“Before the show I couldn’t even go under [water] without holding my nose,” Madison Bailey admits. Outer Banks has the North Carolina-native playing Kiara, a rich kid reject who falls headfirst into a violent treasure hunt across the state’s rich coastline. “It’s pretty hard to act underwater… And there’s no specific thing I did to overcome that. You just tough it out,” she laughs.
Toughing it out was a worthwhile endeavour. Outer Banks’ release on Netflix was an explosive success, with waves of quarantined viewers tuning in to follow the nail-biting tale of action, adventure, romance, and, naturally, treasure. While a second series hasn’t yet been officially announced, the first series’ success has rocketed its principal actors to stardom; in just a single month, Bailey has gone from just over 150k Instagram followers to nearly two million.
“My family is so proud of me,” Bailey shares of her experience on the show. Keeping a level head in the present moment is already a considerable task; add newfound fame to the equation and getting overwhelmed seems like an inevitability. However, Bailey is staying balanced, thanks in large part to the continuing support of her family.
“[They’re] my greatest source of inspiration,” she details. Bailey is the youngest of seven siblings. “They have always supported every single thing I’ve wanted to do. My parents know nothing about this industry, but they will always get behind me and push no matter what — driving me from NC to Atlanta for an audition with no questions asked. They’re incredible.”
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all clothing. Nasty Gal
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Those auditions began early. “I first knew I wanted to act in high school after doing a musical my freshman year. I fell in love,” Bailey remembers. As her auditions mounted, she found more and more success, landed occasional features before her first recurring role on The CW’s Black Lighting. “I’ve always been a bit of a performer with singing, so it makes sense I’d end up becoming an actress.”
Starring in Outer Banks, an experience Bailey describes as “more like a family vacation than a full-on production”, has proven her most life-changing work to date. Although the atmosphere on set may have been vacation-like, Bailey definitely put in her hours to prepare for the role of Kie, engaging in a two-week “boot camp” with the cast in addition to writing a full backstory for her character.
“There’s a bunch of stuff in there,” she reveals. “I have a list of things she likes including activities, favorite artists. I wrote out what she wants to be when she’s older and how she met the boys.” While this backstory might not be specifically mentioned in the show, Bailey says it brings the character to life. “It just helps to make her a real person. It’s never talked about, it just adds depth, and it was fun to make.”
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all clothing. Nasty Gal
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Bailey isn’t sure what another series of Outer Banks may bring, but she’s pretty clear about what she wants to see in series two: “Revenge, revenge, and more revenge,” she insists. Her concerns for her own character are a little more practical: “I hope to touch more on her home life and get a deeper look into what it looks like to be a Pogue in a Kook home. I want more of her getting passionate about everything she stands for.” And then there’s the other big question on fans’ minds. “We left a lot of things open-ended in Kie’s love life,” she teases. “I’m excited to just see how the relationships play out.”
Outer Banks isn’t the only thing Bailey has on her plate. She recently began a recurring role on NBC’s Council of Dads, a show with which she says she feels a strong bond. “I feel pretty close to the show as a whole,” she details. “Being adopted and having lost a parent, I connect with the story surprisingly well. It hits home for me.”
For now, Bailey is content to watch Outer Banks and her various other projects grow. “Honestly there’s not a show that feels like Outer Banks,” she starts. “I’ve been on all the socials just amazed at the response. Just seeing something that meant the world to you mean something to millions of people is wild.” Until her next project, she has a simple instruction for readers: “Take the time to try out meditation. It’s worth it.”
pullover. Ottolinger
skirt + shoes. Ann Demeulemeester
pullover. Ottolinger
skirt + shoes. Ann Demeulemeester
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Oklou is living an intense moment of change. There’s a euphoric energy around all the new steps. When we speak to the Paris-dwelling artist Oklou – the moniker of Marylou Mayniel – on set with Schön! in the Parisian suburbs, she’s in full prep mode, on the cusp of the release of her first full length album, choke enough. She is beaming; brings with her tranquillity and presence. With her ethereal, electronic sound, Oklou conquered hearts and delved deep into a new world of hyperpop lovers with her mixtape Galore in 2020. Now, she’s exploring her unique blend of polyphonic, electronic pop, in wide open soundscapes influenced by vaporwave and ambiance sounds. While her debut was rooted in an era of tumblr and digital soundscapes, with choke enough, she pushes the boundaries of her sound to craft a very personal approach to emotions – deeply real, deeply linked to the chaos of life throwing lots of different experiences at you. She’s expecting her first child, and is also releasing a body of work into the world, a second birth, as she states herself.
