Category: Worldwide

In only a short amount of time, AI-generated art has made a huge (and seemingly lasting) impact on our world. Whether that impact is entirely a positive one is up for debate, but it has undeniably pushed boundaries of what’s possible when it comes to blending creative imagination and advanced technology.

Previously, photographer and lawyer Alper Yesiltas wowed us with hyperrealistic portraits of celebrities who passed away at a young age, exploring what they might look like “if nothing had happened.”

He then took stars of a bygone era—like Greta Garbo and Charlie Chaplin—and placed them into our modern world for a series called “Thisness.”

This time, Yesiltas imagines what certain younger icons might look like many years into the future. Decades, even. That’s right—Harry Styles, Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa and more, with all the wrinkles that come with age.

He calls this series “Young Age(d).”

Producing images that feel this authentic is no easy process. Multiple editing programs, a photo-enhancing software called Remini and meticulous attention to detail were required to achieve the look.

And it looks like his efforts were well worth it. I mean, just take a look at debonair senior Harry Styles.

See on Instagram

You can tell that even with the various signs of (artificial) age, these photos still maintain the likeness of the individual remarkably well.

Also below—Greta Thunberg, exuding major Jane Goodall vibes in the best way.

See on Instagram

Basically, if the kids today are making you feel old, just know that it’s only a matter of time before they feel the same way. Not even Dua Lipa will be spared.

See on Instagram

Of course, by then we’ll all be even older.

Jokes aside, these photos can actually help us fear aging a little less. Growing older is indeed a privilege, not guaranteed to all. With it comes its own kind of beauty. Many folks would say that, despite what certain stigmas might indicate, things only get better, leaving them to feel sexier and more powerful.

Just look at Emma Stone (gorgeous) or Ryan Gosling (dashing). They don’t seem like they’re pining for their youth.

See on Instagram

See on Instagram

Sure, these are fake images. And yes, celebrities might have access to things that make the aging process a little more glamorous, but still—it’s time we looked at growing older as the work of art that it really is.

See on Instagram

If you’re curious to see more of Yesiltas’ work, you can find it on Instagram. He has a ton of captivating works on there, whether you’re nostalgic about the past, or curious about the future.

Please note that this is not a satirical article despite the headline.

According to TheWrap, Italy has been pursuing charges against noted blockbuster movie director Michael Bay for the past year because of an alleged pigeon death on the 2018 set of 6 Underground. The director refused to pay a fine over the incident because it would have required that he plead guilty to the charge. He and his legal team have tried three times to get the case thrown out as Bay maintains his innocence, but the prosecution is moving forward. Bay is denying the allegation that a homing pigeon was killed by a dolly during a take of the action movie starring Ryan Reynolds. Pigeons are among many birds protected in Italy and throughout the EU.

“I am a well-known animal lover and major animal activist,” Bay said in a statement. “No animal involved in the production was injured or harmed. Or on any other production I’ve worked on in the past 30 years.”

Allegedly, an unnamed person on set saw the death, photographed it, and sent the photos to Italian authorities.

Bay responded directly to the potential photographic evidence by referring to his production’s own “clear video evidence, a multitude of witnesses, and safety officers that exonerates us from these claims. And disproves their one paparazzi photo — which gives a false story.”

Fortunately, it seems safe to make jokes about the situation because it seems unlikely that a pigeon was killed. Unfortunately, the story doesn’t involve doves and another iconic action director, so the jokes don’t really come that naturally.

(via TheWrap)

Early on in Tar, Cate Blanchett‘s eponymous conductor gives thanks to the female conductors who came before her, including Marin Alsop, the real-life trailblazer whose biography is riddled with the word “first.” On Monday, Alsop slammed the Todd Field-directed film as being “anti-woman.”

“To have an opportunity to portray a woman in that role and to make her an abuser — for me that was heartbreaking,” she said. “I think all women and all feminists should be bothered by that kind of depiction because it’s not really about women conductors, is it? It’s about women as leaders in our society. People ask, ‘Can we trust them? Can they function in that role?’ It’s the same questions whether it’s about a CEO or an NBA coach or the head of a police department.”

In response, Blanchett offered a rebuttal to BBC Radio 4.

“She’s entitled to her opinion, absolutely. But it’s a meditation on power and power is genderless,” said Blanchett. “It is a meditation on power and the corrupting nature of power and I think that that doesn’t necessarily happen only in cultural circles. . . I think that power is a corrupting force no matter what one’s gender is. I think it affects all of us.”

Presumably, this is exactly the kind of robust discussion Blanchett and Field knew they’d prompt when they made the film. On the one hand is the collective action problem: there’s only one high-profile movie about a woman conductor, so the portrayal carries outsized weight. On the other, perhaps Tar shouldn’t have to carry that weight of representation that would keep it from exploring something as complicated as corrupting power when a woman is in charge. It’s a worthy conversation which will most likely continue as Tar heads toward the Oscars.

