OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO…
Five super talented young Hollywood artists on their way up, with the world laid out before them
All photography by Michel Haddi
They say that youth is wasted on the young (and, no, Oscar Wilde didn’t say it, and neither really did George Bernard Shaw, who gets the attribution — what he said was “Youth is the most precious thing in life; it is too bad it has to be wasted on young folks”). But is it? It actually is not.
Making mistakes — something older people think they wouldn’t make, again — is a vital part of the process of making anything. Wrong roads taken, wrong things said, the wrong lovers, and the wrong calculations; where would the world be without those? Still in the caves is where.
By the time we’ve figured it all out, it’s not worth that much! The energy comes from the figuring it out. The joy, the art, the passion, the discovery of life is in taking more wrong turns that right ones. The glory of humanity is in it’s infinite imperfections, it could never be in it’s hypothetical, impossible perfection.
So watch the shooting stars, not the stationary ones! That’s where the thrill is!
These are five, young, brilliant talents, with white-hot futures. So much ahead of them and so many places to go (and some they’ve already been). And one day, if they’re lucky, they’ll get old too, and be sitting somewhere watching the dark, still sky, and see that rare, special streak cross it.
TIANNA ESPERANZA, Singer
The granddaughter of punk royalty, Paloma McLardy, who founded all girl band The Slits in the 70s, Tianna grew up, like an exotic flower, in predominantly white and affluent Cape Cod. But she is not milquetoast, no she is not.
She is a remarkable singer/songwriter who sounds like a younger, vintage, somehow richer-in-her-tone Roberta Flack, with just the right touches of Sade and Sinead O’Connor (that’s not a typo and I haven’t been drinking – much, anyway). Her debut album Terror just came out this February. Masterpiece.
What has been your career highlight to date?
I wrote one of my first songs, “Lewis”, when I was fourteen. I released it independently and performed it countless times over the years, but now that it has been released via BMG, I connected with [legendary Black bookstore owner] Lewis H Michaux’s family and it has been an honor. My relationship with them is one of the highlights of my life and it reminds me of the power of music.
Where do you expect to go in your career?
I plan to be a multi genre and multimedia artist spanning across film, theatre, fashion, and music. I want to be a part of creating more opportunities for artists like myself who want to see the world community-oriented, art fueled, and kind.
Sum up your personality in one sentence…
Raunchy Princesa who will honk like a Bostonian if you try to cut me off in my lane.
Where have you traveled to that you most loved?
Well I’m currently in the place I love the most, Granada, España.
Where have you been that you least liked?
Doesn’t help that I got food poisoning in NYC before boarding a 6 hour connecting flight a day before my tour with Mick Flannery. If anyone reading this was on that flight, yes, I was that girl and I’m sorry.
Your favorite hotel? Which hotel sucks monumentally?
I felt like such a princess staying at The Plaza in NYC. I haven’t had many bad hotel experiences…
Where do most want to go that you haven’t been?
South Korea!
Notwithstanding that, where are you going next?
Headed to Morocco tomorrow and I’m playing it by ear this year. I’m thinking Edinburgh, Amsterdam, Ireland, London and Paris.
UPSAHL, Singer
Arizona born Taylor Upsahl is simply the most exciting new artist in music right now, a glorious force of nature and sound and lyricism and attitude. She has magnetic star quality. Her breakthrough single was “Drugs”, spearing the vapidness of LA, where she nonetheless lives now. Her first album Lady Jesus came out in 2021 and her most recent release is a six song EP, Sagittarius. SPIN thinks she’s pretty special, and just put her on the cover.
What has been your career highlight to date?
Playing my first headline tour at the end of last year was a dream. The fact that people buy tickets and show up to rage with me around the world is magic.
Where do you expect to go in your career?
Honestly, I’m at a point in my life now where every day that I get to wake up and make music for a living is a success to me. I feel like we’re so busy chasing the next big thing or goal, that we sometimes forget to stop and smell the roses. The fact that music is my job in any capacity is the dream.
Sum up your personality in one sentence…
I don’t give a f—.
Where have you traveled to that you most loved?
Touring has brought me to so many rad places… My favorite so far is definitely Berlin. I recently had a headlining show there and the party scene is crazy.
Where have you been that you least liked?
I personally have beef with Manchester… Every time I’ve been there I have left extremely hungover…
Your favorite hotel? Which hotel sucks monumentally?
My favorite hotels are any that have a fire-ass mini bar and room service… I’m a drunchies queen. But I’ve stayed in plenty of shitty hotels on tour and honestly, as long as I have a place to sleep, I’m chilling.
Where do you most want to go that you haven’t been?
I really want to go to Asia. Japan is definitely at the top of my list.
Notwithstanding that, where are you going next?
I’m going on the last leg of my tour throughout the US in April/May and I can’t wait…
BELLA MURPHY, Actor
The 21 year old actress is rising fast, after impressing in Coming 2 America (the 2021 sequel to 1988’s very similarly titled Coming To America), in which she shared the screen with her famous dad, Eddie. Most recently she has featured in Fairyland, which premiered at the beginning of the year at Sundance. Right now she’s “in auditions.” She’s not coasting on anyone’s slipstream. And she’s going to get a lot of those parts.
What has been your career highlight to date?
