The United States military offers an expedited path to US citizenship for lawful residents who commit to service. In 2024, while filming the US Marine Corps boot camp in Camp Pendleton, California, chief video correspondent Graham Flanagan followed one recruit taking advantage of this opportunity.
Twenty-four-year-old Ralph Dahilig immigrated to the US from the Philippines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although he holds a bachelor's degree in information systems, Dahilig struggled to find a job in the tech industry, which led him to pursue a career in the Marine Corps.
At 5 feet 4 inches tall, Dahilig is not what many might picture as the prototypical US Marine. He had to learn to think outside the box to make it to The Crucible, the 54-hour culminating event of the 13-week boot camp. All recruits must endure it before they receive the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor pendant, symbolizing their official transformation from recruit to US Marine.
23andMe struggled in 2024. But it hasn't given up yet.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
23andMe faced major hurdles in 2024, including a $30 million settlement related to compromised data.
23andMe is now restructuring its business operations to reduce costs and streamline operations.
A 23andMe spokesperson said the company is "consistently focused on maintaining the privacy of our customers."
23andMe CEO Anne Wojcicki sounded optimistic about the company's future during an earnings call in February last year.
She said the biotech company, which offers direct-to-consumer genetic testing, made strides with its new preventive care membership service, signed a $20 million research agreement with biopharma company GSK, and saw "repeated engagement" by its customers, among other triumphs.
CEO Anne Wojcicki proposed making 23andMe a private company but faced pushback
23andMe cofounder Anne Wojcicki said she intends to take the company private.
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Despite operating for nearly two decades without profit, 23andMe went public in 2021 and reached a $6 billion valuation. The company's stocks were priced at $11.13 a share, but they've fallen significantly since then. The stock price has dropped 98% over the past several years. It stood at $3.84 on January 10.
Wojcicki proposed that 23andMe revert to a private company in a July 2024 SEC filing, saying she believed the company would "be best equipped to execute against this mission as a private entity, allowing us to remove certain public company costs and distractions."
However, a special committee formed by 23andMe's board of directors rejected the proposal five days later.
"We are disappointed with the proposal for multiple reasons, including because it provides no premium to the closing price per share on Wednesday, July 31st, it lacks committed financing, and it is conditional in nature," the special committee's letter to Wojcicki said. "Accordingly, we view your proposal as insufficient and not in the best interest of the non-affiliated shareholders."
The special committee said it would review a revised proposal, but a September letter indicated that members had not received a "fully financed, fully diligence, actionable proposal."
A 23andMe spokesperson told Business Insider that Wojcicki still intends to take the company private.
23andMe agreed to a $30 million settlement in a class-action lawsuit
23andMe agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit in 2024.
ERIC BARADAT/Getty Images
Privacy concerns have dogged 23andMe for years, but in 2023, worry became a reality for users when their data was compromised. That October, hackers said they accessed certain users' names, birth details, ethnicities, and photos.
Affected users filed a class-action lawsuit against 23andMe this March, which led to the company agreeing to pay the $30 million settlement in September 2024.
The entirety of 23andMe's independent board of directors resigned in a letter
Former independent directors of 23andMe's board resigned in a letter published in September.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
One week after the company agreed to settle the class-action lawsuit, all seven independent directors on 23andMe's board resigned in a letter addressed to Wojcicki.
"While we continue to wholeheartedly support the Company's mission and believe deeply in the value of the personalized health and wellness offering that you have articulated, it is also clear that we differ on the strategic direction for the Company going forward," the letter said.
The letter also referenced Wojcicki's revised proposal to take the 23andMe private, saying members of the special committee and board had "not seen any notable progress over the last 5 months."
"The Special Committee is therefore unwilling to consider further extensions, and the Board agrees with the Special Committee's determination," the letter said.
The sudden resignation spurred headlines in the media about 23andMe's unsteady footing. The company sought to address this imbalance by appointing three new independent directors to its board in October 2024.
