1. food and drink
2. desserts and baking

#28
BRIDGIT MENDLER
C L A S S
A C T
KATELYN TARVER PARIS CARNEY SHANE HARPER
#ARALLACCESS
Hi and welcome to RAGGED!
For this issue of our TAKEOVER series, the lovely and talented
Bridgit Mendler steals the editor’s seat to tell you about her
favorite new music, American Rag fashion, and more.
We’ve got all the RAGGED essentials in store — YOUR
SPRING HOROSCOPE, A PEEK BEHIND THE
SCENES, TOUR PHOTOS — plus, Bridgit shares the perfect
MIX TAPE for the season and a trusty guide to the BEST
COFFEE in Los Angeles. In this issue you can take a page from
her book — her notebook, that is…Read on to learn more!
Need more Bridgit? Follow us @RAGGEDMAG on Twitter and
Instagram for updates and exclusive content, and be sure to tag us
with #ARALLACCESS so we know you’re thinking of us!
12 RAGGED // raggedmag.com
READY OR NOT,
HERE WE GO!
VISIT OUR DIGITAL MAGAZINE TO EXPLORE
THE INTERACTIVE FEATURES THROUGHOUT
THE ISSUE ON RAGGEDMAG.COM
PUBLISHER
Alan Miller
Bridgit Mendler
C h ec k o u t
A m R a g ’s br a n d
n ew s p r in g
fa s h io n s !
CONTENTS
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Stephanie Almazan
STYLE EDITOR
Heather Cvar
SCENE
SENIOR EDITOR
Rachael Roth
12.
06. Day in the Life » Lending a Hand and
FEATURES EDITOR
DeAnna Janes
On the Set of Undateable
10. Horoscopes » Your Fashion Future Foretold
ART DIRECTOR
Melissa Simonian
12. American Rag Picks » Bridgit Mendler’s Picks
ACCOUNT MANAGER
Monique Gilbert
Assistant: Kelsie Janssen
Romantic Lace and Cool Crochet
ONLINE + SOCIAL MEDIA
Kelsie Janssen, Courtney Chauvenne
14. American Rag Picks » Into the Blue
Fresh Tropical Prints and Ocean Hues
WRITERS
Heather Cvar, Laura Studarus, Daniel Kohn,
DeAnna Janes, Esmerelda Prevela
20. Fashion 4-Ward » TITUS MAKIN, JR. Sharp Dressed Man
54. School of Thought » Bridgit’s Perfect College Curriculum
INTERNS
Editorial: Jasmyn Crawford, Emma Hart, Gigie Hall,
Nikki Kingman, Hannah Harlacher, Emilie Reynaud
86. DIY » Plum Poppy Seed Muffins Recipe by Smitten Kitchen
88. Insta-Love » 4 Instagrams to Follow
FASHION FORWARD: TITUS MAKIN, JR.
Photographer: Darian Zahedi
Stylist: Heather Cvar
Food, Travel, and Cool Humans
HEARD
BRIDGIT MENDLER
Photographer: Ben Watts
Behind the Scenes Photographer: Amber Sterling
Stylist: Mane Duplan
Hair and Makeup: Colleen Creighton
26.
SHANE HARPER
Photographer: Chris Phelps
Photo Assistant: Jonathan Tyler
Hair, Makeup + Styling: Heather Cvar
26. KATELYN TARVER: Everything’s Peachy
60. SHANE HARPER: Living to Learn
72. PARIS CARNEY: The Sound of Music
56. Play It Again » BRIDGIT’S SWEET SPRING PLAYLIST
KATELYN TARVER
Photographer: Kelly Balch
Stylist: Heather Cvar
Hair and Makeup: Chelsea Reda
58. Play It Again » KARAOKE TIME
PARIS CARNEY
AT HOME
Photographer: Luis Guanzon
Photo Assistant: Anne Guanzon
Stylist: Heather Cvar
Hair and Makeup: Larke Hasstedt
90. Life in LOS ANGELES
92. Coffee Buzz in LOS ANGELES
94. Life in NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
#THANKYOU
Destination DC, Disneyland Resort Public Relations, Mendies,
University of Southern California, Wes Martin, Shaun R., Ruben
RAGGED is published by Collide Acency LLC, 5514 Wilshire Blvd, 9th Floor, Los Angeles,
CA. Vol. 1, No. 28, 2015. RAGGED is not responsible for anything, including the return
or loss of submissions, or for any damage or other injury to unsolicited manuscripts or
artwork. Any submission of a manuscript or artwork should include a self-addressed
envelope or package of appropriate size, bearing adequate return postage.
©2015 COLLIDE AGENCY, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
72.
P RO D U C E D W I T H S U P P O RT F RO M
96. Growing up in WASHINGTON, D.C.
COVER
40. BRIDGIT MENDLER: Class Act
COVER: BRIDGIT MENDLER BY BEN WATTS
LOVE
LOVE FOR RAGGED 27
R5
It was definitely the most wonderful time of the year with R5!
From their favorite holiday films and tunes to Rydel’s classic
Peanut Butter Rice Krispies recipe, Ragged 27 was filled to
the brim with holiday cheer! We went behind-the-scenes with
R5 during their @raggedmag Instagram takeovers and even
got the inside scoop on how they rock American Rag. Ragged
27 also introduced us to new friends Ryland Lynch, New Beat
Fund, and Brandon and Savannah. Issue 27 was certainly one
for the books!
FROM YOU...
BRIDGIT MENDLER
And as Issue 27 ended, Issue 28 began! We were so
incredibly excited to announce Bridgit Mendler as our
new #ARALLACCESS star! Who else was excited?
You guys! Bridgit’s fans, or “Mendies” as they’re most
commonly known, have been patiently waiting for
Issue 28 and it’s finally here! So this one is for you,
Mendies. We hope you have as much fun reading
Ragged 28 as we had putting it together with Bridgit.
SCENE: EVENTS
It’s all happening.
DAY IN THE LIFE
ON THE SET
LENDING A HAND
GOOFING OFF WITH THE CAST AND CREW
OF TV SHOW UNDATEABLE
SAVE THE CHILDREN
PAUL HIFFMEYER/DISNEYLAND RESORT
Bridgit asked fans to donate to the organization earlier this year. One
lucky fan was flown out from Spain to the Save the Children sweater
party at Disneyland for her contribution, where she got to hang with
Bridgit. See photos from the party:
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY BRIDGIT MENDLER
“Save the Children was a charity that I took a lot of time finding,” says
Bridgit. “I was researching for a while to find the right charity for
me. It’s been really cool getting a sense of what they do and how they
work hands-on with people. I specifically started working with them
before my first tour because I wanted to have something to spread
awareness for as I went about my stops on the road; that’s the perfect
occasion. It just felt like it would be a wasted opportunity otherwise.
This year they’re really focusing on the child education element of
things. Education is a way for people of any walk of life to have a hope
for themselves. It’s something that gives people such a sense of self
respect and empowerment. I think that there’s no reason why every
kid in our country shouldn’t have the opportunity to have an equal
opportunity at a good life.”
