interview | TSHA

★★★★★

“THIS IS THEATRE” boldly displayed on the screens of the Tottenham Hotspur stadium on 7 June. The statement perfectly captured what to expect when seeing a seasoned superstar like Beyoncé live: performance and production is everything. On the second night of the ‘Cowboy Carter’ tour’s six-night run in London (Paris is next!,) the Grammy-winner’s vocals were an impressive tour de force throughout. Her range was remarkable, transitioning from infectious rap to faultless opera. Even under foggy rainfall, Beyoncé took it all in her stride, laying down on the middle of stage unphased and pitch perfect.

Beyoncé is the master of creating cult-like universes with her albums. Much like her popular 2023 ‘Renaissance’ tour, the Beyhive arrived dressed on theme, making the stadium a sea of leather boots and cowboy hats. ‘Cowboy Carter’ is deeply rooted in the genre’s Black Southern origins. The genre may not have as much cultural footprint outside of the US, but Beyoncé’s deep passion for her heritage radiated throughout the stadium as she proudly waved the red, white and blue flag. Admittedly, certain moments, like her flawless rendition of America’s national anthem, did create a brief disconnect for the majority European audience. But in the wider context of ‘Cowboy Carter’ themes like ownership and identity, Beyoncé’s odes to the US were a powerful symbol of reclamation. 

‘Cowboy Carter’ stans will be pleased to hear that the songs they’ve come to cherish were brought to life with electric choreography and retro visuals. Although the crowd’s energy mellowed during certain points of the set list, it never failed to re-ignite when Beyoncé revived some her most adored singles like ‘If I Were A Boy,’ ‘Love on Top’ and ‘Irreplaceable.’ The party atmosphere bubbled over into singles from ‘Cowboy Carter’ like ‘Jolene’ and ‘Texas Hold ‘Em,’ reaching its peak when Beyoncé dedicated a section of the show to ‘Renaissance’ fan favourites.

The ‘Cowboy Carter’ tour was a family affair, making for some heartwarming moments like daughter Rumi tenderly waving to a packed stadium winged by her mother and sister, Blue Ivy. Blue Ivy has clearly taken after her mother’s performance gene, dancing with as much charisma as the professional backup dancers and giving some show stopping solo dance routines. Beyoncé not only makes sure every member of her team is the very best but also gives them plenty of time to shine on stage. Her dance ensemble and the much loved Les Twins brought all the energy, and talented members of her crew like classical violinist Meredith Ezinma Ramsay and Black Irish step dancer Kaitlyn Sardin performed with professional prowess. 

Each element of Cowboy Carter’s set design was intentional and visually impactful, like Beyoncé straddling a golden mechanical bull or floating across the stadium on a neon horse shoe. The cowboy world building was best showcased in her several costume changes. She switched things up for night two of her London show, wearing looks by Etro and Versace, styled by Shiona Turini and Ottolinger, styled by Karen Langley. A particularly stunning look involved a black LED dress designed by Anrealage illuminated with different colours and designs. From her style to her set, Beyoncé has the art of showmanship down to a science, and that’s why she always delivers a 5-star show.

photography. Parkwood Entertainment
words. Shama Nasinde

coat. Dsquared2
shirt + tie. COS
boxers. Ralph Lauren
shoes. Steve Madden
socks. Nike

Corteon Moore isn’t interested in just playing a part. Instead, he’s chasing stories that say something. His latest role as Gabe in the bold and unfiltered new series ‘Overcompensating’ hits exactly that mark. Set in a world of frat-house chaos and post-college uncertainty, the show explores what happens when bravado becomes a mask for something deeper. And Moore doesn’t shy away from that contradiction. “Gabe is overcompensating for the fact that beneath his alpha male persona, he’s really just a scared kid,” he says. “Each time Gabe howled like a wolf, I’m certain he was screaming to be seen and heard.”

In conversation with Schön!, Moore reflects on stepping into a character so unlike himself, the joy and challenge of working with a brilliant ensemble cast, and the artistic outlet he’s found in launching his own film festival, ‘Marmalade’.

top. Dsquared2
opposite
coat. Shwetambari
shirt, trousers + tie. COS
shoes. Steve Madden

What initially drew you to the script for ‘Overcompensating’, and what made you say yes to the role?