Deeply anchored in her sound-making process, Oklou speaks expansively about her work, her research, her loops – she enthuses about introducing new sonic expanses and new instruments – from trumpets, acoustic guitar to new vocal processes, which she speaks of as yet another instrument. Working with a close-knit musical family composed by the likes of Casey MQ, A.G. Cook, Bladee and Nate Campany, Oklou channels sound explorations and distortions into an extremely personal tunnel of pop experimentation. choke enough is a connection and an irl space, where you have to let yourself go into abandonment. The album floats and flitters through experiences and emotions, and being guided through it taps into that euphoric energy of being alive. Oklou sits down – IRL – to talk to Schön! through the process of the album, the changes and the next steps.
How are you?
I’m doing crazy well. I’m really great. It’s a really great moment for me. What with the pregnancy and my projects – there are two births, so to speak, in 2025 [laughs].
You’ve just released choke enough – how would you describe the process behind the album?
The last mixtape came out over 4 years ago now. I started work on choke enough two and a half years ago. I lived Galore to the full until we finished the tour dates. And there was COVID in the midst of it all.
I really had to turn the page on Galore, and its whole campaign (talking purely in wonderful marketing terminology) to be able to start a new chapter. It took me two years before I finished the music. It was a big challenge for me. I would have liked to flout my previous experiences, but it’s not possible – to ignore everything that came before. It’s a bit like when you enter into a new relationship, with someone for example. The past is still there.
I had expectations in terms of what I wanted to talk about. With Galore it was very clear – there was a specific experience in front of me – well, behind me, as it happens – but there was something easy, accessible for me. By 2022, I was in a different place, I was in a transition phase in my life, I had lots of emotions that I hadn’t explored, hadn’t matured yet.
It was a big period of change, socially, in my way of thinking, also in my personal relationships. Also in my life choices, in my paths, in the way in which I lived my life. I wanted to ask myself – ‘ok, what really suits me?’ Psychologically, it was complicated for the album because I needed to feel that I could draw on imagination from something anchored in my everyday life, and given that my life was a bit scattered, it was difficult to put my finger on something, a central theme, on anything really.
And I didn’t think I had found it – for a long time. Eventually, I got to the point where I realised that the album is a bit like a messy room. And I’m at peace with that image now. I find it very dense. And that’s because it deals with so many things. And it’s the reality of what my life has been for the past two years. It was my life.
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jumper + hat. Sunnei
trousers. 8on8
shoes. Miista
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trousers. SSHEENA
gloves. YENESAI
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trousers. 8on8
shoes. Miista
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It feel like there’s a definite emotional journey through the album. As if you’re constantly working on yourself.
It’s true that I also needed to get away from certain sounds that were in Galore – not necessarily with the idea of improving, but with the idea of exploring other sound processes, so that I don’t settle too much into my comfort zone. Also, so that I remain stimulated by my sound research, which is something I really enjoy.
You have a background in classical music…
Yes, yes. But not exclusively. I spent many years at the Conservatoire, putting in many hours and investing a lot of time in an environment of classical music. But that’s not all, there was a lot going on before I was 10. As a child I had the chance to learn music with teachers who opened up my sensibility, and my technique, to learning to sing while playing the piano, for example. It was a much more popular approach, in fact, than what I went onto learn at the Conservatoire.
When I was a teenager, I developed my own personal tastes by listening to the radio and watching concerts and festivals. I’ve never been fully classical. But I think that’s fine.
jacket. Ottolinger
top. YENESAI
trousers. SSHEENA
boots. Ann Demeulemeester
jacket. Ottolinger
top. YENESAI
trousers. SSHEENA
boots. Ann Demeulemeester
Credits
How would you describe the work on sound for choke enough?
The big difference for me was the piano, the instrumentals I wrote and composed. On Galore, it was me who played the keyboards a lot on the instrumentals, so it was very much a process of switching hats. Galore was very written – orchestral, almost. With choke enough, that’s not at all the case. I did a lot of research on chords. I used my hands, my playing hands on the keyboard a lot. My main sonic axis, I would say, or to rephrase – the genesis of each track – were the loops that were on my computer, that I fell in love with. Most of them I created myself, but I’ve also been inspired by other people’s loops, with people I work with.
You worked on the album with Casey MQ…
I continued working with Casey MQ, yes, but also with Cecile Believe, who’s great, and another guy from LA called Nate Campany, who was a big fan of what we were doing with Casey. And then for the whole production side I worked with A.G. Cook again. We did studio sessions in Paris, LA then sessions in London.