"The new independent directors look forward to working closely with Anne Wojcicki and the Company's management team to best position 23andMe for the future,"Β Jensen said in a press release.
23andMe's reputation with consumers stalled in late 2024 over 'third-party takeover proposals'
CEO Anne Wojcicki said she's no longer "considering third-party takeover proposals" of 23andMe.
Steve Jennings/Getty Images/TechCrunch
Some consumers grew concerned in September 2024 when an SEC filing said Wojcicki "would be open to considering third-party takeover proposals for the Company."
The remarks prompted consumers to reckon with the potential consequences, which The Atlantic reported could include the sale of their personal genetic data.
Wojcicki walked back her remark in a separate filing.
"Accordingly, in order to update my prior statement and avoid any confusion in the market, I am no longer open to considering third-party takeover proposals for the Issuer," she said in the filing.
A 23andMe spokesperson told BI that Wojcicki "hasΒ publicly sharedΒ she intends to take the company private, and is not open to considering third-party takeover proposals."
The statement added: "Anne has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the company's mission and values, and to its customers, pledging to maintain 23andMe's strong security and privacy policies, including following the intended completion of the acquisition she is pursuing."
23andMe lays off 40% of its workforce and discontinues its therapeutics programs
23andMe said in November that it would reduce its staff by 40%.
Smith Collection/Gado
23andMe made a decisive pivot in November 2024 as it continued to chase stable footing. The company reduced its staff by over 200 employees.
"The business restructuring is expected to substantially reduce operating expenses and result in annualized cost savings of more than $35 million," the company said in a press release.
23andMe also said it will discontinue its therapeutics programs and "wind down" ongoing clinical trials.
"In parallel with the discontinuation of its therapeutics division, the Company is actively exploring all strategic options for a limited time to maximize the value of its therapeutics programs, including licensing agreements, asset sales, or other transactions," the company said.
23andMe published its most recent second-quarter financial results in November. The company said it earned $44 million in total revenue, a 12% decrease from the $50 million recorded in the same period the previous year. Operating expenses reached $84 million, a 17% decrease from the $101 million recorded for the same period in 2023.
23andMe said it had 'substantial doubt' the company could survive without more funding
23andMe expressed concern over its longevity in a November SEC filing.
Illustration by Avishek Das/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
In a November 2024 SEC filing, 23andMe expressed concern over its longevity. The company said it would need additional liquidity to fund its financial commitments and expenditures.
"The Company has determined that, as of the filing date of this report, there is substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern," 23andMe said.
The filing also said that as of September 2024, the company "had an accumulated deficit of $2.3Β billion and cash and cash equivalents of $126.6Β million."
A 23andMe spokesperson said the company is committed to its consumers and enforcing ethical business practices
A 23andMe spokesperson said the company is committed to consumer privacy.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
A spokesperson for 23andMe told Business Insider that it has privacy protections for its customers, and doesn't share data with third parties without consent. Customers can opt into its Research program, but it requires them to consent before joining.
"Roughly 80% of 23andMe customers consent to participate in our research program, which has generated more than 270 peer-reviewed publications uncovering hundreds of new genetic insights into disease," a statement said.
The spokesperson said 23andMe is subject to state and federal consumer privacy and genetic privacy laws similar to HIPAA. However, the company's protocols "offer a more appropriate framework to protect our data than privacy and security program requirements in HIPAA."
"We are committed to protecting customer data and are consistently focused on maintaining the privacy of our customers. That will not change," the statement said.
The author's sons (not pictured) are going to college, thanks to the aggressive savings.
Brothers91/Getty Images/iStockphoto
I adopted my sons from Ethiopia in 2012 and immediately started saving for their college tuition.
I wanted them to graduate with no student loans and have every opportunity for success.
To save, we gave up traveling and other big expenses, but we don't regret it.
When my husband and I adopted our sons from Ethiopia in 2012, we were already behind when it came to college expenses β especially when compared to friends who basically started saving as soon as they saw the second line on the pregnancy test.
