the stage setup look like, who’s in the audience?
Ooh, if you’ve seen FKA twigs’ music video for her song Cellophane - I wanna wear what she’s wearing! I also want to be transformed into an elf fairy [laughs]. I would want elf ears and a white wig like what Doja Cat wears. The audience would be everyone I love and all the creatives I know, including ones across the world that don’t know me. Billie Eilish and a lot of famous people that I love. I actually have no idea what the stage set up would be, but I would want to dance and sing in the performance.
How do you prepare yourself, both mentally and physically, before a performance?
Physically, I do my exercises given to me by my physio. Then any kind of cardio to warm my body up, stretch, and practice my routine. Mentally, I always play the routine over in my head. But I feel like because of all the emotional work I’ve done in other areas of my life, and because I’ve performed a lot as a dancer and also a slam poet, performing doesn’t really scare me as much as it used to when I was younger. Now, it’s mostly exciting. I’m more present and I feel like I can enjoy performing more.
What things are you inspired by and how do they influence your work?
I’m inspired when I have experiences or emotions that I feel the need to express. I’m inspired by the alchemy of taking my trauma and turning it into art. Reading has also helped inspire me a lot. It connects me to myself, and therefore strengthens the passion and motivation I have for my projects. I’m literally inspired by everything though, including my friends as well as the creatives around me and all over the world. I’m a very visual person, so photos and films inspire me. Music inspires me heavily too!
Was there ever a point in your career/creative journey where you felt ‘imposter syndrome’? If so, how did you overcome it?
Honestly I feel like I haven’t felt this that deeply yet.
What are some of the pros and cons you experience with social media?
Cons: Being addicted to my phone, which makes me anxious and puts me in a very ‘instant gratification’ mindset. I definitely feel like it contributes to dysmorphia, and definitely encourages the consumerist tendencies in me. Also, making me obsessed with the outcome of my creative projects and therefore hindering my ability to remember the true purpose behind them. Pros: Connecting with other people and creatives, exposure, opportunity, being able to express myself authentically and create an aesthetic visual representation of myself, creating a safe space with my account, sharing my art.
What do you like to get up to when you’re not working on your creative projects?
I love eating and watching Netflix or YouTube. I LOVE the beach and hanging out with friends.
When do you feel most like yourself?
When I’m reading, when I’m wearing a makeup look and outfit I created, or when I’m with someone I deeply connect with.
What’s something you never thought you’d do, but then tried it and loved it?
Probably starting filmmaking and photography when I was like 16.
What’s something you’re currently excited about?
Sharing my short films that I’ve been working on for ages, dancing (literally just training makes me excited), and this editorial coming out!
Name: Cat Strat
Age: 21
Occupation/s:
Artist/Singer-Songwriter
Describe your dream performance — what outfit are you wearing, what does the stage setup look like, who’s in the audience?
Something a bit sexy but still comfortable. The stage is set up like a high school prom with streamers and balloons and beanbags and just lots of fun nostalgic stuff! I'd want my family and friends in the audience obviously, and of course the people that love our music. I would love to list off other artists that I look up to to be in the audience, but if I'm being honest I think it would wig me out and I'd be way too preoccupied to perform [laughs].
How do you prepare yourself, both mentally and physically, before a performance?
I try not to eat 2-3 hours before I perform and keep my fluids up, usually with honey water. And of course go to the bathroom LOTS, because nervous peeing is very real. Mentally, I like to have moments where I can freak out and Calmell and I will just kind of grab each other and scream, and then I like some moments alone where I just really settle down and clear my mind. But right before I step out on stage usually entails me punching myself in the stomach to get rid of the butterflies, and just jumping side of stage so we come out in front of the audience full of energy!
What things are you inspired by and how do they influence your work?
I'm inspired a lot by current events. I love going to galleries and finding any way I can to marvel at artists from any creative field. And of course, like any good writer, I am self-indulgent and my own emotions and experiences are a big source of inspo. And TikTok!