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jumper + hat. Sunnei
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jacket. Ottolinger
top. YENESAI
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jumper + hat. Sunnei
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jacket. Ottolinger
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A recurring question about your work is your use of English, as a French artist. What do you find in the English language that you don’t find in French?
There are several reasons [for writing in English]. It’s a choice of comfort, in many ways. There’s a comfort in working in a language that I don’t understand 100% in all its aspects, because it allows me to write lyrics. I don’t really feel like a lyricist or a poet with words. Writing in French is an exercise that can’t be taken for granted. I’ve tried it a few times, though – it sucks [laughs]. It’s horribly awful. It’s really hard.
At first, I turned to English because it was easy, it was very much an imitation of what I listened to. I listened to a lot of English music, basically. It was a musicality of language that I was used to. It was mimicry, clearly. That doesn’t mean I don’t pay attention to lyrics, on the contrary. I never work on lyrics alone. I have a different relationship to the use of the two languages.
There’s always, I feel, an accuracy when you speak of emotions in your work. Is this exploration important for you in choke enough?
It’s a recurring theme, in relation to this period of scattered moments that I’m going through, which is going off in so many directions. As a stigmata of what I’ve been through before, which was so raw, so “EURGH!” – there was this questioning around intensity, which is required to talk about emotions.
top. YENESAI
skirt. JENNY HYTÖNEN
trousers. Miista
shoes. EMPTY BEHAVIOR
hat. VESPA
scarf. Ann Demeulemeester
top. YENESAI
skirt. JENNY HYTÖNEN
trousers. Miista
shoes. EMPTY BEHAVIOR
hat. VESPA
scarf. Ann Demeulemeester
Credits
Do you go on the hunt for this emotional intensity, as a person?
Yes, I think I do. I think so.
What’s your star sign?
It’s Taurus. What does that say about me? [laughs] I’m looking for emotions in my life, for sure, and I’m in a very intense moment, especially because I’m starting to shift away from myself. It’s something I talk about a lot on the album. It’s a shift in my brain. I spent my teens and twenties being very inward-looking, very egocentric. Not in a problematic way, I’ve always been attentive to friends, to the people around me. I was very present. I now notice that there’s something about growing up, there’s an interest in others that’s almost stronger now. It’s very new, that’s what’s been happening over the last few years. I hope this is a step forward.
Another year, another round up of the most exciting artists on our radar for 2025. Now in its third year, Schön!’s rising stars like Raye, Tyla and Doechii have graced the Grammy’s and topped the charts, so take this list as some inspiration for your next playlist or to keep tabs on the voices shaping pop culture. In 2025, the industry is led by the voices of bold women who are unapologetically themselves. There may be artists you’re already familiar with or ones you’ll come to know. Curated by music editor Shama Nasinde, here are some of 2025’s ones to watch.
Addison Rae
Certified it-girl Addison Rae has earned her spot as as one to watch since her pivot from one of TikTok’s biggest influencers to rising pop star. She’s clearly an avid student of the genre and has already collaborated with the likes of Arca and Charli XCX. She is the full package with visuals, style and a strong set of musical references. Releases like Diet Pepsi and Aquamarine are a promising introduction into the world of Addison Rae.
Schön! have long been fans of R&B singer Sasha Keable. The South London Colombiana is a powerhouse vocalist with lyrics that dive deep into love, lust and heartbreak. She is a British gem with one of the strongest voices in R&B right now. Don’t just take our word for it, Beyoncé herself named Keable as one of her favourite artists in 2024. One listen to her discography and it’s clear why. She has fiery passion and piercing delivery with the technical ability to match. Keable’s magic is uncontainable and it’s only a matter of time before the charts catch up to her undeniable talent.
For fans of: Jazmine Sullivan, Lauryn Hill, Coco Jones
SAILORR
Floridian R&B singer Sailorr is gaining momentum for all the right reasons. She entered our radar with her performance of viral song POOKIE’S REQUIEM. Its sarcastic lyrics paired with her melodic vocals made her an instant favourite. She has a true modern R&B sound and carries a strong sense of identity in her artistry, represented in her style as much as her sound.
The latest up and comer in the wave of women dominating rap is Lexa Gates. You’ll almost always catch the New York artist wearing her signature razor sharp eyeliner, rapping unapologetically candid lyrics with some bass-y no nonsense vocals. Gates is steadily growing her fanbase though social media with her awkward yet rhythmic dance moves. To promote her latest LP Elite Vessel, Gates sat in a glass box perched in a park in New York for 10 hours. Curious passersby could enjoy her album with her through headphones. There’s no one that sounds quite like Gates and that’s why we love her.
