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Ashley Tisdale says she had 2 very different postpartum experiences following her 2 births

6 March 2025 at 21:04
Ashley Tisdale.
Ashley Tisdale says she feels "much more confident" as a second-time mom.

Frank Micelotta/Disney via Getty Images

  • Ashley Tisdale says she had very different postpartum experiences following her two births.
  • The "High School Musical" star felt "robbed" of her first experience as a mother due to postpartum depression.
  • But welcoming her second child to the family was a "very easy transition," she said.

Ashley Tisdale, 39, is excited that she got to be a mom again.

The "High School Musical" star told Us Weekly that welcoming her second child was a chance to experience motherhood again since she felt "robbed" of her first experience due to postpartum depression, or PPD.

"To be able to have this experience again and to have it in such a great way and be so present, it makes me cherish every single moment," Tisdale said.

Tisdale and her husband, Christopher French, married in 2014. They welcomed their first daughter, Jupiter, in 2021 and their second daughter, Emerson, in September.

So far, it's been a "really easy transition" for the family, she said.

When she first became a mom, Tisdale said she was nervous and didn't know what to expect.

"With the second, you just feel so much more confident," she said.

She also credits her husband for his support.

"I feel like we balance each other out," Tisdale said. "There are times where Chris is really the fun parent and I might be a little bit more strict. And then, there's times where he's a little bit more strict with scheduling, and I'm a really fun parent."

In a September post on her website, written about two weeks after she gave birth to her second child, Tisdale reflected on how different her two postpartum experiences were.

When she had her first child, "something just wasn't clicking for me as a new mom," Tisdale wrote.

"I had expected to feel certain things as a new mother, but I didn't. Instead, I spent a lot of time feeling sad and anxiousβ€”and guilty about feeling that way," she continued. "It took me a while to realize that I was going through postpartum depression. Fortunately, I came out of it in time, but I remember feeling robbed of the joy I'd been hoping to experience."

But thankfully, things were different with her second child.

"When I first looked into Emerson's eyes, I immediately had the connection I'd dreamed of. This postpartum period has been so much easier because I feel like my normal self, and I feel 100% connected with my daughters," she wrote.

Tisdale isn't the only celebrity mom who has been open about experiencing postpartum depression.

In a March 2017 essay for Glamour, Chrissy Teigen shared that taking antidepressants helped her with postpartum depression. She was diagnosed with the condition after giving birth to her daughter, Luna, in April 2016.

During a 2020 episode of Jameela Jamil's "I Weigh" podcast, Reese Witherspoon shared that she experienced postpartum depression after the birth of two of her three children.

Based on data from the CDC, one in eight women in the US report experiencing symptoms of depression after giving birth.

Some symptoms of postpartum depression include severe mood swings, crying too much, and having difficulties bonding with the newborn baby.

A representative for Tisdale did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent by Business Insider outside regular hours.

Read the original article on Business Insider

She returned to work after surviving cancer but resigned a week later. Now, as a laundromat owner, she's her own boss.

6 March 2025 at 17:14
A woman in a white T-shirt is posing next to the sign to her laundromat.
Low Seow Yee left her job at a government agency to open a laundromat business in Singapore.

Amanda Goh

  • In 2023, a breast cancer diagnosis reframed Low Seow Yee's perspective on life.
  • She decided to quit her job at a government agency to open Hangout Laundry, a laundromat, in Singapore.
  • Laundromats are often touted as a passive income business, but she's hosting parties and making laundry fun again.

When Low Seow Yee went for her routine yearly mammogram in March 2023, she wasn't expecting anything out of the ordinary.

But a few weeks later, she received a letter requesting that she come in for a follow-up. A biopsy revealed that she had stage one breast cancer. The next few months passed by in a blur.

Her bosses at the government agency where she worked were empathetic and told her to take as much time as she needed. After two surgeries and over 15 sessions of radiation therapy, Low was cancer-free.

A woman in a white T-shirt is posing in front of some washing machines.
Low Seow Yee left her job at a government agency to open a laundromat business in Singapore.

Amanda Goh

"It was on my first day back at work when I realized, 'Oh no, I really don't want to do this,'" Low, now 46, told Business Insider. She handed in her resignation the following week.

Her medical scare had reframed her perspective on life. She had always been working for people β€” first in the events and F&B industries early in her career, and then in a marketing role for a government agency β€” and she wanted to try something new.

"It occurred to me that if I keep on doing this, I don't know β€” I feel like maybe I'm missing out on some experiences in life," the mother of three said.

From federal employee to small-business owner

In December 2024, Low and her husband opened Hangout Laundry, a 24-hour self-service laundromat in Bedok, a neighborhood in the eastern region of Singapore.

A woman in a white T-shirt is posing next to the sign to her laundromat.
Hangout Laundry is located in Bedok, a neighborhood in the eastern region of Singapore.

Amanda Goh

Low was drawn to the idea of starting a laundromat because it was an evergreen business. She also wanted to avoid making laundry feel like a chore.

"The whole idea was that we really want people to kind of look forward to laundry day. It doesn't have to be stuffy or boring," she said.

The dryers in the laundromat.
The laundromat is a bright, air-conditioned space with free WiFi and a coffee machine.

Amanda Goh

The air-conditioned interiors are bright and inviting. There's free WiFi and a coffee machine, and tables and chairs are set up where customers can wait.

Low's intention was to create a comfortable space where people could relax or get work done while doing their laundry.

Prices for the washer range between 7 and 12 Singapore dollars, or about $5 and $9. The cost of using the dryer is S$1 every 5 minutes.

An overview of the interiors of the laundromat. There is a coffee machine on the side
There are six washers and eight dryers in her laundromat.

Amanda Goh.

While researching the industry, Low said she noticed that laundromats were often touted as a passive income business, which meant owners were not always around to keep an eye on things.

Dirty folding tables, or even a hot and stuffy atmosphere can have a big impact on the customer experience, and she wanted to change that. "I wanted it to be a more social place," she said.

Some chairs by the glass doors.
There are chairs and tables where customers can sit while waiting for their laundry to be done.

Amanda Goh

Trusting her gut

Hangout Laundry is tucked away in the corner on the ground floor of a public housing apartment block.

The biggest challenge has been marketing the laundromat since it doesn't receive a lot of foot traffic; the nearest subway station is about a 15-minute walk away.

Everything on the laundromat's website has been optimized for search engines, Low said. That, coupled with getting their regulars to leave reviews, has helped boost their visibility online.

A token machine.
The laundromat uses a token system.

Amanda Goh

But ultimately, it's the experience that will keep customers coming back β€” something they feel is enhanced through social interaction. That's why Low and her husband take turns coming in almost every day to get to know their customers and listen to feedback.

Low said trusting her gut also paid off. For instance, she was told it was a bad idea to have a coffee machine in the laundromat, but she went ahead with the idea anyway.

Hot drinks range in price from S$3.30 to S$4.90, and Low said coffee now accounts for 20% of the store's sales.

An overview of the laundromat interiors.
Low says that there are customers who come into the laundromat just to enjoy a cup of coffee.

Amanda Goh

She added that there are people who come in just for a cup of coffee or to use the desks: "We highly encourage it. I also have kids who want to come and study. I say it's no problem if they just buy a drink."

The average cost of starting a self-service laundromat is not as hefty as many other businesses, Gary Tan, a general manager at Fresh Laundry, a distributor of commercial laundry machines in Singapore, told BI.

Fresh Laundry offers turnkey services to those who want to set up their own laundromats, with entry-level packages starting from S$130,000, he said.

"If we were to include all other miscellaneous licensing and costs that an investor needs to consider, he needs to set aside an estimate of about S$160,000," Tan said, adding that a typical laundromat would take about three years to break even.

Low preferred not to share how much she has invested in or earned from the laundromat.

Making laundry a social activity

In the spirit of making the laundromat a more social space, Low held a Valentine's Day-themed party in February.

The laundromat turned into an events space for a Valentine's Day-themed party.
Low held a Valentine's Day-themed party in the laundromat in February.

Low Hee Bun.

"We had a couple of rounds of silly games like blindfolded clothes-folding contests," she said, adding that there were multiple DJs and a pop-up bar that night.

Entry tickets were S$20 with one free drink, but free entry was granted to anyone who came with a load of laundry to wash or dry.

Low's already brainstorming ideas for the laundromat's next event β€” possibly a "Dungeons and Dragons" night, she says β€” and for ways to improve the laundry experience.

"Some people want iced coffee, so we're putting in an ice machine. Some people want a library of sorts, so we're thinking about it," Low said.

It's not easy being a small-business owner, but she hopes that it can rub off on her kids, who often come in on weekends to help her out.

"I'm hopeful that my kids can also learn to be a bit more entrepreneurial," Low said. "It would be nice."

Read the original article on Business Insider

Her mom immigrated to the US. After grad school, she did the opposite — and left California for Thailand.

4 March 2025 at 16:14
A woman working remotely.
Phillips is on the Destination Thailand Visa.

Katherine Phillips

  • Katherine Phillips was burned out, so she left San Diego and moved to Chiang Mai, Thailand, in 2019.
  • She works remotely on a Destination Thailand Visa and lives in a $340-a-month apartment.
  • She says her life has slowed down since moving to Chiang Mai and it's done wonders for her mental health.

Katherine Phillips, 32, had never been toΒ Chiang Mai, Thailand,Β before she moved there on her own in 2019.

Phillips, who grew up in San Diego, always dreamed of traveling around Asia. Her mother is from the Philippines, and while she's been to Manila multiple times to visit family over the years, she never got the chance to explore the rest of Southeast Asia.

After finishing grad school and getting her master's in counseling, she was ready to take a break.

"I was really burned out," Phillips told Business Insider. "It was a lot of 15-hour days."

A woman posing on a bridge.
Katherine Phillips left San Diego, where she had lived her whole life, in 2019 to move to Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Katherine Phillips

While she was keen on the idea of taking a gap year to travel, she also wanted to make sure she had some income.

When she stumbled upon a job listing for a one-year counseling position at a private international school in Chiang Mai, she decided to go for it.

Why Chiang Mai?

Chiang Mai is about 450 miles north of Bangkok and has long been a popular destination for tourists and expats alike, in part due to its relatively low cost of living.

Phillips says Chiang Mai caught her attention because it frequently came up on lists of popular destinations for digital nomads and expats. It felt like a safe place to live.

Her parents were shocked when she first told them about her plans to move abroad.

"I've always done everything by the books. And this was the first time I was like, 'I'm going to leave the country,'" she said. "They were like, 'You couldn't have just gone to a different state? You had to go to a whole other country?'"

While they were supportive, they were also worried because they couldn't quite understand why she wanted to do it.

"My mom immigrated to the States when she was 18 or 19. She came here and created this really amazing life for herself. And then I, on the other hand, wanted to do the opposite and leave the States," Phillips said.

A woman working remotely.
Phillips is on the Destination Thailand Visa.

Katherine Phillips

Her parents have always been somewhat traditional, she said: "You get the degrees, you climb the corporate ladder, that kind of thing, and I was not for that at all."

The school helped Phillips with her visa application, and she stayed in her job there for two years.

When the pandemic started, everything moved online, including her counseling sessions, and she could feel herself starting to burn out again.

"It just started to not feel fulfilling anymore, and I felt like I was doing a disservice. I don't want to show up every day miserable," Phillips said.

The living area.
Phillips moved into a one-bedroom apartment near Nimman, a popular district in Chiang Mai.

Katherine Phillips

After she left her job, she got an education visa and enrolled in a university to learn Thai.