Our sons were 7 and 8 years old when they joined our family. We lost years of creating family memories β first words, first day of kindergarten, first wiggly tooth β and years of adding to a 529 savings account.
After becoming the parents to Black boys in America, we learned the realities of our country's income and wealth gaps.
According to data from 2023 census reports, the median income of white households exceeds that of Black households by more than $30,000.
The research on college degrees is murkier. The census data shows that just over 20% of Black people hold a college degree.
We want our sons to help change those stats and narratives, so my husband and I have saved rigorously and sacrificed for our son's college tuition.
We've given up a lot to ensure our sons can go to college
While we've taken some epic family trips β to several national parks, to both coasts, to our sons' homeland of Ethiopia β we've also taken many equally memorable low-budget vacations to family members' cabins just a few hours from our house.
Our living room sectional β an uncomfortable monstrosity β should have been donated years ago, and nights dining out together look more like McDonald's than Michelin stars. Instead of expensive hobbies requiring lots of equipment, we opt for running (we just need sneakers!).
Looking back, some financial choices carry a tinge of regret. Skipping travel sports teams saved money, and we didn't push enrichment camps or invest in tutoring. However, it's hard not to wonder if those missed opportunities could have opened doors to scholarships or other benefits. While we know we did our best with our resources, those lingering "what-ifs" are a pervasive part of parenting for me.
Still, we press on in the present, striving to balance providing for our sons' futures with appreciating the life we have now.
We don't regret these sacrifices
In many ways, our choices don't feel like sacrifices. We live in a lovely home in an established city neighborhood we love. We own vehicles and have money in retirement accounts. Our parents' generosity added more money to college savings accounts than we could've accumulated on our own. As much as possible, we try to recognize our privilege.
We hope that by receiving degrees without the predatory student loans we've heard horror stories about, our sons won't feel forced to start on undesirable career paths.
If they want to pursue an advanced degree, buy a home, or travel, those enormous loans won't deter life choices that bring them joy. Just as my husband and I owe our financial freedom as young adults to our parents' decisions, our choices today can have a generational impact on our future grandchildren.
Our savings are finally coming into play today
Our sons have taken two different paths so far. One explored the trades in high school and started with classes at a community college while living at home. The other is a freshman at a large public university, trying out life in a dorm.
They both know we are doing everything we can to help them avoid college debt, but we try to share this without making them feel unduly burdened.
Of course, we want them to have a sense of responsibility, too. Through the years, they've built up their savings accounts thanks to part-time jobs and birthday and graduation gifts. That money will contribute to their college education and living expenses, motivating them to receive good grades, apply for scholarships, and keep working.
Today, as I work on the family budget, I think about the dollar amounts. But more than anything, I think about the opportunity to rewrite the narratives surrounding inequality we became aware of the moment we became parents to Black boys in America. If one day my sons use their education to create opportunities for themselves and others, these challenges will have been well worth it.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine has captured two North Korean soldiers.
Zelenskyy said the two soldiers were wounded and had been taken to Kyiv.
He added that he had instructed Ukraine's security service to allow journalists access to the captured soldiers.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine has captured two wounded North Korean soldiers.
In a statement posted on X, Zelenskyy said the soldiers had been captured in Russia's Kursk region and had been taken to Kyiv, where they were now "communicating with the Security Service of Ukraine." He added that they were receiving the "necessary medical assistance."
Zelenskyy also shared images of two injured men, but he did not provide evidence that they were North Korean.
"This was not an easy task: Russian forces and other North Korean military personnel usually execute their wounded to erase any evidence of North Korea's involvement in the war against Ukraine," Zelenskyy said, adding that he had instructed Ukraine's security service to allow journalists access to the captured soldiers.
Pyongyang reportedly began sending troops to Russia in October.
