Entertainment
Mario Lopez Talks Fame, Family Life and Turning 50: ‘I’ll Never Quit’ on October 4, 2023 at 12:00 pm Us Weekly

Mario Lopez is feeling introspective as he celebrates turning the big 5-0 on October 10. “It’s an age where you pause and reflect on how you got here and what’s to come in the future,” he shares. One thing’s for sure as he looks ahead — he won’t be slowing down anytime soon.
“I want to keep grinding. The fact that I was a former child actor who was able to make that transition into working as consistently as I have is what I’m most proud of,” explains the Saved by the Bell alum and father of three, who shares Gia, 13, Dominic, 10, and Santino, 4, with his wife of 10 years, Courtney.
“I don’t take it for granted,” he continues. “I’m thankful for my blessings, and I want to keep doing what I’m doing and more of it.
For this week’s cover story, the busy host exclusively invites Us into his L.A. home to talk more about turning 50, life with his family and why he’ll never retire.
How does it feel to turn 50?
I feel good. It isn’t going to slow me down. It’s one of those birthdays where you’re like, “Whoa, it sounds old,” but it isn’t. If you make health a priority, there’s no reason why you can’t keep going another 50.
Is this where you imagined you’d be at this age?
When you’re young, you don’t even think about 50. It seems like a million years away. But now that I’m here, I’m like, “50 is the new 30!”
“A motto I live by is, ‘Work hard, stay focused and do the right thing,’” Lopez says. Britt & Shayne Benton, The Range Photography
Well, you don’t look a day over 30!
I’m always flattered when somebody says something like that, but it’s not like I do anything in particular. I’m just lucky, and I always say that I drink a lot of tequila, and it preserves you. It’s like an embalming fluid. And I’m happy — that keeps you youthful.
What’s the rest of your diet like?
I’m not a calorie counter or anything, and I love food, so I don’t discriminate. I try not to eat a lot of junk during the week, and then on the weekends, I go a little nuts and eat a lot and have some cocktails and maybe a cigar or two. It’s all about balance.
And what about exercise?
I like to train every day, usually jiu-jitsu or boxing. It makes me feel alive and young and keeps me sharp. It’s a big stress release — I like to say I train more for sanity than for vanity.
Your skin is remarkably smooth!
I don’t have a special routine, but I use St. Ives Apricot Face Scrub. I like it because it’s grainy. It makes me feel like rocks are cleaning it. [Laughs.]
Would you say you’ve gotten more confident as you’ve gotten older?
You learn from your mistakes. I think you never stop wanting to grow. As I look back, I’m happy. And as I look forward, I’m happy. So, no regrets.
Us shot Lopez at his new L.A. home, where he’s still putting finishing touches on the backyard. “When it’s done, I’m going to throw a big party,” he says. Britt & Shayne Benton, The Range Photography
When you think about what you’ve accomplished, what stands out the most?
I’m most proud of my family. Both my parents, who recently just celebrated 51 years together, and my awesome sister and her family and my wonderful wife and my kids. A lot of things in life come and go, but having a great family is priceless.
What’s the best part of fatherhood?
No matter what kind of day you’re having, you come home and you hear, “Daddy!” and they’re opening their arms and loving you unconditionally. That makes it all worthwhile.
What lessons from your own life do you hope to instill in your kids?
There are no shortcuts. If you work hard, stay focused and do the right thing, the right thing should happen. And if you have a family that supports you, then God’s on your side, and you can do anything.
What’re they all up to these days?
Gia just turned 13, but she might as well be 25. She’s very mature. I can talk to her like an adult. She’s singing, dancing and playing the piano and doing competitive cheer. Dominic is also busy singing, dancing and playing the piano, and he wrestles and does jiu-jitsu competitively at a pretty high level. Santino just started wrestling. He’s a bit of a rascal, so I have to keep my eye on him.
What do you guys like to do together as a family?
I like it when we’re all home, either watching a movie or hanging out in the pool or making a TikTok video.
Courtney planned her husband’s 50th birthday at Casa Aramara in Punta Mita, Mexico, where they got married. “It’s going to be really special,” she shares. Britt & Shayne Benton, The Range Photography
How do you keep your relationship with Courtney so strong?
She’s super cool and very supportive. Courtney understands the fluidity of my schedule, and she’s a great mom, and we have a lot of fun and laugh together.
