Page 30 - ARUBA TODAY

A30 PEOPLE & ARTS
Wednesday 12 June 2019

Race, power, drive: Elaine Welteroth shares all in new book

By LEANNE ITALIE ing stories of the under-rep-
Associated Press resented, just as she was
NEW YORK (AP) — When at Teen Vogue. Only now,
she was about to graduate she’s doing it not as the
from college, Elaine Wel- youngest or the first, but
teroth came up with a life with friends and acquain-
plan: She’d hit the top of a tances named Ava (Du-
magazine masthead, then vernay), Shonda (Rhymes)
move into TV, books, film and Lena (Waithe), having
and beyond. already earned a farewell
She wasn’t messing hug and blessings from the
around. The 32-year-old is person who took her career
way ahead of schedule next level when she invited
after making firsts at Teen her into the “Condé Cas-
Vogue, both as beauty- tle,” Anna Wintour.
health director and top “I have this arsenal of pow-
editor, and then checking erful, creative black wom-
off “book” on Tuesday with en who are excelling in
the release of her memoir, their careers, and it’s amaz-
“More Than Enough.” ing to be alive right now.
“I think I’ve always been an There’s never been a bet-
ambitious person. I had this ter time to be an empow-
kind of blueprint in my mind ered woman,” Welteroth
of what success would look said.
like,” Welteroth told The Duvernay wrote the fore-
Associated Press ahead word to the book, pub-
of the book’s debut. “The Elaine Welteroth poses for a portrait on Wednesday, June 5, 2019, in New York City. lished by Viking, conclud-
thing what I didn’t predict Associated Press ing that Welteroth’s story, at
was just how fast the mag- ing rock star status among people, who for too long Her frank retelling of those least thus far, points to the
azine part would happen.” young fans as she helped have been underestimated days includes some dark value of “knowing that the
In 2016, to fanfare, Wel- steer Teen Vogue into the and thought of as the selfie moments of ill health and bad is our choice and the
teroth was named editor in digital age. generation,” Welteroth personal frustrations for the good is our choice. And to
chief of Teen Vogue, mak- She developed the Teen said. “They are much more self-avowed perfectionist work to choose the good.
ing her the youngest and Vogue Summit, bringing concerned about the is- and workaholic. Every day. In every way.”
only the second person of together young change- sues impacting our world “Burnout is real,” said the Welteroth, also a judge on
African American heritage makers to soak up the and how they can change small-town Northern Cali- Bravo’s rejuvenated “Proj-
in Condé Nast’s 107-year words of elders Hillary Clin- them than we’ve ever giv- fornia native, looking back ect Runway,” hopes to lift
history to hold such a title. ton and Maxine Waters, en them credit for.” on her wider-eyed era after others as she was lifted by
But she was only getting along with peer idols Yara The first summit played out 11 years in the media busi- her mentors of color. Only
started, transforming the Shahidi, Rowan Blanchard amid hard times for the ness. That includes a stop now, she’s not struggling to
dusty property into an en- and others. magazine industry. Teen at Ebony magazine. make it to the table, and
gaging platform for activ- “We were able to help Vogue’s print edition fold- Still struggling with worka- she’s not the first at the ta-
ism, inclusion, politics and change the way many ed in late 2017 and Wel- holic tendencies, Welteroth ble. She’s building her own
social justice, and earn- adults think about young teroth resigned soon after. remains committed to tell- table as a free agent. q

X Ambassadors return right where they left off

By MARK KENNEDY interesting songs and tex- the band’s tendency for
Associated Press tures. Rising star K.Flay’s confessional lyrics, espe-
X Ambassadors, “Orion” (In- voice blends nicely with cially on “I Don’t Know How
terscope/KIDinaKORNER) Harris’ on “Confidence” to Pray,” which has Harris
You really have to hand while “Wasteland” has a on his knees in a bathroom
it to alt-rockers X Ambas- sort of U2-ish vibe. Lyrics fumbling a plea to heaven.
sadors: They’re not very that deal with economic That song fragment ends
pushy. This was the year insecurity fuel the super with a taped snippet of
they were supposed to mid-tempo “Quicksand” him spontaneously chat-
shine but they’ve ended and “Rule” is a little needy ting with his brother, Casey,
up helping others first. smoky piano ditty. the band’s keyboardist. It’s
In 2019 alone they’ve con- Producer Ricky Reed, who hard to get more intimate
tributed and produced also worked on Lizzo’s al- than this.
tracks for Lizzo’s break- bum, has come in to help After a strong first half,
through album “Cuz I Love In this May 23, 2016 file photo, Adam Levin, Casey Harris and oversee the band’s sound “Orion” drops off some-
You” and lead singer Sam Sam Harris of X Ambassadors attend the world premiere of “Me and he’s cut away at some what, with “Shadow” and
Harris co-wrote several Before You” at AMC Loews Lincoln Square in New York. of the band’s tendency “Recover” merely treading
songs for “For the Throne,” Associated Press to clutter, providing guitar water. The band pulls it to-
the album inspired by “Orion,” the follow-up to missed a step. and bass work, too. “Orion” gether in time to deliver a
“Game of Thrones.” their impressive 2015 de- From the infectious rockers is a quieter album than final blistering tune, “Hold
Maybe those were ap- but “VHS,” with the beau- “Hey Child” and “Boom” its predecessor but allows You Down,” an earworm of
petizers, getting our stom- tiful songs “Unsteady” and to the acoustic-and-strings Harris’ voice and the song- synth handclaps, quiet sec-
achs ready. Now the main “Renegades.” And it’s heart-tugger “History,” the writing to shine. tions, explosive crests and
course has arrived with clear they really haven’t new album bristles with The album continues with electronic shards.q