"It is clear that Russian and North Korean military leaders are treating these troops as expendable and ordering them on hopeless assaults against Ukrainian defenses," Kirby said. "These North Korean soldiers appear to be highly indoctrinated, pushing attacks even when it is clear that those attacks are futile."
Zelenskyy said last month that preliminary estimates suggested that more than 3,000 of Pyongyang's soldiers had been killed or wounded in Kursk.
He previously said that Russian forces had been trying "to literally burn the faces of North Korean soldiers killed in battle" in an effort to "conceal" their losses.
Angelina Jolie has been starring in movies for more than 40 years.
Ethan Miller/Getty
Angelina Jolie is one of the biggest movie stars of the last 40 years.
She's been nominated for two competitive Oscars, winning one.
But she's also appeared in some bombs like "The Tourist" and "Alexander."
Jolie is an Oscar-winning actor who has been in dozens of movies over her 43-year career. Some of her films have made hundreds of millions of dollars at the box office, including "Kung Fu Panda," "Eternals," and "Mr. and Mrs. Smith."
But while some of her films have been beloved by critics, others have been panned.
We used Rotten Tomatoes to find the best and worst films of her career, according to critics. Here are the 10 worst β and 11 best films β of Jolie's filmography.
These are the worst films of Jolie's career, according to critics.
Angelina Jolie.
Gennaro Leonardi Photos/Shutterstock
Not all of Jolie's films have been highly regarded by critics. Here are some of the worst, according to reviews.
In "Life or Something Like It," Jolie plays Lanie, a Seattle TV reporter who meets Jack (Tony Shalhoub), a man claiming to be a modern-day prophet. When he tells her she only has seven days to live, she begins changing her life.
Rex Reed of The Observer called the film "Formulaic, delusional and about as accurate a depiction of life in television news (or something like it) as a Pillsbury bake-off."
"Gone in 60 Seconds" stars Nicolas Cage as Randall, a former car thief who returns to the game to save his brother's life. In order to do so, he has to steal 50 cars in 72 hours. Jolie plays a mechanic, Sara (or Sway), who is also Randall's ex-girlfriend.
"What's missing from 'Gone in 60 Seconds' is anything new. There's a 'been there, done that' feeling to the enterprise," wrote David Ansen of Newsweek.
8. "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider β The Cradle of Life" (2003)
Jolie returned to play the famed video-game character Lara Croft for the 2003 sequel, "Cradle of Life." This time, the treasure hunter/archaeologist is hired by MI6 to find the Cradle of Life, an ancient artifact with deadly capabilities.
"This Indiana Jones knockoff goes down smoothly enough, and Jolie isn't bad at all," wrote Chicago Reader's JR Jones.
"Taking Lives" is a thriller that stars Jolie as an FBI profiler, Ileana, who is called to Montreal to help with a serial killer who takes on the identities of his victims. Ethan Hawke costars as a civilian, James, who helps Ileana crack the case β¦ but all is not what it seems.
"If you can buy the pillow-lipped Angelina Jolie as a psychic FBI agent in Montreal to hunt a serial killer, then you can swallow the other implausibilities in this retread thriller," wrote Peter Travers for Rolling Stone.
In "The Tourist," Jolie stars as Elise, the lover of famed criminal Alexander Pearce, who has since gone missing and is believed to have altered his appearance with plastic surgery.
When she receives a note from Pearce to pick a random man to give over to the police in place of Pearce, she chooses Frank (Johnny Depp), a mild-mannered math teacher from Wisconsin. But there are many parties interested in finding Pearce, and a chase across Europe ensues.
"Though she's given virtually nothing to do but sashay down train platforms in designer outfits, I will say that I enjoy how much Angelina Jolie enjoys being a movie star," wrote Dana Stevens for Slate.
Lara Croft made it to the big screen in this 2001 action film which stars Jolie as Lara, a British archaeologist/treasure hunter/martial arts expert/tech genius.
In order to keep a mysterious object known as the Triangle out of the wrong hands, she goes on a globe-trotting adventure with fellow treasure hunter Alex West (Daniel Craig) and Manfred Powell (Iain Glen), the leader of the Illuminati.
