AMERICAN SPIRIT
“I Love Trashy Shit.” Nine New Yorkers Share Their American Dreams
All Clothing, Shoes and Bags (worn throughout) by Courreges.
Nine New Yorkers tell us all about their American dreams.
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COCO GORDON MOORE
Rings Model’s Own.
What’s the most expensive thing you own?
The most expensive thing I own would have to be my contacts, for my eyes
Who makes the best burger?
My mom.
What’s so great about America?
All my friends live here.
What’s the most American movie?
Brokeback Mountain or River’s Edge.
If you could you live in the greatest country in the world, where would that be?
The greatest country in the world is my bedroom and I’m happy to live wherever that is.
Best American pie?
I don’t care about the American Pie movies but I love all pies.
American Spirit Blue or Marlboro Red?
American Spirit Light Blue.
Real American hero?
Jack Black.
Best American look?
Bootcut blue jeans.
Is everything going to be okay?
Seems unlikely. Everyone should read Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler to prepare.
Coke bottle or Coke bag?
Neither, I like Dr. Pepper.
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Earrings by Courreges. Rings Model’s Own.
What’s your American Dream?
Moving to New York <3
Who are you indebted to?
My mom.
Money or god?
I don’t worship wealth.
When do you feel the most clean?
After swimming in the ocean.
Who’s the ultimate American pinup?
Amanda Lepore.
Who makes the best burger?
Beef is gross but I love a McDonald’s moment.
What is America’s best import/export?
House music.
What’s so great about America?
The culture.
Is greed good?
No but sometimes I can’t help it.
Are Americans stupid?
Humans are stupid period.
What is your scam?
I work at Interview…
American Spirit Blue or Marlboro Red?
Marlboro Lights.
Best American pie?
Key lime.
Why can’t it just be magic all the time?
Because I’m nihilistic.
Do you think Americans have good taste?
Of course. I love trashy shit.
What’s the most American thing about you?
My green card.
What’s the most American thing about America?
The health care system.
Best American look?
Dickies and a cut-up wife beater.
Is everything going to be okay?
I hope so.
Coke bottle or Coke bag?
Fountain Diet Coke forever.
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FASHION POON
Earrings by Courreges. Bracelet Model’s Own.
What’s your American Dream?
I’m living it. Freedom, mobility, agency
How do you get ahead?
I move forward.
Money or god?
God but not an Abrahamic god, more like the universe.
What’s the most expensive thing you own?
My body.
When do you feel the most clean?
Fasting and meditating.
Who’s the ultimate American pinup?
Amanda Lepore.
Who makes the best burger?
I don’t eat meat.
If you could you live in the greatest country in the world, where would that be?
Somewhere without borders.
What is your scam?
Fake it till you make it.
Gatsby or Jay-Z?
LOL.
Best American pie?
Sweet potato pie.
American Spirit Blue or Marlboro Red?
Camel crush purple mint.
Why can’t it just be magic all the time?
This question is violent.
What is America’s best import/export?
Twinkies.
What’s the most American thing about you?
My accent.
What’s the most American thing about America?
I don’t want to get too deep.
Real American hero?
Scooby Doo.
Best American look?
Joe Boxer Cookie Monster pajama pants.
Is everything going to be okay?
Girl…
Coke bottle or Coke bag?
Sparkling water.
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JANELLE FISHMAN
What’s your American Dream?
Being in nature, making herbal remedies/elixirs, and raising a farm and family.
How do you get ahead?
By being kind and respectful and treating people the way I want to be treated.
What’s the most expensive thing you own?
My house.
When do you feel the most clean?
After a peppermint bath.
Who’s the ultimate American pinup?
Marilyn Monroe.
Who makes the best burger?
Extra Market in L.A. on Fairfax.
What’s the most American movie?
Top Gun or Fast Times at Ridgemont High.
What is your scam?
To not get scammed.
Gatsby or Jay-Z?
Wasn’t Jay on the Gatsby soundtrack???
Best American pie?
The ones cooked at home with love.
Why can’t it just be magic all the time?
You wouldn’t recognize magic if it happened all the time. I like being bewildered.
Do you think Americans have good taste?
Depending on which American you’re talking about.
What is America’s best import/export?
MUSIC.
What’s the most American thing about you?
The way I make breaded chicken cutlet, mashed potatoes, and broccoli.
What’s the most American thing about America?
The food portions.
Real American hero?
The firefighters and EMTs
Best American look?
James Dean.
Is everything going to be okay?
Impossible to know.
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LIZETTE PINTO
Rings and Earrings Model’s Own.
What’s your American Dream?
To achieve creativity as a model and fashion designer, this is the perfect country for that.
How do you get ahead?
By staying positive no matter what.
Money or god?
Without god there is no money.
When do you feel the most clean?
After a good self-care moment.
Who’s the ultimate American pinup?
Marilyn Monroe is the one.
Who makes the best burger?
Shake Shack is the best and don’t forget the fries.
What’s so great about America?
The opportunities, the people, and the lifestyle.
Is greed good?
Yes and no, let’s say greed is good in low quantities.
What’s the most American movie?
Scary Movie.
Gatsby or Jay-Z?