COURTESY OF DISNEYLAND RESORT
Charity and education are important to Bridgit. To raise awareness
and funds for child education, she works with Save the Children,
an NGO (non-governmental organization) that assists and supports
children’s rights in developing countries.
SCENE: EVENTS
It’s all happening.
DAY IN THE LIFE
FLYAWAY WINNER
MACY’S ROOSEVELT FIELD,
GARDEN CITY, NEW YORK
NOVEMBER 8, 2014
Cody Simpson’s big hug warmed up a cold
November day for one extremely lucky Flyaway
Winner. Kassandra Rosales was all smiles when Cody
welcomed her backstage and lit up her Instagram
with a selfie of the two.
Then it was time to welcome the hundreds of
dedicated fans who waited patiently to meet Cody.
He thanked each and every fan for their support
and posed for pictures with them all! Talk about a
gentleman!
But the day just kept getting better! After picking up
their very own Ragged magazines, fans rushed to the
outdoor stage and took their places. Cody treated us
all to a sweet and rockin’ acoustic set that kept us
swaying and in good spirits all the way home.
Macy’s at Roosevelt Field
Garden City, New York
NOVEMBER 8, 2014
SCENE(STARS)
Your fashion future foretold, no crystal ball necessary.
BY ESMERELDA PREVELA
HOROSCOPES
ARIES
MARCH 21–APRIL 19
Possibilities are on the horizon. But, hey, aren’t they
always for you, Aries? You never lack excitement, and
this month is no different. Just be sure you show your
personal relationships some extra attention and don’t
let your moody ways rock the boat.
TAURUS
APRIL 20–MAY 20
Last month’s generosity just won you some muchneeded R&R. So whether you’re rolling in the dough
or don’t have two nickels to rub together, find
yourself a lounger and a comfy pillow and get to
indulging those lazy bones.
GEMINI
MAY 21–JUNE 20
Hey, Gem, cool it! You’re playing with fire. Though
your friends and fam adore you — even when you’re
being two-faced — the constant superficial BS needs
to take a backseat this month. Whatever you have
going on with your peers, work it out. Show your
S.O. some extra love, too. Otherwise, it’s a first-class
ticket to Lonely Island.
CANCER
JUNE 21–JULY 22
Let go. And we don’t mean stop clinging to whatever
flavor of the month is latched onto your arm —
although, stop that, too — we mean, this is the time
to start something new and meaningful. Set a new
goal, be it yoga every morning or just cleaning out
the closet, stick with it, and believe in yourself. The
payoff is endless.
10 RAGGED // raggedmag.com
LEO
JULY 23–AUGUST 22
As for you, Leo, stick to what you know this month.
Stay on the beaten path for haters and naysayers will
be on you if you stray. Take your usual dramatics and
flamboyance down a notch. Don’t feel like being
social? Good, stay in and lick your wounds.
VIRGO
AUGUST 23–SEPTEMBER 22
This is your “yes” month. Say yes to new social
adventures, family vacays, and anything that may make
your left brow stand at attention. Stay active — keep
things moving and grooving — this is your month to
shine. And, remember, you’re reliable, so saying yes
means following through.
LIBRA
SEPTEMBER 23–OCTOBER 22
Zen is nothing new for you: Peace of mind is a state of
mind. But something big’s coming — don’t worry, it’s
nothing you can’t handle. We’ll just say keep an open
mind to new possibilities and that you can expect to
look at an old friend in a new way.
SCORPIO
OCTOBER 23–NOVEMBER 21
Is that your wallet, or are you just happy to see us?
April showers bring mo’ money for you, ‘cuz this
month, Scorp, you’re making it r-a-i-n! Take your beau
out on the town, treat yourself to something special, or
do some good with all that dough.
SAGITTARIUS
NOVEMBER 22–DECEMBER 21
Wish we had better news. April looks to be a bit of pain
in the you know what. So keep your guard up — friends
and co-workers may be coming for you. Oh, and that big
decision you were going to make? Hold off on that ’til
next month. Spend this month close to home — a little
fam support goes a long way.
BIRTHDAY
SPOTLIGHT
BRIDGIT MENDLER
December 18
SAGITTARIUS
CAPRICORN
DECEMBER 22–JANUARY 19
Change your name to Happy-Go-Cappy this month,
because nothing but blue skies do you see. Work, school,
home, the lovah — everything’s working in perfect
harmony. Keep your ego in check and you can expect
smooth sailing into May.
SHANE HARPER
February 14
AQUARIUS
AQUARIUS
JANUARY 20–FEBRUARY 18
Ugh, one more argument and you’re DONE. We
get it. But hang in there, this month you may find
yourself at odds with just about everyone. What
should you do? Be honest, stand your ground, and
better luck next month.
KATELYN TARVER
November 2
SCORPIO
PISCES
FEBRUARY 19–MARCH 20
Sorry, Pisces, you’re swimming in hot water this
month. All of those residual party fouls have finally
caught up with you. Say it with us, “Karma’s a …”
NBD, you adapt to situations like a fish in water.
Before you drown in self-pity and negativity, just
know brighter days are around the corner.
PARIS CARNEY
July 10
CANCER
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BRIDGI
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C
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&
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2.
LOOK 1
Palm Print Racerback Tank
Crochet Tiered Shorts
Bridgit Mendler rocks
romantic lace & cool crochet
with these 4 great looks
that are music festival chic
meets easy boho style
LOOK 2
Sleeveless Mock-Neck
All-Over Lace Shell Tank
Fitted Destructed
Boyfriend Overalls
American Rag Celia Ballet Flat
LOOK 3
Short-Sleeve All-Over
Crochet Button Back Tee
White Shorts
American Rag Carter Wedge Sandal
LOOK 4
Floral Vertical Pleated
Trapeze Dress
All-Over Daisy Crochet
Duster Cardigan
CHECK OUT BRIDGIT’S STREET STYLE...
1.
3.
4.
INTO THE BLUE
Surf + sand inspire fresh tropical prints + crisp
ocean hues—from ultramarine to indigo—for a season
that’s awash in the coolest color
BETWEEN THE LINES
Striped Tee
Hybrid Shorts
in Skylit Blue Heather
PRINTS CHARMING
Printed Short-Sleeve Shirt
Belted Relaxed Cargo Shorts
in Bright White
BUTTONED-UP FOR SPRING
Short-Sleeve Oxford Shirt
in Storm Cloud
Solid Slim-Fit Shorts
in Medieval Blue
SCENE
One piece, four ways.
FASHION 4-WARD
BY HEATHER CVAR
PHOTOS BY DARIAN ZAHEDI
STYLING BY HEATHER CVAR
TITUS MAKIN
SHARP DRESSED MAN
Titus Makin can do it all. He’s an actor, a singer, a dancer, a gymnast – and a sharpdressed dude. Soon after he graduated from The New York Conservatory for Dramatic
Arts’ professional training program, he relocated to Los Angeles to pursue his
entertainment career on a larger professional level. He quickly found success as a
recurring character on Fox’s hit show, Glee, for three seasons, and has had appearances
on other series like Grimm, Grey’s Anatomy, and The Closer.
