John Malkovich stars in "Opus," former journalist Mark Anthony Green's directorial debut.
Malkovich plays a legendary pop star who reemerges after years out of the spotlight.
The actor tells BI he has no idea why Green thought of him for the role.
John Malkovich knows he isn't exactly the first person you'd think of to play a gyrating glam-rock icon decked out in a metallic suit and chunky heeled boots.
But he was director Mark Anthony Green's first and only choice to play Alfred Moretti, the reclusive yet beloved fictional pop star at the center of his new film "Opus."
"I wasn't sure why Mark Anthony thought of me," Malkovich told BI at the red carpet premiere of "Opus" at the Sundance Film Festival. "I wouldn't picture myself as a pop star, particularly."
The satirical horror movie is a warning about the cult of celebrity, taken to the extreme. It stars Ayo Edebiri as Ariel Ecton, a scrappy young music journalist who's invited to Moretti's compound as he prepares to release a new album after 30 years in seclusion.
Malkovich's eccentric artist has seemingly nefarious plans for the group he's invited to his estate, which also includes Ariel's dismissive editor Stan (Murray Bartlett), a talk-show host (Juliette Lewis), and an influencer (Stephanie Suganami).
Malkovich plays Moretti in "Opus."
A24
In addition to the hip-thrusting and occasional lap dancing, Malkovich also sings some of the film's original songs. Green tapped Grammy-winning artist and producer Nile Rodgers and Rodgers' frequent collaborator The-Dream to write three songs for the film, and a vocal producer who worked with Rihanna to help Malkovich record them.
"I'm a baritone at best. I hadn't really sung, except in an opera, for 40 years. We started with the ballad, and the engineer said, 'You've got it, just go up an octave, you can do it.' And it was an octave I hadn't sung in since I wanted to be in a boys choir at age 11," Malkovich said in in the film's press notes. "So it was quite challenging."
Sam's Club CEO Chris Nicholas speaking with a shopper at the company's recently opened Grapevine store, which doesn't feature traditional checkout lanes.
Dominick Reuter/Business Insider
Walmart-owned Sam's Club has a "treasure trove" of purchasing data.
CEO Chris Nicholas told BI this data is powering the company's big push into experiential retail.
Nicholas has named Diana Marshall to be his new chief experience officer, or CXO — a relatively rare title in retail.
When Sam's Club CEO Chris Nicholas saw the news that his company had unseated perennial winner Costco as the top-rated retailer for customer satisfaction, he was understandably pleased — but he didn't bask in the feeling for long.
"There's more to do," he told Business Insider in an interview. "Nothing happens by accident."
The jump in Sam's Club's score — leapfrogging Costco's similarly strong rating — follows a busy year in which the Walmart-owned warehouse club rolled out new futuristic tech intended to make shopping easier and more enjoyable.
It was one year ago that the company announced its AI-powered exit gateways that are doing away with one of the biggest frustrations of shopping at a warehouse club: receipt checks at the exit. And in October, Sam's Club opened its first location without traditional checkout lanes.
It's a bold bet as some other retailers, like Amazon, pulled back from using AI-powered "Just Walk Out" cashierless tech at its Fresh stores in favor of smart carts, and others, including Target, have put new limits on self-service options at many locations.
For Sam's Club, it's part of a longer-term strategy to give it a high-tech edge in the historically low-tech warehouse retail segment. The company says more than half of customers at locations with the AI scan-and-go option use the tech, and it's helped the shoppers get out the door 23% faster.
"This is all a result of working really hard at the inputs and then the outputs heal themselves," Nicholas said. "Because we're building digital products for our associates as well as for our members, it means you create connected experiences that allow people to self-solve and work together on having a delightful experience."
One advantage that warehouse clubs, in general, have over their traditional retail counterparts is much more detailed information about shoppers' purchase histories, as a membership is required for every purchase. (General retailers can still piece together a profile using payment or loyalty cards, of course.)
At Sam's Club, however, member profiles are augmented by massive amounts of digital data, plus additional insights from the 50,000-strong Members Mark community of shoppers that share feedback on products and services.
"It's certainly true that we've had this treasure trove of data, and we've been on this journey the last couple of years to really hone it so that we understand and can use this data more specifically," Nicholas said.
