About Laurie Hernandez: Since bringing home the Gold and Silver medals at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, Laurie went on to win the coveted Mirror ball trophy on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” Season 23, and published her first New York Times Best Sellers book titled, “I Got This: To Gold and Beyond” in 2017. In 2018, she released a children’s picture book NYT Best Seller, “She’s Got This” with Harper Collins Children’s Books, while serving as KPMG’s Literacy Champion to promote readership as a path to leadership. Additionally, Mattel created a Laurie Hernandez “Shero” Barbie to honor her.
She is a second generation American, as her grandparents are from Puerto Rico, making her the first U.S. born Latina to make the U.S. team since 1984. Laurie was a Gymnastics analyst for NBC’s Peacock and the Olympic Channel for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and the National Dog Show. In the Fall of 2022, she began her freshman year studying drama at NYU Tisch in NYC, while continuing as a Gymnastics analyst for NBC.
Acting is one of her biggest passions and since 2016, she has done numerous cameos, voiceovers, and co-hosted American Ninja Warrior Junior. Currently, Laurie is pursuing a drama degree at Tisch School of the Arts. During her free time, she travels the country speaking to the next generation about following one’s passion; and as a fierce advocate for prioritizing Mental Health, Laurie has partnered with multiple campaigns and initiatives to encourage support and awareness.
About Jeremiah Zagar: Jeremiah grew up in South Philly spending most afternoons in a dark movie theater or wandering the aisles of his local TLA video store. His documentary debut, IN A DREAM, screened theatrically across the US and in film festivals around the world, was broadcast on HBO, shortlisted for an Academy Award and received two Emmy nominations, including “Best Documentary.”
His first feature-length narrative, WE THE ANIMALS, premiered at Sundance where it won the NEXT Innovator Award. The film went on to earn *five* Independent Spirit nominations and you can watch it now on Netflix and Hulu.
Jeremiah’s most recent feature HUSTLE, starring Adam Sandler, Queen Latifah, Robert Duvall, Ben Foster plus NBA stars Juancho Hernangómez & Anthony Edwards, debuted at number 1 on Netflix’s global top 10 and is among the best reviewed films of 2022.
Other notable output includes doc series THE FIX, narrated by Samuel L. Jackson, and commercial work for GE Capital, Pedigree, New Balance and a Super Bowl spot for WeatherTech. When he’s not working, Jeremiah spends his time swimming in New York City’s finest public pools.