Now, she works remotely for a marketing agency. She has a Destination Thailand Visa, which was introduced last year and can be used by digital nomads and remote workers.

In November 2022, Phillips moved into a one-bedroom apartment near Nimman, a trendy district popular with tourists and expats. Her rent is 11,500 Thai baht, or about $340, a month. It's her third apartment in Chiang Mai.

The view from the balcony.
Her apartment costs 11,500 Thai baht, or about $340, a month.

Katherine Phillips

The 550-square-foot apartment has an open floor plan, two balconies, and a washing machine.

Better mental health, more free time

In recent years, Chiang Mai has become a popular choice for people around the world looking to relocate.

Data from the Bureau of Registration Administration of Thailand indicates that 163,036 foreigners were living in Chiang Mai province as of December 31.

Several people who moved to Chiang Mai previously told BI they were drawn to the area's low costs and laid-back lifestyle.

Johnny Ward, a travel blogger, previously told BI he managed to build his dream "James Bond" villa in Chian Mai for about $600,000. Fred Jones, a retired cop from Florida, previously told BI that life in Chiang Mai is cheaper, safer, and less stressful than back in the US.

Living in Chiang Mai has done wonders for her mental health, and she has more control over her time now. That's partially due to the nature of her work, which is more flexible and project-based.

"I have time for hobbies now. What is that? Because that never happens in the States," she said with a laugh. Now, she gets to do creative things, like learn how to dance the salsa and the bachata, as well as make videos on YouTube and TikTok.

That said, her journey wasn't without its challenges. There was a language barrier, and it took Phillips some time to get used to the food in Chiang Mai, which was more spicy than back in the US.

A woman by the beach.
She says she now has more free time for hobbies, including traveling. This photo was taken on a trip to Koh Phangan, an island in southern Thailand.

Katherine Phillips

She added that there was also a part of her that felt like she was missing out on things that were happening back in the States.

However, now that she's been living in Chiang Mai for so long, she says she doesn't see herself moving back to the US.

"I honestly feel safer than I do in the States sometimes," she said. "I feel like everyone looks out for each other."

Ultimately, she's glad she took the plunge to make the move.

"You can always go back to your 9-to-5, to your life in the States, but I think it's worth just experiencing it at least once, to try it out and see," she said.

Do you have a story to share about moving to a new country? Contact this reporter at [email protected].

Read the original article on Business Insider

Dolly Parton's husband of almost 60 years, Carl Dean, dead at 82

3 March 2025 at 18:41
Dolly Parton performing on stage with a guitar.
Dolly Parton's (pictured) husband, Carl Dean, has died at 82.

Andrew Lipovsky/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank

  • Dolly Parton's husband, Carl Dean, has died at age 82 in Nashville.
  • Parton and Dean first met outside a laundromat in 1964 and married two years later in 1966.
  • Dean has largely stayed out of the spotlight since then, but he inspired Parton's hit "Jolene."

Dolly Parton's husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Dean, has died at age 82, the singer said in a post on Instagram on Monday.

"Carl Dean, husband of Dolly Parton, passed away March 3rd in Nashville at the age of 82. He will be laid to rest in a private ceremony with immediate family attending. He was survived by his siblings Sandra and Donnie," the post read.

"Carl and I spent many wonderful years together. Words can't do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy," the post continued. "The family has asked for privacy during this difficult time."

Parton and Dean met outside a laundromat on the day she moved to Nashville in 1964.

"I was surprised and delighted that while he talked to me, he looked at my face (a rare thing for me). He seemed to be genuinely interested in finding out who I was and what I was about," Parton said of the meeting in a post on her official website.

Sparks flew between them almost immediately.

"My first thought was 'I'm gonna marry that girl,'" Dean told Entertainment Tonight in 2016 in a rare public statement for the couple's 50th wedding anniversary. "My second thought was, 'Lord she's good lookin.'" And that was the day my life began. I wouldn't trade the last 50 years for nothing on this earth."

After two years of dating, they married in 1966 in a private ceremony in Georgia.

Since their marriage, Dean has largely stayed out of the spotlight.

Parton received her first songwriting award in 1966 for "Put It Off Until Tomorrow" recorded by Bill Phillips. Parton and Dean attended the ceremony and dinner together, but they did not continue making joint public appearances.

"After the dinner, we walked back out, and they brought us our car β€” I don't even remember what we were driving then β€” and we got in it and headed for home," Parton said at the Marty Stuart Jam in 2011, per country music news site The Boot. "Carl turned to me and said, 'Dolly, I want you to have everything you want, and I'm happy for you, but don't you ever ask me to go to another one of them dang things again!'"

Dean also inspired one of Parton's biggest hits, "Jolene."

The story for the song came from a bank teller who had a "terrible crush" on her husband, Parton said in a 2008 interview with NPR.

"And he just loved going to the bank because she paid him so much attention. It was kinda like a running joke between us β€” when I was saying, 'Hell, you're spending a lot of time at the bank. I don't believe we've got that kind of money.' So it's really an innocent song all around, but sounds like a dreadful one," she told NPR.

In 2019, the singer told Business Insider that a typical date night with her husband involved a romantic dinner at home, during which they would both get dressed up for each other.

"We've always been sweethearts as well as being best friends, as well as being husband and wife," she said. "So we just decide what we want to do."

A representative for Parton told BI that the singer had no additional comment.

Read the original article on Business Insider

Hulu's livestream of the Oscars went dark during critical moments of the awards ceremony

2 March 2025 at 20:22
Emma Stone presenting an award during the 2025 Oscars.
Hulu's livestream of the 97th Academy Awards was marred by technical difficulties. Some users reported that their stream got cut off in the middle of the best actress nomination.

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

  • Hulu crashed during the livestream of the 97th Academy Awards.
  • Some users reported error messages at critical moments of the show, including the best actress nomination.
  • This is the first time the platform has streamed the awards live.

Hulu crashed during the livestream of the 97th Academy Awards on Sunday, leaving fans disappointed and unable to follow along in real time for some of the biggest awards of the night.

For some users, the outage occurred during the best actress segment. Several Hulu users said the livestream went dark for them while Emma Stone was onstage introducing the award, before listing off the nominees.

Some Hulu users experienced an error message that said that the livestream had ended.
Some Hulu users experienced an error message that said that the livestream had ended.

Lydia Warren.

An error message that popped up for Hulu users during the livestream.
Some Hulu users said the livestream went dark for them.

Lydia Warren.

"This evening, we experienced technical and livestream issues on Hulu which impacted some Oscars viewers," a Disney spokesperson said in a statement to Business Insider. "We apologize for the experience and will make a full replay of the event available as soon as possible."

Earlier in the night, the Disney-owned streaming platform experienced technical issues as well.

According to DownDetector.com, some 33,650 customers reported experiencing problems with login and video streaming beginningΒ around 7 p.m. ET. β€” just as the awards show commenced.

"Our team has identified the issue and users affected should be able to log back in again soon. We apologize for the inconvenience," Hulu wrote in a post on X addressing the issue.

Our team has identified the issue and users affected should be able to log back in again soon. We apologize for the inconvenience.

β€” Hulu Support (@hulu_support) March 3, 2025

About an hour later, the company replied to the initial post and offered an update on the outage.

Thanks so much for hanging in there! Our team took the necessary steps to resolve this, so you should be all set after rebooting your device. We appreciate your patience!

β€” Hulu Support (@hulu_support) March 3, 2025

"Thanks so much for hanging in there!" Hulu wrote. "Our team took the necessary steps to resolve this, so you should be all set after rebooting your device. We appreciate your patience!"

It was Hulu's debut streaming the Oscars and a setback for its standing in the streaming wars.

Live broadcasts are particularly attractive to advertisers looking to reach large audiences amid the decline of traditional linear viewing. Disney had said last week that it had sold out of all of its Oscars ad inventory, with brands including Rolex, T-Mobile, and Starbucks purchasing spots.

Hulu rival Netflix has been bolstering its live offering lately, streaming live sports, WWE, comedy, and the Screen Actors Guild Awards. Some of its streams have also suffered from technical glitches, including the highly anticipated boxing match between Mike Tyson and YouTuber Jake Paul last year.

March 3, 2025 β€” The story has been updated to include a statement from Disney.

Read the original article on Business Insider

Michelle Trachtenberg's friends and costars react to the 'Buffy' and 'Gossip Girl' star's sudden death at 39: 'I wish I could have helped'

27 February 2025 at 18:58
Michelle Trachtenberg dressed in black
Michelle Trachtenberg's friends and former costars paid tribute to the actor on social media.

JC Olivera/WireImage/Getty

  • Michelle Trachtenberg was found dead on Wednesday morning. She was 39.
  • She began her acting career as a child star and is best known for "Buffy" and "Harriet the Spy."
  • Trachtenberg's famous friends and former costars paid tribute to the actor.

After Michelle Trachtenberg's death on Wednesday morning, celebrities and fans are paying tribute.

The NYPD told Business Insider that Trachtenberg had been found dead in a luxury apartment in Manhattan near Central Park. No cause of death has been given, and authorities said they're not treating the death as suspicious.

Trachtenberg, who began acting in commercials at age 3, had a decadeslong career in Hollywood, appearing in memorable films like "Harriet the Spy" and "EuroTrip" and TV series like "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Gossip Girl."

As the news of her death spread, her famous friends and former costars shared their reactions and heartfelt messages online.

Sarah Michelle Gellar referenced "Buffy" in a tribute to Trachtenberg.
Michelle Trachtenberg and Sarah Michelle Gellar
Trachtenberg with "Buffy" costar Sarah Michelle Gellar.

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Trachtenberg joined "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" as Buffy's sister, Dawn Summers, in season five. Her former on-screen sister Sarah Michelle Gellar, with whom she remained close, paid tribute to Trachtenberg in a touching post that paraphrased Buffy's famous speech to Dawn from the show's emotional fifth season finale.

"'Michelle, listen to me. Listen. I love you. I will always love you. The hardest thing in this world, is to live in it. I will be brave. I will live… for you,'" Gellar wrote.

Rosie O'Donnell said she wished she could've helped Trachtenberg.
Rosie O'Donnell and Michelle Trachtenberg
Rosie O'Donnell costarred with Trachtenberg in the younger actor's film debut.

Evan Agostini/Liaison

In a statement to Us Weekly, Rosie O'Donnell, who played the beloved nanny of Trachtenberg's character in her 1996 film debut "Harriet the Spy," called the younger actor's death "heartbreaking."

"I loved her very much. She struggled the last few years. I wish I could have helped," O'Donnell told the publication.

Alyson Hannigan said her thoughts are with Trachtenberg's family and friends.
'Buffy' cast members Emma Caulfield, Nicholas Brendon, Alyson Hannigan, James Marsters, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Michelle Trachtenberg.
Alyson Hannigan (third from left) and Trachtenberg (far right) appeared on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" together.

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Alyson Hannigan, who played Willow Rosenberg in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," shared a series of photos of herself and Trachtenberg on Instagram.

"I am deeply saddened by the news of Michelle's passing. She brought a loving energy to the set of Buffy. My thoughts are with Michelle's family and friends," Hannigan wrote in her caption.

Emma Caulfield shared a throwback photo of herself and Trachtenberg.
Emma Caulfield and Michelle Trachtenberg
Emma Caulfield and Trachtenberg appeared on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" together.

Albert L. Ortega/WireImage

"I'm so sorry your bright light died so young," Emma Caufield, who played Anya on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," wrote in her Instagram story caption. "Our Buffy family lost a little sister today... Rest in peace lovely Mish Mish. You were loved."