Time Out said the film was "a jerky, fragmented tale that jumps from one exotic location to the next without any explanation or flow."
"Playing God" stars David Duchovny as a surgeon who loses his license after being caught operating under the influence. He's then hired as the personal doctor of a mob boss, Raymond (Timothy Hutton). Jolie has a supporting role as Raymond's girlfriend, Claire.
"What can you say about a time-waster like 'Playing God' with its multiple murders, corrupt FBI agents, obligatory car chase and dumb, self-referential, four-letter-word humor," wrote SF Gate's Edward Guthmann.
One of the more ignominious legacies of "Alexander" is that a 29-year-old Jolie was cast to play Queen Olympus, the mother of Alexander, played by the 28-year-old Colin Farrell. Yes, the two are just 11 months apart and played mother and son.
The film depicts the rise and fall of Alexander in the ancient world.
"While it's worth applauding 'Alexander' for not making its legendary hero 100% hetero, there's nothing else to recommend about this stilted, tedious epic," wrote Alonso Duralde for The Advocate.
Jolie plays Sarah Beauford, a young socialite who gives up her privileged life to become an aid worker in Ethiopia after meeting the bold doctor Nick Callahan (Clive Owen).
Jen Chaney of The Washington Post called the film "well-intentioned but astonishingly flat."
"Original Sin" is a twisty thriller in which Jolie plays a young woman, Julia, who is chosen by a wealthy Cuban man Luis (Antonio Banderas) to be his mail-order bride. But Julia is not who she says she is, leading Luis to question their entire relationship.
"The only sin committed here is the cardinal one of boring us to tears," wrote Neil Smith for the BBC.
Now for the best work of Jolie's career.
Angelina Jolie.
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
These films were ruled the best of Jolie's career by critics, including multiple "Kung Fu Panda" films and the recent critical darling "Maria."
"Those Who Wish Me Dead" was directed by the mind behind "Yellowstone," Taylor Sheridan. It stars Jolie as a traumatized firefighter who finds herself involved in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse as two assassins trail the son of a forensic accountant who has uncovered shady business dealings.
"The fiery explosions and chase sequences are handsomely shot, but the plot is undeniably absurd and the ominous/rousing soundtrack downright hokey. It's the performances and banter that make the project worth watching," wrote Charlotte O'Sullivan for The London Evening Standard.
"Wanted" is based on the comics series of the same. It stars James McAvoy, a nervy young man, Wesley, prone to panic attacks who learns that he's actually part of a somewhat supernatural order of assassins called the Fraternity. Jolie plays Fox, a member of the Fraternity and Wesley's mentor.
"Visually stunning and ethically loathsome, for better or worse, 'Wanted' is one of the freshest action movies in years," wrote The New Republic's Christopher Orr.
8 (tie). "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow" (2004)
"Sky Captain" may have been a box-office bomb at the time, but it's since become a cult classic. The film takes place in an alternate, steampunkish New York in 1939. Jolie has a small role as a Navy pilot named Franky, an ally of Joe Sullivan (Jude Law), the titular Sky Captain.
"His nostalgia enabled by technology, [director Kerry] Conran takes the ghosts in his machine seriously, and the results appear at once meltingly lovely and intriguingly inhuman," wrote Ed Park for The Village Voice.
"Beowulf" might not have the best reputation now, but at the time it was warmly received by critics. It's an adaptation of the Old English epic poem "Beowulf," and stars Ray Winstone as the titular legendary warrior. Beowulf's archenemy is Grendel (Crispin Glover), a troll and one of Beowulf's enemies. Jolie plays Grendel's mother, a Water Demon.
"The film strives for mythological depth and epic breadth, but it's hard to get below the flat, shallow gloss over every surface," wrote the AV Club's Tasha Robinson.
