Meet The xoNecole Tribe: Gynai Kristol, Video Editor
In Meet the xoNecole Tribe series, readers are introduced to the members of the xoNecole team that keep the site up and running with their textured and varied stories and voices. In the monthly series, you get a more in-depth look of the person behind the pen, social media, the lens, or whatever they might contribute to the brand.
Meet Gynai Kristol, our dope af video editor:
Courtesy of Gynai Kristol
Background
Where are you from? Born & raised is South Central Los Angeles, but based in Brooklyn, NY now.
How old are you? 27
What's your occupation? Video Editor
Where did you go to school? And what was your major?
The University of California, Los Angeles with a major in African American Studies.
When did your love affair with film begin?
Honestly as a kid, I was always glued to music videos (which were my first love), biopic films, and docuseries like Diary and Behind the Music. I could and would watch that all day until my mom forced me to go play outside. And I'd also say that I was inadvertently influenced by my grandad too because he did photography. I bought my first camera in undergrad and haven't looked back since.
Courtesy of Gynai Kristol
"I bought my first camera in undergrad and haven't looked back since."
How and when did you start working with xoNecole.com?
It's actually kind of crazy how it happened. My friend tagged me in a tweet Necole posted about looking for more content creators. Being that I'd been following Necole's work since the Necole Bitchie days, I said 'why not reach out, what's the worst that can happen?' So I emailed her, she responded that night, we had a call the next morning, and then I met with her the day after that. And December of 2017, I was officially working for xoNecole.com
How do you practice self-care?
My go-to's lately have been aromatherapy (oil diffusers are something amazing, let me tell you), going to the gym, and sweating my stress away as well as getting those endorphins up, and then I've also been creating different playlists for different moods, ranging from ratchet/ignorance to super lovey dovey, because balance. And on top of all of this, my constant self-care is having my phone on Do Not Disturb 24/7, too many notifications make me anxious.
"My constant self-care is having my phone on Do Not Disturb 24/7, too many notifications make me anxious."
Are you single?
Like a dollar bill. HA!
Courtesy of Gynai Kristol
What are your interests? Do you have any hobbies?
I like a lot of artsy type of things. So you'll see me at random art pop ups in NY a lot, especially since I told myself to go outside more in 2019, as well as travelling when I can.
What is your favorite book of all time? What’s the last book you read?
My favorite goes to The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo. I read it right before I moved to NY and it's what gave me that extra push to take that leap and leave my comfort zone. And coming in at a close second is The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield, which is the last book I finished reading.
What’s your endgame? Why do you do what you do?
Aside from continuously improving my video editing skills, I'm working at bettering myself at creative direction, which aids in me becoming the best director I can be period. I want to continue to help tell our stories in the best and most relatable ways, shining positive light on our culture through film. You'll see my work soon, I'm sure of it.
Courtesy of Gynai Kristol
What is the most rewarding part of your job? What is the most challenging part?
The most rewarding part of my job is knowing that a lot of times, the videos have a super positive and uplifting impact on those watching. It feels good to make others feel good. I'd say the most challenging part would be wanting to do so many different video ideas, but not having all the [wo]man power to knock it out at the speed/rate wanted.
What advice do you have for other freelance filmmakers/video editors?
Doing everything on your own is impossible and you shouldn't try to. Don't be afraid to just ask. Ask for help, ask questions about things you don't know, ask for job opportunities, JUST ASK. Shoot your shot. Oh and...GET OUT OF YOUR OWN WAY.
How can we keep up with you on social media?
Follow me on Instagram @_kristolklear!
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Meet The Designer Behind This Megan Thee Stallion "Hiss" Video Look
When Megan Thee Stallion dropped “Hiss,” a shift happened. From the audacious lyrics to the striking visuals, there was no doubt that the song and video would go viral. The opening of the video shows the H-town hottie rocking a barely there Shibari red dress, showing off her voluptuous frame. It was a sexy moment created by Timeekah Murphy of Alani Taylor. The designer exclusively tells us how the opportunity came about and what it was like seeing her design on Megan for the first time.
Timeekah Murphy
Photo courtesy
xoNecole: How did the opportunity to create such an iconic look for Megan Thee Stallion's "Hiss" video come about?
Timeekah Murphy: The opportunity came from a DM from celebrity stylist Zerina Akers. She asked for a unique Shibari piece for Megan, and I needed to get it done in two days. So, of course, I did everything in my power to make it happen. I've always wanted to design for Megan, so this was an awesome opportunity for me.
xoN: What was that initial feeling of seeing the dress on her for the first time?
TM: I was shocked because, at first, I thought it hadn't been used. I saw Megan's last video and thought, damn, maybe it didn't fit. So, to see it on such an amazing video was breathtaking. I was beyond excited to finally say I designed for her.
xoN: Did you meet her? If so, how was that moment?
TM: I didn't meet Megan during the shoot, but during my time in LA, I got the opportunity to meet her at LA Pride with Tiffany Haddish, Common, and EJ King (stylist). Megan is such an amazing person, so it made it even better to know that my designs were going to be worn by her. I was shocked because, at first, I thought it hadn't been used. I saw Megan's last video and thought, damn, maybe it didn't fit. So, to see it on such an amazing video was breathtaking. I was beyond excited to finally say I designed for her.