James Marsters shared a heartfelt message about Trachtenberg.
Michelle Trachtenberg and James Marsters
James Marsters met Trachtenberg when she joined the cast of "Buffy" in 2000.

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

James Marsters, who played Spike in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," worked closely with Trachtenberg from the time she joined the series as a teen in 2000.

"My heart is heavy today. We have lost a beautiful soul. Michelle was fiercely intelligent, howlingly funny, and a very talented person," the actor wrote on Instagram. "She died much too young, and leaves behind scores of people who knew and loved her."

"My heart goes out to her family who are good people, and are suffering the greatest loss anyone could bear. I hope everyone can give them space to heal in this most difficult time. Godspeed Michelle. You are missed," Marsters added.

David Boreanaz sent prayers to Trachtenberg's family.
David Boreanaz shares news of Michelle Trachtenberg's death
David Boreanaz and Trachtenberg both starred on "Buffy."

David Boreanaz/Instagram

David Boreanaz played the vampire Angel, Buffy Summers's longtime love interest, onΒ "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."Β He was a series regular on the first three seasons of the show before departing for his own spinoff.

Michelle Branch shared a photo of Trachtenberg with broken heart emojis.
Michelle Branch's tribute to Michelle Trachtenberg
Michelle Branch reacted to Trachtenberg's death.

Michelle Branch/Instagram

Michelle Branch was a musical guest star on the sixth season of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."

Blake Lively posted a lengthy tribute to Trachtenberg.
Blake Lively and Michelle Trachtenberg attend the 2009 CFDA Fashion Awards.
Blake Lively and Trachtenberg appeared in "Gossip Girl" together.

Kevin Mazur/WireImage

Blake Lively, who played Serena van der Woodsen in The CW teen drama "Gossip Girl," shared a photo of herself and Trachtenberg from the show on her Instagram story. Trachtenberg played fan-favorite antagonist Georgina Sparks in the show.

"This was the first day I met Michelle. She was electricity. You knew when she entered a room because the vibration changed. Everything she did, she did 200%," Lively wrote in her caption.

The "It Ends With Us" actor also recounted how Trachtenberg would always have "yummy caramel smelling lip gloss" on because "she didn't just want to sparkle on camera, she liked creating a nice experience for anyone who was in her orbit, even down to the subtle smell of her lipgloss because she cared about the sweet details."

Lively then called Trachtenberg "a kind person, through and through."

"Hold those you love and have loved dear. The world lost a deeply sensitive and good person in Michelle. May her work and her huge heart be remembered by those who were lucky enough to experience her fire," Lively wrote.

Ed Westwick shared a photo of Trachtenberg as her "Gossip Girl" character.
Ed Westwick's tribute to Michelle Trachtenberg
Ed Westwick starred with Trachtenberg on "Gossip Girl."

Ed Westwick/Instagram

Ed Westwick played reformed bad boy Chuck Bass throughout all six seasons of "Gossip Girl."

"So sad to hear of the passing of @MichelleTrachtenberg," he wrote in his Instagram story. "Sending prayers."

Chace Crawford shared photos of himself and Trachtenberg over the years.
Michelle Trachtenberg, publicist Lori Levine and actor Chace Crawford.
Chace Crawford and Trachtenberg appeared together on "Gossip Girl." They are pictured with publicist Lori Levine (middle) at a party in 2008.

Theo Wargo/WireImage

Chace Crawford played Nate Archibald on "Gossip Girl."

"Michelle was one of a kind. I remember her coming on set for the first time and just absolutely owning it. She was a force of nature and just so so unapologetically funny and magnetic.. remembering those years with a big smile. Just a terrible loss. Love you," Crawford wrote in his Instagram caption.

Shawn Ashmore called Trachtenberg an incredible person.
Shawn Ashmore and Michelle Trachtenberg
Shawn Ashmore previously dated Trachtenberg.

J.Sciulli/WireImage

Shawn Ashmore and Trachtenberg dated in the 2000s. In his post about her death, he called it an "incredible loss."

"Incredibly sad to hear about Michelle's passing. She was an incredible person and I will always remember the years we spent together fondly," he wrote. "She was loving, quirky and would never pass up a law and order SVU marathon:) My condolences to her mother Lana and sister Irene!"

Kim Cattrall shared a throwback photo of her and Trachtenberg.
Michelle Trachtenberg and Kim Cattrall
Kim Cattrall was in the 2005 movie "Ice Princess" with Trachtenberg.

Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images

Kim Cattrall and Trachtenberg acted together in the movie "Ice Princess" in 2005.

"Rest in peace sweet Michelle πŸ’”" Cattrall captioned the post.

Mara Wilson mourned the loss of her childhood friend.
Mara Wilson.
Mara Wilson mourned the loss of her childhood friend.

Amy Sussman/Getty Images

Fellow child star Mara Wilson posted a photo of Trachtenberg on her Instagram story.

"My heart is breaking for my childhood friend. Your memory will be a blessing Michelle," Wilson wrote in her caption.

Christy Carlson Romano said she and Trachtenberg "grew up in NY audition rooms" together.
Christy Carlson Romano
Christy Carlson Romano shared a heartfelt tribute to Trachtenberg on Instagram.

Andrew Toth/Getty Images

"My heart aches for Michelle Trachtenberg. We grew up in NY audition rooms together and our moms were friends. We reconnected in LA during our messy young Hollywood era. It was like no time passed. Her sassiness always made me laugh," Christy Carlson Romano wrote on her Instagram story.

The actor said she "wished" they had stayed in touch.

"I never got to tell her that years before we reconnected I wrote and recorded this song for her movie 'Ice Princess.' It never made the cut, but every time I thought of her it would go through my mind and now it will forever. Rest in peace," she wrote.

Kate Beckinsale said her heart "aches" for Trachtenberg's mother.
Kate Beckinsale.
Kate Beckinsale shared a heartfelt tribute to Trachtenberg on Instagram.

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images for Chopard

Kate Beckinsale posted an old paparazzi photo of herself and Trachtenberg on her Instagram story.

"What a terrible shock and loss, my god. My heart aches for your mama. Fly safe little bird," Beckinsale wrote in her caption.

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'The White Lotus' star Patrick Schwarzenegger says he sometimes wishes he didn't have his last name

25 February 2025 at 21:07
Arnold Schwarzenegger and Patrick Schwarzenegger shaking hands.
Patrick Schwarzenegger (on the right) says he wishes his last name wasn't so famous.

Emma McIntyre/Getty Images

  • "The White Lotus" star Patrick Schwarzenegger says he sometimes wishes he didn't have a famous last name.
  • He says people who criticize him for being a nepo baby don't see the work he puts into his career.
  • But nepotism isn't only in Hollywood; the business and tech worlds have their fair share of nepo babies, too.

Patrick Schwarzenegger, 31, says a famous last name like his can sometimes be a burden β€” especially since he's also trying to break into Hollywood.

In an interview with The Times published on Sunday,"The White Lotus" star pushed back against nepotism claims from people who say that he only landed the role on the award-winning HBO show because of his familial ties.

"I know there are people who'll say I only got this role because of who my dad is," Schwarzenegger told The Times. "They're not seeing that I've had 10 years of acting classes, put on school plays every week, worked on my characters for hours on end or the hundreds of rejected auditions I've been on."

Schwarzenegger is the son of Arnold Schwarzenegger, a bodybuilder, actor, and former governor of California, and Maria Shriver, a journalist and niece of former US President John F. Kennedy.

"Of course, it's frustrating and you can get boxed in and you think at that moment, I wish I didn't have my last name. But that's a small moment. I would never trade my life with anyone," Schwarzenegger said.

At the end of the day, he is "very fortunate" to have the life and family that he has, including "the lessons and values" that his famous parents have instilled in him.

Nepotism is everywhere

Nepo babies, or "nepotism babies" have been a hot topic since New York Magazine published a story in 2022 about the famous kids of Hollywood celebrities.

Many nepo babies have criticized the label, saying that it diminishes the work that they put into their careers.

In June, Emma Roberts β€” Julia Robert's niece β€” called out the use of the label, saying that people who criticize nepo babies "don't see all the rejection along the way."

Some parents of nepo babies have weighed in on the discourse, too.

In 2023, Tom Hanks β€” whose son was cast to play his younger self in the film "A Man Called Otto" β€” said it's no surprise that all four of his kids are in the industry since it's "the family business." He added that if he had been in a different field, "the whole family would be putting in time at some point."

But nepo babies aren't just in Hollywood; The business and tech worlds have their fair share, too.

All five of LVMH chairman and billionaire Bernard Arnault's children work at the company and its brands.

Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, the eldest sons of US President Donald Trump, manage the Trump Organization together.

Even regular people who aren't rich or famous use their connections to gain an advantage in the workplace.

A 2023 survey of 2,000 workers conducted by Applied, a recruitment company, showed that 68% of Gen Z workers have used nepotism to land a job offer.

Career coaches previously told Business Insider that it's fine to use your network sometimes.

"Using your network and personal connection to learn information and gain introductions is generally seen as acceptable, even sensible. However, using your network to get unfairly hired into a role you may not be deserving of is generally seen as unacceptable," Hannah Salton, a UK-based career coach and author, said.

Although most reputable companies tend to have fair recruitment processes that don't allow nepotism, in practice, it's often hard to ensure impartial hiring always happens, she said.

A representative for Schwarzenegger did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent outside regular business hours.

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Ayesha Curry says she prioritizes her marriage to Steph Curry over their kids in order to be a better mom

24 February 2025 at 20:48
Stephen Curry and Ayesha Curry.
Ayesha Curry says she puts her relationship with her husband, Steph Curry, before their kids.

Jerritt Clark/Getty Images for Gentleman's Cut

  • Ayesha Curry says she prioritizes her relationship with Stephen Curry over their four children.
  • "And that works for us because then you have two happy people raising the kids in the house," she said.
  • Prioritizing each other involves making time for each other, such as going on date nights, she said.

Ayesha Curry believes that partners should put each other first in order to be good parents.

In an interview with People, Curry spoke about prioritizing her relationship with her husband, NBA player Stephen Curry, over their kids.

"I think for us, our relationship always comes first. Then we're parents," Curry told People. "And that works for us because then you have two happy people raising the kids in the house. So the family sector in our lives always comes first."

The couple, who tied the knot in 2011, share four kids: Riley, Ryan, Canon, and Caius β€” whom they welcomed in May.

This isn't the first time that Curry has spoken about how she and her husband make their marriage work.

In a 2019 interview withΒ HelloGiggles, Curry shared that her parents and her in-laws were the ones who showed the couple the importance of prioritizing each other.

"And then also the biggest thing, both of our parents are still married and have been married for 30-plus years, and the one thing that they both shared with us β€” some through learning it the hard way, some through just making sure that they do it β€” is just making sure that we put each other first, even before the kids, as tough as that sounds," Curry told HelloGiggles.

This involves making time for each other, including date nights, she said.

"Because when you become a parent, you want to put your kids first, and we do, but we do it second to our relationship. Because ultimately, when our relationship is good, the kids are happy, and they're thriving, and our family life is good," Curry said.

At the end of the day, their relationship sets the basis for their family life.

"We have to put that into perspective and realize that it's not us being selfish, it's making sure we set a strong foundation," she said.

The Currys aren't the only celebrity couple who've spoken about making time for each other despite their busy schedules.

Robert Downey Jr. and his wife, Susan, shared that they don't go more than two weeks without seeing each other and being together as a family.

Gordon Ramsay's wife, Tana, says that she and her husband often get dressed up to go out on dates without their kids.