(via Variety)

The NAACP Image Awards are set to return next month. Leading the nominations in the recording categories are Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar, both of whom have five nominations. Both Bey and Lamar are nominated for Outstanding Album, for their respective works, Renaissance and Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, which dropped last year.

It’s also worth noting that this year’s Entertainer Of The Year category is completely filled with women nominees, including Mary J. Blige, Angela Bassett, Quinta Brunson, Zendaya, and Viola Davis.

The ceremony will air on Saturday, February 25 at 8 p.m. EST on BET. In the week leading up to the ceremony, the NAACP will announce winners in the non-televised categories. Fans can vote for their favorite nominees in music, television, and motion picture here until February 10.

Check out the full list of nominees below.

Entertainer Of The Year

Angela Bassett
Mary J. Blige
Quinta Brunson
Viola Davis
Zendaya

RECORDING CATEGORIES

Outstanding Album

Age/Sex/Location – Ari Lennox
Breezy (Deluxe) – Chris Brown
Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers – Kendrick Lamar
Renaissance – Beyoncé
Watch The Sun – PJ Morton

Outstanding soul/R&B song

“About Damn Time” – Lizzo
“Cuff It” – Beyoncé
“Good Morning Gorgeous” Remix – Mary J. Blige feat. H.E.R.
“Hurt Me So Good” – Jazmine Sullivan
“Lift Me Up” – Rihanna

Outstanding Hip-Hop/Rap Song

“Billie Eilish” – Armani White
“City of Gods” – Fivio Foreign
“Hotel Lobby” – Quavo, Takeoff
“The Heart Part 5” – Kendrick Lamar
“Wait for U” – Future feat. Drake and Tems

Outstanding Male Artist

Brent Faiyaz – Wasteland
Burna Boy – Love, Damini
Chris Brown – Breezy
Drake – Honestly, Nevermind
Kendrick Lamar – Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers

Outstanding Female Artist

Ari Lennox – Age/Sex/Location
Beyoncé – Renaissance
Chlöe – “Surprise”
Jazmine Sullivan – “Hurt Me So Good”
SZA – SOS

Outstanding Duo, Group, Or Collaboration (Traditional)

Kendrick Lamar feat. Blxst & Amanda Reifer – “Die Hard”
Mary J. Blige feat. H.E.R. – “Good Morning Gorgeous” Remix
PJ Morton feat. Alex Isley and Jill Scott – “Still Believe”
Silk Sonic – “Love’s Train”
Summer Walker, Cardi B, and SZA – “No Love”

Outstanding Duo, Group Or Collaboration

Beyoncé feat. Grace Jones and Tems – “Move”
Chris Brown feat. Wizkid – “Call Me Every Day”
City Girls feat. Usher – “Good Love”
Future feat. Drake and Tems – “Wait for U”
Latto feat. Mariah Carey and DJ Khaled – “Big Energy” Remix

Outstanding New Artist

Adam Blackstone – Legacy
Armani White – “Billie Eilish”
Coco Jones – “ICU”
Fivio Foreign – B.I.B.L.E
Steve Lacy – Gemini Rights

Outstanding Music Video/Visual Album

“About Damn Time” – Lizzo (
“Be Alive” – Beyoncé
“Lift Me Up” – Rihanna
“Lord Forgive Me” feat. Fat, Pharrell, and Olu of Earthgang – Tobe Nwigwe
“The Heart Part 5” – Kendrick Lamar

Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation Album

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – Music From and Inspired By – Ryan Coogler, Ludwig Göransson, Archie Davis and Dave Jordan
Bridgerton Season Two (Soundtrack from the Netflix Series) – Kris Bowers
Entergalactic – Kid Cudi
P-Valley: Season 2 (Music From the Original TV Series) – Various Artists
The Woman King – Terence Blanchard

Outstanding International Song

“Bad to Me” – Wizkid
“Diana” – Fireboy DML, Chris Brown, Shenseea
“Last Last” – Burna Boy
“No Woman No Cry” – Tems
“Stand Strong” – Davido feat. Sunday Service Choir

Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album

All Things New – Tye Tribbett (Motown Gospel)
Hymns – Tasha Cobbs Leonard (Motown Gospel)
Kingdom Book One – Maverick City Music & Kirk Franklin
My Life – James Fortune
The Urban Hymnal – Tennessee State University

Outstanding Gospel/Christian Song

“All in Your Hands” – Marvin Sapp
“Fly (Y.M.M.F.)” – Tennessee State University
“Positive” – Erica Campbell
“Whole World in His Hands” – MAJOR.
“Your World” – Jonathan McReynolds

Outstanding Jazz Album – Instrumental

Detour – Boney James
JID014 (Jazz Is Dead) – Henry Franklin, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Adrian Younge
The Funk Will Prevail – Kaelin Ellis
The Gospel According to Nikki Giovanni – Javon Jackson
Thrill Ride – Ragan Whiteside

Outstanding Jazz Album – Vocal

Legacy – Adam Blackstone
Linger Awhile – Samara Joy
Love And The Catalyst – Aimée Allen
New Standards, Vol. 1 – Terri Lyne Carrington
The Evening : Live at Apparatus – The Baylor Project