But his talents don’t stop at the small screen. Makin is also an independent recording
artist; is currently working on his second EP, Shadowbox, to be released in early June;
and a guy we’d like to get to know, you know, on a more personal level. Read on for
the deets on his Katy Perry obsession, style tips on four ways to wear a button-up, and
what he and Adam Levine have in common.
Favorite songs to karaoke to?
“Hero,” by Enrique Iglesias and “Brick
House,” by The Commodores.
We heard you heart Katy Perry.
Favorite Katy Perry song?
It’s currently “By the Grace of God”.
Favorite Glee moment?
The entire Whitney Houston tribute
episode after her unfortunate pass. And,
of course, the first episode that the Dalton
Academy Warblers debuted, which is the
school, David, my character was blessed
to be a part of. Awesome memories!
What’s the most listened to song on
your smart phone?
Probably “Aint Been Done,” by Jessie J.
What are some of your favorite
musicals?
For sure Wicked, The Color Purple, Lion King.
How do you spend your downtime?
I truly enjoy writing music, playing shows,
hopping on my long board for a cruise.
What would you being doing if you
weren’t singing or acting?
I feel like I would be in art school, because
I love to draw!
raggedmag.com // RAGGED 21
What’s your mantra for this year?
Keep God first and press on!
What’s your sign?
Gemini.
High-tops or low-tops?
I think a good high-top can be fun! You could
show it off or cover it with pants! Options!
Bow tie or Neck tie?
For sure, respect a fun stylish bow tie.
Button-ups: all the way up or wide
open?
I personally go with all the way up. Gives me
a cool Adam Levine vibe!
You have 10 minutes to pack, and you
don’t know where you’re going. What
pieces of clothing do you bring?
Underwear, socks, fedora, beanie, cardigans,
jeans, boots, and lots of “drop neck” T-shirts.
How long does it take you to get ready
in the morning?
I can stand in a warm shower FOREVER,
so I typically take a little longer than your
average guy, unfortunately. Probably about
30 minutes. I love taking time to gather my
thoughts in the shower.
Do you sing in the shower?
Not only do I sing in the shower, I belt. I always
try and hit notes I would never attempt to hit
in front of strangers.
22 RAGGED // raggedmag.com
Who is your style icon?
I truly respect Lenny Kravitz. Such a cool,
edgy style.
Describe your day-to-day style.
My day-to-day style typically involves some
match-up of jeans, boots, pullover, and either a
beanie or fedora.
You’re from Hawaii and have traveled all
over the world. How has that influenced
your style?
It’s made me a huge risk taker and comfortable
enough in my own skin to try wearing whatever
makes me feel comfortable or stylish when I go
out for the day. It has also made me extremely
versatile, willing to embrace many different
fashion trends and styles that a lot of people have
never seen or are too cautious to try.
How did this button-up fit into your style/
wardrobe?
It fit in wonderfully! It’s never too hot or cold for
a nice button-up, and it’s awesome that I can style
it so many different ways, dressing it up or down.
What’s your all-time favorite movie?
Independence Day, starring Will Smith.
Denim-on-denim or one-denim-only
kind of guy?
I am a denim-on-denim kind of guy. I love mixing
different shades of denim together. I’m not so much
a fan of too much of the same color denim together.
Keep up with his music and latest news, check
him out on iTunes, Twitter (@titusmakin), and by
subscribing to his YouTube channel (Titus Makin).
24 RAGGED // raggedmag.com
BRIDGIT MENDLER’S BAND TO WATCH
KATELYN
EVERYTHING’S
TARVER
PEACHY
BY DANIEL KOHN
PHOTOS BY KELLY BALCH
STYLING BY HEATHER CVAR
HAIR AND MAKEUP BY CHELSEA REDA
AFTER FINISHING A MEAL AT
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES
HOTSPOT URTH CAFE,
KATELYN TARVER CAN’T HELP
BUT BEAM. Walking across the street to
a nearby industrial loft space, the conversation
shifts from her delightful lunch to her budding
music career. Sitting down in a patio area, Tarver
basks confidently under the California sun as
she talks about her plans. Her untitled third and
upcoming album, which has been in the works
for nearly two and a half years, is finally almost
ready to be unveiled to a wider audience.
“I’ve always felt like I’ve been more in the music
world,” the singer says with a charming Southern
drawl. “I actually moved to L.A. to pursue music,
and the acting almost feels like a side project. It’s
obviously been a huge part of my career so far.
But I really have focused on music the past few
years to write the best songs I could.”
raggedmag.com // RAGGED 29
Born in Glennville, Georgia, 60 miles west of Savannah, the 25-yearold peach took the scenic route on her path to a music career. Her claim
to fame can really be attributed to her roles on programs such as Big
Time Rush, No Ordinary Family, and The Secret Life of the American Teenager.
Tarver’s main love has always been performing, but it’s her passion for
music that’s stolen her heart.
She grew up in a musical family; her mother sang and her father played
guitar. Living in rural Georgia provided few opportunities to play music
and to act outside of school plays and classes at the local dance theater.
It took auditioning on a whim for a reality show for Tarver to realize that
performing on a much bigger scale could actually become her career.
“I really didn’t get the idea to pursue a career in music or acting until I
did the show American Juniors when I was 13,” she explains. “I ended up
making it to the top 10 and performed all summer. It was amazing to
realize that people could do this for a living.”
SONGWRITING IS VERY
HARD FOR ME. I’M
ALWAYS QUESTIONING
WHETHER OR NOT
SOMETHING WORKS
OR IS A COOL PHRASE.
BUT WHEN I’M DONE,
IT’S VERY REWARDING.
32 RAGGED // raggedmag.com
raggedmag.com // RAGGED 33
Though she mostly writes on her own,Tarver
enjoys the collaborative process songwriting
has to offer. She works with friends and other
songwriters, which she believes will help
her in the long run to become a top-notch
writer. Over the past few years, the singer
wrote more than 50 songs for her album
knowing full and well she wasn’t going to
use them all. So far, the results are better
than she could have anticipated.
“Crazy Stupid Love” was a big hit, but not
necessarily for her. Sure, she co-wrote the
tune with Wayne Wilkins and Heidi Rojas,
but ultimately the tune was a smash for its
performer: British pop star Cheryl Cole. It
ended up at no. 1 on the UK Singles charts
—and as Tarver’s first chart-topping song.
“I was so thrown off when I found out about
it, but in a good way,” she says. “It was the
craziest, most exciting thing, because I
never had a song I wrote cut by anyone else
nevertheless being released going to no. 1. It
feels surreal.”
Working with music producer Ludwig Göransson (Haim, Childish
Gambino), the singer was able to craft a sound that fit the musical
path she wanted to travel and was an accurate representation of her
personality. She’s aware of the stigma and scrutiny that piggybacks
crossover artists, but Tarver says she tries not to focus on that, and
instead, focus on churning out great music.