For fans of: Doja Cat, Earl Sweatshirt, Kali Uchis
Zeyne
Middle Eastern artists are gaining global influence outside of the Levant and the latest name on our radar is Palestinian-Jordanian singer Zeyne. Her vocals are haunting and palpable and her focus on strong visuals makes her an artist we’ll be keeping eyes on. She’s already caught the attention of Bottega Veneta where she gave a stunning performance of her song Asli Ana at their immersive ‘Waves’ event in Dubai. Zeyne is proudly making a way for Arab women in the mainstream music while proudly waving the flag for her culture.
There is so much variety to choose from when it comes to rap, and Samara Cyn has no issues standing out with her versatile vocals and laid back style. Cyn experiments with ease, incorporating hip hop, soul and even gospel into her songs. To be so distinct so early on in her career is a sure sign of the greatness to come. She’ll tour this Spring if you’re looking to catch her before she blows up.
For fans of: Doechii, Smino, Lil Simz
Absolutely
British singer Abby Keen, known as Absolutely, is a new pop girl to look out for. She comes from a musical family, with Schön!’s 2023 rising star Raye as her sister, and has built a successful resume for herself as a songwriter. Absolutely has worked on music for Schön! favourites like Anitta, Normani and she featured on Tinashe’s album 333. Prepare for Absolutely to take the stage as a solo artist with a refreshingly experimental take on pure pop. She’s not afraid to give us an unexpected hook or key change and her visuals prove that she is a star in the making.The British pop legacy can only continue to thrive with the likes of Absolutely bringing their curated eye to the genre.
It doesn’t take much for internet darling Ceechynaa to catch your attention. Her viral hits like Peggy and Last Laugh have spurred controversy, think pieces and a brewing fan base. Her humorous lyricism is tongue in cheek and her candid delivery (always on a Drill beat) turns heads. Beyond her main character persona, she has all the makings of a star. Ceechynaa very much harkens back to the bravado that made the female rappers of the 90s so beloved. One of her shining traits is her unpredictability and we love that she maintains her Essex accent when she raps which makes her voice so recognisable. A collab with Pop favourite Ellie Goulding is rumoured after she posted a TikTok miming to Ceechynaa’s music, and she’s already won the hearts of some of fashion’s biggest publications. The rapper is an artist made for the spotlight and 2025 is sure to reveal more of what she has to offer.
Brazilian actor Marco Pigossi is a force to be reckoned with, seamlessly blending charisma, craft, and courage in every project he takes on. From his breakout roles in Invisible City and Tidelands to commanding attention on the international stage, Pigossi has become a global icon for compelling storytelling and authentic performances. “As an actor, my approach to a character is always grounded in truth, no matter how unique or extraordinary the world around them might be,” he says in conversation with Schön! Magazine. Whether portraying complex characters or stepping behind the camera as a producer, Marco’s work is a testament to his passion for art and advocacy.
Born in São Paulo, Pigossi carries the rich cultural tapestry of Brazil into everything he does, proudly representing his roots while bridging the gap between Latin American and global cinema. A true trailblazer, he’s not just making waves with his roles in projects like the psychological drama High Tide or the thriller Bone Lake but is also using his platform to amplify queer voices and champion inclusivity through his documentary Corpolitica. Now he sits down with Schön! to discuss his growth as an actor, his documentary, and more.
jacket + trousers. Diesel
tank top. Theo
jewellery. Pyrrha
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jacket. Diesel
tank top. Theo
jewellery. Pyrrha
jacket + trousers. Diesel
tank top. Theo
jewellery. Pyrrha
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jacket. Diesel
tank top. Theo
jewellery. Pyrrha
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You’ve had immense success both in Brazil and internationally with projects like Invisible City and Tidelands. How do you navigate maintaining your identity as a Brazilian actor while working on global productions?
We’re at a moment where Hollywood is becoming more open to new voices, accents, and cultures. There’s a growing conversation around Latinx inclusion, and I think Brazil should be a prominent part of it. We have a powerful film industry that I’m incredibly proud of. Right now, I’m in a really interesting phase of my career. Even though I’ve had success in Brazil, it doesn’t always translate here in the U.S. Very little Brazilian content crosses over into the American market. In a way, it feels like a fresh start—an opportunity to begin again, but with the benefit of experience, calm, and maturity. Now, I can choose projects based on what truly moves me, both as an artist and as a person. Early in your career, you don’t always have that luxury. I’m now much more focused on independent films and cinema.
In High Tide, Lourenço faces emotional and physical limbo. How did you prepare for this role, and what drew you to such a deeply personal and intimate story?