MOTION PICTURE CATEGORIES

Outstanding Motion Picture

A Jazzman’s Blues
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Emancipation
The Woman King
TILL

Outstanding Actor In A Motion Picture

Daniel Kaluuya – Nope
Jonathan Majors – Devotion
Joshua Boone – A Jazzman’s Blues
Sterling K. Brown – Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul
Will Smith – Emancipation

Outstanding Actress In A Motion Picture

Danielle Deadwyler – TILL
Keke Palmer – Alice
Letitia Wright – Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Regina Hall – Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul
Viola Davis – The Woman King

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Motion Picture

Aldis Hodge – Black Adam
Cliff “Method Man” Smith – On the Come Up
Jalyn Hall – TILL
John Boyega – The Woman King
Tenoch Huerta – Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Motion Picture

Angela Bassett – Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Danai Gurira – Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Janelle Monáe – Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
Lashana Lynch – The Woman King
Lupita Nyong’o – Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Outstanding Independent Motion Picture

Breaking
Causeway
Mr. Malcolm’s List
Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story
The Inspection

Outstanding International Motion Picture

Athena
Bantú Mama
Broker
Learn to Swim
The Silent Twins

Outstanding Breakthrough Performance In A Motion Picture

Jalyn Hall – TILL
Joshua Boone – A Jazzman’s Blues
Ledisi – Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story
Y’lan Noel – A Lot of Nothing
Yola – Elvis

Outstanding Ensemble Cast In A Motion Picture

A Jazzman’s Blues
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Emancipation
The Woman King
TILL

Outstanding Animated Motion Picture

DC League of Super-Pets
Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio
Puss In Boots: The Last Wish
Turning Red
Wendell & Wild

Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance – Motion Picture

Angela Bassett – Wendell & Wild
Keke Palmer – Lightyear
Kevin Hart – DC League Of Super-Pets
Lyric Ross – Wendell & Wild
Taraji P. Henson – Minions: The Rise of Gru

Outstanding Short-Form

Dear Mama…
Fannie
Fathead
Incomplete
Pens & Pencils

Outstanding Short-Form (Animated)

I Knew Superman
More Than I Want to Remember
Supercilious
The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, And The Horse
We Are Here

Outstanding Breakthrough Creative

Elvis Mitchell – Is That Black Enough for You?!?
Ericka Nicole Malone – Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story
Krystin Ver Linden – Alice
Mo McRae – A Lot of Nothing
Stephen Adetumbi, Jarrett Roseborough – This Is My Black

TELEVISION + STREAMING CATEGORIES

Outstanding Comedy Series

Abbott Elementary
Atlanta
Black-ish
Rap Sh!t
The Wonder Years

Outstanding Actor In A Comedy Series

Anthony Anderson – Black-ish
Cedric The Entertainer – The Neighborhood
Donald Glover – Atlanta
Dulé Hill – The Wonder Years
Mike Epps – The Upshaws

Outstanding Actress In A Comedy Series

Loretta Devine – Family Reunion
Maya Rudolph – Loot
Quinta Brunson – Abbott Elementary
Tichina Arnold – The Neighborhood
Tracee Ellis Ross – Black-ish

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series

Brian Tyree Henry – Atlanta
Deon Cole – Black-ish
Kenan Thompson – Saturday Night Live
Tyler James Williams – Abbott Elementary
William Stanford Davis – Abbott Elementary

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series

Janelle James – Abbott Elementary
Jenifer Lewis – Black-ish
Marsai Martin – Black-ish
Sheryl Lee Ralph – Abbott Elementary
Wanda Sykes – The Upshaws

Outstanding Drama Series

Bel-Air
Bridgerton
Euphoria
P-Valley
Queen Sugar

Outstanding Actor In A Drama Series

Damson Idris – Snowfall
Jabari Banks – Bel-Air
Kofi Siriboe – Queen Sugar
Nicco Annan – P-Valley
Sterling K. Brown – This Is Us

Outstanding Actress In A Drama Series

Angela Bassett – 9-1-1
Brandee Evans – P-Valley
Queen Latifah – The Equalizer
Rutina Wesley – Queen Sugar
Zendaya – Euphoria

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series

Adrian Holmes – Bel-Air
Amin Joseph – Snowfall
Caleb McLaughlin – Stranger Things
Cliff “Method Man” Smith – Power Book II: Ghost
J. Alphonse Nicholson – P-Valley

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series

Adjoa Andoh – Bridgerton
Bianca Lawson – Queen Sugar
Loretta Devine – P-Valley
Susan Kelechi Watson – This Is Us
Tina Lifford – Queen Sugar

Outstanding Television Movie, Limited-Series Or Dramatic Special

Carl Weber’s The Black Hamptons
From Scratch
The Best Man: The Final Chapters
The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey
Women of the Movement