"I was shocked because, at first, I thought it hadn't been used. I saw Megan's last video and thought, damn, maybe it didn't fit. So, to see it on such an amazing video was breathtaking. I was beyond excited to finally say I designed for her."
Photo courtesy
xoN: Walk us through the creation of the dress. How did you come up with the look, and how long did it take to make it?
TM: I was the co-designer for a brand called Deviant in 2018-2020, and we used to make custom Shibari pieces. That's how Zerina knew me. So I'm very familiar with making these types of pieces. We made plenty for Beyoncé, Cardi B, Tiffany Haddish, Tyra Banks, and so many others. So Zerina knew exactly what she wanted.
To get it done, it took me a day and a half. It's very intricate and time-consuming, so I spent about six hours making it then I sent an image of it to Zerina, and she didn't approve the first one, so I had to start from scratch again after getting my guidance and understanding of what was needed. The next day, I went to The Lab and created another version, and she approved it. I had to get it shipped overnight so that she would get it in time and fast forward to seeing it on the big screen.
xoN: What's next for you?
TM: Everything. The sky is not my limit, so the Alani Taylor brand is expanding into so many different avenues. We are getting involved in the community more, offering sewing classes to the youth. I've opened up a store for my brand in Atlanta and now preparing for fall/winter Fashion Week.
Megan Thee Stallion "Hiss" video/ YouTube
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Not Feeling The Valentine's Day Love? Here's How To Cope.
I'm a lover girl and a single girl, and two truths can exist simultaneously. Valentine's Day and seeing declarations of love across social media can be triggering, but the world isn't as coupled up as we think. Single women are everywhere, desiring the same love you desire. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 46% of 228 million Americans over the age of 18 are single. So why does this day make us feel like we're the only one in the world without someone? Because commercialism and consumerism were designed to make you feel that way.
The first Valentine's Day after my last relationship was filled with comfort. One of my best friends, who was also newly single, took me to my favorite restaurant and even bought me a necklace from the jewelry company she worked for. We'd been with our exes for the same amount of time, so she knew how difficult the day would be for me; she heard my heart, saw my tears, and made it a point to show up. Years later, that level of care and gentleness that she showed me affirmed to me how loved I truly am.
That evening was filled with laughter, filet mignon, and lobster tail, and still - I can't deny still feeling waves of sadness over every sip of champagne I took. I drank a lot that night, too much, if I'm honest, because I was in so much pain. I was so sad. I had given years to this relationship, and now this man that I loved was a stranger living his life without a care for my broken heart. In hindsight, as an adult, I wondered why I was so emotional because the relationship wasn't all that great. He was emotionally and mentally abusive, and I was young, naive, and had a father in prison, so he filled a space I had no business allowing him to occupy.
When we're young, we can often romanticize our experiences with people and miss what we thought the relationship was - and not what occurred. But in that moment, none of that mattered; what mattered was that I felt alone and unloved, and I wondered when I'd find the man that God made for me. I won't lie to you and tell you that I've found the man who made those tears and wasted time worth it just yet because I haven't. Despite the prayers, manifestation journals, and making space for what I say I want, I'm still single.
What I can tell you, though, is that I found the best thing to ever happen to me, myself. And that isn't some answer wrapped up in a cliche; it's the truth.
Youth can be tricked into thinking that we don't have what we need already, and that's love. When I reminded myself on the following Valentine's Day that I had been loved my entire life, it changed how I felt about Valentine's Day. I allowed myself to reflect on the years that my parents would take me to dinner, shower me with presents, and how my father would buy me roses even as a teenager so that I could be reminded of what I deserved as a woman and as a little girl.
So why would I allow one bad relationship to make me feel that I wasn't deserving of something I'd been experiencing my entire life?
If You’re Feeling Sad This Valentine’s Day, Here’s How To Cope
Remember, you were loved before your last relationship.
What helped me most was to remember not only who I am, but whose I am. I have been loved by God, my family, and the people who have chosen to love me my entire life. Remind yourself of the people who have loved you and will always love you in those moments when sadness tries to find its way to your home and heart.
Celebrate yourself.
I told y'all I'm a lover girly, and as a lover girly, I have no problem celebrating myself on this day. Whatever your favorite thing you like to experience on Valentine's Day - do it. This year, I'm switching things up, and I booked a massage, planned a visit to my favorite florist to pick up a bouquet of roses, and I'll end the evening at dinner with one of my girls.
Know that the love you deserve is on its way.
Never let anyone take away your desire to love and receive love. I know that painful breakups can make you doubt if love will find you again, but it will. Even as a single woman, there is not a moment where I truly believe that because love is finding me every day. Every friendship, every opportunity I receive, and every blessing is a form of love that I deserve that is getting me one step closer to the love of my life.
Don't let this day or holiday season make you question what you deserve because around here, we affirm that Black women deserve the world, and that includes the love we've been waiting our entire lives for.
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Featured image by izusek/Getty Images