Although Sam's Club doesn't publicly report detailed financial results, one consistent bright spot in Walmart's earnings in recent years has been the growth of revenue from memberships and from retail media.
In addition, Nicholas notes that much of the tech investment expenses for Sam's Club are borne by Walmart's deeper pockets, since the club has often served as an innovation lab for the world's largest retailer.
With all of this data, Nicholas says he decided to put one person in charge of turning it into a more effective flywheel for the business.
"The faster the flywheel spins, the more that virtuous circle helps you open up even a deeper gap versus everybody else," he said.
In this spirit, Sam's Club has appointed Diana Marshall, who was previously chief growth officer, as its new chief experience officer. Marshall will report directly to Nicholas.
CXO is a title that Constellation Research founder Ray Wang told BI is more typically found reporting to the CEO at tech, hospitality, travel, or financial services companies than at retailers. Sam's Club said it consulted with Wang on the strategy.
"We see chief experience officers, in general, playing a bigger and bigger role because you're basically differentiating on time and experience," Wang said. "If they are saving time, they'll pay a premium. If they get a better experience, they'll pay a premium."
Nicholas said that Sam's Club is committed to the long-standing warehouse club business model of earning most of its profits from membership income. That means any revenues — say, from the expected $100 billion retail media advertising market — will be reinvested in the business in the form of better technology, higher wages, and lower prices.
"I think we can create these unexpected, unforgettable, connected experiences from members, and I believe genuinely that that's going to redefine what the future of retail looks like," he said.
Jupiter Medical Center is one of few independent health systems in the United States—and one of the few health systems with such a robust robotics fleet.
She's won the most awards in the event's history, took home her first album of the year trophy in 2025, and has made iconic fashion statements since her first appearances with Destiny's Child.
That said, the musician has also missed the mark with her Grammys fashion on a few occasions.
Here's a look at some of the best and worst looks Beyoncé has worn at the ceremony over the years.
Beyoncé nodded to her country era with a glamorous gown this year, and it worked.
Beyoncé attends the 2025 Grammy Awards.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
She wore a custom piece from Schiaparelli that was tan, covered in sequins, and sleeveless with a scooped neckline.
It was glamorous and called back to old Hollywood with its matching gloves. Still, the outfit also honored Beyoncé and her latest body of work, "Cowboy Carter."
The dress was beaded with small white Bs and a larger paisley print, which gave the gown a subtle Western vibe.
Her attempt at a neutral-colored gown in 2010 didn't translate as well.
Beyoncé attends the 2010 Grammy Awards.
Jason Merritt/Getty Images
She walked the red carpet that year wearing a Stéphane Rolland gown crafted from a satin fabric.
The neutral-colored dress had short puffed sleeves, a plunging neckline with a zipper detail, and textured shapes from top to bottom.
The same design would have looked cool on a top or skirt individually. However, the pattern was overwhelming on a dress and too strong for such a delicate shade and fabric.
Beyoncé also wore gold hair tinsel and statement earrings that clashed with the gown's color.
The textured minidress she changed into in 2010 was one of her best looks at the Grammys.
Beyoncé at the 2010 Grammy Awards.
Christopher Polk/Getty Images
Beyoncé changed into a metallic number from Armani Privé during the awards ceremony. The short dress had statement short sleeves, a deep-V neckline, and loose chains that intentionally hung from the garment.
The outfit was eye-catching, glamorous, and perfectly accessorized.
She wore it with gold platform sandals, statement hoop earrings, and an assortment of bracelets and rings.
One of her worst, however, came in 2007.
Beyoncé attends the 2007 Grammy Awards.
Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images
Giorgio Armani designed her dress, which was strapless and made from silk.
Its silver color looked stunning on Beyoncé, but the dress didn't seem to fit her right. Its neckline flap was uneven, and its wrapped skirt was just a touch too long, making it appear to have excess fabric.
The dress was also embellished with large crystal pieces at the waist and neckline, so Beyoncé didn't need the oversize jewelry to elevate the outfit.
Beyoncé changed into a simple yet classic gown at the 2023 Grammys.