Outstanding Actor In A Television Movie, Limited-Series Or Dramatic Special

Morris Chestnut – The Best Man: The Final Chapters
Samuel L. Jackson – The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey
Terrence Howard – The Best Man: The Final Chapters
Trevante Rhodes – Mike
Wendell Pierce – Don’t Hang Up

Outstanding Actress In A Television Movie, Limited-Series Or Dramatic Special

Niecy Nash-Betts – Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story
Regina Hall – The Best Man: The Final Chapters
Sanaa Lathan – The Best Man: The Final Chapters
Viola Davis – The First Lady
Zoe Saldaña – From Scratch

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Television Movie, Limited-Series Or Dramatic Special

Glynn Turman – Women of the Movement
Keith David – From Scratch
Omar Benson Miller – The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey
Russell Hornsby – Mike
Terrence “TC” Carson – A Wesley Christmas

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Television Movie, Limited-Series Or Dramatic Special

Alexis Floyd – Inventing Anna
Danielle Deadwyler – From Scratch
Melissa De Sousa – The Best Man: The Final Chapters
Nia Long – The Best Man: The Final Chapters
Phylicia Rashad – Little America

Outstanding News/Information (Series Or Special)

#RolandMartinUnfiltered: Black Votes Matter Election Night 2022 Coverage
ABC News 20/20 Michelle Obama: The Light We Carry, A Conversation with Robin Roberts
Finding Your Roots With Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
OWN Spotlight: Viola Davis – The Woman King
The Hair Tales

Outstanding Talk Series

Hart to Heart
Red Table Talk
Sherri
Tamron Hall
Uninterrupted: The Shop

Outstanding Reality Program, Reality Competition Or Game Show

Legendary
Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls
Shark Tank
Sweet Life: Los Angeles
The Real Housewives of Atlanta

Outstanding Variety Show (Series Or Special)

A Black Lady Sketch Show
BET Awards 2022
Deon Cole: Charleen’s Boy
Martin: The Reunion
The Daily Show with Trevor Noah

Outstanding Children’s Program

Family Reunion
Raising Dion
Raven’s Home
Tab Time
Waffles + Mochi’s Restaurant

Outstanding Performance By A Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie Or Limited-Series)

Alaya “That Girl Lay Lay” High – That Girl Lay Lay
Cameron J. Wright – Family Reunion
Elisha Williams – The Wonder Years
Khali Spraggins – The Upshaws
Ja’Siah Young – Raising Dion

Outstanding Host In A Talk Or News/Information (Series Or Special) – Individual Or Ensemble

Jada Pinkett-Smith, Adrienne Banfield-Norris, Willow Smith – Red Table Talk
Jennifer Hudson – The Jennifer Hudson Show
Kevin Hart – Hart to Heart
Lester Holt – NBC Nightly News
Tracee Ellis Ross – The Hair Tales

Outstanding Host In A Reality/Reality Competition, Game Show Or Variety (Series Or Special) – Individual Or Ensemble

Keke Palmer – Password
Lizzo – Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls
Tabitha Brown – Tab Time
Taraji P. Henson – BET Awards 2022
Trevor Noah – The Daily Show with Trevor Noah

Outstanding Guest Performance

Amanda Gorman – Sesame Street
Chance the Rapper – South Side
Colman Domingo – Euphoria
Glynn Turman – Queen Sugar
Gabourey Sidibe – American Horror Stories

Outstanding Animated Series

Central Park
Eureka!
Gracie’s Corner TV
The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder
Zootopia+

Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television)

Billy Porter – The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder
Cedric the Entertainer – The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder
Chris Bridges – Karma’s World
Cree Summer – Rugrats
Kyla Pratt – The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder

Outstanding Short-Form Series – Comedy Or Drama

Between The Scenes – The Daily Show
Oh Hell No! With Marlon Wayans
Rise Up, Sing Out
Sunday Dinner
Zootopia+

Outstanding Short-Form Series Or Special – Reality/Non-Fiction

Black Independent Films: A Brief History
Daring Simone Biles
Historian’s Take
NFL 360
Omitted: The Black Cowboy

Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Television)

Amy Wang – From Scratch
Branden Jacobs-Jenkins – Kindred
Hannah Cope – Karma’s World
Quinta Brunson – Abbott Elementary
Syreeta Singleton – Rap Sh!t

DOCUMENTARY CATEGORIES

Outstanding Documentary (Film)

Civil
Descendant
Is That Black Enough For You?!?
Louis Armstrong’s Black & Blues
Sidney

Outstanding Documentary (Television)

Black Love
Everything’s Gonna Be All White
Frontline
Race: Bubba Wallace
Shaq

WRITING CATEGORIES

Outstanding Writing In A Comedy Series

Aisha Muharrar – Hacks – “Episode 206”
Ayo Edebiri, Shana Gohd – What We Do In The Shadows – “Episode 405”
Brittani Nichols – Abbott Elementary – “Student Transfer”
Karen Joseph Adcock – The Bear – “Episode 105”
Quinta Brunson – Abbott Elementary – “Development Day”