34 RAGGED // raggedmag.com
The deliberate pace of putting together the
album has afforded Tarver the luxury to
focus on expanding her writing style while,
at the same time, experiment with different
sounds that wouldn’t have been possible
when she released her previous EP, A Little
More Free, back in 2011. Even at this early
juncture, Tarver is cognizant of what it takes
to achieve stardom in the music world and
that the long process can be a good thing.
“Songwriting is very hard for me,” she
confesses. “I’m always questioning whether
or not something works or is a cool phrase.
But when I’m done, it’s very rewarding.”
I NEVER HAD
A SONG I
WROTE CUT BY
ANYONE ELSE
NEVERTHELESS
BEING RELEASED
GOING TO NO. 1. IT
FEELS SURREAL.
36 RAGGED // raggedmag.com
raggedmag.com // RAGGED 37
Even with her music career taking precedent, Tarver has
found time to squeeze in acting gigs every so often.While
taking a sabbatical to film Lifetime movie Dead on Campus,
the actress used the month off in Canada to refresh and
recharge before writing more songs.
There aren’t any immediate plans for an album release,
but Tarver has released the first of many individual
songs via her Soundcloud page. The track, “Weekend
Millionaires,” is described as an ode to living it up on the
weekend while emptying your pockets. She says the fun,
yet sarcastic, nature of the song will encapsulate her style
and be a preview of what’s to come with her music.
Before she braves Los Angeles’s wretched rush-hour
traffic for an audition, Tarver confidently says she’s ready
to do what few in her position have been successfully able
to pull off. No, it’s not getting to the audition on time.
Rather, Tarver’s budding confidence in her songwriting
and pop sensibilities will prove that even though “Crazy
Stupid Love” was a hit for Cole, it is the opening salvo on
a promising career.
38 RAGGED // raggedmag.com
raggedmag.com // RAGGED 39
COVER
BRIDGIT
MENDLER
C L A S S
A C T
BY RACHAEL ROTH
PHOTOS BY BEN WATTS
STYLIING BY MANE DUPLAN
HAIR AND MAKEUP BY COLLEEN CREIGHTON
40 RAGGED // raggedmag.com
A swarm of shutterbugs, hair and
makeup stylists, assistants, and
onlookers surrounds Bridgit Mendler
at her photo shoot for our cover, but
the 22-year-old’s not fazed. Smiling
effortlessly over her left shoulder,
teasing the camera, as she strolls
through Venice beach, she’s clearly
someone who commands the attention
and adoration that follow her.
As the crowd moves from location to
location, her assistant, who Mendler
affectionately refers to as her “assister”
(the two have become pretty close
over the years), leans over to gently
remind her: “No stopping for photos.”
Fun fact: Mendler will actually stop
for each fan, every last photo op and
autograph. (A father and his two young
daughters do manage to catch her for a
quick pic.)
Much more notable than her fame,
though, Mendler is real. When we sit
down to break for lunch, she leans
over to me before I have chance to
introduce myself.
“I’m Bridgit,” she says. She knows I know, but it’s still a genuine introduction, one
that doesn’t have the weight of her celebrity behind it. The day is a big production:
several trailers, top-notch catering of wax-like fruit that gets devoured by the whole
crew and reset like magic, a tent that follows her so she can quickly change outfits
midday. Mendler’s confidence is such that she doesn’t deny it’s all for her, but she
doesn’t let it go to her head either.
At the end of the shoot, we get a chance to talk. She grabs a small plate of hors
d’oeuvres, then we dive into the nitty-gritty about her music and acting.
You’ve probably heard Mendler’s career trajectory compared to that of fellow
former Disney Channel stars (yep, Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez …).
And though Mendler is an actress-turned-singer who got her start on Disney’s
Good Luck Charlie, she’s an artist carving her own path — one that combines her
love of both pop and alternative music, plus her newfound appreciation for improv
and Francophilia — she’s learning French, you know, just for fun.
42 RAGGED // raggedmag.com
Learning a foreign language might seem
borderline nuts — on top of studying
anthropology at USC, filming scenes
for NBC’s Undateable, finding time to
do tons of charity work, and recording
her upcoming album — but it’s
actually what helps keep Mendler sane.
“I like so many things, and I think
that there’s something good about a
distraction, something you do just for
yourself that doesn’t necessarily have
a purpose to other people. It’s not the
most practical use of time,” she admits.
“Yeah, eventually, it’ll probably be handy
to know another language, but I could
be busy writing a song or working on
an audition. But focusing my brain on
something else that I do just for myself
— I think that’s been a positive thing for
me. It just makes me happy.”
That positivity has carried over into her
acting career. As Candace, a waitress on
the NBC sitcom Undateable, she plays a
uniquely upbeat character. “It’s an odd
pairing, her with these guys, because she
is younger and so optimistic, and they’re
a little more cynical.”
But that doesn’t mean it gets too serious
on the set. “I crack up at literally all of
them. I have a really hard time looking at
Chris [D’Elia] while I’m doing the lines,
because he makes me laugh, just the
way he’s looking at me while I’m doing
something. But I think Brent’s character
is probably the funniest to me.”
44 RAGGED // raggedmag.com
In real life, she’s trying to navigate her
space amid a group of male comedians
and feel more comfortable improvising,
which is what they often do for the third
take of a scene. “I’m slowly getting my
own little bits in there, but it’s definitely
intimidating initially. At the same time,
it’s really fun to watch, because they’re
doing their thing, they’re in their
element, and that’s a foreign world to
me, so I love it.”
It may have taken some encouraging from
some of her co-stars to reassure Mendler
that she has what it takes to be a comedic
actor. “[Ron Funches] actually thought
that I was funny from the beginning. I
was feeling kind of awkward, not very
sure in myself, in my character, but he
always laughed at me from the beginning
— but, like, laughed encouragingly,” she
clarifies. “It makes me feel so good.”
It’s surprising to hear that Mendler
has ever felt unsure of herself. She’s
extremely humble — shying away from
the term “artist,” because she thinks it
sounds a bit pretentious — but so clearly
comfortable in her own skin. That didn’t
happen automatically though. There was
a time when she used to worry — a
lot — about forgetting the lyrics to her
songs when performing live.
46 RAGGED // raggedmag.com
“I THINK
THAT THE
SMARTEST
LYRICS ARE
THE ONES
THAT CAN BE
“[During] my X Factor show, I was
standing up on stage, and before it
began, I just completely blanked.
The intro [was playing], and I was
like, ‘I have no idea what I’m about
to sing.’ And then it just came back
with muscle memory. I used to
psych myself out big time with that.”
But she doesn’t let it stress her out
these days. “If I forget the words,
which I have and I continue to do,
then I just make up some sort of
gibberish that sounds almost like
[the right lyrics]. I probably will
connect eyes with a fan, and they’ll
look at me like, ‘You don’t know
what you’re doing.’ And I’ll smile
back at them like, ‘You caught me.’
