Meet Elise: Theatrical Darling and All-Around Entertainer

Young adulthood is a time of uncertainty. Most of us are still trying to figure out what it is we are passionate about and what we want to do for the rest of our lives. If we’re lucky, we find this out when we are young, and when we’re older we keep the spark alive. For Taylor Elise Jackson–or simply Elise–this passion was performing. A glance at her resume shows that she is a hard-working, versatile entertainer who embraces all kinds of performance, ranging from film and T.V. to musical projects. From her first live dance recital at 5 years old to her most recent concert for her latest single “Go Shawty,” Elise has never lost her love of performing. Armed with a soulful, acrobatic voice and a charismatic stage presence, it’s clear that Elise was destined to perform. A countdown on her website shows the number of days until she performs at Harlem’s Apollo Theater–hopefully the first of many performances at the iconic theater. 

I recently had the privilege of asking her a few questions about her earliest musical memory, pre-show rituals, and, of course, her favorite musical.

J.D. Valdepenas: What is your earliest musical memory? 

Taylor Elise Jackson: My earliest musical memory takes me back to my middle school debut at the Alberta School of Performing Arts. I played Carmen, the lead role in Fame Jr., and it was such a special moment. I was dressed in a fire-red leotard, had my big afro and leg warmers. During my solo song, the lyrics were: “(Fame!) I’m gonna live forever, baby, remember my name.” I remember looking into the audience, I no longer felt like I was just playing a character. It was as though I was verbalizing my dreams to the crowd. I felt so powerful and connected to the moment. 

J.D. Valdepenas: How did you know that you wanted to be a musician? Was there ever a defining moment when you realized that this was something you knew you had to pursue? 

Taylor Elise Jackson: I’ve never had a single defining moment where I had to decide to become a musician. Performing has always been in my spirit, and I’m grateful that God has blessed me with opportunities and a supportive family to pursue it. Honestly, I wouldn’t even call myself just a musician — I like to say I’m an overall entertainer. Whether it’s acting, singing, or strutting on stage, I feel completely free to be as big and bold as I can. That freedom is something I can’t find anywhere else, and to live without it, or to not allow myself to chase my wildest dreams, would feel like living a half-lived life. 

J.D. Valdepenas: How did you feel the first time you ever performed live? 

Taylor Elise Jackson: The first time I ever performed live was at the Bama Theatre when I was about 5 years old, during a dance recital. I remember wearing a sparkly baseball outfit for our "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" number. The lights were so bright that I couldn’t see anyone in the audience, which made me feel a bit disoriented. Honestly, I was more irritated by how itchy the costume was and upset because I couldn’t spot my mom in the crowd! 

J.D. Valdepenas: What are some of your pre-show rituals? 

Taylor Elise Jackson: This might sound a bit crazy, but after I do my stretches and prayers, I like to find a quiet corner or any peaceful spot to sit alone. I take a few deep breaths, shortening them until I feel a little lightheaded. As I sway, I release all thoughts and judgments, clearing my mind completely. This way, when I run onstage, I can allow whatever wants to come out to flow freely, with no distractions, and fully express myself in the moment.  

J.D. Valdepenas: What is the best part of your job? 

Taylor Elise Jackson: The best part of my job is the exploration. I take all my pain, fears, and triumphs, and I get to reinvent and rediscover myself with every new idea and creative opportunity. It’s like alchemy. But nothing will ever beat the feeling of the audience responding to that. It's as if the air leaves and time slows down — and it becomes just me and the audience on a journey together. There’s no destination, just a shared moment in time that we’ll both carry with us. 

J.D. Valdepenas: Who is your biggest inspiration? What about their life or career inspires you in your path? 

Taylor Elise Jackson: My biggest inspiration is Michael Jackson. I don’t think the word "legend" even comes close to capturing the magnitude of his impact on the music industry. He was a true visionary, surrounded by a team of visionaries, and you could see that in every detail of his work. And of course, I LIVE FOR the theatrics, darling! My goal in life is to create art and moments that break through imagined limitations and live long after I’m gone, and Michael did that. 

J.D. Valdepenas: What is your favorite musical? 

Taylor Elise Jackson: This might sound a bit lame, but Hamilton is my favorite musical. I remember back in 2016, my dad tried to get me into it, but I thought it was so lame because who wants to watch a 3-hour show about history? But then it found me again a few years later, and it became my soundtrack freshman year of high school. And yes, I went to one of those performing arts high schools, haha! 

Hamilton on Disney Plus became a comfort show for me. The summer before college, whenever I felt lost, I’d turn it on, and somehow it always made me feel better. Hamilton was a visionary — whether you think it was "good or bad" is another conversation, but he fought for his vision and made history doing so.