Outstanding Writing In A Drama Series

Aurin Squire – The Good Fight – “Episode 603”
Branden Jacobs-Jenkins – Kindred – “Episode 101”
Davita Scarlett – The Good Fight – “Episode 604”
Joshua Allen – From Scratch – “Episode 105”
Marissa Jo Cerar – Women of the Movement – “Episode 101”

Outstanding Writing In A Television Movie Or Special

Bree West – A Wesley Christmas
Ian Edelman, Maurice Williams – Entergalactic
Jerrod Carmichael – Jerrod Carmichael: Rothaniel
Lil Rel Howery – Lil Rel Howery: I Said it. Y’all Thinking It
Matt Lopez – Father Of The Bride

Outstanding Writing In A Motion Picture

Charles Murray – The Devil You Know
Dana Stevens, Maria Bello – The Woman King
Jordan Peele – Nope
Krystin Ver Linden – Alice
Ryan Coogler – Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

DIRECTING CATEGORIES

Outstanding Directing In A Comedy Series

Angela Barnes – Atlanta – “The Homeliest Little Horse”
Bridget Stokes – A Black Lady Sketch Show – “Save My Edges, I’m a Donor!”
Dee Rees – Upload – “Hamoodi”
Iona Morris Jackson – Black-ish – “If A Black Man Cries in the Woods”
Pete Chatmon – The Flight Attendant – “Drowning Women”

Outstanding Directing In A Drama Series

Debbie Allen – The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey – “Robyn”
Giancarlo Esposito – Better Call Saul – “Axe and Grind”
Gina Prince-Bythewood – Women of the Movement – “Mother and Son”
Hanelle Culpepper – The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey – “Sensia”
Kasi Lemmons – Women of the Movement – “Episode 106”

Outstanding Directing In A Television Movie Or Special
Anton Cropper – Fantasy Football
Marta Cunningham – 61st Street
Sujata Day – Definition Please
Tailiah Breon – Kirk Franklin’s The Night Before Christmas
Tine Fields – Soul of a Nation: Screen Queens Rising

Outstanding Directing In A Motion Picture
Antoine Fuqua – Emancipation
Chinonye Chukwu – TILL
Gina Prince-Bythewood – The Woman King
Kasi Lemmons – I Wanna Dance With Somebody
Ryan Coogler – Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Outstanding Directing In A Documentary (Television Or Motion Picture)
Nadia Hallgren – Civil
Reginald Hudlin – Sidney
Sacha Jenkins – Everything’s Gonna Be All White
Sacha Jenkins – Louis Armstrong’s Black & Blues
W. Kamau Bell – We Need to Talk About Cosby

Some of the artists mentioned are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Lisa Marie Presley, Elvis’ only daughter, has passed away at age 54 after being hospitalized for a cardiac arrest earlier today. The news of Presley’s passing has been confirmed by her mother, Priscilla.

“It is with a heavy heart that I must share the devastating news that my beautiful daughter Lisa Marie has left us,” Priscilla confirmed to People.

Just this afternoon, following the news of Lisa Marie’s hospitalization, her mother had called for prayers and was hoping for her recovery.

“My beloved daughter Lisa Marie was rushed to the hospital. She is now receiving the best care,” Priscilla posted on Instagram previously. “Please keep her and our family in your prayers. We feel the prayers from around the world, and ask for privacy during this time.”

Noah Cyrus was one of the few musicians who replied with a white heart emoji to Priscilla’s emotional post.

Lisa Marie had followed in her father’s footsteps, pursuing music and releasing three albums: 2003’s gold record To Whom It May Concern, 2005’s So What, and 2012’s Storm & Grace. She is survived by her daughter, actress Riley Keough, from her marriage to fellow musician, Sam Keough. (She would also go on to briefly marry Michael Jackson.)

We’re still fairly early into January, and definitely only into the early stages of 2023. And that means that New Year’s resolutions are still the topic of many conversations—whether they pertain to health, productivity or general satisfaction with life.

However, it’s no secret that the standard New Year’s resolution, however inspired it may be at first, often loses its luster after a short amount of time. Though there can be several reasons why, the common conundrum has many folks looking for more personalized approaches that they can actually stick to.

As it turns out, the best way forward might actually be a quick look into the past.

Those well versed in personal development might be already familiar with a common alternative to the New Year’s resolution called the “past year review.” This method was popularized by “The 4-Hour Workweek” author Tim Ferriss, and is often described as a more informed and actionable way to approach goals.

The idea is pretty straightforward—create two columns marked “positive” and “negative,” then go through your previous year’s calendar or schedule week by week and jot down the people, activities and commitments that triggered either positive or negative emotions for that month. Once you’ve gone through all 12 months, take note of what things most affected you, either positively or negatively. Lastly, schedule more of the positive things and less of the negative things. The whole process should take an hour or less.

It’s a simple process, but it can offer profound insight. Take it from Chris Cordry, LMFT, who’s done it for five years now. Since 2018, Cordry has quit three different jobs, started his own business and taken extended travel trips—all “big leaps” he credits to starting this tradition in 2018.