And then we’ll move on.”
UNDERSTOOD”
raggedmag.com // RAGGED 49
And then there’s the dancing. “I’m not
a dancer, you know [laughs]. So when
I move up on stage, sometimes I can
second-guess [myself], like, ‘Does
this look stupid?’ I think being a live
performer is so much more about
just being into it. Banks, for example,
has her own style. Lorde. People just
do their own thing, and that becomes
a part of their character, so I feel no
shame about that now.”
Oh, and speaking of Banks and
Lorde, it can’t go unmentioned
that Mendler’s taste in music is
impeccable, running the gamut from
ambient, alternative pop to hiphop and everything in between. She
even makes room on her playlists for
buddies (and fellow Ragged features)
Katelyn Tarver, Paris Carney, and, of
course, beau Shane Harper. The main
influences for her upcoming album
(out later this year) though? Lauren
Hill, Nelly Furtado, and Missy
Elliott. “There’s no way that I could
be just like those people, but they’ve
been a musical inspiration for me.”
It’s clear a lot of thought goes into Mendler’s creative process. “I
had to come to this place where I [realized] I like pop music, and
I like the way that stuff sounds. You find the common ground
of being an individual and being happy at the end of the day
with what you’re putting out, but also making it something that
other people will enjoy. When I was challenging myself to make
songs more accessible to people, it wound up being positive,
coming out better.”
raggedmag.com // RAGGED 51
As far as the lyrics go, “There are definitely some personal
stories in there, and then there are stories that’ve been
inspired by other people. I like keeping that a mystery,
because I feel protected by that, by not sharing which ones
are personal, which ones aren’t.” However, she admits,
“I’m sure if people think hard enough, they can guess.”
“WHEN I WAS CHALLENGING
MYSELF TO MAKE SONGS
MORE ACCESSIBLE TO PEOPLE,
IT WOUND UP BEING POSITIVE,
COMING OUT BETTER.”
Mendler definitely thinks about her fans when she’s writing
her lyrics. In high school, she used to have a problem
communicating what she was thinking when writing stories
in English class. “It would make sense to me in my head, but
no one else would know what I was talking about. I never
got good at that. So with songwriting, I have to consciously
think, ‘Does this story make sense?’”
She goes on to say, “There’s something cool about being
obscure sometimes, but I think that the smartest lyrics are
the ones that can be understood.” And to us, that makes
total sense.
52 RAGGED // raggedmag.com
SCHOOL OF THOUGHT
Bridgit’s a pro when it comes to singing and songwriting, but she’s
always looking to learn even more! The USC student and Anthropology
major wants to study everything from math to poetry. “All the ‘boring’
stuff I think is fun stuff,” she says.
DID
YOU
KNOW?
Fun facts about Bridgit’s academic
stomping grounds.
Take a look at her dream college curriculum and see if you can keep up!
When USC first opened, tuition
was $15.00 per term, and students
were not allowed to leave
town without the knowledge
and consent of the university
president.
Bridgit’s Ideal USC Schedule:
9:30-11
Anthro
11-12
Statistics
1-2:30
Linguistics
2-3
French
3-4
History of Jazz
“Jazz is such a distinct
style of music that
has infiltrated and
influenced pretty much
every modern music
genre.The music is
deeply tied to the history
of our country.”
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
9:30-11
Anthro
11-12
Poetry
2-4
Cooking
1-2:30
Philosophy
2-3
French
3-4
Roman
History
A University of Southern
California alumnus has been
nominated for an Academy Award
every year since they were first
presented in 1929.
“Rome has had such a
substantial impact on the
rest of the modern world
even though it was an
empire that failed.”
In 1979 Fleetwood Mac invited
the USC Marching Band to
perform “Tusk” on their 12th
album which was the band’s first
platinum album.
“I love history because it provides
reasoning behind what caused
people to make certain choices and
have new ideas.”
The Trojan Marching Band is the
only collegiate marching band
in the U.S. that has earned a
platinum record — two actually.
USC has produced more
Olympians, Olympic medalists,
and Olympic gold medalists than
any other U.S. university.
USC’s first class valedictorian was
a woman, Minnie C. Miltimore,
class of 1884.
54 RAGGED // raggedmag.com
JULIE LEOPO
TUESDAY
GUS RUELAS
MONDAY
STEVE COHN
SCENE
HEARD: PLAY IT AGAIN
BRIDGIT’S SWEET SPRING PLAYLIST
1
“Tribe,”
by THEOPHILUS LONDON
6
“Real Love,”
by CLEAN BANDIT
2
“Desperado,”
by AZEALIA BANKS
7
“Take Me to Church,”
by HOZIER
3
4
“Be My Baby,”
by ARIANA GRANDE
featuring CASHMERE CAT
8
9
“OctaHate (Cashmere Cat Remix),”
by RYN WEAVER
5
“Soda,”
by AZEALIA BANKS
“One More (Eloq Remix),”
by ELLIPHANT
10
“Love Me Like You Do,”
by ELLIE GOULDING
“Want your Feeling,”
by JESSIE WARE
STREAM THIS PLAYLIST ON THE
INTERACTIVE VERSION OF BRIDGIT’S
ISSUE ON RAGGEDMAG.COM
56 RAGGED // raggedmag.com
Photo credit: Jessie Ware / Courtesy of jessieware.com; Theophilus London / Courtesy of Warner Bros. Records;
Clean Bandit / Courtesy of cleanbandit.co.uk; Ryn Weaver / Courtesy of Sacks and Co.
HEARD: PLAY IT AGAIN
KARAOKE TIME
Did you know Bridgit’s a big karaoke nut? She gave us her
top four favorite songs to sing along to.
“READY OR NOT,” BY BRIDGIT MENDLER
Ready or not, we’re in the mood to belt out her upbeat
song thanks to her very own handwritten lyrics.
Thanks for the inspiration, Bridgit!
1. IGNITION REMIX
R. KELLY
2. SHOOP
SALT N PEPA
“THAT ONE I KNOW QUITE WELL”
3. ALWAYS BE MY BABY
MARIAH CAREY
4. MY HEART WILL GO ON
CÉLINE DION
HEAD TO THE INTERACTIVE VERSION ON
RAGGEDMAG.COM TO SING ALONG
TO “READY OR NOT” AND THE REST OF
BRIDGIT’S KARAOKE JAMS.
58 RAGGED // raggedmag.com
raggedmag.com // RAGGED 59
BRIDGIT MENDLER’S BAND TO WATCH
SHANE
HARPER
LIVING
TO
LEARN
BY LAURA STUDARUS
PHOTOS BY CHRIS PHELPS
HAIR, MAKEUP + STYLING BY HEATHER CVAR
R5’S BAND TO WATCH
IF THERE’S ONE MANTRA HAPPYLAND STAR, SHANE HARPER, GOES BY, IT’S
THIS: LIVE AND LEARN. Sure, Harper has been on his own for awhile and figured
out a few things for himself. But the multifaceted entertainer admits he still often calls
on Mom and Dad for advice.
