Photos/MALLORY TURNER
Makeup/VOULA ZSIS
Clothing Designer + Styling/HAYLEY ELSAESSER
C: Wow, so can you believe itâs been 17 years since the first season of Degrassi TNG aired? What are some of your favorite off camera memories from set?
S: No, I canât believe it! Someone told me recently that the cast of Degrassi: Next Class werenât even born when we started. Way to make me feel ancient!
I think my favorite memories were from our big ensemble episodes like prom with Natasha Bedingfield. It was those few times when the entire cast was on set and weâd all be giddy off being together, staying up late, and probably eating too much candy from craft services.
C: I used to love those epic sleepover parties we all used to have together, and cruising around the city when we all slowly started getting our licenses. At the time I really thought we were such grown ups haha!
The whole world of social media has completely changed since we were teens doing the show. What are your thoughts on how the cast now is influenced by social media and everything that follows along with it?
S: To be honest, Iâm kind of happy social media wasnât much of a thing when we were on the show. It can be hard enough to grow up and live your most awkward, puberty years on television without having to live in public with constant commentary. That said, itâs amazing to see the community that has built around Degrassi. I am constantly in awe of the support I receive from my followers every day â you know how to make a girl feel special! So many awesome throwback photos and inspiring DMs, I read them all! I guess itâs really just about awareness of how social media can affect you IRL â remembering whatâs truly important beyond followers, likes and comments, and protecting your privacy and sense of self that doesnât belong or isnât influenced by an audience.
S: So people always ask what weâve been up to since the show. Howâs life treated you? What are you most proud of?
C: Well as soon as I finished the show I transitioned into the fashion world pretty naturally. Fashion and style is definitely a huge passion of mine. Iâve been modelling ever since, lived in NYC for a few years, and now I’m back in Toronto. Iâm 30 now, have a 5 year old son, I travel often, and I am doing what I love everyday. I feel like all of those are pretty great accomplishments. Life is great.
What about you?
S: Thatâs awesome. It was such a joy to reconnect with you and see youâve blossomed as a mother and so much more! I left the show to go to university since academics are a big part of who I am. I graduated as Valedictorian, speaking in front of my professors, my peers and my mom, who never got a chance to go to university, so that was really special. Since then, Iâve been working in marketing for 10 years, helping to build and grow brands worldwide. And in 2016, I decided to pursue my passion for dance music and start DJing as me time.
I know you have been obsessed with Hayley Elsaesser for a long time. How did that all start?
C: I fell in love with Hayleyâs clothing the moment I put it on. I walked for her at Fashion Week and up until this day itâs still one of my favorite moments of my career. Itâs like a fantasy world of colors and printsâŠit really pushes you to have fun and not care what anyone thinks and never take fashion or yourself too seriously. I would have never picked up a pair of bright pink overalls with a cherry print but I instantly feel happy and have this sense of freedom wearing her cloths. If I could translate one thing to some of my followers and even to myself is to always be true to yourself. Something I think both our Degrassi characters dealt with, as well as in our real lives, don’t you agree? I thought collaborating with Hayley was so perfect for this shoot.
S: Yeah! Iâd walked past her store on Queen St many times and always drooled at the window display. Her clothes are so unique and yet, they have this universal appeal. Most of us spend our lives in shades of black, so I think we can all identify with this desire to not take life so seriously and express ourselves in technicolor! I love a good pattern and I usually find them hunting through thrift stores â Hayley is a breath of fresh air in an industry that takes itself way too seriously. And I love what she stands for â representing all folks in and through her designs.
C: What are some projects youâre working on now?
S: Right now, I continue to work as a marketing consultant and freelance project manager by day. By night, Iâm bringing me time from the couch to the club to promote self-love, inclusivity and safe spaces in dance music culture. I also have a couple other secret projects on the go, including some exciting collabs, that I canât wait to release into the world â so stay tuned! How about you??
C: Modeling and working with new clients is always ongoing project of mine. A big project for 2018 is finally launching my Blog and YouTube Channel âChristina Loves This Cityâ which is all about happiness, travel, and feel good everything!