"In our relationship, having little kids again, our present to each other on our last anniversary was, we have to go to the theater once a month, and we have to go out three times a month, and we're not allowed to wear trainers," Tana said.

A representative for Curry did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent by BI outside regular hours.

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The best-dressed couples at the 2025 Screen Actor Guild Awards

23 February 2025 at 23:54
Composite image of Jonathan Scott, Zooey Deschanel, Ali Ahn, and William Jackson Harper.
Celebrity couples showed off their glamorous outfits at the 2025 SAG Awards.

Robyn Beck / AFP; Amy Sussman/Getty Images

  • The 31st SAG Awards were held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday.
  • Celebrity couples, like Jonathan Scott and Zooey Deschanel, made a splash on the red carpet with their outfits.
  • Adrien Brody and Georgina Chapman opted for matching monochromatic looks.

On Sunday, some of Hollywood's biggest stars showed up at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles for the 31st Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards.

While the event was filled with couples dressed in their best outfits, Kristen Bell β€” the host β€”Β left her husband, Dax Shepard, at home to look after the kids. "We don't have very many babysitters who are ever available," she told People.

Nonetheless, the show must go on; Here's a look at some of the best-dressed couples of the night.

Jeff Goldblum and Emilie Livingston
Jeff Goldblum and Emilie Livingston at the 2025 SAG Awards.
Jeff Goldblum and Emilie Livingston at the 2025 SAG Awards.

Robyn Beck / AFP

Jeff Goldblum and his wife, Canadian dancer Emilie Livingston, arrived at the event hand in hand.

Goldblum wore a dark suit with a bowtie and a green scarf, while Livingston opted for a bejeweled silver gown.

Jonathan Scott and Zooey Deschanel
Jonathan Scott and Zooey Deschanel wore bowties on the SAG Awards red carpet.
Jonathan Scott and Zooey Deschanel at the 2025 SAG Awards.

Robyn Beck / AFP

Jonathan Scott and Zooey Deschanel are a match made for the red carpet. The couple showed up in coordinated black-and-white outfits with bowties.

Adrien Brody and Georgina Chapman
Adrien Brody and Georgina Chapman wore black outfits.
Adrien Brody and Georgina Chapman at the 2025 SAG Awards.

Taylor Hill/FilmMagic

Adrien Brody, who was nominated for best male actor for his role in "The Brutalist," and his partner Georgina Chapman opted for matching monochromatic looks for the red carpet.

Brody wore a black tuxedo with a bowtie, while Chapman was in a sculptural strapless gown from her own clothing label, Marchesa.

David and Emma Gyasi
David and Emma Gyassi on the red carpet.
David and Emma Gyasi at the 2025 SAG Awards.

Amy Sussman/Getty Images

David Gyasi wore a simple black suit with a high-neck white shirt, while his wife, Emma Gyasi, nearly stole the spotlight from him in a stunning red gown.

William Jackson Harper and Ali Ahn
William Jackson Harper and Ali Ahn at the SAG Awards red carpet.
William Jackson Harper and Ali Ahn at the SAG Awards red carpet.

Amy Sussman/Getty Images

William Jackson Harper and Ali Ahn stood out from the crowd in their outfits.

Harper looked dapper in his embossed navy-colored suit, while Ahn wore a cream gown with feathered shoulder details.

Zoe SaldaΓ±a and Marco Perego
Zoe SaldaΓ±a and Marco Perego at the SAG Awards.
Zoe SaldaΓ±a and Marco Perego at the 2025 SAG Awards.

Kevin Mazur/Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

Zoe SaldaΓ±a, who won best supporting actress for her role in "Emilia PΓ©rez," looked stunning in her black velvet gown with bejeweled ruffled detailing.

Her husband, Marco Perego, an Italian film producer, opted for a more subdued gray suit with an olive-colored polka dot shirt.

Leighton Meester and Adam Brody
Leighton Meester and Adam Brody in earth-tone outfits for the red carpet.
Leighton Meester and Adam Brody at the 2025 SAG Awards.

Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

Leighton Meester and Adam Brody were both decked out in earth tones as they hit the SAG Awards red carpet together.

Meester wore a strapless dark green gown with cut-out details, while Brody wore a brown suit with a black tie.

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The most daring outfits celebrities wore at the 2025 Screen Actor Guild Awards

23 February 2025 at 21:31
Composite image of Danielle Deadwyler, TimothΓ©e Chalamet, and Cynthia Erivo at the SAG Awards 2025.
Danielle Deadwyler, TimothΓ©e Chalamet, and Cynthia Erivo at the SAG Awards 2025.

Christopher Polk/Variety via Getty Images; Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic; ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images

  • The 31st SAG Awards were held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday.
  • Many celebrities weren't afraid to show up in bold ensembles, some featuring elements like feathers and fringe.
  • Danielle Deadwyler, Demi Moore, and Anna Sawai all wore sculptural gowns that turned heads on the red carpet.

The 31st Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards took place on Sunday at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.

Unlike other awards, such as the Oscars or the Golden Globes β€”which also honor directors, writers, musicians, and production teams β€” the SAG Awards are dedicated exclusively to recognizing actors.

Before the ceremony, which was hosted by Kristen Bell, some of Hollywood's biggest celebrities posed for the cameras on the red carpet.

Here are some of the most daring looks from the night.

Danielle Deadwyler
Danielle Deadwyler in a red dress.
Danielle Deadwyler at the 2025 SAG Awards.

Christopher Polk/Variety via Getty Images

Danielle Deadwyler, who was nominated for best supporting actress for "The Piano Lesson," made a bold statement at the SAG Awards in a custom Louis Vuitton gown.

To complement her look, she wore bright red eyeshadow and matching red pumps.

Cynthia Erivo
Cynthia Erivo in a silver dress for the SAG Awards.
Cynthia Erivo at the 2025 SAG Awards.

Robyn Beck / AFP

Cynthia Erivo made a dramatic entrance in a vintage Givenchy gown designed by Alexander McQueen.

Her dress, made from a textured metallic fabric, featured fringe details at the neckline and sleeves.

Jamie Lee Curtis
Jamie Lee Curtis in a sparkly, feathered dress,
Jamie Lee Curtis at the 2025 SAG Awards.

Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

Jamie Lee Curtis β€” who was nominated for best supporting actress for her role in "The Last Showgirl" β€” channeled showgirl energy at the SAG Awards with her black sequinned gown with a feathered top.

Jane Fonda
Jane Fonda in a patterned outfit for the red carpet.
Jane Fonda at the 2025 SAG Awards.

Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Jane Fonda, the recipient of this year's SAG Life Achievement Award, turned heads on the red carpet in a custom Armani PrivΓ© dress.

The peach-colored ensemble, which featured a wavy black pattern and a fringe skirt, was a departure from her usual menswear-inspired outfits.

Anna Sawai
Anna Sawai in a red and black dress.
Anna Sawai at the 2025 SAG Awards.

Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images

Anna Sawai stunned on the red carpet with a custom Armani PrivΓ© strapless gown.

Her dress featured red crystals on the front with sheer side panels and a black velvet back.

TimothΓ©e Chalamet
TimothΓ©e Chalamet in a leather suit with a neon green shirt.
TimothΓ©e Chalamet at the 2025 SAG awards

Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

TimothΓ©e Chalamet, who won best male actor for his role as Bob Dylan in "A Complete Unknown," wore a leather suit with a neon green shirt to the ceremony. To complement his look, he accessorized with a bejeweled bolo tie.

The actor's stylist, Taylor McNeil, seemingly drew inspiration from Dylan himself, posting a reference photo of the musician in a similar outfit on his Instagram story.

Fran Drescher
Fran Drescher in a pink satin suit.
Fran Drescher at the 2025 SAG Awards.

Christina House/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Fran Drescher, the president of the SAG-AFTRA actors' union, went for a menswear-inspired look.

Drescher rocked a baby pink satin pantsuit at this year's red carpet event β€” an outfit that looked similar to the one she wore to the 2022 Directors Guild of America Awards. This time around, she opted for open-toed wedges instead of pointed-toe shoes.

Demi Moore
Demi Moore wearing a black sleeveless dress at the SAG Awards.
Demi Moore at the 2025 SAG Awards.

Frederic J. Brown / AFP

Demi Moore, who won best female actress for her role in "The Substance," wore an edgy, drop-waist Bottega Veneta leather gown.

She styled her long black hair in loose waves and kept her makeup simple, but accessorized with a statement necklace and bracelet from Tiffany and Co.

Carl Clemons-Hopkins
Carl Clemons-Hopkins in a black outfit with oversize sleeves.
Carl Clemons-Hopkins at the 2025 SAG Awards.

Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images

Carl Clemons-Hopkins, known for his role as Marcus on "Hacks," turned heads on the red carpet in a black jumpsuit with oversized sleeves.

Tyler James Williams
Tyler James Williams in a red suit with a cinched waist
Tyler James Williams at the 2025 SAG Awards.

Frazer Harrison/WireImage

Tyler James Williams, who plays Gregory Eddie in "Abbott Elementary," wore a red oversized suit with a cinched waist on the red carpet.

Banita Sandhu
Banita Sandhu in a shimmery dress.
Banita Sandhu at the 2025 SAG Awards.

Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times

Banita Sandhu, known for her role as Sita Malhotra in "Bridgerton," wore a sculptural metallic dress on the red carpet.

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A Gen Xer sold her business, ditched the city, and moved to the woods with her husband. Settling into her new life took time.

20 February 2025 at 19:41
A man and a woman posing in front of a rammed earth sauna they built.
Michelle Morigeau was burned out, so she left the city and started a homestead in the woods with her husband.

Mark Aldous/Peak Property Photography.

  • Burnout from running a fashion consignment business led Michelle Morigeau to ditch the city and start a homestead.
  • In 2021, she and her husband bought a 4-acre plot in British Columbia for about $458,000.
  • They've been growing their own food, and plan to build a rammed earth house where they can live sustainably.

At the end of 2019, Michelle Morigeau felt like she had hit rock bottom.

As the owner of a Calgary-based fashion consignment business, she often got up at 4 a.m. to start work. Between overseeing the operations of her three physical resale stores and managing some 18 staff members, Morigeau was completely burned out.

"I just felt trapped and overwhelmed," Morigeau, 47, a YouTuber and homesteader, told Business Insider. "The hustle and bustle, the grind of being in the city, the noise, the traffic, the sirens β€” everything just got too noisy in my head."

Even though she lived in a beautiful rental house in the city and drove a new Jeep, her life felt unfulfilling.

Fast-forward to 2020, Morigeau β€” like many business owners β€” was forced to temporarily close her stores due to the pandemic.

A man and a woman posing on their homestead.
Michelle Morigeau and her husband, James, moved from Calgary to British Columbia.

Mark Aldous/Peak Property Photography.

By coincidence, her father-in-law, who was stuck in Mexico because of the lockdowns, needed someone to take care of his lakehouse until he got back. His property was in the East Kootenay region of British Columbia, about a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Calgary.

"All of a sudden, my husband James and I were in the truck and out here at his lakefront property, and life just went from a hundred to zero," Morigeau said. "We fell into this mountain and forest life for about six months, and it gave me enough time to realize that this was somewhere that I wanted to be."

Slowly, the idea of leaving the city started to grow on her.

"I told my husband, maybe we could make it work living rurally in the mountains. And luckily, he was on board," Morigeau said.

Escaping the city for a slow, rural life

In May 2021, after a year of searching, the couple moved into a four-acre property that they bought for 650,000 Canadian dollars, or about $458,000.