I remember reading the pilot for the first time and feeling like I was being let in on a secret. Benito created a world so rich in unforgettable characters and a deeply meaningful story, packed with some of the funniest jokes I’ve ever read. As I’ve matured in my career, it’s become more and more important for me to be a part of projects that will have a real impact on the audience. I want to push the needle and find new ways to connect to the world through a vibrant and cinematic lens. The show delivered everything I look for in a project from the script alone, and the process only got better as we went along into production. Saying yes was the easiest thing I’ve ever done.

How did the title ‘Overcompensating’ resonate with you personally or in relation to the character you play?

What’s beautiful about ‘Overcompensating’ is how much it resonates with everyone on earth from top to bottom. Something as simple as the title screams “relatable” because when you read it, your mind instantly starts cycling through all the times you’ve overcompensated in your life.

What do you think your character is truly “overcompensating” for, and how did you internalize that?

Gabe is overcompensating for the fact that beneath his alpha male persona, he’s really just a scared kid unsure about what happens after college. He knows he’s got a job lined up through his dad in the finance world, and he knows he can pay to get out of any trouble he gets into… but I’ve always liked to think that deep down he’s asking: “That’s it?”. I think he’s scared of becoming a carbon copy of all of the other ‘alpha bro’s’ around him and silently yearns for meaning. Approaching Gabe from a place of humanity made all of the huge displays of his frat lifestyle make sense in my process. The bigger and almost surrealistic his moments felt, the truer and realer they were. Each time Gabe howled like a wolf, I’m certain he was screaming to be seen and heard.

What aspects of your character’s journey in ‘Overcompensating’ challenged you the most as an actor?

I think the most challenging part of portraying Gabe was allowing myself to go into a physical and emotional place that was only concerned with the safety of myself. I tend to play a more emotionally involved character or, at times, a resentful leader, and sometimes, if I’m lucky, the good guy. But Gabe was a different beast that I’d never come across. The room is his, whether anyone else in the room likes it or not. It took a few days to really get into the rhythm of such a destructive mindset but once it clicked, I was so down to fuck things up F&G style. It felt good to show up to set and just… Explode.

coat + shorts. Dsquared2
shirt. BOSS
boxers. Ralph Lauren
shoes. Dr. Martens
tie. COS
socks. Nike
opposite
coat. John Varvatos
denim shirt + tie. COS
shorts. Hold NYC
shoes. Dr. Martens
socks. Nike

Were there elements of your own experiences that you drew upon to portray your character in Overcompensating?

To be honest, Gabe and I are almost nothing alike. He’s probably the least like me out of any character I’ve played before. And I’ve played a bald, fifty-five-year-old billionaire who hates frogs. But I grew up around some guys like Gabe. Guys who were so obsessed with seeming like the ‘alpha male’, no matter how many lives they ruined on their path. They are also the guys who end up being the most fun at a house party, so they aren’t always the worst to have around. I really just leaned into what I know about these kinds of people and tried to find the humanity in them. They are lonely. They don’t even know where to begin in articulating their existential dread. They just steamroll through life, secretly searching for purpose until something knocks them down to earth.

Knowing Gabe’s arc over the season, what advice would you give to him?

Stop being such a dick. Quit drinking and join a run club or something. You can be a douche without making it everyone else’s problem. I’d also tell him to join the theatre club. I think he’d kill it as Hamlet.

How did working with the ensemble cast influence your approach to your role in the series?

I really feel like the luckiest guy in the world being a part of such a brilliant cast. You can go down to the cast list top to bottom and not stumble across a single person who isn’t a comedic genius in this show. It’s the biggest gift I’ve received during this entire process, learning from so many talented people each day I’d get to set. We partied together, fantasied about future versions of ourselves, roamed the streets of Toronto, and went up north to a cabin for a weekend. We transformed into much less toxic versions of our TV counterparts and lived as college kids for a few months.

Can you share insights into your film festival, ‘Marmalade’ and its role in your artistic expression?

