Words Tessa Swantek
We’re so back. Five years and one global pandemic later, Boys by Girls is back in print. Our last issue was about Glede, a Norwegian word for happiness or joy. In this issue, we still search for happiness in all the simple spots, but we also explore corners less travelled. Issue 16 is called “Breaking Waves” dedicated to change makers who create ripples, small and large. We are excited to announce our two covers: Hero Fiennes Tiffin and YUNGBLUD.
Changemakers are rarely unafraid. We talk about change and potential, resulting in most talent calling change “pretty fucking scary” (Hero Fiennes Tiffin’s words to be exact) or the fear that change might make others think, “That was weird, why’d you do that?” (Milo Manheim's internal monologue). Isn’t “Why’d you do that?” better than doing nothing at all though if you hold the purest intentions at heart? In many creative industries - acting, modelling, or music - one must be willing to be almost constantly out of control, at the mercy of the waves. All of our talents in Issue 16 share one thought in common - diving in headfirst is often better than standing still.
We explore comfort zones and what it means to step outside of them. For Matt Sato, stepping out of his comfort zone includes doing this long-form interview with us, for Milo Manheim it’s wearing a cowboy hat or making bold choices in acting, for Hero Fiennes Tiffin it’s “shitting himself” at the start of a new acting job and feeling like he forgot how to act. If you were wondering, we decided with Hero that there is no better term than “shitting himself” to describe his fear. For YUNGBLUD, it’s stepping into happiness and out of depression or anxiety. For Ryan Zaman and James Corbin, it's having difficult, awkward conversations to promote change and digging up emotional past experiences. For Ezra Frech, it’s…well, actually he’s pretty fearless. Literally, he has no fear. Fear might be afraid of him.
To photograph the print issue, we wanted to work with those we have worked with for many years - those we have built a community with. Those who share our vision. Each photographer tells a story of movement and potential even in stillness. Each person is a mix of what they do and what they could do, potential and kinetic energy rolling and erupting. Potential is a powerful force - it’s an implication that motion and change are just within reach. We wanted to capture both the intimate side of potential and the powerful, boisterous energy of it. We get a little weird with this issue, in the best way. Wasia Project and Tom Glynn-Carney skip around in a UK park. Milo Manheim nearly falls down Los Angeles hills. YUNGBLUD wears shoes that make him look like he has four feet.
Take your shoes off (all four of them - that's you, YUNGBLUD). Jump in with us.
Our brand new Spring Summer '24 issue Breaking Waves is now available to buy online and in select stores.
ORDER ONLINE Visit our shop to order your copy. The print issue is also available in stores worldwide.