A four-bedroom house β€” built in the '80s β€” stood on the land, offering views of the nearby mountain range. The plot was situated in a lake community in East Kootenay β€” the same area where her father-in-law lives β€” and offered ample space for the couple's homesteading ambitions.

"It's the same area that we were in when I fell in love with this place, so we knew we wanted to be around here," Morigeau said.

Since her husband was a builder, they also wanted to have enough space on the property to do DIY projects, she added: "We wanted space to be able to build a self-sustainable lifestyle, such as grow our own food and rear chickens."

A man and a woman posing in front of a rammed earth sauna they built.
Some of the DIY projects they've completed so far include a wood storage cabin and a rammed earth sauna.

Mark Aldous/Peak Property Photography.

Morigeau says her friends and family were initially skeptical when they first heard about her move.

"They said, 'What are you going to do out there? What is there to do?'" Morigeau said, recalling their reactions. "But the funny thing is that we have endless things to do β€” we've got at least 20 years of projects that we have planned."

Some of the biggest changes they've done to the property so far include adding a wood storage hut that doubles as a chill spot, expanding their chicken coops, and building an off-grid sauna out of rammed earth.

"We're also building a 1,300-square-foot geothermal greenhouse," Morigeau added. "That's a big project we're working on right now because we plan to grow food all year round."

They're about 70% done with the greenhouse. Once that project's completed, the couple is planning to build a 3,000-square-foot carriage house β€” a shop with a suite above β€” out of rammed earth.

A woman standing by a greenhouse.
Morigeau's plan is to grow all their own food. She also has a farm stand on her property where she sells the extra produce.

Mark Aldous/Peak Property Photography.

Their eventual plan is to move into that upper suite while they demolish and rebuild the main house β€” where they're living now β€” also using rammed earth.

Living sustainably

The couple first learned about rammed earth construction through Morigeau's brother, who lives in Tasmania.

"He sort of put the bug in our ear by sending us YouTube videos," Moreigeau said. "We didn't really think too much of it until we moved out here."

That's when they learned about the properties of houses built from rammed earth, such as their resistance to fire and their ability to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature all year round.

"It gets really cold here in the winter, and it's really hot in the summer, so it'll be good if the house could stay a nice temperature," Morigeau said.

The living room.
The plan is to eventually tear down the main family house on the property β€” where they're living now β€” and rebuild it using rammed earth. Pictured is the living room of the main family house.

The Tie Life Homestead.

Moreover, a house built from earth has a low carbon footprint β€” which aligns with their desire to live sustainably and in harmony with nature.

"It would be what I would consider a healthy house, as opposed to the stick frame homes and stuff that they build now with materials that are probably carcinogenic for you," she said.

Earthen houses are not a new invention; this type of architecture has been around for years β€” like in the mud-brick buildings of Yemen's ancient walled city of Sana'a, and in DjennΓ©, a town in Mali known for its adobe architecture.

Prior to building the sauna, the couple had never worked with rammed earth buildings before, Morigeau said.

The kitchen.
The couple is working on getting permits to start constructing their rammed earth dwellings. Pictured is the kitchen of the main house.

The Tie Life Homestead.

But a big hurdle they're facing now is obtaining the necessary permits for their construction.

"Unfortunately, where we live, we need permits. We didn't move quite far enough away that we could not have the government involved," Morigeau said, adding that rammed earth is not part of the building code here in Canada.

"They're asking us to drop a lot of money in engineering, which we already had done, but now they want us to get architects involved," Morigeau said, adding that their discussions are an ongoing process.

Becoming self-sufficient

Morigeau has already started cultivating parts of their land. In addition to being self-sustainable, she also started a farm stand on her property in hopes of growing enough food to provide for the community.

"We have a huge garden," she said. "We grow enough food to feed us all summer as well as have the farm stand. And I preserve everything too."

She and her husband aren't the only ones interested in homesteading, the practice of living self-sufficiently off the land.

A farm stand.
Morigeau has a farm stand on her property where she sells the surplus produce.

Mark Aldous/Peak Property Photography.

The lifestyle has grown in popularity in the years since the pandemic, per the Homesteaders of America, a grass roots organization that advocates for an agrarian lifestyle.

A 2022 poll of 4,000 homesteaders conducted by the organization found that food security and a desire for a simpler lifestyle were among the main reasons respondents started homesteading.

Several homesteaders that BI previously spoke to shared that the lifestyle was a way to reject the status quo and have control over their environmental footprint.

Morigeau said she learned everything she knows about gardening through trial and error and YouTube. She also picked up some tips from neighbors who lived in the area.

"I didn't grow anything in the city," she said. "This past summer was the first time I didn't have to look anything up while I was gardening."

Breaking free from materialism

Morigeau says that her life now is so much more peaceful compared to when she was living in the city. She also feels more connected to nature and to the people around her.

"We take care of each other, from our neighbors lending us big equipment to build our projects, to me taking care of their kids and making them granola," Morigeau said.

In a way, leaving Calgary was a way for her to start over, although it did take her some time to fully settle into life here.

She continued running her business remotely for the first year and a half before she was ready to give it up.

A woman feeding chickens.
Now, she says she leads a more peaceful life and is no longer concerned about material things.

Mark Aldous/Peak Property Photography.

"I thought that I could do it remotely. The money was good and everything, but constantly having that pull back to the city, I needed to break that tie to really dive into my new life here," Morigeau said.

She eventually found someone to sell the consignment business to, but preferred not to share how much she sold it for.

"The first year of even considering it was really hard, since it was a business that had been passed down to me in 2013 by my mom when she passed away," Morigeau said. "Not to mention, James built me all of my stores, he put all of his love and energy into them. Letting that go was really, really hard."

Now that she's been out here for some time, Morigeau says she feels less attached to material things. She no longer cares about labels; all her clothes have to be practical since she spends a lot of time outdoors.

"After about a year of being out here, I had gone back to the store. I remember sitting in there, where people are buying Louis Vuitton and all of the famous brands, and just thinking, 'None of this really matters,'" Morigeau said. "That was when I realized that my passion for that business had died."

Her expenses are also lower now, because she feels less of a need to shop. Not only that, they're about a 40-minute drive to the nearest town β€” which doesn't even have a mall, she added.

"In the city, if I was bored, I would go shopping and buy things that don't really matter. Out here, there's not really anywhere to do that," she said.

Looking back on their journey, Morigeau says that their perseverance got them through even the toughest days.

"My advice to anyone would be, if it's something that you really want and you put your mind to it, it will happen for you," she said. "Because there were so many things that we came up against, and it took time, but we just kept persevering, and then it happened for us."

Have you recently relocated to a new country and found or renovated your dream home? If you have a story to share, contact this reporter at [email protected].

Read the original article on Business Insider

BeyoncΓ© turned down a movie role five times. The film's producer says it taught him how to bounce back from rejection.

19 February 2025 at 08:47
Composite image of Hollywood producer Will Packer and BeyoncΓ©.
Hollywood producer Will Packer credits BeyoncΓ© for teaching him how to deal with rejection.

Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for AfroTech; Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

  • The Hollywood producer Will Packer credits BeyoncΓ© with teaching him how to deal with rejection.
  • BeyoncΓ© turned down a role in a movie he was producing five times, Packer said.
  • He improved the script after each rejection and ultimately got her to change her mind.

The Hollywood producer Will Packer knows rejection is a part of life and work. After all, BeyoncΓ© turned down a role in a movie he was producing five times before he convinced her to sign on to the project.

During an appearance on Tuesday's episode of "The View," Packer spoke about what he learned from his experience of getting rejected by the singer.

"BeyoncΓ© told me no. I wanted her to be in this film, and she was very β€” she's a wonderful human being but said, 'Will Packer, I'm not doing your movie,'" Packer told "The View" cohosts, recounting the singer's words.

Packer, known for films such as "Girls Trip" and "Ride Along," said he made changes to the script based on the feedback he received from BeyoncΓ©.

"I didn't go back or push back and didn't say, 'Oh no, woe is me.' And actually, I was making my project better each time," Packer said.

Although it took him five times "because BeyoncΓ© is very particular," at the end of the day, he "only needed one yes."

"You only need one, so whatever your BeyoncΓ© is, right, keep seeing if there is a way to adjust and learn something from the 'No,'" he said.

BeyoncΓ© changed her mind, Packer said

In the end, BeyoncΓ© changed her mind and agreed to star β€” alongside Idris Elba β€” in 2009's "Obsessed," the film Packer was producing.

When it comes to handling rejection, Packer's advice aligns with the guidance the career happiness strategist Amy Nguyen previously described to Business Insider.

"Mindset is important here because rejection doesn't mean that you are a total failure or a loser," Nguyen said. "Think of rejection as a lesson and get what you can learn from there so that you can improve yourself for the next job."

Representatives for Packer and BeyoncΓ© did not immediately respond to requests for comment sent by BI outside regular hours.

Read the original article on Business Insider

Kylie Kelce says there are 3 things a man should do for his pregnant wife

17 February 2025 at 21:54
Jason Kelce with his arms wrapped around his wife, Kylie.
Jason and Kylie Kelce announced in November that they were expecting their fourth child.

Mike Coppola/Getty Images for SiriusXM

  • Kylie Kelce is expecting her fourth child with her husband, former NFL player Jason Kelce.
  • Her advice includes extending patience and providing postpartum support.
  • "Remember that your wife is growing a human," Kelce said.

Kylie Kelce is expecting her fourth child with retired NFL player Jason Kelce β€” and she knows a thing or two about dealing with pregnancy.

During an interview with Alex Cooper on the "Call Her Daddy" podcast on Wednesday, Kelce shared three things that men should do for their pregnant wives.

"Remember that your wife is growing a human," Kelce, 32, told Cooper. "Sometimes I think guys are like, 'Oh, she's fine.' And I'm like, no. You're actively building a human being, so, like, just give her some grace."

It's also important for men to adopt a "this, too, shall pass" attitude, and remember that the challenges of pregnancy β€” such as mood swings β€” are temporary, she said.

"I've had pregnancies where I've been really, really emotional, and after the pregnancy, I'm like, 'Jason, I don't know how you did that. Jesus, thank you for sticking with me," Kelce said.

The couple has been married since 2018, and they share three daughters β€” Wyatt Elizabeth, Elliotte Ray, and Bennett Llewellyn β€” with a fourth daughter on the way.

Lastly, Kelce says new mothers need their husbands' support during the postpartum period, too β€” perhaps even more than during the pregnancy.

"Postpartum is one of the hardest things I've ever done in my whole life. Labor is like a drop in the bucket compared to postpartum," Kelce said.

She added that she didn't feel immediately connected to her eldest daughter, Wyatt, the first time she brought her home.

"I did not feel that immediate, like, 'This is my baby,'" Kelce said. "I didn't have that sensationalized, like, 'I'm a mother now.' It was like a slow ease in."

The first few weeks postpartum were difficult on her body as well, she said.

"We're both in diapers. I have a cooling pad on my lady bits. I am afraid to sit down at any given point because it hurts so bad, and at the same time, every two hours, I'm supposed to connect you to my boob and something's going to happen," Kelce said.

Postpartum typically refers to the first six to eight weeks after delivery. During this period, many changes β€” both physical and emotional β€” occur in a woman's body.

Physical symptoms that new mothers may experience include breast engorgement, cramps, and vaginal bleeding. Some women also experience emotional symptoms, such as postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety.

"Postnatal depression and anxiety are incredibly common and it is so important that it is identified early to help you receive the support and treatment that you may need," Dr. Brooke Vandermolen, an OB/GYN, previously told Business Insider.

