Author Archives: Nilou Yekta

Video: An interview with Sarah Fisher from Degrassi

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Sarah Fisher, or better known as Becky Baker from Degrassi, is not just a blooming actress—this girl’s got some real talent. I got a chance to chat with the multi-talented singer, actor, and model about her latest song “What If,” which she recently released a music video for.

The heartfelt song is written by Sarah herself, and is just one many songs she has in store for us in the near future. Sasa—yes, her nickname is Sasa—shares with us her love for cheese and Friends, and gives us a peek into a regular day in her life of writing music, acting, and finding her daily inspiration.

Despite her glamorous TV life, Sarah cannot live without her sweatpants, and that’s why we love her. Make sure to check out her latest cover of “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri.

Midlife Crisis at 19: My Feelings Are Flawed and Confused, Blame Them

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Usually, midlife crises occur during one’s 40s. However, for me, well, I think I’m going through my midlife crisis right now. I’m not sure, but I think that this is what a midlife crisis feels like. I’ll probably go through two or three in my lifetime due to my serious case of indecisiveness.

Being in your first year of university and living at home is quite unusual, at least for me. Frosh was great, fun and games, but then the sudden realization of another three years of lectures and tutorials hit me. It’s not even the fact that I’m already tired of school: it’s the fact that I pretty much am lonely and incapable of pretending that I like being alone.

My best friends ALL have boyfriends. And me? I’m one of those single ladies Beyonce sings about. I think this midlife crisis that is circulating around my loneliness drags me to have no emotion towards all the exciting things in university, like older boys in the library and cool ’90s parties.

I’m sure I’m not the only human being that goes through this vicious cycle of falling in like. It usually goes something like this: I see a boy I like, I get their number, we talk a little, then he talks too much, or too little, and then I see him more, and see way too much (little things start annoying me, like his super calendar-planned dates. Just surprise me already!) and then, finally, I just stop liking him. Just like that! Poof! As if I never got butterflies in my stomach or was dying for him to text back after 30 minutes (okay, I’m not always that impatient).

At this point, he’ll try and text me and I’m super annoyed. I’m sure he’s a nice guy and all, and really wants to take me for a cute dinner date, but, that won’t be happening. I always think about the quote “It’s not you, it’s me.” That quote really describes me and just screams out the words of my twisted soul. I don’t know why I don’t like you, I just don’t.

Because certainly there was something that you did or said, or maybe the way your hair looked so absolutely gorgeous that day on the streetcar that grabbed my attention, but now…I’m just sorry. Sorry for starting to talk to you and give you any sort of misleading hint that I actually like you. But not actually, ’cause it’s not even my fault. My feelings are flawed and confused, blame them.

If I could try and like you, I would, I really would. I mean, who doesn’t want a boyfriend? Despite how much we say we like being independent, we still would love to share a straw in a milkshake with someone special. Not to mention those utterly cheesy good morning text messages (those really make my day). We like those funny memes you send and the way you have 20 different plaid shirts that all look the same.

So I have this sudden realization that I just want to flee to Australia and focus on things like “Woah, this place is beautiful” or “Holy crap, that’s a kangaroo” or better yet “YOUR ACCENT IS SO COOL, CAN YOU SAY THAT AGAIN?”

There’s a certain feeling that comes along with being somewhere you’ve never been before that can take over all the worries in the world. Usually getting lost is considered to be a bad thing, but in many circumstances I think it could benefit you more than any other thing in the world. I think it takes getting lost to become found.

BUT, Australia may not be the most realistic escape from this strange life, so in case you’re in the same boat as me, consider some of the following options (they all kick butt)

1. Watch these must see movies if you haven’t already. They may not be Oscar winning, but I promise you’ll get a good laugh. Wonderful millennium fashion:
Almost Famous, The Virgin Suicides, The Outsiders, Sixteen Candles, Drive Me Crazy, Crossroads, The Princess Diaries.
2. Start that old hobby of yours, whether it’s painting with watercolours or photography. It’s quite the thought escaper.
3. Go to a random concert. A lot of us just go to familiar shows, but why not dive into a genre we’ve never heard of?
4. Change up your hair! Get a haircut, dye, whatever. It’s definitely something to feel good about.
5. Pamper yourself! Go on a little shopping spree, paint your nails, whatever you like.
6. Explore new food. Search up some locals with good ratings and indulge.