Beyoncé and Shania Twain attend the 2023 Grammy Awards.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Beyoncé wore three different outfits throughout the 2023 Grammys, and her final look — a black velvet Schiaparelli gown — was one of her best.
The strapless dress featured an angular, square-shaped neckline, hugging her figure and cinching at the waist.
She paired the dress with matching gloves for an elegant and fashionable look.
The black-and-white jumpsuit she wore in 2013 was underwhelming compared to her other Grammys looks.
Beyoncé attends the 2013 Grammy Awards.
Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Beyoncé arrived at the awards show in an Osman jumpsuit with short sleeves and a high neckline. Most of the look was black, though one sleeve and half the bodice were white.
The ensemble wasn't as exciting or high-fashion as some of her other outfits, and it appeared more professional than red-carpet ready.
At her first solo Grammy Awards in 2004, Beyoncé rocked an all-gold dress that made her stand out on the carpet.
Beyoncé attends the 2004 Grammy Awards.
Steve Granitz/Getty Images
The gown, designed by Beyoncé's mother, Tina Knowles, hugged her figure and featured ruching on the bodice and waist, forming a pleat down the center of the skirt.
Bejeweled netting created a halter neckline, and gems ran down the center of the bodice.
Gold earrings and shoes completed the gilded look, which was perfect for an evening on which she won five Grammys.
One change could have made a huge difference to Beyoncé's 2021 outfit.
Beyoncé attends the 2021 Grammy Awards.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
She accepted a Grammy onstage that year in a Schiaparelli minidress. The leather garment had off-the-shoulder sleeves, a V-shaped neckline, and ruched fabric that made the piece edgier.
While the sheer tights she wore pulled the look together, her black gloves did the opposite. The leather pieces with gold nails distracted from her outfit and made it look more like a costume.
By removing the gloves, fans could have appreciated her statement earrings and stunning hairstyle better.
A U.S. federal judge on Monday extended a temporary block on the Trump administration's spending freeze.
Why it matters: District Judge Loren AliKhan expressed concern in her order that the Trump administration was still enforcing the spending freeze despite the temporary restraining order.
Catch up quick: The White House ordered a "temporary pause" on federal funding on Tuesday that prompted intense confusion and backlash.
AliKhan issued an initial temporary pause on the order last week, which was due to expire Monday.
The Office of Management and Budget rescinded the memo on Wednesday, following AliKhan's order. However, the White House said pulling back the memo didn't mean withdrawing the funding freeze.
Judge John J. McConnell Jr. said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt's social media posts claiming the freeze was still in effect despite withdrawing the order were grounds for the lawsuit to continue.
What they're saying: AliKhan said in her order that plaintiffs had proven certain funding sources outside of executive order parameters were inaccessible even after the OMB rescinded its memo.
The government, AliKhan wrote, had "offered no rational explanation for why they needed to freeze all federal financial assistance."
AliKhan added that the plaintiffs had proven that the injuries caused by the freeze were "sufficiently concrete" and "potentially catastrophic."
"Each day that the pause continues to ripple across the country is an additional day that Americans are being denied access to programs that heal them, house them, and feed them," she added.
Taylor Swift was nominated for six awards at the 2025 Grammys but lost in every category.
Swift still appeared to have a blast at the show, cheering for her peers and dancing all night.
Swift's self-assured vibe speaks to her stature in the industry. She doesn't need to win to be a winner.
Taylor Swift may have gone home empty-handed from the 67th annual Grammy Awards, but Swifties would be wise to keep their pitchforks tucked away.
Swift received six nominations this year, mostly for "The Tortured Poets Department," her wildly successful 11th studio album. (She was also nominated for her collaboration with Gracie Abrams on her song "Us.") Swift attended the awards show wearing a shimmering ruby minidress, a golden "T" on her thigh, and, despite loss after loss, an unshakeable aura of delight.
As each of Swift's chances for an award came and went — best music video, best pop vocal album, best pop duo/group performance, record of the year, song of the year, and album of the year — viewers who have heard tales of her charts-obsessed gluttony and hunger for approval would have expected Swift to appear deflated.
