interview | Lucy Mazzucco

Photo by Eric Veloso: ericveloso@streetdreamsmag.co.

By: Lucy Mazzucco

Many of you may remember Phoebe Dykstra as the host of several MTV and Much Music programs including New.Music.Live., Today’s Top 10 and After Degrassi. This week, I got to chat with her about her lifestyle, her passion for animals and her experience working on television.

Apart from being the tattooed goddess from TV who attracted fans to her social networks for the way she looked, her fan base began to grow when she created a second Instagram account by the name of @phoebesmindbodyspirit; which focused on her healthy lifestyle, vegan diet and her love and passion for meditation, yoga and animals. “While doing TV, I realized that there were a lot of people listening to me on my social media, so I began to think of ways that I could be even more to them,” said Phoebe. “Some days, I honestly don’t feel like going to yoga, but I push myself to go in hopes of making it look easy to others, so that they’ll want to try.”

Although Phoebe is no longer at MTV, she is focused on her own projects such as starting a clothing line, transitioning to a quieter lifestyle and living a happy and balanced life. “My favorite part of the experience was the excitement I got for the audience and fans,” said Phoebe. “Being able to tell a fan that they were chosen to ask their favorite celebrity a question; and then having to mentally prepare them for it was such an awesome feeling.”

After leaving MTV, Phoebe decided that she wanted to escape the city in hopes of living a quieter and simpler life, so she relocated to an island on the west coast of Canada. “I am still transitioning from the move. Toronto has so many positives, but it just wasn’t fulfilling my soul. The fast-paced lifestyle was making me forget who I was and who I want to be,” said Phoebe. “I encourage others who would like to live a quieter and simpler life to just do it. You don’t necessarily need to run away to an island; start by spending time in nature. Leap and the net will appear!”

MMVA 2015 Red Carpet. Photo by Arthur Mola: mola.arthur@gmail.com.

Apart from being vegan, Phoebe’s healthy lifestyle also consists of meditation and yoga. Her lifestyle choices have been greatly influenced by her enormous passion for animals. “I stopped eating meat about eight years ago, and became vegan after I decided I loved animals too much to play any part in their mistreatment,” said Phoebe. “If I had a spirit animal, I always thought it would be a cat or maybe a raccoon; but the truth is, it would be a squirrel. They’re all over the place and they’re so playful,” said Phoebe.

Phoebe has an entire arm dedicated to her passion for animals, which contains tattoos of animals including a cow, rabbit and duck. “People notice me for my tattoos and I was definitely ‘the tattooed girl’ when I was on TV,” said Phoebe. “I’m happy to share if anyone ever asks me about them, since they are positive reminders to myself; but I don’t see them anymore. They are there, just like my skin is there.”

So, what’s next for Phoebe Dykstra? Besides adjusting to the transition away from city life, she hopes to continue inspiring others. “I’d like to start a clothing line. Creativity is something I’m still trying to convince myself that I have,” said Phoebe. “I had no idea that this little farm girl would end up with a career in television or move to an island. Who knows what’s next…life is beautiful.”

For updates from Phoebe, follow her on Twitter and Instagram: @phoebedykstra.
For lifestyle updates, follow her second Instagram account: @phoebesmindbodyspirit.

By: Lucy Mazzucco

This week, I got to sit down and chat with Eleanor Shore, a band consisting of television show actors Eric Osborne and Ehren Kassam from Degrassi, along with Connor DuPont and Sean McAlister.
“We essentially all met in high school, except for Eric and Connor who grew up together,” said Ehren, who plays the role of Jonah Haak, Degrassi’s newest addition to the cast. “Through our shared interest in music we formed a band.”

The name of the band, Eleanor Shore, has left fans curious about whether or not she is a fictional character, or a real woman who inspired the name. Eric, who is best known for his character Miles Hollingsworth on Degrassi, answered this by explaining that the idea for the band name came to him in a dream. “We had a hard time choosing a name for our band, but it is loosely based on a dream I had which involved a woman named Eleanor. The rest remains a mystery,” said Eric.

The band describes themselves as “indie/folk,” and they are known for experimenting with a variety of sounds during live performances, along with frequently switching up the roles of who plays what instrument. Usually, the band’s formation includes Eric on guitar, Ehren on piano, Connor on trumpet and Sean on the bass or drums, but they like to rotate and give everyone the chance to play different instruments throughout the writing and performing process.

“We cover every genre and we like the sound of brass instruments because it makes our acoustic songs unique,” said Connor. “The trumpet, which is my instrument, adds to the overall folk vibe of our band.” As far as experimentation goes, Sean believes they have found the sound which best suits them. However, they continue to incorporate different elements in hopes of standing out. “Our sound could be described as vintage,” said Sean.

In the new year, the boys hope to record and release an EP, along with playing more shows. “We hope to bring forth the indie/alternative genre and stand out to a younger generation,” said Ehren.

For more info on Eleanor Shore, follow them on Twitter, or visit their YouTube channel.

Lucy Mazzucco

A passionate storyteller who brings ideas to life with words.

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Eleanor Shore: Exclusive Interview ft. Degrassi’s Eric Osborne