For 2023, Cordry collected five years worth of data from his previous past year reviews (PYRs) and documented his findings in a blog post on his website.

Below is a quick recap of what he found to be the most powerful lessons:

Learning

Courses of all kinds were found valuable, although Cordry noted that taking more than one “online class at a time is a recipe for failure.” He also recalled that in-person classes were particularly “socially stimulating.”

Travel

Now that he’s older, Cordry finds traveling with friends or family creates a more positive memory than traveling solo—which he used to do for months on end, but now finds he gets lonely or depressed. Just goes to show that values change over time.

Creativity

Again, doing activities with people provided the most enjoyable experiences—Dungeons & Dragons, performing at poetry readings and going to movies with friends made it to the top of Cordry’s list.

Work and Career

This area is where the “not to do list” becomes vital, Cordry warns, admitting that he continued several things from his list well into the following year, with “predictable consequences”—things like long draining commutes, long hours or working during important holidays. All of which stopped happening once he started his own business.

Though establishing a healthy work-life balance will look different to everyone, Cordry notes that time management is a major factor. “Having too much free time is just as bad as being busy and stressed out,” he writes. “All that time tends to get filled with low-quality activities like internet browsing, binge-watching, and overthinking.”

Relationships

The data was clear—moments with close friends and family yielded some of the most positive emotions and experiences, accounting for 80% during five years. Even attending parent-teacher conferences for his daughter felt “impactful.” Therefore, more trips and activities shall be scheduled.

Mental Health

Sunlight, fresh air and exercise can be powerful mood boosters. Cordry also learned that shorter, more frequent meditations as a daily practice made a bigger difference than long retreats.

Much to his surprise, COVID-19 didn’t affect his mental health at all, since he accepted that it was outside his control. What did make him suffer were the things he didn’t accept. Something I’m sure a lot of us can relate to.

Though this is a self-reflection, it’s easy to see the PYR’s universal appeal—this kind of insight can be hugely beneficial for shaping a life that aligns with one’s true values. Obviously there’s no foolproof way to achieve successful goal setting, but this approach at least takes into account previous patterns, rather than forcing someone to walk blindly into the future under the premise of a “fresh start.”

You might be thinking—great, cool, I didn’t keep a journal or planner this year, so this is all meaningless. To that, Cordry has a few suggestions, like going through photos on your phone, as well as reviewing books you’ve read, films and shows you’ve watched, classes you’ve taken, music you’ve listened to, sites you’ve bookmarked and posts you’ve made to social media.

“Even just picking a couple of these can give you some perspective on your year,” he told Upworthy. “This can surface fun moments you may have forgotten about, as well as show you who you’re spending your time with, and how.”

Experience might be a great teacher, but we still must sit down to study it. 2023 has only just begun. Whatever your goals are, perhaps one of the kindest things you can do for yourself is acknowledging what has brought you this far, in order to move forward in a healthy way.

If you haven’t heard the news, Gwen Stefani, the former lead singer of pop rock band No Doubt, made comments in an interview with Allure Magazine that has the entire internet abuzz. Stefani was being interviewed by an Asian American writer Jesa Marie Calaor, who asked about the singer’s current view of Harajuku Lovers, a perfume created by Stefani in 2008.

The answer to the question is what got people talking. It seems instead of reflecting on how the naming of the product may not have been appropriate, the singer went into detail about how she is Japanese. Stefani’s father is Italian American and her mother is Irish American, while both of those identities are rich in culture, they are not Japanese.

But according to Stefani, hearing stories from her father who often traveled to Harajuku, a fashionable district of Tokyo, when he worked at Yamaha exposed her to Japanese culture. She explained to Allure that upon visiting Harajuku for herself, “I said, ‘My God, I’m Japanese and I didn’t know it.'” The singer wasn’t done, she went on to say, “I am, you know.”

There’s a thin line between cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation that some people blur unintentionally. But it’s never appropriate to assume a cultural identity that isn’t your own. That’s a hard line that most people seem to have a pretty good grasp on. Where things get tricky is when you enjoy a culture that isn’t your own and want to partake in parts of that culture because they’re fun, colorful or you simply feel connected to it.

There’s nothing wrong with that until you pick it up and put it down like a costume. Britannica defines cultural appropriation as something that, “takes place when members of a majority group adopt cultural elements of a minority group in an exploitative, disrespectful, or stereotypical way.”

u201cWhy does Gwen Stefani get to be Japanese when actual Asians aren’t allowed to be American? nnIt’s not only her statement that is absurd, it’s the hypocrisy that allows rich white people to make outrageous claims with little backlash while POC struggle to exist.u201d

— Christine Liwag Dixon (@Christine Liwag Dixon)
1673493499

In the context of Stefani, not only did she decide she was Japanese, she profited from stereotypical aspects of the culture without giving proper credit. When appreciating someone else’s culture, it requires a thorough understanding of the culture itself and the practices of that culture. If there’s an understanding of why things take place in a culture, then you’re less likely to do something offensive to that culture.