Was there ever a point in your career/creative journey where you felt ‘imposter syndrome’? If so, how did you overcome it?
All the time. I used to do TV shows when I lived in China and the talent you come across is insane, I often felt like I wasn't deserving of being there. Even when Calmell and I got offered amazing opportunities when we started writing our music, it felt so overwhelming that so many people believed in us when 80% of the time I had no idea what I was doing! But honestly, I just kept reminding myself of the qualities that made me ‘me’, and the fact that it's easy to forget all the shit you went through to get where you are. I still feel undeserving a lot of the time, but I think it's good to remember that literally no one has any idea what they're doing. Like April Ludgate from Parks and Rec once said, "Deep down, everyone is just faking it until they figure it out".
What are some of the pros and cons you experience with social media?
I love connecting with people, especially because I'm the polar opposite when it comes to social situations in real life. But to go through my DMs, my comments, and engage with people all around the world that have found something they like in me or what I do is so cool and uplifting. The cons are the pressure that comes with it. I want my experience on social media to be fun and lighthearted, but there was a long period of time where I was posting purely to appeal to the algorithm and what I thought people wanted to see. You get obsessed with numbers and it starts morphing into a measurement of your self-worth before you can even catch on. Changing my relationship and the way I view both the internet and technology helped a lot. Now, I think of it as a tool - something I can control that makes my life better, not something that controls me. I feel like tech and social media have been heavily demonised (a lot of the time for good reason), but guys, we are free agents in this simulation! That might sound contradictory, but think of yourself as a customisable sim. You can be whoever you want to be <3
What do you like to get up to when you’re not working on your creative projects?
I'm currently studying psych and philosophy at uni and everything about it fascinates me. I love reading. I also love podcasts and listening to people who are way more eloquent than me discuss and exchange ideas...it almost overwhelms me how much is out there that I still don't know, but it's exciting at the same time. I also like doodling and painting and buying too many house plants.
When do you feel most like yourself?
My sense of identity has been very transient ever since I was a kid. I moved around every two to three years up until I was 15, and would develop different friendships and personas with every new place I moved to. I don't think that means I'm dishonest or inauthentic when it comes to social situations and things like that, I just have different sides of myself that are all part of this big whole of who I am. So I'm not exactly sure which of those sides is the most 'me', but I'd probably say when I'm alone in my room doing whatever I'm doing and just kind of being nothing. Which sounds sad but is actually so essential for me, I love it!
What’s something you never thought you’d do, but then tried it and loved it?
Staying in one place for longer than two years! I just never knew any different. Change was honestly something I looked forward to. I was skeptical of Australia because I had never stayed longer than a month here when we would fly over to visit family. At first, I missed living in a big city and its constant buzz of noise...Australia felt barren and the houses were too far apart from each other (I was living in the suburbs). But then I made friends, life long ones that I didn't have to leave behind. I came to love this place and it's honestly as much of a home for me now as China is.
What’s something you’re currently excited about?
Our debut EP! Calmell and I have our first ever EP coming out at the end of June and I could not be happier. It's so fun, and it's a real time capsule of a point in our lives when we were on the precipice of a lot of exciting stuff! It's so amazing that people are finally gonna be able to hear it <333
Name: Calmell
Age: 22
Occupation/s: Artist/Singer
Describe your dream performance — what outfit are you wearing, what does the stage setup look like, who’s in the audience?
I’m wearing an FKA twigs inspired outfit with gems and tassels, while on a stage that’s a replicated “heaven”. And I simply would want the people I love, and the people who love me and my art to be in the audience!
How do you prepare yourself, both mentally and physically, before a performance?
Before the start of April, I actually hadn’t performed on a stage in years. It was definitely different preparing and performing with my best friend, but it was truly a life changing experience. When I’m nervous, I tend to isolate myself and gather my thoughts and practice breathing exercises, which Cat is super supportive of so we tend to just go off in our little space and then re-collect ourselves and hype ourselves up before we hop on stage!