Check out and follow Taylor Elise Jackson’s social media pages for more of her work! 

Interviewed by J.D. Valdepenas

Directed by K Pereira @Kaleb.pereira922

Photography by Mark Bluemle @barks.mindd

Styled by Jaiden Blank @thejaidenalexis

Pulled from: DOORS NYC @doors.nyc & Electrix Vintage @electrixvintage

Designs from: Metamorphoza @metamorphozafashion , Tania Orellana @taniaorellanaoficial , Mymokondo @my_mokondo

PA: Kedma Moise @Kedma_music

Featuring: Taylor Elise' Jackson @1amelise

Talent: DJ Placente @djplacente

Talent: Luis Betancourt @luis.Betancourt55

School Girl Aesthetic: Powerful or Problematic?

Often depicted in media as a symbol of innocence, rebellion, or transformation, the schoolgirl aesthetic has been a defining feature of both fashion and media in the West for decades. The look, from collared shirts and overwhelming amounts of plaid patterns, has evolved over the decades and has produced different cultural impacts, whether it be shaping pop culture or influencing real-world fashion trends. While it has been criticized for its problematic undertones, it has also been reclaimed as a source of empowerment primarily for women. From film to music videos, the aesthetic has been reinterpreted in various ways over the years, reflecting shifting social values around fashion, identity, and power.

What is the Schoolgirl Aesthetic?

The schoolgirl aesthetic is rooted in traditional school uniforms in the West, particularly those found in private schools in the United States and the United Kingdom. Typically consisting of plaid skirts, button-up shirts, blazers, and loafers, this style is often associated with an air of innocence, privilege, and discipline as perceived about private schools and other types of exclusive academic institutions. However, while inspired by real-world uniforms, media portrayals and pop culture tend to exaggerate elements for stylistic appeal: shorter skirts, fitted tops, and more playful accessories. This transformation characterizes the traditional uniform into something more provocative or rebellious. Depending on how it is presented, the schoolgirl aesthetic can either reinforce societal expectations about its wearers—adolescent girls—or challenge them, depending on how it is styled and contextualized in different narratives.

Evolution in Media

The dramatic shift in the portrayal of the schoolgirl aesthetic in media can be seen in iconic films that used the aesthetic to define characters undergoing personal growth or social reinvention. Initially associated with youthful innocence, the aesthetic gradually became more fashion-forward and, at times, provocative. Ally Sheedy’s character Allison Reynolds in The Breakfast Club (1985) experiences a makeover that turns her from an outcast characterized by her dark clothing and neutrally gendered accessories into someone more conventionally attractive—partly through the adoption of a more feminine color palette and polished version of the schoolgirl aesthetic. Similarly, Clueless (1995) and Legally Blonde (2001) played with schoolgirl-inspired fashion to emphasize preppier styles as aspirational for adolescent women. Other films like The Princess Diaries (2001), Mean Girls (2004), and Easy A (2010) used the aesthetic to showcase transformation narratives, where characters either embrace or reject the schoolgirl look as they develop their identities. More recently, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (2018) reintroduced the aesthetic in a way that aligns with modern preppy fashion trends—cardigans, bolder sweater prints, and the inclusion of pants—making it more approachable and contemporary.

Beyond film, the schoolgirl aesthetic has been a staple in music videos, particularly in the work of female pop stars. Britney Spears’ ...Baby One More Time (1999) famously cemented the look in pop culture, using a playful yet controversial take on the uniform to portray youthful confidence. Years later, Iggy Azalea’s Fancy (2014) paid homage to Clueless, further solidifying the enduring appeal of the schoolgirl aesthetic.

Problematic?

Despite its popularity, the schoolgirl aesthetic has been criticized for being infantilizing and reinforcing outdated gender dynamics. By emphasizing youth and innocence, especially given that its wearers both in media and in real life tend to be adolescent girls, it can contribute to the fetishization of young women, particularly when stylized in a way that sexualizes the uniform. The dynamic raises concerns about how the media portrays adolescent femininity and the messages it sends about power and desirability. Additionally, the aesthetic is often associated with class privilege. The polished, private-school-inspired look is frequently linked to wealth and exclusivity, and making it an aspirational style may not reflect the reality of most students. The glamorization of the schoolgirl aesthetic in media often overlooks the rigid structures and social hierarchies that exist in real-life academic institutions.