Lourenço’s experience parallels my own in some ways as an immigrant. While my situation was different—I arrived with a job and proper documentation—there’s still a shared sense of displacement. Being in a place that doesn’t quite feel like home and adapting to a culture you admire yet struggle to fully embrace can be incredibly lonely. It’s like discovering a new version of yourself, and that journey can feel isolating until you find your “family.”
To prepare, I spent time in a remote part of California with no phone or internet, completely isolated. That solitude gave me a deeper understanding of the quiet and loneliness needed to connect with this character. I was also a producer on this film and involved in the writing process from the beginning. I worked closely with Marco Calvani for almost two years, collaborating on the script while searching for producers and funding. By the time we started shooting, I knew Lourenço inside and out. I understood every detail about him and had a clear vision of how to portray his isolation and vulnerability.
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trench coat + top. Entire Studios
trousers. Stylist’s Own
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From supernatural thrillers like Tidelands to comedy-horror in Bone Lake, you’ve embraced a variety of genres. How do you select projects, and is there a genre you’re particularly drawn to?
I believe it’s essential for an actor to explore all platforms—whether theatre, film, or television—and work across various genres. Limiting oneself to a single medium or style can stifle growth and creative potential. Performing in different cultures and languages has been particularly enriching for me. It adds an entirely new layer to the craft, making every role more rewarding. Embracing diversity broadens my perspective as an actor and deepens my understanding of storytelling’s universal nature.
You executive produced High Tide. How did this role influence your perspective on storytelling, and do you plan to take on more producing roles in the future?
I’ve had the privilege of working alongside Marco Calvani from the very beginning of High Tide, helping to shape and develop the project. For nearly two years, we worked tirelessly to find the right partners, and we were fortunate to team up with Mickey Liddell and Pete Shilaimon at LD Entertainment. Their support and creative insight were pivotal to the film’s success. They gave us the freedom to fully explore our vision, which allowed me to focus entirely on my role as an actor. Producing offers an invaluable opportunity to take more control over my career and tell stories that resonate with me. It enables me to explore themes I’m passionate about and to engage deeply with projects that excite me as an artist. It’s a path I’m committed to continuing, as it provides a deeper level of artistic fulfillment.
Your documentary Corpolitica spotlights queer political candidates in Brazil. What inspired you to tell this story, and how do you see the intersection of art and activism evolving?
We often talk about visibility, but few of us carry the weight of that struggle daily. In Brazil, there are very few political figures who genuinely represent the queer community or work on its behalf. I feel a responsibility to use my platform to amplify those voices, to honour their efforts, and to give them the recognition they so often lack. During Bolsonaro’s presidency, particularly after his infamous comment about preferring a dead son to a gay one, it became even more urgent to counteract such hateful rhetoric. Art and cinema have a unique power to foster empathy and inspire change. For me, art and activism are inseparable. Through storytelling, we demand change, teach empathy, and fight for justice.
In High Tide, you worked alongside Marisa Tomei and Bill Irwin. What was it like collaborating with such seasoned actors, and how did their presence influence your performance?
Every actor you share the screen with shapes your performance. Acting is about interaction—it’s always a collaboration. Bill is such a fascinating, kind, and warm person, and he brought that same energy to the set. Building a relationship with him as my character was an absolute joy. And Marisa…she’s a master. Every take with her felt fresh, like she was reinventing the scene each time. Her ability to keep the energy alive and vibrant was incredibly inspiring. It was an honour to work alongside both of them.
With Bone Lake and You’re Dating a Narcissist on the horizon, what can you share about these films, and how do they differ from your previous work?
We just premiered Bone Lake at the Fantastic Fest in Austin and Sitges in Spain, and the response was incredible. It’s my first thriller, and working with Mercedes, such a talented director, was an amazing experience. I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out, and I hope it hits theatres soon. You’re Dating a Narcissist isn’t finished yet, but I’m so excited about it. The script is fantastic, and Marisa Tomei is absolutely brilliant. She’s by far the best actress I’ve ever worked with, and a wonderful human being.
Looking back at your journey from the Rede Globo series to international acclaim, what moments have defined your growth as an actor, and where do you see yourself going next?
Every step of the journey has been vital. Each role, each character, and each project has contributed to shaping me as an actor and as a person. There’s no single defining moment—it’s all part of a larger process. What excites me most is that acting offers endless room for growth. You can always improve, and you’re never too old to keep learning. It’s a lifelong commitment, and I embrace it with love and care. Every day is an opportunity to deepen my connection with the craft, and that’s something I hold very dear.