Do you do date nights?
We make it a point to carve out little getaways because you can get caught up in everything. You have to make it a priority to take care of that relationship, too — you don’t want to just give leftovers to your significant other.
Have your kids seen Saved by the Bell?
They tried but didn’t really dig it. I think my mom introduced it to them, and they were like, “No, we’re good.” They don’t want to see any more of me; they get enough! [Laughs.]
Can you believe it’s still such a fan favorite?
It blows me away. It was a little kid show. That’s what trips me out.
Are you still close with your costars?
Yeah, I see them pretty often. I just saw Tiffani [Theissen] not too long ago, and I do jiu-jitsu with Mark-Paul [Gosselaar] and Elizabeth [Berkley] sometimes. It’s nice. It’s like when you run into your old high school friends — you pick up where you left off.
“They keep me young and fun,” Lopez says of his three kids. Britt & Shayne Benton, The Range Photography
What are some of your favorite memories from the set?
I have a hard time remembering what happened a couple weeks ago, much less thirty-something years ago. Fans mention stuff from the show that I don’t even remember. We shot it in the summertime. We were teenagers, which is maybe why it resonated with kids because often older people played teens. It was fun.
It made you a ’90s heartthrob.
It’s wild. It didn’t suck when you were young and wanted to date, I’ll tell you that. [Laughs.]
Any secret romances we don’t know about?
A gentleman never kisses and tells.
What advice would you give your younger self?
There were a lot of distractions where I would’ve said, “Hey, don’t pay attention to that” or “Make a different choice,” but no one has a looking glass to predict the future. The important thing is when you mess up, you learn and try to become a better individual.
“I’ve always hustled and I never wanted to take no for an answer,” says Lopez. Britt & Shayne Benton, The Range Photography
What’s the best part of your job?
I love what I do. I love TV and music and film. The fact that I get to talk to the most talented, fascinating people in the world is awesome. It doesn’t get old. On my birthday next year, I’m going to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. I’m a little Mexican kid from Chula Vista and I was able to do that. That’s cool.
Biggest career highlight to date?
As my dad has said, I’ve never had to get a real job. You hear about former child actors who don’t make that transition, or they’re just not as busy. I never thought at 50 I’d have my own nationally syndicated radio show, a daytime talk show and a nighttime show, and then Access Daily and
Access Hollywood. I’m proud I’ve been in the game for so long.
What’s been the biggest challenge of being in the spotlight?
What I do is not who I am. I’m not up in the scene going to parties and premieres all the time. My friends are the buddies I grew up with. When you’re in the public eye, people create narratives about you, but I’m going on my 40th year in this business, so I know that comes with the territory.
How do you handle critics?
I’m not worried about what anybody has to say. If it doesn’t affect my family, work or health, then I’m not tripping on it. I care about the people I love and whoever’s writing my check.
“I’m very appreciative of where I am now both in my personal and professional life. I wouldn’t change it for a thing,” says Lopez. Britt & Shayne Benton, The Range Photography
If you weren’t in showbiz, what would you be doing?
As a kid, I wanted to be an anchorman because I thought they worked an hour a day and were reporting to their community. I’d probably do something along those lines, which is sort of what I do now, but more news-oriented.
Have there been any roles that you wish you’d landed?
Oh, there’s a lot! When I was younger, I auditioned for Walker, Texas Ranger opposite Chuck Norris. I was going to be his costar, but I was too tall. He wanted me, [but] he wanted someone smaller than him. That one put me out because I liked Chuck Norris when I was a kid.
Where do you hope to find yourself in the next 10 years?
I want to be the Latin Dick Clark, [and] produce and create and tell more stories about people in my culture. I want to be on your TV for the next 30 years. I love it, and I don’t see myself slowing down. I want to keep going until I’m 100.
Mario Lopez is feeling introspective as he celebrates turning the big 5-0 on October 10. “It’s an age where you pause and reflect on how you got here and what’s to come in the future,” he shares. One thing’s for sure as he looks ahead — he won’t be slowing down anytime soon. “I want
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Entertainment
DJ Shinski Brings AfriqueFest To Life