"The One and Only Ivan" is based on a real gorilla named Ivan. He grew up in an enclosure in a shopping center in Tacoma, Washington, until a campaign led by the Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) led to his transfer to a zoo. Sam Rockwell voices Ivan and Jolie voices one of his friends at the zoo, an elephant named Stella.
"Whether you think of yourself as a marshmallow or believe you have a heart of steel, there's a strong probability that The One and Only Ivan is going to make you cry... or well up, at least," wrote Melanie McFarland for Salon.
Jolie was nominated for a Golden Globe and is receiving Oscar buzz for her performance as opera singer Maria Callas in "Maria." The film follows the last seven days of Callas' life in 1973 before she died of a heart attack.
"La Diva Eterna lives in Jolie, with a performance as towering as it is understated: sad and soulful and heartbreaking. She has never been better. Brava," wrote John Nugent for Empire Magazine.
"A Mighty Heart" is based on a true story, the search for Daniel Pearl, a Wall Street Journal reporter who was kidnapped in Pakistan in 2002. Jolie plays Mariane Pearl, Daniel's wife and fellow journalist.
The film received criticism for Jolie's casting, as in real life, Pearl is of Afro-Cuban descent and Jolie is white, but Pearl herself approved Jolie's casting, per Time.
"Although it is impossible to erase the specter of Brangelina from your mind altogether while watching Jolie inhabit the role of Mariane Pearl, you can manage it for surprisingly long stretches at a time," Sandra Hall of The Sydney Morning Herald.
"Kung Fu Panda 2" sees the return of Po (Jack Black) a lazy kung-fu-loving panda, and the rest of his friends: Tigress (Angelina Jolie), the Mantis (Seth Rogen), Viper (Lucy Liu), Crane (David Cross), and Monkey (Jackie Chan). They team up to defeat the evil peacock Lord Shen (Gary Oldman) from taking over China.
"It's a great-looking animation and a nice entertainment, though targeted at a younger audience, without the extra level of adult sophistication," wrote Peter Bradshaw for The Guardian.
In "Kung Fu Panda 3," Po is named leader of the Furious Five, and discovers a secret village of pandas and reunites with his biological father Li Shan (Bryan Cranston).
"Gaze in wonder at the beautiful woodcut-inspired landscapes, the 2D manga-style flashbacks, and the inventive choreography. Skidoosh, indeed," wrote The Irish Times' Tara Brady.
In "Kung Fu Panda," audiences were first introduced to Po, a giant panda who helps his adopted father Mr. Ping (James Hong), a goose, run his noodle restaurant, but his dream is to practice kung fu with the Furious Five, kung fu masters. Po gets his chance to join the team and achieve his dreams when a contest is held.
"Gia" tells the true story of one of the US' first supermodels, Gia Carangi (Jolie). It begins when Carangi first moves from Philadelphia to New York City and follows her career's rise and fall and her struggles with drug use. Jolie won a Golden Globe for her performance.
"A film about a woman's meteoric rise to fame, made shortly before Jolie's own career went stratospheric, this is a widely overlooked production that shows the incredible breadth of the actor's talent," wrote Kat Halstead for Common Sense Media.
Although some aspects of the accessory are more personal and subjective β wedding bands, family heirlooms, etc β there are still overarching trends that rotate in and out of style.
Business Insider spoke with three professional stylists to get their take on all the jewelry trends that will be popular and out in 2025.
Curating a collection of comfortable everyday jewelry is the way to go.
Having an everyday jewelry "uniform" makes things easier.
Xeniia X/Shutterstock
Personal and celebrity stylist Kim Appelt predicts a general trend toward convenience, comfort, and ease in 2025.
In other words, jewelry that goes with everything β like stacked gold pieces β offers an effortless way to accessorize.
The stylist emphasized the subjectivity of this trend, saying, "your body and your environment" dictate which pieces are best suited to you.
Have fun with your rings.
Wearing rings on multiple fingers is in.
Klaus Vedfelt/Getty Images
If you think you're wearing enough rings, consider adding another.