"Communicating your feelings can really help so others around you know how you are feeling," she said.

In addition to getting enough rest, new mothers should also pay attention to their diet, stay hydrated, and limit their physical activity at least until their doctors give them the go-ahead, per Cleveland Clinic.

A representative for Kelce did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent by BI outside regular hours.

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They left their corporate jobs and built a hotel in the surfing capital of the Philippines. Island life is busy, too.

12 February 2025 at 16:14
The exterior of the villas.
Heidi Ganaden and her husband left their corporate jobs in Manila, the capital city of the Philippines, to open a hotel on an island.

Lubihan Siargao.

  • Heidi Ganaden and her husband left their big-city corporate jobs to open a hotel on an island.
  • The couple moved from Manila, the capital city of the Philippines, to Siargao, also known as the country's surfing capital.
  • One pandemic and a category 5 typhoon later, they've finally settled into their new lives.

Heidi Ganaden and her husband never thought they'd run a hotel by the beach in Siargao, an island known as the surfing capital of the Philippines.

The two of them were working corporate jobs and living in Manila, the capital city. She was in the telecommunications industry, while he was a landscape architect.

As avid surfers, the couple enjoyed hanging out by the beach but weren't too familiar with Siargao; Ganaden had visited once before in 2005, while her husband had never been there before. The island is one of more than 7,000 that make up the Philippines.

A couple posing in the water at the beach.
Heidi Ganaden and her husband moved from Manila, the capital city of the Philippines, to Siargao to open a hotel.

Lubihan Siargao.

But a quick weekend trip in 2018 β€” it's only a two-hour flight from Manila β€” to visit some friends who were trying to set up a business there left them with a favorable impression of the island.

Not long after they got back to Manila, they received a call from their friends in Siargao about a plot of land by the beach that was available for lease.

"We thought, OK, maybe we can try and look at it. Maybe we can just put up a small shack so that we can go to Siargao, and we'll have a place where we can stay," Ganaden, 46, told Business Insider.

The exterior of the villas.
They initially wanted to build a home they could live in whenever they visited the island to surf.

Lubihan Siargao.

When they went to view the plot of land, they realized it was in a central location that was popular with tourists. New establishments, like restaurants, were also popping up all around the area.

They also noticed that more and more people were visiting Siargao, and they decided it might be a better idea to build accommodations instead.

"We actually didn't have the idea for a hotel initially. It was really an accident," she said. "We were in a central spot, and we thought it would be a waste to just offer it for a long-term lease, so we ended up with a small hotel."

Trading city life for island living

By the end of the year, the couple had signed a 15-year lease and started clearing out the land. They preferred to keep the amount they spent on the lease private.

They broke ground in 2019. That same year, Ganaden and her husband decided to quit their jobs to focus on the project.

"We thought it was now or never," Ganaden said. "We had no idea what we were doing, but we did it anyway because we were invested in it. We wanted to make it work."

A progress photo of an unfinished building of the hotel.
It was difficult to find raw materials and skilled construction workers on the developing island.

Lubihan Siargao.

The construction of their hotel took place in phases, and they hired some 15 contractors to help out. Ganaden estimates that they spent about 20 million Philippine pesos, or about $340,000, on the construction of the hotel.

The building process was fraught with challenges. Even though the island was developing, it was difficult to find raw materials and skilled construction workers, Ganaden said.

"Imagine a whole island where everybody was building with just two hardware stores," she said.

To meet their project timelines, the couple decided to use prefabricated materials. Everything was brought over to Siargao from Manila β€” even the contractors they hired.

A progress photo of the hotel being built.
The couple brought in construction materials and even their contractors from Manila.

Lubihan Siargao.

"We had to bring them in and house them because for prefabricated material, there's a required skillset for it," Ganaden said.

They named the hotel "Lubihan," a term in the local dialect that refers to the coconut grove that once grew over the land. The entire property spans just over 4,000 square feet and has 13 guest rooms and one staff room.

"Since my husband is a landscape architect, he was able to make everything work. Even with the 14 rooms, we have a very nice common garden and a lounge area at the back," Ganaden said.

One of the rooms.
Different room types have different nightly rates.

Lubihan Siargao.

Nightly rates vary across the different room types.

"We can go as low as about 3,000 pesos all the way to as high as 5,000 pesos," she added.

One challenge after another

The couple's hotel journey hasn't been easy.

When early 2020 rolled around, they faced a major setback: the pandemic. Like much of the world, Siargao β€” and the Philippines β€” went into lockdown.

Strong typhoon winds.
The pandemic and even a typhoon were among the obstacles the couple faced while trying to get their hotel off the ground.

Lubihan Siargao.

The couple was able to rent out a few of their completed rooms to travelers who were stuck on the island, and they dedicated their time to finishing the rest of the hotel.

But just as tourism in Siargao started to recover from the effects of the pandemic, a natural disaster struck.

In December 2021, Super Typhoon Rai β€” a category 5 storm β€” swept through parts of the Philippines, including Siargao, uprooting trees, wrecking buildings, and leaving destruction in its wake.

Lubihan was no exception.

One of the rooms destroyed by the typhoon.
Strong winds and torrential rain devastated the whole island, including the hotel.

Lubihan Siargao.

"Our entire roof was peeled off like a sardine can, the majority of our glass doors broke and were dislodged by the strong wind. It was a disaster," Ganaden said.

All their staff members lost their homes.

"We had no power for months, no phone signal for months too," she said, adding that the island was almost cut off entirely from the rest of the world due to the damage sustained by the island's transport infrastructure.

But with grit and determination, and help from their community, the couple was able to rebuild the damaged parts of the hotel and their lives.

"It was months of recovery β€” emotionally, mentally and physically," Ganaden said.

They were new to the business

That aside, running a hotel with no hospitality background came with its own set of challenges.

"We are learning as we go, in terms of how to operate and what's needed by the hotel," Ganaden said. "For example, the kind of fittings that would last longer, or the kind of linens that would make laundry easier, things like that."

"I think if you have a background in hospitality, you'd know these kinds of things. But since this is our first time, we're doing trial and error on a whole lot of things," she added.

They have six full-time staff members, including an operations officer who lives on-site.

A man and a woman holding surfboards in Siargao.
Ganaden and her husband often spend their afternoons surfing.

Mary Dizon.

Ganaden's daily routine starts with dropping off her seven-year-old daughter at school. Then, she scans through the hotel's reservations for the day and stops by the hotel to check in on things.

"Then, it's island life after that. In our neighborhood, we have a CrossFit gym right next to us. And of course, if the tides are OK, we go out to surf," Ganaden said, adding that she pops back into the hotel after to keep an eye on things.

Island life is busy, too

In 2019, Siargao was voted as the best island in the world by CondΓ© Nast Travelers.

Since then, tourism on the island has been on the rise. In 2024, Siargao was also included among Lonely Planet's top seven tourist destinations in Southeast Asia.

The island saw a total of 529,822 foreign tourist and domestic traveler arrivals in 2023, per the latest data available from the Philippines Department of Tourism. This is an increase from 181,188 foreign and domestic traveler arrivals five years earlier in 2018.

Siargao may be developing, but the island still retains its untouched feel that many similar beach destinations β€” like Bali and Hawaii β€” have lost due to over-tourism.

It's a far cry from the corporate life that Ganaden was used to back in Manila, but her days are still busy.

"We do also have meetings, especially with other business owners that we collaborate with, but they're very informal. All in flip-flops or barefoot by the beach, drinking a cocktail β€” so that's how our meetings are now," she said.

One of the bedrooms at the resort.
It's very different from the corporate life that she was used to.

Lubihan Siargao.

She says that her background working in an office taught her to be disciplined, which, in turn, helped her greatly in managing the hotel business.

One thing she really appreciates about life in Siargao is the tight community on the island.

"Even if you live in a village in Manila, you probably will not know your neighbor. In Siargao, everybody just talks to each other, which is very, very nice," she said.

The garden.
She loves the tight community on the island.

Lubihan Siargao.

That said, she does occasionally miss city-living and the convenience that comes with it.

"We don't have a fast food chain on the island. It's both good and bad, because sometimes you have cravings for a burger," Ganaden said.

The infrastructure on Siargao has also improved tremendously in recent years, she said, adding that fiber internet was only properly rolled out on the island the year before.

Prior to that, businesses like hers relied on Starlink for connectivity.

"A lot of remote workers want to live here, but they can't because of the internet," she said. "When we started having Starlink all over the island, a lot of them started coming in and working from here."

These days, Ganaden goes back to Manila with her family at least once every quarter.

"On the island, we all have this unwritten rule that you need an island break," she said. "We go back to Manila to decompress β€” because our hustle is on the island β€” and then we come back again."

Looking back on their journey, Ganaden says that it was a big leap for them to go from working in the city to running a business on an island with no experience.

"We were scared, but we knew that because of the discipline we had in corporate jobs, we'd be able to survive and find a way to make it work," she said. "I told my husband I know that if I'm pushed to the wall, I will find a way to climb over that wall or break that wall."

"That's how I am, so I was pretty confident about going into the entire thing scared," she said.

Have you recently relocated to a new country and found or renovated your dream home? If you have a story to share, contact this reporter at [email protected].

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Usher and his wife are both in the music industry. He says working together could 'damage' their relationship.

11 February 2025 at 19:48
Usher and Jennifer Goicoechea at the Oscars party.
Usher says he and his music executive wife have boundaries around working with each other.

Jamie McCarthy/WireImage

  • Usher says he avoids working with his wife, a music executive, in order to protect their relationship.
  • "Your things are your things. My things are mine," Usher said during a podcast appearance.
  • Therapists previously told BI that partners should set boundaries with each other for a healthy relationship.

Usher prefers to keep business and pleasure separate, especially when it comes to his relationship.

During an appearance on Tuesday's episode of the "Baby, This is Keke Palmer" podcast, Usher spoke about how he would rather not work with his wife, Jennifer Goicoechea, a music executive, even though they're in the same industry.

"I definitely rely on her opinion about things. She's an incredible sounding board and brings calm to some of my madness sometimes," Usher told podcast host Keke Palmer. "But if we had to work together, oh my God, it wouldn't work. It would damage our relationship. I would never do that."

The "Yeah!" singer started dating Goicoechea in 2019 and married her during the 2024 Super Bowl weekend β€” after his halftime performance.

Although Goicoechea is established in the music industry β€” she is a senior vice president of A&R at Epic Records β€” Usher says he doesn't think they should expect to be involved in each other's work unless they want to.

"Like, matter of fact, we have a policy, you know. If this is a business that you're in, I'm going to help establish and work on it. But it's your business, you know, and then we have the things that we do together, but it's not a mandate. It's a choice in relationship," Usher said.

At the end of the day, he feels that setting boundaries is healthy.

"Your things are your things. My things are mine. I have something I'm passionate about, I need your support, I need your help, I want to get counsel. But those kinds of boundaries established, I think, are hopefully going to make this a more sustainable relationship," Usher said.

"This is my third one," he said, referring to the marriage, "and I'm trying to make sure I don't take this ring off."

Usher shares two children, Sovereign Bo and Sire Castrello, with Goicoechea. He has two other children, Usher "Cinco" Raymond V and Naviyd Ely, with his ex-wife Tameka Foster, whom he was married to from 2007 to 2009. He was also previously married to Grace Miguel from 2015 to 2018.

Having boundaries is crucial for a healthy relationship, Janet Park, a therapist at Healing Phoenix Therapy, told Business Insider previously.