I’m not sure there is a thing on this earth I love more than movies. I love watching them in a movie theatre, and my biggest dream as a kid was to work at an AMC shucking popcorn. In 2022, I was lucky enough to launch my own small-scale film festival where I show one of my own personal favourites and then program a selection of short films to support my choice. The last iteration we screened City of God at the Paradise Theatre in Toronto, and then highlighted a couple of brilliant up-and-coming filmmakers in Toronto.

Looking ahead, what stories are you most passionate about bringing to the screen?

I am drawn to large-scale films, executed by filmmakers with a deep connection to the human experience, and an appreciation for the spectacle that you can only find sitting in a theatre with a couple of hundred strangers. I am also drawn to an independent film, finding its breath in every morning, a skeleton crew arrives to conjure up a miracle to get the day going, and everything in between. There is no one story I am looking to tell or be a part of. I’m passionate about being around passionate people. There is nothing I love more in this world than movies. If you put me in a room with a director with a vision, a crew well fed, and a couple of actors interested in wandering the unknown together then I am in the right place, and you best believe we’re coming out on the other side with something worth charging fourteen bucks for at an AMC theater.

shirt. ASOS
shorts. BOSS
shoes. Carlos Santos
sunglasses. Armani
tie. COS
socks. Nike

‘Overcompensating’ is out now.

photography. Guarionex Rodriguez, Jr.
fashion. Nicolas Eftaxias @ FPA Artists
talent. Corteon Moore
grooming. Samantha Niedospial @ SEE Management

New York artist Lexa Gates is an icon in waiting. As we find ourselves in really exciting period in rap music where women occupy top spots, an artist like Gates is a refreshing dose of authenticity and individuality. There is no one out right now who sounds quite like her. Gates’ husky vocals and unpredictable lyricism give her the kind of confessional wit and unapologetic self expression reminiscent of 2000s Lily Allen or Amy Winehouse. Sonically, Gates has a chill and laid back vibe, pairing  jazz -inspired vocals with lofi production and old school samples. Gates is only in the early stages of her career and has already developed such a distinct sense of style and tone. As one of Schön!’s 2025 rising stars, we caught up with the artist on her way home from a Europe tour. Shot backstage at her London show by 3STACKS, She reveals her thoughts on London street style and curated a playlist of her personal favourite tracks.

Hey Lexa, what are you up to right now?

I’m on a plane back to New York, filled to the brim with sugar cookies.

How did you find London? Did you get to see much of it?

I love London so much. It’s amazing and super fun to walk around. I love the way people dress and the clothes that they sell out there. The style is unmatched.

Have you found any similarities to New York?

I think London is a lot like New York. There’s a similar demeanour to the locals. It’s a little more loopy, lots of twists and turns to the geography, plus everybody’s pants cut at the ankles.

How does it feel to be receiving so much buzz for your music lately?

I’m appreciative of it and also barely even notice. I’s never enough, never enough…

Do you have any thoughts on the reign of women in rap right now?

Women have straddled the rap game and dominated it. It’s beautiful to see.

Looking back at when you first started writing music, what do you think shaped the kind of artist you are today?

Just staying true to myself and always saying things exactly how they are in the moment. Saying productive, constantly creating, trying to keep the ball rolling. Looking around and finding a unique way to describe the life around me.

What do you think your album ‘Elite Vessel’ says about the era that you’re in right now?

I’m so deep into my next album that I don’t even listen to this one anymore, but when I perform it, it’s always fun and a vibe that all the visions came to fruition.

Are your songs inspired by reality or fiction?

They are inspired by reality or [the] delusion of it. I always see myself further than I am, what is true is even subjective.

The album represents manifestation. What’s the most surreal thing you’ve ever manifested?

Top secret info.

When it comes to personal style, who or what influenced your signature look and liner?

I’m super influenced by my neighbourhood, and newly, the world. Coincidentally, London is really fire and I love people having personal style. Nature and flowers, a spill, everything is so inspiring. The eyeliner is just me trying to get the wings even until they turn way too big.

You’ve done some shows around the rest of Europe, what’s one thing you wanted to tick off your bucket list while on tour?

The perfect flat white.

Lexa Gates‘ new single ‘Latency‘ is out now.

This Schön! online exclusive has been brought to you by

photography. 3STACKS
talent. Lexa Gates
words. Shama Nasinde