Jay-Z, because I met him.
Best American pie?
Pumpkin pie is delicious.
American Spirit Blue or Marlboro Red?
Marlboro Red but I prefer the gold one.
Why can’t it just be magic all the time?
Because otherwise it would be too easy, the hustle is necessary for your growth.
What’s the most American thing about you?
The grind is the most American thing I have.
Real American hero?
Martin Luther King Jr.
Is everything going to be okay?
Always, god is in control.
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TARIQ WHITE
Necklace and Earrings Model’s Own.
What’s your American Dream?
My American dream is living lavish and looking like a Hollywood star while doing it!
Money or god?
God for sure, he’s the reason I get any money.
What’s the most expensive thing you own?
My Hermès briefcase or maybe one of my Chanel jackets.
When do you feel the most clean?
As soon as I hop out the shower and put on some face moisturizer and mix my favorite fragrances, so clean!!!
Who’s the ultimate American pinup?
Mariah Carey.
Who makes the best burger?
Five Guys.
What’s so great about America?
The food, of course.
Is greed good?
Sometimes.
What’s the most American movie?
The Terminator LOL.
If you could you live in the greatest country in the world, where would that be?
One of the Caribbean islands. My family actually originated from Trinidad and Tobago.
What is your scam?
That’s a secret, shhh never tell that.
Gatsby or Jay-Z?
Jay-Z ’cause I was born and raised in New York.
Why can’t it just be magic all the time?
Life would be too easy.
What’s the most American thing about America?
Yellow mustard.
Real American hero?
Aaliyah.
Best American look?
Rick James.
Is everything going to be okay?
Perhaps.
Coke bottle or Coke bag?
Both.
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MECCA MOZELLE
What’s your American Dream?
One of the most striking efforts within American society when it comes to Black and brown people is to rob us of what we find beautiful within ourselves, through media, books, police brutality, movies, and fashion. My dream is to not only succeed within the entertainment industry but to use my FACE, my BODY, and my VOICE, to reach my goals.
Who are you indebted to?
My ancestors, I owe them every part of me.
Money or god?
God (higher self/universe). Without tapping in, I wouldn’t be on the right path to money.
When do you feel the most clean?
After a shower with all of my body oils drowning me.
Who’s the ultimate American pinup?
Ethelyn Butler.
Who makes the best burger?
I don’t eat meat. The meat industry is feeding the damage being done to the earth.
Do you think Americans have good taste?
Yes. We inspire a lot of this world. Maybe because we come from all parts of it originally.
What’s the most American thing about America?
Genocide, racism, capitalism, football, and hot dogs.
Real American hero?
Nina Simone.
American Spirit Blue or Marlboro Red?
Grabba to add to my weed.
Coke bottle or Coke bag?
Coke bottle. There is nothing sexy about addiction.
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JULIAN RIBEIRO
Rings and Bracelets Model’s Own.
What’s your American Dream?
To be happy.
How do you get ahead?
Smile with all my teeth.
Who are you indebted to?
The government and my friends primarily.
Money or god?
It’s better to say god, right? I’ll go with god.
When do you feel the most clean?
When I say how I feel.
Who’s the ultimate American pinup?
Kim Kardashian.
Who makes the best burger?
I’ve never eaten meat before.
Is greed good?
Desire is the root of all suffering, and ownership is a hollow endeavor. That being said, some of you could hustle harder!
Best American pie?
Probably the first one, but the sequels are kind of hit or miss.
American Spirit Blue or Marlboro Red?
Fake vape from AliExpress.
What is America’s best import/export?
Best American export is porn. Best import is probably food or drugs.
Real American hero?
Drug dealers who come to your house and anyone who makes under 30 dollars an hour.
Best American look?
Sexy and bored.
Coke bottle or Coke bag?
Whether it’s soda or blow it’s always better when it comes in glass
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ERIN SHIN
What’s your American Dream?
To actualize my purpose here. To make my family and community proud. How do you get ahead? By checking in with myself and my dreams often, appreciating the little moments, and moving forward, one step at a time.
Who are you indebted to?
My parents, my family, my ancestors.
What’s the most expensive thing you own?
My mind and body are priceless.
When do you feel the most clean?
When I’m in the ocean.
Who’s the ultimate American pinup?
Anna May Wong!
Who makes the best burger?
Monty’s Good Burger in L.A.! It’s vegan and unreal.
What’s the most American movie?
Mean Girls.
Are Americans stupid?
Not all, but many are ignorant.
If you could you live in the greatest country in the world, where would that be?
I’ve only lived in the U.S. and South Korea, and weirdly I felt more like a foreigner in Korea and it was during the pandemic. Despite the closeness to my extended family and cultural closeness I felt, I still was homesick for New York and its lesser pressure to conform.
Gatsby or Jay-Z?
Jay-Z but mostly because of Queen B.
What’s the most American thing about America?
Spray tans.
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Hair: Erol Karadağ
Makeup: Ayaka Nihei using Mac Cosmetics
Photography Assistant: Fletcher Kern
Fashion Assistant: Fernando Cerezo III
Production Coordinator: Natalia Geldes
Casting by: Establishment New York