AfriqueFest: Pan-African Musical Experience — World Cup Edition is set to take over Noto Houston on Sunday, June 28, bringing together East, South, and West African sounds in one immersive celebration of music, culture, and connection. Presented by Experience Noir and Bolanle Media, the event is designed as a cinematic night for the culture, blending global energy with Houston nightlife in a way that feels elevated, intentional, and deeply rooted in African creativity.

Spotlight on DJ Shinski
At the heart of this year’s experience is DJ Shinski. Born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya and now based in Houston, DJ Shinski has built an international name off high-energy sets that move effortlessly across Afrobeats, Amapiano, hip‑hop, dancehall, reggae, and electronic sounds.
He has also become Africa’s most‑subscribed DJ on YouTube, crossing the 2‑million‑subscriber mark and turning his mixes into a global destination for music lovers.
DJ Shinski’s style is precise but unpredictable: one moment it’s classic Afrobeats, the next it’s East African anthems, then a run of throwback hip‑hop or R&B that still feels fresh. That ability to read a room and connect multiple worlds in a single set is exactly why AfriqueFest is building so much of the night’s energy around him.
At AfriqueFest, DJ Shinski helps drive the Safari Grooves segment, representing East and Central Africa from 4 PM to 6 PM. Expect a journey that moves from Nairobi to Dar es Salaam, Kampala, Addis, and beyond, all filtered through his signature “vibes on vibes” approach behind the decks.
DJ Tunez and the rest of the night
Supporting that energy, DJ Tunez leads the Gold Coast Beats chapter from 8 PM to 10 PM, bringing his own Nigerian‑American Afrobeats pedigree to the stage. Together with the Diamond Rhythms segment (South) and a curated roster of DJs, the night stretches across the continent in three distinct musical chapters, all connected by a single dance floor.
Hosted by @chris_gone_crazy, @kingdrewwskyy, @roselynomaka, and @samsnewleaf, AfriqueFest is positioned as more than a party—it’s a celebration of sound, style, and Pan‑African identity in Houston, with DJ Shinski anchoring the experience from the moment doors open.
Brought to you by Bolanle Media & Experience Noir
Brought to you by Bolanle Media and Experience Noir, this World Cup edition of AfriqueFest is crafted as a night where global DJs, storytellers, and music lovers collide and create a shared cultural memory. With DJ Shinski front and center—and DJ Tunez helping close the night—guests can expect a show that reflects both the future of African nightlife and the power of the diaspora to create unforgettable live moments.
If you want to experience DJ Shinski live at AfriqueFest, now is the time to lock in your spot. Purchase your tickets now at AfriqueFest.com and get ready for a night of music, movement, and culture at Noto Houston.
Entertainment
STREAMING PREMIERE · JUNE 13, 2026

Laughter Meets Inspiration: Our Ladies Show Lands on The Roku Channel
A bold new sketch comedy series for women premieres June 13 across the U.S., U.K., and Canada — arriving on the back of a festival-winning run that has critics and audiences already paying attention.
It isn’t every day a brand-new comedy arrives already wearing a row of trophies. Our Ladies Show does. The seven-episode inspirational sketch comedy series — created, written by, and starring Christin Jezak — begins streaming on The Roku Channel on Friday, June 13, 2026, available free to viewers in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada.
Produced in partnership with global media services leader Encompass Digital Media, the series sets out to do something rare in today’s streaming landscape: make women laugh out loud and leave them lifted. In a media moment crowded with noise and cynicism, Our Ladies Show is a deliberate counterweight — comedy with a conscience, built for women of every age and background.

A Show Built Around Real Life — and Real Laughs
Each of the seven episodes opens with a monologue from one of the cast members introducing the theme, then rolls into three or more sketches that hit the subject from every comedic angle. The series tackles the things women actually carry: holding grudges, comparison, beauty, patience, gift giving, the importance of community, and dealing with anxiety.
The comedy comes from a place of warmth rather than mockery — a “laugh at ourselves” spirit that runs through a gallery of unforgettable characters: a nosey neighbor, an overwhelmed mom, relentlessly optimistic flight attendants, beauty pageant winners past their prime, and a crew of unruly campers with a counselor who simply cannot hold it together.
Then the show does something most sketch series don’t. In the final segment of every episode, the cast gathers in a living-room setting and invites the audience in — sharing real inspiration drawn from the theme, the sketches, and their own personal stories. It’s the moment the laughter turns into something that stays with you.

The Women Behind the Show
Our Ladies Show brings together three performers with serious range:
- Christin Jezak — creator, writer, and star (Miracle at Manchester, Raising Hope, Jimmy Kimmel Live!)
- Hillary Hawkins — (Primal, Nick Jr.’s Play Along, Gullah Gullah Island)
- Sarah Hernandez — (Nefarious, Unplanned, House of Payne)
“In a world with so much division and depression, I hope women of all ages and backgrounds will watch this show, laugh, be reminded of how beautiful, unique, and loved they are, and remember how much we need each other.”— Christin Jezak, Creator & Star
Already a Festival Favorite
The series’ recurring long-form sketch, Neighborhood Watch, didn’t arrive quietly. Originally released as a web series and revamped for Our Ladies Show with new footage, sound, and music, it has been sweeping the festival circuit:
- 🏆 Best Webseries — 2026 New Media Film Festival (Los Angeles)
- 🏆 Best Web/TV Series — Paris Film Awards
- 🏆 Best Web Series — Dallas Movie Awards
- 🏅 Additional wins at the London Movie Awards, Florence Film Awards, and Hollywood Gold Awards
- 🎬 Official Selection — 2026 Harvard Divinity School Film Fest
- ⭐ Finalist — Houston Comedy Film Festival
- 📣 Three nominations — 2025 Content Christian Media Conference, including Best Actress in a TV and Web Series nods for both Christin Jezak and Sarah Hernandez
Where and When to Watch
Our Ladies Show premieres Friday, June 13, 2026, streaming on The Roku Channel — the home of premium and free entertainment — in the U.S., U.K., and Canada. All seven episodes deliver the series’ signature blend of sharp sketch comedy and genuine encouragement.