What things are you inspired by and how do they influence your work?
I am inspired heavily by ‘90s to 2000s fashion and movies. Everything from No Doubt to the aesthetics and fashion from the movie Wild Things. I’d love to incorporate the ‘90s aura into my music, fashion, and music videos!
Was there ever a point in your career/creative journey where you felt ‘imposter syndrome’? If so, how did you overcome it?
In the most impressionable years of my career, I had a handful of mentors trying to paint me as an already existing artist/s and I had to quickly unlearn that once I started writing my own music and started my duo. I found that the more I started writing by myself or with my BFF cat, the more I got to explore my own individuality and let go of everything I had been taught practically since I was 8. I’m having so much fun creating and recreating myself. I’m constantly evolving and constantly changing and I’m just learning to go with the tide and not against it <3
What are some of the pros and cons you experience with social media?
For someone who can get a little bit awkward and nervous in front of people IRL, it’s comforting to be able to communicate and network through social media. On the other hand, and I’m sure I’m not the only one feeling this way, it’s so easy to lose yourself and lose your confidence when you’re constantly comparing yourself to other people online. Whether that’s creatively, physically, spiritually etc. I try to be completely transparent online and not make up this fantasy for people to believe and compare their own lives/selves to.
What do you like to get up to when you’re not working on your creative projects?
I’m currently working part time in retail which TBH I am not loving lol, but you gotta do what you gotta do! I spend any spare time making content for my social media, thrift shopping, and searching for inspiration for fits and music video concepts.
When do you feel most like yourself?
Wearing loose, low-waisted cargos paired with some FAT lashes. Comfort is key but she still need to look cute <3
What’s something you never thought you’d do, but then tried it and loved it?
Honestly, I never thought I would pick up bass, but I wanted to try it out for our show and I absolutely love it! It’s definitely a process, but she’s getting there
What’s something you’re currently excited about?
Right now I’m so excited to be releasing my EP with my duo partner, Cat! We’ve been working on this for the last two years (since we started the duo) and in just a few weeks the whole world gets to hear it!
Name: Shivawn Joubert
Age: 25
Occupation: Movement artist
What things are you inspired by and how do they influence your work?
I am inspired by an absolute multitude of things, but most prevalently all different kinds of art and artists, movement, music, fashion, film. All of these mediums evoke a feeling in me which I choose to draw on or tune into when I am creating for myself. I always create upon a feeling and try and trust my intuition as it is unraveling/evolving.
Describe your dream performance — what outfit are you wearing, what does the stage setup look like, who’s in the audience?
I am so grateful to say I have already experienced one of my absolute dream performances. In 2019 I had the honor of performing in Rihanna’s “Savage X Fenty” NYFW show choreographed by Parris Goebel. We were dressed in some beautiful lingerie pieces from their 2019 Fall/Winter collection and makeup was of course also all Fenty Beauty! The stage set up was phenomenal - a super open plan interactive space with sky high scaffolding, stairs and geometric windows. The audience was filled with those who were invited to attend the NYFW show, which was already an incredible list of people, but what is equally special that the show is available on Amazon Prime so all my family and friends have been able to stream it at one point or another.
When do you feel most like yourself?
I feel most like myself when I am surrounded by the people I love, doing what I love. Usually dancing or sharing music or bonding over common interests/ passions.
In contradiction, I do also feel most like myself when I am alone. I really value my solitude. There is such a sacredness to being alone and I am truly confronted with the best and worst parts of myself when I am practicing solitude and all the things that come with it.
What’s something you’re currently excited about?
Right now I am super grateful to say I am in the midst of working on some pretty major projects... the details of which I can’t quite disclose yet but my path at the moment is shifting me to explore choreography and that aspect of my artistry and I’m really enjoying the venture and the creative freedom & responsibilities that come with it :)
Features Writer: Sabina Sysantos Photos: Crystal Russell Fashion: Miguel Urbina Tan
Shot on location in Sydney, Australia