"Everyone has a million rings on, like rings on every single finger," Ceila "CG" Quarles, who's styled multiple musicians and worked at RSVP Gallery, said.
When following the trend, the stylist suggested leaning toward solid precious metals rather than stones for a more industrial feel.
1990s-inspired bling is back in a big way.
Rappers like A$AP Rocky have been known to wear blingy nameplate necklaces.
TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP / Getty Images
Fashion is cyclical, and '90s ware has been back in style for a few years now. Sandra Okerulu, a celebrity stylist with over 10 years of experience, said it's also time to start experimenting with jewelry trends from the decade.
Whether that means investing in customized nameplate pieces or an initial ring surrounded by encrusted gems, bling is at the forefront of the retro trend.
Play around with minimalism this year.
A single chain can be an elegant accessory for any ensemble.
LIAL/Shutterstock
As "quiet" status symbols become more prevalent in the fashion world, Appelt said minimalism will be big in 2025.
"I see classic, I see luxury, I see dainty," she told BI.
With more inspiration from the '90s, the professional stylist recommends focusing on classic pieces β like a pair of studs or a simple gold chain β for a minimalistic look that exudes luxury.
Don't shy away from mixing metals.
It's OK to wear gold and silver jewelry.
authorstock007/Getty Images
You may have been told that you should never mix gold and silver jewelry, but CQ said that's an antiquated school of thought. What was once considered a fashion faux pas now adds a perfect touch to a stylish look.
"People are not afraid to mix metals anymore," she said. "Having stacked silver and gold? That's hot."
Layering silver and gold pieces can help personalize a look while also making it more modern.
Pearls are still in style.
Pearls have become a great unisex accessory.
LightField Studios/Shutterstock
Appelt said pearls will still be hot in 2025.
Although the jewelry trend has been around for decades,Β celebrities like Harry StylesΒ have bolstered it and turned pearl necklaces into genderless accessories.
In addition to chokers and other necklaces, Appelt suggested incorporating pearl earring studs into your jewelry box.
A good pair of hoops goes a long way.
It seems like simple hoop earrings will never go out of style.
ombra7/Shutterstock
There will likely always be a time and place for hoop earrings.
Okerulu said a more modest hoop will complement the overarching trends of simplicity and quiet luxury in 2025.
"Modesty in what you're wearing is definitely in," she said.
It's time to buy a watch.
A watch is a nice, mature accessory.
New Africa/Shutterstock
CQ said watches are popular right now, especially among younger crowds looking for more mature looks.
She credits the shift to social media, telling BI that she's noticed that the pressure to curate an image for yourself on different platforms may have "expedited a lot of people's youth."
Just as blazers and other business-casual clothing have come back in style, adding a watch to an outfit helps exude a more tailored and professional look.
On the other hand, we can leave big gold earrings in the past.
Chunky gold earrings were big in 2024.
Edward Berthelot/Getty Images
Although 2025 style seems to be taking a lot of inspiration from the '90s, we can leave some looks in the past.
Appelt said the big, gold earrings β Γ la Princess Diana β that have been popular the past few years are on their way out.
The shift matches the general trend toward luxurious minimalism.
Layering is out, and simplicity is in.
The maximalist look is out for 2025.
Dave Benett/Getty Images for Victoria & Albert Museum
Okerulu said she's seeing more people ditch heavy necklace layering. To follow the quiet-luxury trend, opt for a statement piece instead.
Stacking rings and bracelets will still be in, but Okerulu encourages people to choose one or the other to keep things simple.
Designer labels have almost become a faux pas.
Big Chanel earrings are considered too flashy now.
Edward Berthelot/Getty Images
The rise of modesty and quiet luxury has also led to many being less interested in buying accessories with visible designer labels and logos.
In general, Okerulu told BI, that people aren't being as obvious with their luxury jewelry.
Instead of flashy logos or easily recognizable designs, the stylist recommends looking for simple, high-quality pieces that will last forever.