Watch the trailer now on your platform of choice:
For more information, visit www.ourladiesshow.com and follow @ourladiesshow on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

About Christin Jezak
Christin Jezak has worked for over 15 years in the entertainment industry. She created and stars in Our Ladies Show and the award-winning web series Neighborhood Watch. She produced the EWTN TV program For the Sake of the Gospel and the all-women web series Ladies Keepin’ It Real, played Dr. Sam in Miracle at Manchester (starring Dean Cain, Daniel Roebuck, and Eddie McClintock), and voices Agnes in the podcast Confessions of a Catholic Single. She held a lead role in a short film for NTT Data directed by Academy Award–winning cinematographer Janusz Kamiński, has co-starred on Raising Hope, and appeared in Jimmy Kimmel sketches and a Grubhub Super Bowl commercial.

About The Roku Channel
Roku pioneered streaming on TV and is the #1 TV streaming platform in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico by hours streamed (Hypothesis Group, Dec. 2025). The Roku Channel is the home of premium and free entertainment, alongside Roku’s Howdy and Frndly TV services. Roku is headquartered in San Jose, California.
About Encompass Digital Media
Encompass Digital Media is a global managed services company — technology-driven, software-defined, and people-powered. Trusted by world-leading broadcasters, networks, sports rights-holders, and OTT platforms, it processes over 25,000 hours of content daily, serves 850 channels to 84 countries, distributes over 243,000 live events annually, and reaches 400 million radio listeners weekly worldwide. Learn more at www.encompass.tv.
Media & Interview Requests: To interview creator Christin Jezak or the cast, contact Christin at cjezak@p2ptheatre.com.
Entertainment
What Filmmakers Should Actually Steal From Euphoria

Most of the talk about Euphoria asks one question: was it realistic? That’s the wrong question if you make films. The better one is simpler. How did Sam Levinson get an audience to feel addiction from the inside? And what did it cost him to end the show the way he did?
Strip away the noise and Euphoria is a clinic in three choices: point of view, style, and the ending. Here’s what’s worth taking — and what isn’t.

1. Put the Camera Inside the Character
Most shows about drugs watch from across the room. Euphoria doesn’t. When Rue is high, the camera is high too. Walls breathe. Floors tilt. Time skips. You’re not watching her — you’re stuck inside her head.
That’s the lesson: point of view is a decision you make with the camera and the cut, not a mood you add later in color. Levinson builds it into the lens, the blocking, and the edit.
So before you shoot a scene through a character’s eyes, ask one thing on set: whose eyes is this lens standing in for? Then make every cut respect that.
2. Your Style Has to Mean Something
The glitter. The slow push-ins. The impossible club lighting. Euphoria‘s look got copied everywhere. That’s the trap.
The style worked because it carried weight. The beauty wasn’t decoration — it was the lie addiction tells you, the reason the next high looks worth it. The camera made self-destruction gorgeous on purpose.
The copies missed that. A thousand music videos took the look and left the meaning behind, and you can feel how hollow they are. So here’s the test: if your signature style could be swapped onto any other project and still “work,” it’s not a style. It’s a filter. Every choice should have a reason behind it.
3. The Ending Tells the Audience What It All Meant
When Euphoria ended for good in Season 3, Levinson killed Rue — an accidental, fentanyl-laced overdose. He called it “the honest ending,” saying he wanted to tell a true story about addiction and grief in a time when one mistake can be the last one. Reportedly, that wasn’t the original plan; the death of Angus Cloud, who played Fezco, changed the script.
Forget whether you agree with the choice. Study how it works. An ending is the last instruction you give your audience about how to read everything before it.
By ending on consequence instead of recovery, Levinson reframed seven years of beautiful chaos as a story about cost — not a celebration of it.
It’s also the show’s most debatable move, and that’s worth noticing too. A show that spent years making pain look beautiful had to fight to make that pain land as loss. Did it earn the ending, or enjoy the wreckage too long to stick it? Smart filmmakers will disagree — and that argument is exactly what a good ending is supposed to start.

What Not to Take
The neon grief is the most copied part. It’s also the least useful. Take the surface — the colors, the slow-mo, the trauma-as-texture — and you get the costume without the body.
The real craft is underneath. Commit your camera to a real point of view. Make every stylistic choice earn its place. Treat your ending as the point of the whole thing. Do that, and your work won’t look like Euphoria. It’ll do what Euphoria did.
This piece touches on addiction and substance use. If you or someone you know is struggling, support is available through the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357.
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