“Usually the topic of conversation is cleaning,” he confesses with a laugh. “I’m always
like, ‘What do I use? What detergent am I supposed to get?’ Google isn’t quite as warm
as your mom talking to you on the other end of the phone.”
The 21-year-old musician/actor/dancer admits he’s joking (well, sorta), but he
does make it clear that his relationship with his parents — and his whole family — is
what got him where he is today.
62 RAGGED // raggedmag.com
An irrepressible ham who went from accompanying
his older sister to dance classes to being enrolled himself
at the age of 9, Harper quickly found himself broadening
his dramatic chops as part of a local musical theater, where
he picked up “bit roles” in several productions (if you’re
picturing him playing a tree, he’ll assure you that image
isn’t far off).
Despite slowly moving up the theater ranks, including
securing a starring role in a stage adaptation of his favorite
movie musical, Newsies, fame and fortune wasn’t exactly
on the young performer’s radar. Even acting and dancing
professionally seemed like a stretch. It wasn’t until
taking part in a dance competition at the age of 13 when
that began to change. Three participants were awarded
representation at the end of the day — and Harper was
among the chosen few. Overwhelmed at the idea, he
initially turned down the offer.
“I remember very vividly on the drive
home, Mom, Dad, and sister were all in
the car,” Harper recalls. “Mom was like,
‘Do you want to do it?’ And I said, ‘No,
seems really scary. I don’t think I could do
it.’ And she said, ‘I think you could if you
wanted to. If you love it, you could try.’”
Three weeks later, Harper called his
agent and accepted the offer. He booked
his first three jobs — a rarity in the ultra
competitive industry. Years later, Harper
says he’s still thankful for his initial
parental push.
“My parents wanted me to know that
if I loved something and wanted to do it,
I could,” he says, smiling at the memory.
“Even if it was something that was really
scary or daunting. My parents are amazing
for that, because they always encouraged
us to not do the typical thing.”
Since his entry into the entertainment
industry, Harper has graduated from
dancing in High School Musical to featured
spots on Dance on Sunset, Wizards ofWaverly
Place, Good Luck Charlie, plus recurring
roles on MTV’s Awkward and Happyland.
That last one in particular proved to be
an interesting experience for Harper,
who was given the chance to augment his
homeschool education while preparing
for the role of Ian Chandler, the show’s
silver-spooned charmer.
MY PARENTS WANTED
ME TO KNOW THAT IF
I LOVED SOMETHING
AND WANTED TO DO
IT, I COULD. EVEN IF
IT WAS SOMETHING
THAT WAS REALLY
SCARY OR DAUNTING.
“Happyland is a half-hour dramedy,” he notes.
“For that, I was reading The Catcher in the Rye. It
was a recommendation by Ben Epstein, the creator
of the show and the director … It has a little bit of
that in this series. Things like that always help.”
With his most recent films now released and
his role on Happyland wrapping up, Harper is back
on the audition circuit, trying to decide on his next
gig. In the meantime, he’s added another role to his
resume — producer.
Called An Apprentice, Harper’s first producing
project is a short film that’s long on purpose. It
details the struggles of a young autistic man who’s
just trying to get a job. The focus of the film takes
a neurotypical approach, meaning it explores
autism from the point of view of autistic people
themselves. Confused? This may help: The term
“neurotypical” is what those who have some kind
of neurological condition give to those who don’t.
“Just being able to talk about diversity and how
these beautiful men and women are interacting
with our culture is very important,” Harper says. “I
also like to focus on dealing with the neurotypicals,
the people without anything cognitively wrong
with them, with the way that their brain is
communicating with their body or the way that
they’re receiving and sending information. So
I’m really passionate in talking about how we can
engage the neuro-diverse community. It’s up to us
to create an infrastructure where they can succeed
and thrive — not the other way around.”
68 RAGGED // raggedmag.com
Harper notes he’s still learning the ins and outs of producing. He
hopes that it’ll one day lead to opportunities to write, produce and star
in his own projects.
In the meantime, he’s on the hunt for more ways to widen his scope.
In the past, those moments have included delving into a deep study of
Christian apologetics for his role in God Is Not Dead. Currently, it’s found
him in the studio, working out the sound for the follow-up to his 2012
self-titled debut. He admits he’s a fan of Eminem but that he’s more
likely to turn something out in line with Jack Johnson or Coldplay.
“IF YOU’RE NOT TRYING
TO LEARN THEN WHY
ARE YOU DOING WHAT
YOU’RE DOING?”
“I love those old classics, too,” he says, citing artists like Ben E. King
and Etta James. “I was a big songwriter and a guitarist early on. I had
my headphones in and listened to his songs, trying to figure them out. I
taught myself guitar. I’m still learning. Picking up on that stuff was such
a big inspiration for me.”
It’s a theme Harper comes back to time and time again, regardless of
the project. He really, really loves to learn.
“If you’re not trying to learn then it’s like, why are you doing what
you’re doing?” he says, acknowledging the observation. “There’s always
someone with great new information to share.You’ve got to be listening
for it.” We could all learn a thing or two from this guy.
70 RAGGED // raggedmag.com
BRIDGIT MENDLER’S BAND TO WATCH
Paris
Carney
The
Sound
of
Music
A songbird with sunshine in her
heart and melancholy in her sound
BY DEANNA JANES
PHOTOS BY LUIS GUANZON
STYLING BY HEATHER CVAR
HAIR AND MAKEUP BY LARKE HASSTEDT
72 RAGGED // raggedmag.com
Listen up.There’s a new sound in town. In a space crowded
with so many pop princesses we’re about to, well, pop,
there’s a voice that rises above them all. Meet Paris
Carney, a bicoastal beauty with sunshine in her heart and
melancholy in her sound. An old soul (she can rattle off
old-school jazz standards like the contents of a grocery
list), she is ditching her “pop” roots for a more moody EP
that’s destined for playlist repeat.We caught up with the
talent and talked music, Jonas brothers, and BFFs (hello,
Bridgit Mendler). She even dishes on her deepest, darkest
secrets. Okay, so we’re exaggerating, but she does share a
few of her favorite things. Read on to see what they are.
Where are you from? And how did you eventually
land in Los Angeles?
New York City originally — Greenwich Village actually.
Both my parents were in music. Also, my mom’s a
jewelry designer. It’s kind of bizarre. I have two older
brothers, and we kind of got child-model scouted, which
is hilarious. And so our mom was like, “No,” but my older
brothers both got into acting. And when my one brother
booked a show, we all moved to Los Angeles. So we spent
one semester of [elementary] school in L.A., then the rest
of the year in New York. Then my parents got separated,
and we moved to L.A. permanently. And now I’ve been
out here for a long time.
What’s a long time?
Well, if I tell you then I’ll have to tell you my age. Just
kidding. I don’t care at all. I’ve been out here for 17 years.
How did you get into music?
This is so cheesy, but I literally don’t
even remember a time when I was
NOT into music. Like since I was 2.