The author (not pictured) says parents today are expected to unattainable standards
Vera Livchak/Getty Images
I'm raising a teenager, and I often feel that none of my choices is right.
Parenting right now often feels like the "Barbie" monologue where we can't do anything right.
I wonder what he's going to remember as an adult and what he's going to forget.
My teenage son was about to miss a school deadline. We'd spent the last few days mapping out a plan: breaking down the project into manageable pieces, setting reminders, checking in here and there. But when the final weekend of the due date arrived, Joey wasn't working on it. He wasn't panicking, either. He was on his phone.
I stood in the kitchen with my coffee, frozen in that familiar parenting dance. Should I demand he work on the assignment now, or should I stay quiet, letting him manage his own time?
And then a bigger, deeper question that always surfaces for me: In the grand scheme of parenting and all that's happening in the world, is this even something worthy of such contemplation?
Parenting feels like the famous 'Barbie' monologue
The author often wonders if she's doing too much or too little around her teenage son.
Courtesy of the author
The iconic "Barbie" monologue still lingers with me even more than a year after its release β not because it's about parenting (it's not) but because Greta Gerwig gave words to something both deeply personal and undeniably universal. The monologue, powerfully delivered by America Ferrera, calls out the contradictory expectations and impossible standards placed on women.
I think parenting is like that, too.
It is literally impossible to be a parent. You love your child so deeply, and it's heartbreaking to worry that it's not enough. Like, we need to be extraordinary at this difficult thing all the time, no matter what, and somehow, there's always someone saying we're doing it wrong.
You're supposed to raise independent kids, but not so independent that they feel abandoned. You want them to be fully themselves but also protect them from a world that isn't understanding. You have to discipline them, but not too harshly, or you'll damage them. Be patient but not permissive. Cherish every moment, but don't forget to think about and prepare them for the future.
You have to balance being their authority figure and their empathetic listener. You need to stay calm, even when you're completely exhausted. You're supposed to love your career, but never let it interfere with your family. You're supposed to provide them with every opportunity but also don't spoil them.
You can't admit how hard it is because that might make it seem like you don't love them enough. And if they struggle in any way β socially, academically, emotionally β that's your fault. Didn't you read the right parenting books? Take the right classes? Use the right tone?
And, on top of all that, how do we know which moments will matter most?
I wonder what he's going to remember about me as a parent
I wonder what Joey will remember from these years and what he won't.
I think about my own childhood and how certain moments stayed while others quietly fell away. I remember an afternoon when the kids in my neighborhood made fun of me for not knowing how to ride my bike without training wheels. My dad shooed them away, and even though I didn't magically learn to ride that day, I felt protected and watched over.
Years later, I was in a minor fender bender on my way to high school. Still a bit rattled after exchanging insurance information, I drove home instead of heading to school and called my dad. He explained that this wasn't a time to retreat but a time to keep going. So, to school I went.
Or the night my mom stayed up late helping me clean my room, even though I was the one who made the mess. I was so overwhelmed I couldn't start, and instead of lecturing me, she sat on the floor and helped. On the flip side, I knew better than to call her at work if I forgot a school assignment at home; those consequences were mine to handle.
I will always wonder if I've done enough as a parent
The truth is, I don't think I'll ever stop second-guessing myself as a parent. I'll always wonder if I should have done more or less, if I should have stepped in earlier or held back longer. Or is my perspective too insular in proportion to the external happenings in the world?
What I'm trying to hold onto is that raising a perfect kid in an imperfect world surely can't be the goal.
My parents' style was both hands-on and hands-off. Now that I'm a parent, I understand the seemingly infinite number of factors that influence parenting choices. I have a hunch my parents didn't have a precise formula for when to use which approach. What I am certain about is that my parents did their best with each decision.
That's what we're all doing, right? Our best at any given moment. That's what I can commit to: showing up every day, doing my best in each particular moment, warts and all. I hope that's enough.