"Boundaries establish what we feel OK with and don't feel OK with in a relationship. In that vein, boundaries are important because they serve a critical role in establishing safety and trust in a relationship," she said.

Additionally, if a person fails to honor their own needs and limitations, they may be setting themselves up for feeling uncomfortable or unfulfilled in the relationship down the line, she said.

One of the most important things about establishing boundaries is that it should sound more like a request, and not a demand, Adrienne Clements, a therapist in private practice, told BI previously.

"This can look like saying, 'Would you be willing to give me solo time in the house today?' as opposed to 'I need some solo time in the house today,'" she said.

A representative for Usher did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent by Business Insider outside regular hours.

Read the original article on Business Insider

Terry Crews says there were a lot of things he had to 'relearn' to fix his marriage

10 February 2025 at 21:57
Terry Crews and Rebecca King-Crews
Terry Crews and Rebecca King-Crews rebuilt their relationship when it ended over a decade ago.

Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

  • Terry Crews said he and his wife managed to rebuild their marriage.
  • They have been married for 36 years but nearly split for good years ago due to his infidelity and porn addiction.
  • "It's work. It's really work. You have to get better at it, it's a skill," Crews said.

Terry Crews and his wife, Rebecca King-Crews, know just how much effort goes into making a marriage work.

In an interview with People, the actor spoke about how they overcame all the challenges they faced in their years together.

"Me and my wife have been married 36 years and, at year 20 though, it was over. And we totally rebuilt our relationship," Crews told People. "And we decided we were going to be stronger together. It was a decision that we decided to make."

The couple got married in 1989, several years before Crews joined theΒ NFL, and two decades before he made the transition to acting. They have five children together.

The "White Chicks" star added that love isn't just about feelings.

"It's work. It's really work. You have to get better at it, it's a skill," Crews said. "There's a lot of things I had to relearn."

He says he thinks of him and his wife as a "testament" to the fact that two people can make a relationship work as long as they are both willing to tough it out.

"It's wild because there was a point when, when I wanted to quit, she didn't want to, and then when she wanted to quit, I didn't want to," he said. "And I was just glad we didn't want to quit at the same time."

This isn't the first time that Crews has spoken about the challenges he faced in his marriage.

Crews shared how his past infidelity and porn addiction had affected his family during an episode of Dax Shepard's"Armchair Expert" podcast in 2023.

Crews said he would "start an argument" with his wife whenever she tried to ask him questions about where he was when he was feeding his porn addiction at adult bookstores near truck stops. He would also "be angry" at his kids "for getting in the way."

He also said he cheated on his wife by getting a handjob in a massage parlor while filming his first-ever movie in 2000, and "kept that secret for years."

He eventually decided to confess to his wife about the cheating a decade later when he began seeking help for his porn addiction. Although she left him at that time, they eventually reconciled after Crews went to rehab.

Crews and his wife aren't the only celebrities who have spoken about the steps they take to build and maintain a healthy relationship.

Robert Downey Jr. and Susan Downey don't go more than two weeks without seeing each other and their family.

Rob Lowe, who has been married to Sheryl Berkoff for over 30 years, said they go to couples therapy regularly because "it's like taking your car in and making sure the engine's running great."

Barbara Grossman, a couples counselor, previously told Business Insider that her tips for a successful marriage include sharing emotional baggage, carving time out to be together, and actively communicating grievances.

"I encourage people to talk about their past because it usually reveals the historical reasons for their behavior, opinions, and attitudes," Grossman said. "If you open up about situations β€” including unresolved feelings toward a family member, friend, or lover β€” it develops understanding, trust, and connection."

A representative for Crews did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent by Business Insider outside regular hours.

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Kansas City Chiefs' chef shares the protein-heavy breakfast that's become a team favorite

9 February 2025 at 18:43
Kansas City Chiefs' players huddle during the Super Bowl.
The Kansas City Chiefs will face off against the Philadelphia Eagles at Super Bowl LIX on Sunday.

Patrick T. Fallon / AFP

  • The Kansas City Chiefs are playing the Philadelphia Eagles at the Super Bowl today.
  • The Chiefs' executive chef, Erin Wishon, said that a popular breakfast item among players is steak and rice.
  • Recent studies suggest that consuming 0.7 grams of protein per pound of body weight is ideal for maximizing strength gains.

The Kansas City Chiefs are playing in the Super Bowl today, and their food and nutrition team has been working to fuel them for success.

In an interview with Us Weekly, the Chiefs' executive chef Erin Wishon spoke about the type of meals that the players are eating in the lead-up to the big game.

"I think something that people might find surprising is there's a lot of steak and rice for breakfast," Wishon β€” who works for the Chiefs through Aramark Sports + Entertainment at Arrowhead Stadium β€” told Us Weekly. "We have a couple players that eat two steaks β€” 12-ounce filets β€” and rice at breakfast. And then sometimes also at lunch."

The meal is nutritious and highly satiating, Wishon told Business Insider in a statement.

"The steak, particularly a lean beef tenderloin filet, provides high levels of protein, iron, vitamin B12, and healthy fats. Paired with rice, which offers quick carbohydrates, this combination makes for a highly satiating meal, especially for those with lean dietary preferences," Wishon said.

In addition to steak and rice, other dishes regularly prepared for the team include seared salmon, halibut, broccoli, and teriyaki chicken thighs, she said.

"Of course, homestyle comfort foods such as fried chicken, mac and cheese, chicken Alfredo, meatloaf, and lasagna remain popular choices as well," Wishon said.

After working with the players for so long, Wishon says that her team has become familiar with their tastebuds.

"We're with them three or four meals a day, six or seven days a week for six-plus months of the year. We know what they want. Whether it's a special condiment or a brand of vegan patty, whatever it might be. We try to match everything as close to home as we can," she said.

The Chiefs will face off against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.

The teams will be fighting for the title for the second time in three years β€” they last met at Super Bowl LVII in 2023, which the Chiefs won 38-35.

Leslie Bonci, a dietician who has worked with the Chiefs, previously told Business Insider that the players love eating breakfast.

"Breakfast is always a big hit, their favorite meal of the day," Bonci said, adding that some players even eat breakfast foods before a game.

She also shared that they eat different meals depending on their goals: "gaining plates" for those trying to build muscle, "trimming plates" for those trying to lose weight, and "healing plates" meant to boost recovery. Regardless of their goals, protein is a huge component of each meal.

The Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce eats about 4,000 calories a day, and his personal chef, Kumar Ferguson, describes the player's protein-heavy diet as "healthy steakhouse cuisine" featuring "steaks, chops, chicken, and stuff like that."

What's a good breakfast?

What many people think of as a "traditional breakfast" may not look the same for everyone, Yasi Ansari, a sports dietician based in LA, told BI.

"It is important to put together a meal that helps meet someone's needs for protein, carbohydrates, fats, fluids, and overall energy goals and helps them start their day off strong and alert β€” ideally through a food-first approach," she said.

For instance, eating a full breakfast β€” like steak and rice, in the case of the Chiefs players β€” will help athletes meet higher needs for protein, carbohydrates, and overall energy, she said.

"Generally speaking, beef can offer a good source of protein, zinc, iron, and vitamins B-12 and B-6, which can help support red blood cell formation, energy production, oxygen transport, and nervous system functioning," Ansari said, adding that beef can also contribute to the body's supply of creatine, which supplies energy to muscles.

Ultimately, factors such as genetics, gut health, body composition goals, and physical activity level will affect the amount of protein a person needs to eat each day, dietitian Kylene Bogden told BI previously.

That said, recent studies suggest that consuming 0.7 grams of protein per pound of body weight is the ideal amount for those who want to maximize strength gains.

Chicken and beef contain similar amounts of protein, although the amount of protein per ounce will depend on the cut of meat, Ansari said.

"If someone prefers beef, I encourage looking for leaner cuts of beef. The leanest cuts of beef have the word 'round' or 'loin' in the name," Ansari said.

Generally, for breakfast, she recommends a combination of lean protein, carbohydrates β€” from starches such as potatoes, grains, or nutritionally dense breads β€” and a side of fruits or vegetables.

February 10, 2025: This story has been updated to include comments from Wishon.

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They built a solar home in the '70s before it was cool. Now, they're selling it for $1.3 million.

4 February 2025 at 16:14
The exterior of the house.
Paul and Patricia Grogan built a passive solar house in Ireland in the '70s.

Provided by Colliers Dublin / Luxury Portfolio

  • Paul and Patricia Grogan, both 81, built an energy-efficient passive solar home near Dublin in the 1970s.
  • After almost 50 years, they're listing the 4-bedroom property for $1.32 million.
  • "There'll be a lot of tears when we leave this place," Paul said.

It was the early '70s, and Paul and Patricia Grogan were looking for a new home.

The couple, who met in college in the '60s, lived in a cozy family house in an outer suburb of Dublin back then but dreamed of building one on their own.

"We suddenly thought we'd love to maybe strike out and be a bit adventurous. So we started looking for sites," Patricia, 81, a former teacher and retired special needs assistant, told Business Insider.

An older couple posing for a photo.
Paul and Patricia Grogan built a passive solar house in Ireland in the '70s.

Paul Grogan.

They stumbled upon a stunning plot in Kilcroney, a small town about 30 minutes outside Dublin. It was slightly over an acre, with a stream running through it, and offered views of a small mountain nearby.

"It was a forest and there were grass and trees and weeds growing up to it. You couldn't get into it actually," Patricia said. "But it was a beautiful spot."

The couple knew that they had found the perfect place to settle down. But before any construction could take place, the couple had to clear the site.

"We spent many happy picnics with friends out here clearing the site," she said. "And we had to take out a few trees in order to have room to build the house."

Building an energy-efficient house

Living in Ireland, where the skies are often cloudy, they wanted their house to let in as much natural light as possible. They also wanted to be able to enjoy the views of the surrounding natural landscape.

The exterior of a passive solar house.
The glass front meant that their house was able to absorb and retain heat.

Provided by Colliers Dublin / Luxury Portfolio

Their architect helped them design theΒ house, which is a four-bedroom, two-bathroom, greenhouse-like structure with a fully glazed front.

"I suppose we liked the idea of being able to see things out of the house β€” just like our previous house," Paul, 81, who does consulting work for the design and maintenance of database systems, told BI, "There was glass all around the courtyard, where we had a little garden with bamboo growing in it."

The glass front turned their house into a passive solar home, which meant that it could collect and retain heat from the sun to warm its interiors, thereby reducing their energy consumption, he said.

Another living room.
While there is a lot of interest in sustainability now, Paul said it was "unusual" at the time to think about houses in that way.

Provided by Colliers Dublin / Luxury Portfolio

Be it earthen homes that keep cool in the summer or resilient towns that can survive a category-four hurricane, there has been a growing interest in sustainable houses in the face of rising temperatures and the climate crisis.

But in 1976, the year they built their house, it wasn't common to think about houses that way, Paul said.

"It was unusual at the time to have such a system, and it works pretty well. We do have to provide supplementary heat on very cold, wet days, though," he said, adding that they have a few radiators and a wood fire stove on the first floor.

During the summer, when the temperatures are slightly higher, the couple opens all the sliding doors on the glass front of the house, he said.

It's the only house in their neighborhood that's designed this way, he said.

Paul added the house has a building energy rating of C1 β€” which is on par with houses built in the country since the year 2000. In comparison, most houses in Ireland built before the 1980s typically achieve a low D or E in terms of energy ratings.

"So heating costs would be lower than most of the Irish housing stock," he said.