I was always singing always recording:
My dad was a jingle writer, and I would
always sing his jingles for him. In high
school, I was in vocal jazz, and I got
really super serious about harmony
and was really into it — maybe a little
too much into it.
Then I went to college for vocal
jazz up in New York, at The New
School, which is really nice. Then I left
school to tour with my brothers’ band
— so, yeah, music has always been a
part of my life. I wouldn’t know what
to do without it. It’s everything.
How would you describe your
sound?
It’s definitely evolving, constantly
changing. The stuff I just released last
year, I was calling indie electro pop.
But the EP I’m currently finishing is
a little more moody — a little more
Fiona Apple-esque. It’s moody, jazzy,
indie music. I want to try to create
something that’s unique.
Inspirations/influences?
I’m a big jazz lover. So I love all of
the standards like Frank Sinatra, Ella
Fitzgerald, Doris Day, Chet Baker, and
Billie Holiday. Also, current people,
I love Ariana Grande — like LOVE.
Her voice is so beautiful. I’m just like,
What?! And she’s so young. I love Lana
Del Rey. She’s inventive and innovative.
“I’m most inspired by feeling misunderstood. In songs,
just because someone seems weak, doesn’t mean they are.”
Dream collaborations?
I have some really weird ones — maybe not that weird — but
random. I love Michael Bublé and Harry Connick Jr. I want to
sing a jazz song with them. Just because I love their voices —
they’re so buttery and rich. And Paul McCartney. Or Steven
Tyler. I would cry.
“This is so cheesy, but I literally
don’t even remember a time
when I was NOT into music.”
If not music, what would you want to do?
Something I want to incorporate into my music is love and
encouraging others. I don’t even know what that job would be.
I guess it would be a therapist — even though that gives me
anxiety thinking about that [laughs]. Therapy or philanthropy.
Positive public speaking — even though that terrifies me [laughs
again]. To encourage women — accepting body image — that
kind of stuff is definitely a part of what I want to incorporate in
my music. And my life.
Random question: What’s your sign?
Cancer
Spirit animal?
Otter. [Fun fact: Sea otters have pockets in their bellies, where
they store their favorite rocks.]
raggedmag.com // RAGGED 81
You have a family full of showbiz greats.
Was/is it tough to stand out?
[Sighs.] That’s a hot-button topic. It’s all such a
journey. But for a long time, even being in my
brothers’ band, it was just like, Who am I? You
get in this place where — especially because my
brothers are older, they’ve been around longer,
they know more, they know who they are —
where, when I was younger, I didn’t know who I
was. Obviously, having family in show business is
a blessing, because you get [a leg up], but it can
be kind of crippling.You can think, Oh, I’ll never be
as good. However, in the past year, I’ve found my
voice. And I know what I wanna say. And it’s not
scary anymore. Now I’m in a good place.
So tell us about your friendship with
fellow musician Bridgit Mendler.
It’s kind of funny. We have so many random
connections. Basically, I met her at church. I knew
about her, because my husband was in the Jonas
Brothers band; he was their bass player. And I
went on tour and sang backup for them. So when
we were on tour, I had to learn this song called
“Give Love a Try,” which Bridgit sang in the Jonas
brothers’ TV show. Then I saw her at church.
Also, one of my closest friends, Katelyn Tarver,
had become friends with Bridgit somehow, and
so we went out and got pizza together.
Recently, Bridgit and I have hung out more.
She’s almost like my therapist. I tell her my
deepest, darkest, saddest moments. And she just
listens to me. Her heart is so good. She’s just one
of those people who you feel comfortable around.
She has this maturity, yet is so young. And she’s
so wise and talented and beautiful. She’s really
dope. I love that girl.
82 RAGGED // raggedmag.com
What’s the single-most important message
you want to put out into the world?
I’m most inspired by feeling misunderstood. In
songs, just because someone seems weak, doesn’t
mean they are. I write for the underdog and those
who are misunderstood. There are a lot of unkind
people in the world. So I write a lot about that. This
new EP has a song called “Human Condition,” and
there’s a song about anxiety. I find the humanity in
my music. It’s all super personal. It’s all very heat of
the moment. It can be heavy. Songwriting is good
therapy though.
In a very non-morbid sense, what legacy do
you want to leave behind?
Definitely modesty. But not uncool modesty. There
are so many things in social media that are so sad.
Women just show it all. I don’t want that to ever
be something I’m representing personally. Also,
vocals are so important to me. I want my work to
be very vocally driven. I want people to know that
I have strength in my voice. But I just want a really
positive vibe. I want people to think of me and think
of something good.
How do you get into the zone before a
show?
In a weird way — it just happens. I don’t do
anything really special. I go into autopilot.
There are times when I listen to the Spice Girls
though.
What are you working on now?
Finishing my debut EP, which will come out, I’m
hoping, in March, but it might be a little later
than that. I keep writing new songs. And the
new one becomes my favorite, and it just makes
things more confusing. But that’s my next step.
From there, hoping it resonates with people and
gets blogged about. I’m pouring everything into
that right now.
That’s awesome. Now it’s time for
something a little more lighthearted.
Let’s play favorites.
Is there a theme that sort of dominates your music/lyrics?
I did a cover of this song by White Town. And the production of it ended
up being a lot more moody sounding. It had a lot of strings on it and
cool harmonies and stuff that was just more heartstrings pulling. The
sound really resonated with me. When I heard it, I was like, That’s the
sound that I should move forward with. It fits me more — where I naturally
fit is a more laid-back and chill place. Straight up pop doesn’t really fit
my energy. I love music that’s more mysterious and feels good — music
you can listen to in the rain. Music that evokes feeling.
Favorite social networking site? Instagram
Favorite person to follow? @joejonas
Favorite thing about NYC? Walking around
Favorite song you sing? “Round Midnight,”
by pianist Thelonious Monk
Favorite way to waste time? Drinking coffee
Favorite fashion icon? The Olsen twins
Favorite thing to do on a Sunday? Go to
church and/or sleep in
Favorite awesomely bad song? Anything by
Shooby Taylor. Look him up!
Favorite thing to eat? Nachos / French fries
raggedmag.com // RAGGED 85
SCENE
HOW TO MAKE...
PLUM POPPY SEED MUFFINS
RECIPE: PLUM POPPY SEED MUFFINS
BY SMITTEN KITCHEN
Bake these yummy muffins by Smitten Kitchen (@smittenkitchen),
one of Bridgit’s favorite Instagrammers.
Run by writer/cook/photographer Deb Perelman, the Instagram of mouth-watering
photos of desserts, dinners, and drinks will have you Smitten with this kitchen, too.
Deb Perelman gave us her Plum Poppy Seed muffins recipe excerpted from her book,
THE SMITTEN KITCHEN COOKBOOK.