Whatever you do, do something that makes you happy, and if you get to go to Australia, I’m jealous.

Dear University,

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Dear University,

It’s been two months since it ended, and I’ve yet to realize that high school is over. No more due date extensions, hiding from admin for your improper uniform or classes of 20 kids all talking about the assembly that’s supposed to happen in 2nd period, also known as NO CLASS. In all honesty, University, I am NERVOUS for you.

I’m going to be a lost sheep tourist with no friends. Why wouldn’t you let me have a class with my best friend? Every time I tried to click the course she’s in, you gave me that heart breaking “Full” error. How does one even make new friends after years of elementary amongst 500 adults?

Adults! Think about it! How scary is that? I now have to deal with adults instead of children. That is a whole new level of scary. Doing big people stuff always looked cool when I was 10, like driving a car, living alone and having a credit card. They never really showed us the behind the scene stress and difficulty of being an adult. Am I ready for that?

I look forward to meeting a hot nerd at school.  You know, the one you see in the school library and fake bump into and drop all of yours and his books. Does that only happen in movies? Please make my Taylor Swift music video dreams come true.

Just looking at this schedule gives me a headache, why are you so complicated with these codes and 24-hour times? If it weren’t for frosh coming up, I would probably pull a first day of kindergarten move and go back home, cry, dive under my blanket, and eat a big bowl of corn flakes, not necessarily in that order… that could be a mess.

Be nice to me. I love you.

Sincerely,
Nilou

Yorkdale Prom Ambassador Nilou gives tips on how to shake those nerves and enjoy your big night!

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Don’t have a date yet? Not sure what you’re going to wear? Panicking about walking in a hot pair of pumps? You are not alone! Nilou has some easy tips on how to prepare for your prom. Her best advice? RELAX AND HAVE FUN!

Prom can be nerve wracking. I’m not gonna lie, makeup in 23 degree weather is a little scary (please don’t melt like ice cream) and it’s tricky to pay attention to your date when you are teetering on 4-inch heels up a circular fancy staircase, but chill. It’s prom night, girl! Your number one priority should be to have fun. Prom only comes once in a lifetime, at least for most of us.

How to avoid a melting face in the sun:

Heat and humidity can brutally destroy makeup. If you’re going to do your own makeup, there are a couple of products you can use to avoid that shiny face look.

1. Use a primer. Primer allows the makeup to go on more smoothly and set into your skin instead of floating on the top, which can actually cause your makeup to flake or melt off.

Try Smashbox’s Photo Finish Color Correcting Foundation Primer. This product comes in three different shades, green for minimizing redness, apricot for under eye circles and lavender for natural yellow skintones. Grab some at Sephora for $38.

2. There is such thing as a makeup setting spray. Just spray some of this magic on after you’re done your makeup. It’ll help prevent fallouts for up to 16 hours. It’s kind of like face glue.

Urban Decay: All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray. You can get a small bottle for only $12 at Sephora.

Heels are absolutely beautiful, but their wounds, not so much.

1. Practice makes perfect: If you really want to wear those 4 inch stilettos, make sure you get some good practice a couple days in advance. Put them on, walk around, maybe even go grocery shopping in them (just kidding).

2. Walk nice and tall: If you straighten your posture, you can take better steps and it’ll actually make you look more graceful. When slouching, you can look choppy and your knees aren’t as strong as they would be if straightened out. 
*Remember to take steps from your heel forward.

3. Get shoe grips: Banquet halls can be quite slippery, and with a pair of new heels, you might be a victim of a little figure skating.

Try self-adhesive shoe grips. You can get them at Aldo for as little as $5.79.

4. BE CONFIDENT: This is the most important tip. If you think you’re going to fall, you actually might. Just imagine you’re Kate Moss doing her thang on the runway.

On your way to prom, put away all your problems. This includes any drama between friends or maybe even boyfriends. Don’t let anything spoil your night, because you will most likely regret it. Get on the dance floor, look glamorous, take lots of pictures and cherish these last little high school memories.

Best Buy hooks Nilou up with a one-on-one interview with Hunger Games hottie Liam Hemsworth: Did you know he and co-star Josh tried to form a Dubstep duo during shooting?

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It’s almost the time everyone’s been waiting for. Only two more days until The Hunger Games will finally be playing in theatres.

The boys of The Hunger Games made a highly anticipated appearance at their Toronto red, or should I say orange, carpet premiere on Monday after being swooned over by hundreds of Toronto fans outside of Much Music.