The study.
The glass front of the house comprises windows and sliding doors that can be opened during the summer.

Provided by Colliers Dublin / Luxury Portfolio

It helps that the property is surrounded by trees that offer some shade during sunny days.

"If we feel the heat is getting too much, we can open the windows upstairs and get a draft down through that," he said.

It took less than eight months for their house to be built, Patricia said.

Their friends came out to help them with tasks like painting the beams, she said: "We've done nothing to them since. They've just got a nice mellow color now."

The couple says they spent about 35,000 Irish pounds to build the house back then. The Irish pound was replaced by the euro in January 1999.

The living room.
It took less than eight months for the house to be built.

Provided by Colliers Dublin / Luxury Portfolio

"It wasn't a very expensive house to build. We were surprised, but that's because of probably the simplicity of the construction and the bit of work we all put in to help keep the cost down," Paul said. "But that was 1976, and things were cheaper then, too."

A home filled with beautiful memories

When they bought the plot of land, the couple had three kids, but by the time they moved into the house, they had four.

"We got a surprise pregnancy, and it was quite stressful at the time, but we did it," Patricia said.

Every nook and cranny of the house is filled with beautiful memories, Paul said.

"It's been a very happy house for bringing up the children. They all loved the fact that there's plenty of wildlife around here and in the forest," he said.

The dining room.
They've raised their four daughters in the home.

Provided by Colliers Dublin / Luxury Portfolio

They've kept dogs, cats, and hens throughout the years. At one point in time, they even had ponies, too, Patricia said.

Her favorite spot in the house is her office on the second floor.

"Somebody came out here recently and said, 'I don't know how you managed to do any work here. Just looking out in the garden is lovely," she said.

Paul's favorite spot in the house is the kitchen because "that's where everybody congregates." It overlooks the garden, and it's where they've had many "wonderful parties," he said.

The office on the second floor.
Patricia's office on the second floor overlooks the garden.

Provided by Colliers Dublin / Luxury Portfolio

When the couple first moved in, there were only two or three neighbors. But over the years, the community has expanded to include about 17 houses, each on about an acre or more of land, Paul said.

"And we're all in the same WhatsApp group. So if anything happens in the area, everybody's on," he said.

There's a walking trail that runs along the area and into the forest that the couple and a few neighbors have cultivated and maintained over the years.

The garden.
The neighborhood is a close-knit community where everyone looks out for each other.

Provided by Colliers Dublin / Luxury Portfolio

"We encourage all the neighbors or their children to walk around the area, which means we all meet one another fairly regularly as they're passing by," Paul said.

It's a close-knit community where everyone looks out for each other.

"In fact, we have a long drive β€” it's about 500 meters from the house down to the road. When we leave our bins out, we have to bring them down to the end of the drive. But our next-door neighbors, when they're going for a walk, they'll pick up our bins and bring them up to the house," he said.

Plans to downsize

At the moment, only the two of them live in the house; their four daughters are all grown up, and three of them live in London.

One of the bedrooms.
The couple's four daughters have since moved out of the house.

Provided by Colliers Dublin / Luxury Portfolio

"We've grown into it. We've taken over, we've spread ourselves out," Patricia said.

However, maintaining a house and garden of this size takes a lot of work. As they're getting older, they've decided to list the house on the market for 1.275 million euros, or about $1.32 million.

"I spent a lot of time in the garden, which I really loved. But I'm just coming to the point now where I'd like to do some other things in my life besides gardening," Patricia said, with a laugh.

Their plan is to move into a smaller place closer to Dublin, where it's easier to get around.

"We both still drive but would like to use more public transport, which is free for pensioners in Ireland," Paul said

They'll be sad to leave their neighbors, he added.

The outdoor space.
They're planning to sell the property because they're getting on in age.

Provided by Colliers Dublin / Luxury Portfolio

While their eldest daughter considered buying the house a few years ago, Patricia says she knows the house requires "a big commitment."

The property is about 40 minutes from the Dublin airport and about 15 minutes from the coast, making it a great place to live, especially for those who can work from home β€” like he does, he added.

In fact, working from home was a major factor in his decision to continue working beyond the normal retirement age.

"I love my work, the mental challenges it presents, and the ongoing relationships with my clients," Paul said. "I may slow down a little, but love the stimulus of problem-solving and ongoing study of new technology my work provides."

The outdoor space.
An ideal buyer would be someone who would enjoy the views and the challenge of taking care of the house and its garden.

Provided by Colliers Dublin / Luxury Portfolio

"The trees, we think, have kept the place, the air, and us very, very healthy," Patricia said. "We feel the trees have looked after us, and they're very big now, but definitely they've looked after us."

In many ways, it's been a home that has grown with them.

"We were excited at the beginning about just doing something very different, but it's been a very happy place for the family," Paul said.

One thing's for sure, Paul said: "There'll be a lot of tears when we leave this place."

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Nicolas Cage warns his fellow actors to protect themselves from AI

3 February 2025 at 21:25
Nicolas Cage in a suit standing in front of a flower wall at the Golden Globes.
Nicolas Cage won best actor at the Saturn Awards on Sunday. In his acceptance speech, he rallied against the use of AI in filmmaking.

Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

  • Nicolas Cage used his Saturn Awards acceptance speech to rally against the use of AI in filmmaking.
  • "I say, protect yourselves from AI interfering with your authentic and honest expressions," Cage, 61, said.
  • The use of artificial intelligence in films has been controversial, and Hollywood seems divided.

Nicolas Cage, 61, is rallying his fellow actors against the use of artificial intelligence in the filmmaking industry.

After winning best actor for his role in the dark comedy film "Dream Scenario" at the 52nd annual Saturn Awards on Sunday, Cage used his acceptance speech to voice his concerns over the potential dangers of using AI in films.

"But there is another world that is also disturbing me," Cage said, per Variety. "It's happening right now around all of us: the new AI world. I am a big believer in not letting robots dream for us. Robots cannot reflect the human condition for us."

He called it a "dead end" if an actor allowed AI to manipulate their performance "even a little bit," because "an inch will eventually become a mile, and all integrity, purity, and truth of art will be replaced by financial interests only."

Cage also said he believed that all art forms were meant to reflect the human condition β€” something that "robots" cannot do.

"If we let robots do that, it will lack all heart and eventually lose edge and turn to mush," Cage said.

"I say, protect yourselves from AI interfering with your authentic and honest expressions," he said.

This is not the first time the "Longlegs" star has spoken about his concerns about AI in films.

In July, Cage told The New Yorker he was "terrified" that he would have his likeness manipulated by AI without his consent even after he dies.

"I mean, what are you going to do with my body and my face when I'm dead? I don't want you to do anything with it!" he said.

Cage is no stranger to having his likeness manipulated for a film.

In November 2023, he told Yahoo Entertainment that his Superman cameo in "The Flash" turned out differently than he had filmed. Although he wasn't aware of what had happened, he said he didn't think it was AI.

A divided Hollywood

The use of AI in Hollywood has been a controversial topic in recent years and was a key issue of contention during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, which lasted 118 days.

Hollywood seems to be divided on the use of AI in films.

During an appearance on "The Adam Buxton Podcast" in May 2023, Tom Hanks said that AI and deepfakes meant that he could appear as his younger self or continue appearing in films even after death.

"Anybody can now recreate themselves at any age they are by way of AI or deepfake technology. Because look, I could be hit by a bus tomorrow and that's it, but my performances can go on and on and on and on," Hanks said on the podcast. "Outside the understanding of AI and deepfake, there'll be nothing to tell you that it's not me and me alone. And it's going to have some degree of lifelike quality."

Hanks starred in the 2024 film "Here," which used generative AI to "de-age" him and his costar, Robin Wright, so that they could portray the same characters over a 60-year span.

Conversely, some actors, like Sean Penn, are against using AI to recreate his likeness in films.

In September 2023, Penn argued hypothetically that studio execs who want to create AI versions of him should be willing to let him do the same to their daughters.

"It's an indecent proposal. That they would do that and not be taken to task for it is insulting. This is a real exposΓ© on morality β€” a lack of morality," Penn told Variety.

More recently, the postwar drama film "The Brutalist" β€” starring Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones β€” became the subject of debate when its editor, DΓ‘vid JancsΓ³, revealed to video tech publication Red Shark News that the production team used AI to tweak and "perfect" the two lead actors' pronunciation so they sounded like native Hungarian speakers.

"The Brutalist" won three awards at the 2025 Golden Globes, including Best Motion Picture Drama. It also secured 10 nominations for theΒ 97th annual Academy Awards, which areΒ scheduled for March 2.

A representative for Cage did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent by Business Insider outside regular hours.

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Matthew McConaughey's mom, 93, says her key to aging well is avoiding stress

2 February 2025 at 22:38
Camila Alves, Matthew McConaughey, and his mom Mary Kathleen McCabe.
Matthew McConaughey's mother, Kay McConaughey, 93, says that keeping her body and mind active at her age requires a conscious effort.

Gregg DeGuire/FilmMagic

  • Matthew McConaughey's mother, 93, says that a positive attitude helps her stay well at her age.
  • Kay McConaughey told Austin Lifestyle that she tries to avoid stressful situations wherever possible.
  • She also makes a conscious effort to keep her mind active by reading and keeping up with current affairs.

Matthew McConaughey's mother, Kay McConaughey, is 93, and she's still in great shape thanks to being stress-free.

In an interview with Austin Lifestyle, McConaughey β€” born Mary Kathlene McCabe β€” said that she's able to lead a vibrant life because she eats well, exercises regularly, and has a positive attitude.

"But, the biggest thing for me is I don't stress. Like, if you and I were really good friends and, and you were talking to me and you had a situation, I would listen to you and I would give you advice and if you didn't take it, then that's it, I wouldn't stress over it," McConaughey told Austin Lifestyle.

She also tries to avoid getting into stressful situations.

"If I see that's where I'm headed, I back off. I'm not going to let people do that to me," she said.

Not only that, McConaughey said that she "never really had any reason to" be stressed when she was younger either.

"I was really popular and I had a zest for life and stress is not a word I can apply to me, ever," she said.

Additionally, she does Pilates four times a week and eats a "very healthy breakfast" consisting of yogurt and "lots of different fruits."

"My father was very healthy and he taught my sister and I that you are what you eat, and you are what you think, and I've tried to live by those two things, really and truly, because if you think you're dumb, guess what? You're probably dumb. If you think you're smart, then you're probably smart," McConaughey said. "So, I have always thought I am what I think, and that's why I think positive."

While she says that her family doesn't have "any sweets in our house, ever," she enjoys drinking wine every day β€” one glass at 5 o'clock and another glass when she goes to bed.

She acknowledged that keeping her body and mind active at her age requires a conscious effort.

"I read a lot, I keep up with things, you have to work at it at my age. I keep up with current events on my iPad," she said. "I want to know what's happening in the world. I'm curious, very curious about life, still."

Research has shown that chronic stress can weaken the immune system and may also increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and gastrointestinal problems.

Just 30 minutes of low to moderate-intensity exercise each day, like walking, can stabilize mood and improve sleep.

Practicing "micro-meditations" that take less than a minute to complete daily can also help to lower stress levels and improve mental health, Dr. Kien Vuu, a physician who specializes in antiaging and regenerative medicine, told Business Insider previously.

One technique involves a simple exercise of focusing on your breath as you inhale for a count of four, hold for a count of seven, and exhale for a count of eight, he said.

Business Insider reached out to Kay McConaughey via a representative for her son, Matthew McConaughey. They did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent outside regular hours.

Read the original article on Business Insider

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