The Case for Reclamation

While the schoolgirl aesthetic has its problematic elements rooted in its subservient portrayal of young women, it has also been reclaimed in ways that challenge traditional narratives. The incorporation of pop-punk elements in fashion, such as plaid skirts paired with combat boots and band tees, has added a rebellious edge to the look, subverting its associations with innocence. This reinterpretation allows women to take control of the aesthetic, using it as a tool for self-expression rather than adhering to societal expectations. The aesthetic can provide dimension to female characters in media, giving them space to be more than just their youthful appearance. When used thoughtfully, it can highlight the complexity of young women’s experiences—balancing societal pressures with personal agency and growth. Rather than being a passive symbol of conformity, the schoolgirl aesthetic can be wielded as a statement of individuality and defiance despite patriarchal standards and restrictions for female expression.

Conclusion

As fashion trends continue to evolve, the schoolgirl aesthetic will likely undergo further transformations as gendered expression in fashion and media continues to see broader horizons and possibilities. With shifting cultural conversations around gender, power, and representation, the way this aesthetic is portrayed in media will be crucial in determining whether it remains problematic or becomes an empowering symbol. Trends like gender-neutral school uniforms and alternative takes on preppy fashion suggest that the aesthetic may continue to be redefined in unexpected ways. Whether it’s seen as a symbol of innocence, rebellion, or empowerment, the schoolgirl aesthetic remains a powerful tool for storytelling and self-expression.

Written by Arushi Sen

Directed by K Pereira @kaleb.pereira922

Photography by Roberto Meadows @_.rubbertoe & Garrett Hoy @ghoy2000

Styled by KateLynn Herrera @katelynn.herrera

PA: Tayja Whyte @tayjaa.x, Chloe Kaleah Stewart @chloe.kaleah

Talent: Sammie Butters @sammiebutterss, Natasha Teiman @natasha_teiman, Gabrielle Clemons @gabrielleebiancaa, Cade Ostermeyer @cademeyer_, Cecil Atkins @its._cecil, Malia Corinne Louie @malia.corinneeee

Origins of CAMP Culture: Why Lady Gaga is the Perfect Example

The word camp is essential vocabulary for the queer community and almost anyone who believes in the importance of EXTRA. The word “camp” is thought to have originated from a French-derived word that means "to pose in an exaggerated fashion."

The way I feel the word or action ‘camp’ is used, especially in my generation, is to describe something of extreme exaggeration or spontaneity, but in the best and largest way. CAMP in queer dialect is a way in which we express our admiration of one’s fashion, style, attitude, personality, etc. Being called camp or described as “campy” is nothing less than a compliment. Knowing this information, I’m sure you can draw your own conclusions on how and why Lady Gaga is justifiably a perfect example of ‘Camp’ and what camp culture represents. 

Lady Gaga is a queer icon and is inevitably recognized by millions of people worldwide. Yes, her music is very fun and lyrically beautiful. Still, she has gained most of her recognition for defying the limits of stage presence, show quality, and iconic fashion statements never seen or worn by anyone before. 

Gaga’s ability to push boundaries has paved the way for creativity for hundreds to thousands of other artists and people in general. Gaga is unafraid of difference and if anything embraces it. A community such as the LGBTQ+ that was established on our people being labeled “different” and “not normal”, we thrive in someone such as Gaga. We have found comfort in her developed chaos and why she had adopted the name of MOTHER. She gave us the approval that we needed to be the extravagant, spontaneous, “campy” people we know we all want to be. 

In the early stages of Gaga’s career, she really used the ideologies of ‘CAMP’ to her advantage to help build her success. She adopted camp culture to help create some of the most iconic songs, music videos, stage performances, and fashion styles. In Gaga’s probably most well-known music video, Telephone ft. Beyonce, she showcases some of the most legendary and most unique outfits that the music industry had seen at that time. From the diet coke cans as curlers in her hair, to a bodysuit made entirely of yellow yielded caution tape, to sunglasses made from lit cigarettes, she built the foundation of what it meant for an artist to showcase ‘CAMP’. 

Gaga found this loophole in fashion that everyone knew existed, but never actually acted upon it to highlight one’s creative abilities. She used items that could have been seen as trash or disposable and converted them into top-tier fashion in a way that presented extravagance. This is quite literally what “camp” is. 

The ability to use what you have and artistically create something new, upscale, extra, different, weird is “camp” and camp culture. Lady Gaga knew what she was doing and did it well. Now, our society cannot think of “camp” or being “campy” without thinking of Gaga, the queen of camp herself. 

Written by KateLynn Herrera

Directed by K Pereira @kaleb.pereira922

Photography by Mark Bluemle @barks.mindd

Styled by Margaret Wells @margymarg_

MUA: Alex Venus @alexv3nus

PA: Amanda Manson @_.amanddaaa

Talent: Alexia Hill @aaalexia23

Talent: Kira James @kiraystalmeth

Talent: Zuri Palmer @zuri.palmer