The film features dreamy Aussie Liam Hemsworth, also known as Miley Cyrus’ hottie boyfriend. If looks weren’t already going for him, Liam’s got the charm and heart of a true gentleman.

Liam plays Gale Hawthorne in the film, who is Katniss’ best friend, and care giver to her family when she takes off to The Hunger Games in place of her little sister Primrose.

I got a chance to sit down and chat with Liam at The Hunger Games press junket (thank you SO much, Best Buy!) and discovered a couple of interesting facts about The Hunger Games star that bumped him up on my crush meter to about 9.9/10. Suffice to say, I’d be a fan of he and Josh Hutcherson’s Dubstep duo no matter how terrible it is.

If you knew today was your last day on earth, what would be the FIRST thing you’d cross off your bucket list?
Cross off my bucket list? Uhh…skydiving maybe? I’ve wanted to go skydiving for a long time; I haven’t managed to do it yet. Yeah, skydiving. That or go to the moon.

If The Hunger Games actually existed, what skill would you be able to bring to the games? What would your “edge” be?
I’m a pretty fast runner, I used to do 100m sprints in high school and I’d like to think that would help me in the arena.

What was your favourite scene to film?
The whole thing was amazing, I mean, most of my stuff was with Jennifer Lawrence, who is an amazing actress and so easy to work with. You know, it was really fun to turn up to work everyday and work with people who were so passionate about this film. Gary Ross is such an amazing and incredible director, always so energetic on set, and I think it was nice to know that someone like him who has been doing it for so long is still so happy to turn up to work everyday.

It was a different change of environment for you, movie wise, right?
Yeah, absolutely. Obviously, it’s one of the biggest films I’ve ever been a part of, but it didn’t feel like it on set. It felt like we were shooting an indie film, cause we were all really passionate about the books.

Tell me about the Australian Children’s charity you support.
I am an ambassador for the Australian Childhood Foundation, and my dad has worked in child protection and human services for 22 years. It’s all about protecting children and preventing abuse. Stopping children from being abused outside of the home. I come from a great family and I’d like kids to grow up the way I did and live their dreams.

What did you do away from set to keep things light?
Me and Josh, we got into dubstep music while we were shooting, so we bought some keyboards and tried to make some music. It didn’t really turn out that well…

While you were away from home for the shoot what electronics couldn’t you live without?
I hate to say my phone, but my phone. I hate that I feel weird when I don’t have it but it’s yeah..

Android or iPhone?
iPhone.

Twitter or Facebook?
I don’t have either.

Xbox or PS3?
Xbox.

Laptop or Tablet?
Like an iPad, then tablet.

Book or e-reader?
Book.

Plasma or LCD?
I don’t even know the difference; I just go into Best Buy and see which one looks better.

I hope you’re all hungry for the games. Let us know, book vs. the film, who wins?

~ Nilou Yekta

We send teen writer Nilou to interview Niall Horan and Zayn Malik of Brit-pop phenomenon One Direction. Can you hear the screaming?

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Last Sunday was a pretty big date in Toronto teen girl history. No, Justin Bieber wasn’t in town, but rising Brit-Irish boy band called One Direction filled the Air Canada Centre with thousands of screaming girls in anticipation of seeing these fine boys for the first time ever in Canada. I was super duper lucky to get to chat with two of the boys, Niall Horan and Zayn Malik. I must say I have never met such sweet, polite guys in my life. P.S, Europeans do kiss when they greet you. P.P.S I was so nervous talking to them that you can hear it in my voice! Listen to my interview here.

The boys opened for Nickelodeon’s Big Time Rush along with 15-year-old Jackson Guthy. The party began as early as 2pm as fans sang their hearts out in line. A group of girls even organized a flash mob outside the venue, which started out with about 5 or 6 girls and then a huge crowd singing and dancing to their hit single, “What Makes You Beautiful.”

It’s safe to say these five boys have replaced Bieber’s spot in the heart of teen girls worldwide. And why not? They’re totally cute, and even better, have heart-melting accents, kick ass style and can seriously sing. Plus they did a cover of Use Somebody by Kings Of Leon and absolutely killed it.

Nilou is in her final year of high school and has been writing for Shedoesthecity and ShedoethecityTeen for over a year. She especially loves interviewing bands and we knew she was the perfect girl from our team to meet the cuties from One Direction.