While Stefani is facing backlash for her comments, it has opened the door for discourse around cultural appropriation and it seems some are still struggling to understand. Twitter user Sachiko Ishikawa brings up the prevalence of some white people thinking what Stefani said was OK while the Asian diaspora is saying how harmful it was.

u201cSo many takes about this Gwen Stefani controversy are from white people who think itu2019s okayu2014and meanwhile diaspora and other mixed Japanese people are saying why this is harmful because weu2019ve literally been denied our own heritage for a white woman to come in and take it.nnBruh.u201d

— Sachiko Ishikawa (@Sachiko Ishikawa)
1673517743

Even in the article, Calaor called out Stefani’s problematic response and how being Asian in America right now can be a frightening experience. Calaor pointed out the racial slurs and the fear of elders being attacked and killed, none of which Stefani has to worry about since her identity as Japanese is a choice.

The singer proclaims in the interview, when talking about her identifying with Latinx communities, “The music, the way the girls wore their makeup, the clothes they wore, that was my identity. Even though I’m an Italian American — Irish or whatever mutt that I am — that’s who I became because those were my people, right?”

It seems that Stefani wasn’t intending to be hurtful during the interview but she also didn’t make any corrections when Allure attempted to clarify. So while appreciation was likely the goal, appropriation is what occurred.

Appreciation of culture is being respectful of your approach by educating yourself. If you’re doing something that the culture you’re borrowing from is made fun of or discriminated against for, then it’s not appreciation. When members of the culture someone is borrowing from say something is appropriation, they’re not sowing division. They’re asking to be respected.

So while the Allure interview sparked a renewed interest in conversations about cultural appropriation versus appreciation, it’s up to us to continue learning so the same missteps don’t continue to happen.

The fact that beavers build dams is one of nature’s coolest features. Gathering and stacking tree branches, rocks, grass and mud across a river so they can build their homes underwater is a unique instinct among the animals—and a strong one.

Apparently, it’s so strong that beavers will build dams anywhere, including inside a human’s house using whatever items they can find.

A video shared by Dr. Holley Muraco, director of research at the Mississippi Aquarium, shows a female beaver named Sawyer busily gathering stuffed animals, blankets, Christmas decorations, wrapping paper and more to build a dam in a hallway, and it’s seriously the most delightful thing ever.

Sawyer pauses once in a while to assess her work, which is adorable. And her ongoing struggle with SpongeBob SquarePants’ legs is a must-see.

If you’re concerned about seeing natural animal behavior like this in an unnatural habitat, don’t worry. Muraco explains that Sawyer spends most of her time outdoors with other beavers, but also likes to come in the house occasionally. More on Sawyer’s life story below, but first, behold her adorableness at work:

Sawyer is one of three orphaned beavers Muraco is rehabbing at her home with the help of Woodside Wildlife Rescue.

“Sawyer is one of a kind,” Muraco tells Upworthy. “Very opinionated and, as crazy as it sounds, intelligent. I raised Sawyer on a bottle in our home and then introduced her to Huck and Finn who are a bit older. All three were orphaned separately when their parents were killed. The three were sent to Woodside Wildlife to be raised as siblings.”

Sawyer, Huck and Finn. Perfection.

Muraco says Sawyer started building dams in her kennel as a tiny baby and then moved on to building bigger dams in the hallway. She lives outside with Huck and Finn, but she walks to Muraco’s back door when she wants to go inside to check on things and build a new dam.

Muraco says beavers are very social creatures and do better living in a group, but are also one of the most difficult animals to rehab. They have to spend up to two years with rehabbers, which is how long they would spend with their parents in the wild, and caring for them is challenging due to their complex and sensitive digestive needs. They are also prone to illness and there’s a lot that’s still unknown about vet care for them. Muraco says beavers are also considered a nuisance animal, especially in Mississippi, so it can be hard to find a safe place to release them.

In Muraco’s care, Sawyer, Huck and Finn get ample opportunities to practice instinctive behaviors, which is a vital element of rehabilitation. The ultimate goal is for them to return to the wild once they meet key milestones.

Raising beavers is a lot of work, but Muraco is dedicated to preparing these young ‘uns for life after rehab, both for their own good and for the environment. “Beavers are a keystone species and are often critical for healthy wetlands,” she explains. They are misunderstood creatures and are sometimes killed by people who simply see them as pests, which is one reason Muraco publicly shares her adventures with Sawyer, Huck and Finn.

“We are so excited that people are enjoying watching the beavers and falling in love with this unusual, quirky rodent,” she says.

If anyone wants to support these beaver rescue efforts, Muraco invites people to donate to Woodside Wildlife Rescue.

When politicians find an issue that affects the average person, it’s an easy way to gain leverage over their opponents. They’re called “kitchen table” issues and the Republicans have found a great one with the “gas stove ban.” Conservative lawmakers are claiming that the Biden administration wants to ban gas ovens and stoves.