Having the opportunity to visit Sundance this year for Fairyland.
Where do you expect to go in your career?
I’d like to continue acting in projects that I love. What I appreciate most is the art and I’m grateful to be a part of it.
Sum up your personality in one sentence…
I’m pretty shy when you first meet me, but after I get to know you I think I’m pretty fun. I’ve been told I’m witty and I’m very creative.
Where have you traveled to that you most loved?
London. It’s a very beautiful, fun city.
Where have you been that you least liked?
Sacramento. I spent a lot of my childhood there visiting my cousins which was nice, but they’re the only thing I really like about that place.
Your favorite hotel? Which hotel, in your opinion, sucks monumentally?
The Four Seasons in Hawaii is a family favorite.
I can’t really think of any bad ones. I know I’ve had a couple annoying experiences but I can’t remember the names.
Where do you most want to go that you haven’t been?
Tokyo, Japan.
Notwithstanding that, where are you going next?
I’m not sure yet but I’m excited to see where life takes me. Hopefully Tokyo, though.
FRANCISCO MARTIN, Musician
Although not yet a Saint himself, Franciso was born in San Francisco, and grew up in a musical family where he learned to play multiple instruments. He came to some pure Americana celebrity by placing in the top 5 on American Idol in 2020.
He’s had a few hits, including “Swollen,” and towards the end of last year put out his first EP, Manic, of six fine pop/rock songs. He’s just had two tours, the first with The Score and Dreamers, the second the Don’t Blink Tour, which was a group of artists who piled into a 12 seater van and criss-crossed the US for a month. Fun!
“Touring tends to be the place where I start writing and creating the most. I ended up creating a new sound for me – fusing soul, lo-fi, pop and rock,” he says. He released his latest single “Passenger Princess” this February
What has been your career highlight to date?
My first headlining tour in 2021. I started my carer in the early stages of COVID so there was so much isolation. Being able to play songs I wrote in my bedroom in front of fans for the first time and hearing them sing those lyrics back to me is unforgettable.
Where do you expect to go in your career?
I want to play huge arenas and sell them out. I would love to work with my favorite artists like John Mayer, James Bay and Frank Ocean. I also hope to have my music reach across age gaps, generations, genre-preferences and the like.
Sum up your personality in one sentence…
I’m on my own frequency.
Where have you traveled to that you most loved?
The Philippines. I experienced a lavishness I’ve never experienced before and met the most charismatic, kind people. To be immersed in my culture was everything I needed.
Where have you been that you least liked?
Maybe Colorado? It wasn’t my favorite place. Could’ve been the tour, the date, the weather, combination, so I’m sure I’ll change my mind when I get back there.
Your favorite hotel? Which hotel, in your opinion, sucks monumentally?
My favorite hotel was one I stayed at multiple times during 2020-2021, The Farmer’s Daughter, a tiny boutique hotel in Los Angeles. It shut down and is now called Short Stories, but it was a great hotel with a soothing vibe and a stellar location, plus it had the best restaurant in it, called Tart.
I kind of disliked the Pod Hotel in Brooklyn. It was the tiniest little room with a toilet inside the shower. It’s meant to be small, it’s literally the whole point, but way too claustrophobic.
Where do you most want to go that you haven’t been?
I really want to go to Paris. I remember fantasizing about a Parisian lifestyle; a baguette in one hand while reading my favorite book sitting inside a hole-in-the-wall cafe. I’m a huge romantic and big fan of art. Everything about Paris oozes romance, passion and art.
Notwithstanding that, where are you going next?
I’m in a place where I want to go wherever the universe will allow me to go.
ROZZI, Musician
Rosalind Elizabeth Crane — Rozzi to you and I — has the voice of an angel. She also plays the piano. She was famously discovered as a teenager by Maroon 5’s Adam Levine — and when Adam Levine discovers you, you are discovered.
She has released several EPs, and two albums on major record labels, Bad Together on Columbia Records in 2018 and Berry this year, on BMG, which she calls a “dangerously personal” record.
What has been your career highlight to date?
There are too many to pick — singing at Hyde Park last summer, playing Jimmy Kimmel, working with Nile Rodgers and PJ Morton on my last album, and writing the music I’m making now.
Where do you expect to go in your career?
I want to write songs I love and sing them for as many people as possible.
Sum up your personality in one sentence…
Passionate!
Where have you traveled to that you most loved?
I could live in London. I find that I like almost everyone I meet there. I feel so connected there. I love playing shows in Texas — I find the audiences particularly energetic and fun. I did my first show as a background singer in Tokyo and I’ve been dying to go back so I can really experience the city.
Where have you been that you least liked?
Any place where it’s hard to find somewhere to take a good walk. I once had to run across a freeway to even get to a Starbucks!
Your favorite hotel? Which hotel, in your experience, sucks monumentally?
I was incredibly fortunate to stay at the Amanera Hotel in the Dominican Republic when my boyfriend was filming a movie there, it was the most beautiful hotel I’ve ever seen.
Where do most want to go that you haven’t been?
Australia, where I have a gold record.
Notwithstanding that, where are you going next?
I have to record my new album, then I want to tour everywhere I possibly can!
Credits
Photo project producer: Haldane Morris http://www.haldanemorris.com
Hair and make up: Edgar Saenz IG: @edgarsaenz7
