Truth be told, most of our heroes are artists.
Some literally, others more figuratively. Either way, they have a mission that drives them. They're focused, passionate, and completely bored with the status quo. We find the sum of their parts infinitely attractive.
Rooomr Insiders dives inside the minds of these forward thinkers, creative leaders and social revolutionaries via our own humble version of 20 Questions (with an unapologetic tip of the hat to Marcel Proust's Questionnaire). Whether the interviewee is a household name, or a behind-the-scenes agitator, all of them impact popular culture in a significant way, and resultingly make our daily lives that much richer.
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Joel Stein Writer Los Angeles, California
@thejoelstein Man Made: A Stupid Quest For Masculinity
Joel Stein grew up in Edison, NJ, went to Stanford, and in 1997, became a staff writer for TIME. In 1998, he began writing his sophomoric humor column that now appears in the magazine every week. He's also written fourteen cover stories for TIME, and has contributed to The New Yorker, GQ, Esquire, Details, Food & Wine, Travel & Leisure, Businessweek, Wired, Real Simple, Sunset, Playboy, Elle, Los Angeles Times, and many more magazines, most of which have gone out of business. He has appeared as a talking head on any TV show that asks him, taught a class in humor writing at Princeton, and wrote a weekly column for the back page of Entertainment Weekly and the opinion section of the Los Angeles Times. This is the most he's ever written in the third person. |
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Tara Smith Owner, Tara Smith Vegan Haircare; Activist Los Angeles and London
www.Facebook.com/TaraSmithHair
Tara Smith is an innovative celebrity hairstylist to film and television talent worldwide and a passionate activist and ambassador for Shine On Sierra Leone, LOROS, and Farm Sanctuary. Known for her trademark motto “Tested on film stars, not animals”, her organic product line Tara Smith Vegan Haircare is now also carried in Conrad Hotels globally. Based in London and Los Angeles, and flying just about everywhere for business, activism, and pleasure, Tara exemplifies the art of living well and giving back -- all at the same time. |
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Jo Ann Thrailkill Co-founder and Executive Director, The Pablove Foundation Los Angeles, California
Jo Ann is Pablo's mommy, and the Co-founder and Executive Director of The Pablove Foundation. Under Jo Ann's direction, Pablove has grown from a name and a notion to a fully-staffed organization that is directly funding pediatric cancer research on multiple continents. Additionally, Jo Ann expanded on Pablove's mission to support children and families by spearheading an annual Childhood Cancer Symposium and Pablove Shutterbugs, a program that teaches children living with cancer to develop their creative voice through the art of photography. The program has been cited for its divinely inspired effect on children whose lives become overwhelmed with medical schedules during treatment. Jo Ann was profiled on NBC Nightly News and in a Google+ video campaign for her work with The Pablove Foundation. For 12 years prior to Pablove's inception, Jo Ann worked as an executive producer in the music video and television commercial industry, guiding a roster of directors through hundreds of jobs with bands, record labels, corporate brands and ad agencies. Jo Ann grew up in the heart of New Orleans and currently resides in Los Angeles. |
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Garth Trinidad Radio Personality, DJ, Culture Critic and Modern Day Griot Los Angeles, California
Garth Trinidad is an award winning radio personality, DJ, and culture critic. Inspired by his 1980's skate punk and hip hop upbringing in Los Angeles, his creative approach is philosophical and psychedelic, heavily influenced by unspoken human connections to rhythm and sound. Garth has garnered a world wide base of fans from all walks of life and is credited in part with shaping LA's modern music landscape. Currently you can check him out weeknights on 89.9fm KCRW & kcrw.com and Friday nights at Bar Marmont on Sunset. Also be on the lookout for new music from Trinidad•Senolia this Spring on Yoruba Records, a new project with production partner Mateo Senolia. |
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Reza Aslan Activist, Author, Scholar Hollywood, California
Few people address the the topics of Islam, the Middle East and Muslim Americans with as much authority, wit and infectious optimism as does Reza Aslan. Reza speaks for a young generation of Muslims -- socially conscious, politically active, and technologically savvy -- who fight for democratic reform. A frequent guest on The Daily Show With Jon Stewart, The Colbert Report and Real Time with Bill Maher, he's also a contributing editor to The Daily Beast, and a best selling author (No God But God: The Origins, Evolution and Future of Islam, and How to Win a Cosmic War). |
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Rachael Yamagata Singer, Songwriter, Pianist Bethany Beach, Delaware
Rachael Yamagata is one of those artists that other artists are just dying to collaborate with (such as Dan Wilson, Bright Eyes, Ray LaMontagne, Ryan Adams, to name a few). Her voice, musicality and lyrical perspective, mixed with classic pop sensibility, results in timeless, compelling songs. She's also lovely, in every possible way. |
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Sara Berman Fashion Designer, Sara Berman London, England; Tel Aviv, Israel
Fashion designer, consultant and artist. A varied CV to long to bother with, but highlights include building an internationally renowned fashion brand, working as the Creative Director of a heritage cashmere brand, and designing for a leading Japanese fashion house. (Note, from Sara: "I sound so much cooler than I actually am. I almost want to hang out with me.") |
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Bobby Solomon Designer, Blog Editor Los Angeles, California
The Fox Is Black, LA, I'm Yours
Bobby Solomon is a designer from Los Angeles and the founder and Editor-In-Chief of The Fox Is Black and LA, I'm Yours, arts, design and culture blogs that he has been running since 2007. The site saw a boom in growth thanks to The Desktop Wallpaper Project, which currently has the largest crop of desktops, custom designed by some of the biggest and best artists and designers in the world. He likes to concentrate on the future rather than the past, drink Intelligentsia coffee, play video games, and hang out with his dog Dottie and his boyfriend and partner, Kyle Fitzpatrick. |
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Candice Fragis Buyer, Net-A-Porter London, England
Candice is a fashion buyer for one of the world's leading luxury e-tailers, Net-A-Porter, sourcing designers and cutting-edge brands from across the globe. Professionally, Candice frequents NYC, London, Milan and Paris, but her love of culture and adventure takes her personal travel further afield. |
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Steven Satterfield Executive Chef, Owner of Miller Union Atlanta Georgia
Georgia-native Steven Satterfield is the talent behind one of the most exciting and acclaimed new restaurants in America, Miller Union. With well-deserved raves coming from Esquire, Bon Appetit and Atlanta Magazine ("Restaurant of the Year"), Steven and Miller Union are making waves in progressive culinary communities. |
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Amiee Berman Fashion Designer, Brand Consultant Los Angeles, California
www.winterkate.com
As half of the magic behind the Sara Berman (she's the rambunctious little sister), Amiee has brought her UK-drenched skull & crossbones aesthetic to the good 'ol USA. Besides her own venture, Amiee is in high demand, working a number of fashion lines and brands. |