Heck, it’s not just a figurative kitchen table issue, it’s a problem that’s in voters’ kitchens. The problem for Republicans is that no one wants to take away anyone’s kitchen stove.

The kerfuffle began on January 9 when Richard L. Trumka Jr. of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission told Bloomberg that a ban “was on the table” for gas stoves. “Products that can’t be made safe can be banned,” Trumka added.

Gas stoves have been on regulators’ radars after a recent study found that roughly 13% of all childhood asthma cases can be attributed to having a gas stove—a risk level that’s on par with secondhand smoke.

Trumka’s comments caught the attention of Republican lawmakers who quickly tried to use the issue to their benefit. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) tweeted Monday that “the Biden Administration is once again going to extreme lengths to appease Green New Deal fanatics — they’re considering a national ban on gas stoves.”

u201cThe Biden Administration is once again going to extreme lengths to appease Green New Deal fanatics u2013 theyu2019re considering a national ban on gas stoves.n nhttps://t.co/9PK2u2ltQAu201d

— Senator Ted Cruz (@Senator Ted Cruz)
1673282235

GOP Rep. Ronny Jackson of Texas weighed in as well.

u201c187 MILLION Americans have gas stoves in their homes, and it will cost a FORTUNE to replace them. There’s no “science” behind this. It’s just another excuse Biden is trying to use to put MORE GOVERNMENT in your lives. HANDS OFF OUR STOVES!!nhttps://t.co/2DQMkP2ZIyu201d

— Ronny Jackson (@Ronny Jackson)
1673451974

Joe Manchin III of West Virginia, the most conservative Democrat in the Senate, jumped into the fray, too.

u201cThis is a recipe for disaster. The federal government has no business telling American families how to cook their dinner. I can tell you the last thing that would ever leave my house is the gas stove that we cook on. https://t.co/8IEFM44UvEu201d

— Senator Joe Manchin (@Senator Joe Manchin)
1673381253

The good news for the 38% of Americans who prefer to have their food cooked over a hot blue flame is that the government has no interest in barging into your kitchen and taking your stove.

The chair of the CPSC, Alexander Hoehn-Saric, clarified the issue on Wednesday indicating that the CPSC is looking for ways to reduce the dangers that come with gas stoves but has no interest in confiscating your appliances. “But to be clear, I am not looking to ban gas stoves and the CPSC has no proceeding to do so,” he said.

The White House has also denied any interest in banning gas stoves. “The President does not support banning gas stoves – and the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which is independent, is not banning gas stoves,” a White House spokesperson told CNN on January 11.

Joe Biden and a group of jack-booted thugs aren’t going to be knocking down your front door and stealing your gas stove anytime soon. But the Biden administration does want to make it easier for you to transition to an electric stove if you so choose.

The Inflation Reduction Act includes $4.5 billion in funding for states to give rebates to people who purchase new electric appliances, including wall ovens, ranges and cooktops. Those who switch from gas or propane to electric can get up to an additional $500 rebate.

So if politicians were being honest, they’d be saying, “Joe Biden doesn’t want to steal your stove. He’d like to buy you a new one.” But that doesn’t get people talking on cable news, now does it?

There are few things in this world more precious and entertaining than little kids trying their hand at adult activities. They might have not had a ton of time on this planet, but toddlers can be so observant of their surroundings. And even if they don’t totally understand what they’re observing, they do their best to act out what they see and hear, often to hilarious effect.

That’s why 3-year-old Addy is bringing smiles to millions as she pretends to be a manicurist for her parents. When it comes to cuteness, she totally nailed it.

Every morsel of this 16-second clip is absolutely delightful—from using all 10 of her teeny tiny fingers to carefully unscrew a bottle of nail polish to instantly globbing an enormous amount of hot pink polish on mom’s pinky.

However, the pièce de résistance is without a doubt hearing Addy say “I’m trying my best hooooonnnney” in a voice that others (accurately) have noticed sounds just like late comedian Leslie Jordan. It’s just too good.

@addytok2022 She tried her best honey 😂 #fyp #fypage #trending ♬ original sound – AddyTok

Cutest nail tech ever, right?

Mom isn’t Addy’s only customer. Dad is also a client. Even though he doesn’t adhere to her demand to “be very still hoooooonnneeeyyy.”

@addytok2022 BE STILL, HONEY! Dads are not the best clients here at little Leslie’s nail salon 🤣 #fyp #fypシ #fypage #foryou #viral #trending #lesliejordan ♬ original sound – AddyTok

“If you don’t be really still for her you’re gonna have a bunch of her fans come after you!!” one Addy stan quipped.

In another video, Addy’s mom Kayla explained that she was diagnosed with optic nerve hypoplasia and septo-optic dysplasia, both of which affect her eyesight. Hence her adorable, but very thick glasses. Kayla made it clear that some hurtful words had been said online, but that they had also been overwhelmed by all the love and support their little girl has received.

You keep being you, Addy. We’re all just trying our best, honey. And your best is making people’s day.