At home with J. Rey Soul: “Performing with the Black Eyed Peas is like being an athlete”

Just try and find someone who hasn't heard of the Black Eyed Peas. We'll wait. One of the biggest acts in 2000s pop, songs like “Pump It”, “My Humps” and “Where is The Love” made the Peas one of the most recognisable groups from the era. They were, and still are, nothing short of iconic. But these days, they’ve got a new look. Enter J. Rey Soul.

Following in the footsteps of Fergie (and previously Kim Hill), J. Rey Soul has been fronting the Black Eyed Peas since 2018, catapulting them into the 2020s and leading their tours across the globe alongside will.i.am, APL.DE.AP and Taboo. It's no easy task and it's one that comes with plenty of pressure and expectation — especially in the beginnin.

From her solo career to her work with the Peas, travel is a norm and time is scarce for J. Rey. She’s got a strict beauty routine to try and navigate a life dominated by festivals, arenas and flights, and an intense workout schedule that also keeps her going. She describes life with the Black Eyed Peas as akin to being an athlete (dancing in heels is no joke after all) so she’s balancing it all out with a strict fitness routine, and plenty of downtime. Introducing: life on the road with J. Rey Soul.

Let's start with skincare, what's your current routine?

Exfoliation is my first essential. Everybody needs to exfoliate, right? I use the Dr. Dennis Gross peel. Another thing is moisturiser, I actually use this one that my dermatologist introduced to me It's called Alumier. And then I use a Hanacure mask before a show, or the night before a show. To get it tight, you know! And then for a serum I use the same thing: Alumier.

What about any makeup essentials? Do you have a different routine for stage and for everyday?

I've been using the Lancôme foundation for many, many years. I started with Mac and then Lancôme and now I incorporate the Fenty Foundation. Gotta support your girl Ri, right? For day to day I like to use the Fenty one because it's very light coverage. For stage, I use the Lancôme because it's medium to full coverage. For stage, I like it a little extra dramatic; for day-to-day, I like it just fresh and neutral.

And what about hair? Do you have any products that you swear by?

One is Olaplex. The second one is Bumble by Bumble. Any of their products.

Let's chat fashion. What would you say are your staples day to day? Obviously you've got the sunglasses on right now.

Yes, I love glasses. Most of the time I wear glasses because I'm not wearing any makeup. I got this pair from Gucci actually.

I love Rick Owens. I love the silhouette and the shapes. I'm wearing the jacket right now. One of the guys from the Peas and I were actually going to go to Harrods because he told me there was a Rick Owens sale! So today we're going there.

Has your style changed since you joined the Black Eyed Peas? And do you think it's influenced your choices?

Definitely. I mean definitely because they dress differently and they have signature looks. Being around the guys, you kinda feel like you have to step your game up. If they're looking cute, I gotta look cute too, you know.

For stage, we kind of have to match. So we have a stylist from L.A. Her name is Brooklyn. Right now, our style is playing with red teal, black and white colors. A bit sporty but fashionable.

Just to kind of segue a bit…. What was it like joining a band as iconic as the Black Eyed Peas? They have such an image, was that intimidating?

It was, but they were there for me along the way. That’s the beautiful thing about it. They're like my big brothers and they're like my mentors. I was growing up in the Philippines and they've been together as long as I've been alive basically. At first when I joined in, it was really like: “oh my god!” because I'm a solo artist and they have their dynamic on stage. They're just so in sync. I'm like: “how do I get into this?” But I have a legendary choreographer who helped me. She told me that you're not gonna feel welcome on stage, but you have to step in and create your space no matter what, even if they're all together, step in the middle and do your thing.

Now let's go sleep, bedroom, nighttime, self-care. How do you unwind? After a show you must be on such a high. How do you manage to sleep? Is there anything you rely on?

I drink wine, girl. Not that much, but I do like to drink wine at night at home after my skincare routine.

What’s your favourite wine?

There are a few. I live in Los Angeles and we have a really good cabernet sauvignon from Napa Valley. One of the wines I drink is Caymus which is really good: the reserve 2017 vintage. And if I wanna go less I would do Austin Hope. Austin Hope is really good.

Sometimes I just watch a movie. I have this app called Calm, I listen to like some meditation music, you know. Sometimes I listen to thunderstorms but I don't need to do that [right now] because I'm here in London. It rains here… a lot.

Do you take anything with you to help you feel at home on the road?

Definitely the Byredo candles that smell really fresh and clean.

What's your workout routine like?

I work out a lot. I mean, I feel like being an artist and being a singer and performing with the Black Eyed Peas is also like being an athlete in a way, because we're on stage for two hours, running around singing at the same time. And I'm doing it in heels.

I do saunas, too: saunas and steam. It goes deep in your body, sweats you out and your skin feels great when you get out of it. There's a lot of health benefits… actually, my voice teacher told me not to go to the sauna so much, but I have a hard time because I really love it. Steam is a good alternative for me because as a singer you need to keep your voice moisturised so I like to have a humidifier so I can hit all the notes.

Are you a big cook when you're at home?

Yeah, I do cook. A lot of my friends say I don't seem like the type. I moved to the States when I was 18 years old. I love Filipino food and there aren't a lot of spots that do that here so I got my dad to teach me how to cook my favourites.

I love to cook steak when I'm at home. Just steak and eggs. I also do intermittent fasting. I've been doing it for the past five years I think. I fast for 16 hours and then eat within eight hours.

Are you a coffee drinker?

I love coffee. I mean, I just love the smell of it and how it makes me feel.

What's your coffee order?

OK, since I'm fasting, I only do Americano. No sugar, no cream, right? But then when it hits 4 or 5pm and I can actually consume calories, I order a cappuccino with oat milk.

Since joining the Black Eyed Peas, what's been your favourite part?

I get to travel the world. It's incredible. It's always been my dream. It's incredible when you get to learn from people and artists who have been to where you want to be in your life. I get to mirror my icons.

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