86 RAGGED // raggedmag.com
PLUM POPPY SEED MUFFINS
yield: 12 standard muffins
6 tablespoons (3 ounces or 85 grams) unsalted
butter, melted and browned
and cooled, plus butter for muffin cups
1 large egg, lightly beaten
¼ cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
¼ cup (50 grams) packed dark or light brown sugar
¾ cup (180 grams) sour cream or a rich, full- fat
plain yogurt
½ cup (60 grams) whole wheat flour
1 cup (125 grams) all-purpose flour
¾ teaspoon baking powder
¾ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon table salt
Pinch of ground cinnamon
Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
2 tablespoons (20 grams) poppy seeds
2 cups pitted and diced plums, from about ¾ pound
(340 grams) italian prune plums (though any plum
variety will do)
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Butter twelve
muffin cups.
Whisk the egg with both sugars in the bottom of a
large bowl. Stir in the melted butter, then the sour
cream. In a separate bowl, mix together the flours,
baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg,
and poppy seeds, and then stir them into the sour
cream mixture until it is just combined and still a bit
lumpy. Fold in the plums.
Divide batter among prepared muffin cups. Bake for
15 to 18 minutes, until the tops are golden and a
tester inserted into the center of a muffin comes out
clean. Rest muffins in the pan on a cooling rack for
2 minutes, then remove them from the tin to cool
them completely.
do ahead
Generally, I think muffins are best on the first day,
but these surprise me by being twice as moist, with
even more developed flavors, on day two. They’re
just a little less crisp on top after being in an airtight
container overnight.
Excerpted from the Smitten Kitchen cOOKbOOK by Deb Perelman.
Copyright © 2012 by Deb Perelman. Excerpted by permission of Knopf, a
division of Random House, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may
be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
SCENE
4 INSTAGRAMS TO FOLLOW
INSTA-LOVE
BRIDGIT NOMINATES THESE ACCOUNTS FOR A
GRAM-AWARD FOR THEIR STUNNING PHOTOGRAPHY.
Humans of New York @humansofny
COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM.COM/HUMANSOFNY
The Kitchn @thekitchn
COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM.COM/THEKITCHN
National Geographic @Natgeo
COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM.COM/NATGEO
Smitten Kitchen @smittenkitchen
COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM.COM/SMITTENKITCHEN
AT HOME
Bridgit Mendler’s Guide to Los Angeles
Bridgit moved to LA at age 13 with her assistant/friend to
pursue her career. See how the star spends her time in the
sunny city when she’s not busy chasing dreams.
LOS ANGELES
CALIFORNIA
PHOTOS BY JULIE LEOPO
SECRET SPOT
Lake Hollywood Reservoir
2600 Lake Hollywood Dr, Hollywood, CA 90068
Best get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
CURRENT CRAVINGS
Curry at India’s Restaurant
4366 Fountain Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90029
“I’m into cooking curry right now. I can’t say I’m very good at it
but I love coconut and spices and meat that’s tender from being
cooked for a long time. There’s a great Indian restaurant near my
house called India’s Restaurant and if I could replicate their menu
I would be able to satisfy about two thirds of my food cravings.”
BEST PLACE TO COLLECT YOUR THOUGHTS
Malibu Beach — 27 miles of SoCal beauty down the PCH (Pacific
Coast Highway)
malibucity.org
BEST SHOPPING
Abbot Kinney
Local artists and modern, contemporary, and
old-school vintage designers.
1121 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291
abbotkinneyonline.com
FAVORITE RESTAURANT OF
THE MOMENT
SQIRL
Breakfast, lunch, and sweet treat hotspot.
720 N Virgil Ave Ste 4, Los Angeles, CA 90029
sqirlla.com
BEST MEXICAN
Hugo’s Tacos
Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free friendly!
Date night idea: Bridgit and beau Shane Harper grab tacos and watch their
favorite flick!
3300 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039
hugostacos.com
90 RAGGED // raggedmag.com
BEST LATE-NIGHT GRUB
101 Coffee Shop
Feel-good foods. Open until 3 am.
(“The Honey Nut shake is the best”)
6145 Franklin Ave, Hollywood, CA 90028
raggedmag.com // RAGGED 91
AT HOME
Bridgit Mendler’s Guide to Los Angeles
LA is a big city with endless cafes to choose from.
Lucky for us, Bridgit mapped out the best places for a
caffeine fix in each LA neighborhood.
COFFEE BUZZ
LOS ANGELES
PHOTOS BY JULIE LEOPO
WEHO
Alfred Coffee
Hidden gem.
8509 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90069
www.alfredcoffee.com
LIVE MUSIC VENUES
STUDIO CITY
Gelato Bar
Coffee with gelato.
4342 1/2 Tujunga Ave, Studio City, CA 91604
ilgelatobar.com
Bridgit sounds off on her favorite spots to catch a show
The Satellite
1717 Silver Lake Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026
SANTA MONICA
Blue Bottle
Good quality, good vibes.
1103 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291
bluebottlecoffee.com
Hollywood Palladium
6215 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, California 90028
The Orpheum Theatre
842 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90014
The Ace Hotel
929 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90015
The Wiltern
3790 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90010
DTLA
Blacktop Coffee
Best cold brew.
826 E 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
www.blacktop.la
SILVERLAKE
Lamill
Worth the extra buck.
1636 Silver Lake Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026
lamillcoffee.com
AT HOME
Life in NorCal
Bridgit moved to MillValley, California, at age 8 — a place with endless outdoor fun like hiking,
biking, and beaches. Everything is just a short ferry ride away if you’re up for a little adventure!
NORTHERN
CALIFORNIA
PHOTOS: KARLY STARK
Bridgit’s perfect day in NorCal? Grabbing a burrito at Grilly’s and kicking back at Muir.
Tip: “Ride the Ferry from Sausalito to San Francisco for an inexpensive getaway!”
BEST OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Hike the Dipsea Trail — endless trails with ocean views
and towering trees
Muir Woods National Monument Dipsea Trail Trailhead, Muir
Woods National Monument, Mill Valley, CA, 94941
Beachin’ at Muir and Stinson — cold beaches with
unique beauty
Time to reflect: “I like driving myself to Muir beach and
sitting on the beach by myself for a quiet moment.”
Highway 1, Stinson Beach, CA 94970
2025 Shoreline Hwy, Muir Beach, CA, 94965
muirbeach.com
BEST SHOPPING
Union Square in
downtown San Francisco
323 Geary St, Ste 203
San Francisco, CA, 94102
BEST HOMETOWN
BURRITO
Grilly’s Restaurant
493 Miller Ave
Mill Valley, CA, 94941
94 RAGGED // raggedmag.com
raggedmag.com // RAGGED 95
MEMORY LANE
Growing Up in Washington, D.C.
Spring is in full swing and the cherry blossoms are blooming in our cover
star’s hometown of Washington, D.C.
WASHINGTON
D.C.
CHILDHOOD PHOTOS PROVIDED BY BRIDGIT MENDLER
D.C. PHOTOS COURTESY OF DESTINATION DC
Bridgit at Parrot Jungle - Age 5
Bridgit at 1 years old
Bridgit - Age 3
Bridgit on Halloween in D.C.