To be fair, that assumption is far from unfounded. Back in 2014, Swift admitted she was devastated when her fourth album, "Red," lost album of the year to Daft Punk's "Random Access Memories." In her Netflix documentary "Miss Americana," Swift is shown reacting with palpable shame to the news that her album "Reputation" was nearly shut out of the 2018 nominations. "I just need to make a better record," she decides, tail between her legs.
As the show ended Sunday night, the X account for Swift's PR team seemed to acknowledge the loss with an upbeat message thanking fans for supporting "The Tortured Poets Department."
"Nofuckinbody loved #TSTTPD more than you, and we couldn't be prouder of what this album has accomplished," it reads, in part. "Until our next board meeting."
Going home empty-handed just one year after breaking a major Grammy record would be tough for anyone to handle, especially for a high achiever with fans and critics following her every move.
"There's so much pressure going into putting new music out," Swift laments in the documentary. "If I don't beat everything I've done prior, it'll be deemed as a colossal failure."
However, on Sunday, Swift appeared confident and like she was having more fun than anyone who made it to the podium. The many cameras inside the event rarely caught Swift in the audience when she wasn't grinning, dancing, or cheering.
Taylor Swift dancing with Margaret Qualley at the 2025 Grammys.
John Shearer/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
Swift did get a moment onstage to present the award for best country album. When she pulled Beyoncé's name from the envelope, her face lit up with uninhibited glee.
It was one of the most heartfelt and meaningful exchanges of the evening — bringing a canon pop-culture event full circle.
At the 2009 VMAs, after Swift was infamously interrupted onstage, Beyoncé sacrificed her acceptance speech for video of the year to let a young country darling reclaim her moment. On Sunday, over 15 years later, that former ingénue handed country music's top prize to the icon who always respected and inspired her.
Taylor Swift presented Beyoncé with best country album at the 2025 Grammys.
Amy Sussman/Getty Images
Swift wasn't a nominee in that category, but even her losses seemed to glimmer with karmic energy.
When Sabrina Carpenter won best pop vocal album for "Short n' Sweet," Swift could be seen relishing the announcement like a proud mom, her mouth agape.
Carpenter is part of a new generation of pop stars raised on Swift's music who even shared covers of Swift's songs on YouTube when she was a child. These days, Swift has transformed from Carpenter's idol to her mentor and friend, who even tapped the "Espresso" singer to open for multiple legs of the Eras Tour.
Taylor Swift and Sabrina Carpenter at the 2025 Grammys.
John Shearer/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
This was no empty gesture; Swift and Lamar are close collaborators who teamed up for the first time in 2015 for a remix of "Bad Blood." Their duet gave Lamar his first-ever No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and he returned to Swift's side eight years later to rerecord his verse for "Bad Blood (Taylor's Version)."
Taylor Swift raised a glass for Kendrick Lamar at the 2025 Grammys.
Johnny Nunez/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
Skeptics will say this was all performative, but anyone who's seen "Valentine's Day" or "Cats" could tell you that she's not much of an actor.
Of course, being perceived as a sore loser or wet blanket would be bad for business, and Swift is never one to squander a photo op. But Swift has reached a point in her career where she can truly enjoy her success — and the demonstrable proof of her influence, stature, and longevity — without trying to outshine her past achievements. She'll toast to that.
What started out as a mere addition to the Panda Express menu went on to become a food phenomenon, as restaurants and grocery chains around the world now offer their own version of the dish, with some rivaling the popularity of the original.
I decided to sample three of the most popular orange-chicken takes on the market from Trader Joe's, Panda Express, and P.F. Chang's to see which was best.
Trader Joe's award-winning Mandarin-orange chicken was just as delicious as actual takeout
You can find Trader Joe's Mandarin-orange chicken in the store's freezer section.
But the most obvious difference between Trader Joe's orange chicken and its taste-test competitors is it's the only one that requires any actual cooking.
It's a drawback in some ways but in others, it's a plus, as you can add as little or as much sauce to the chicken as you want and choose to fry or oven-bake the dish.
You can also doctor it up with some chili oil or flakes if you favor spice.
Trader Joe's orange chicken also had the crispiest texture
Trader Joe's orange chicken seemed to have the thickest breading.
From bite-sized crisps to chewy mouthfuls, the fried-chicken pieces came in varying sizes, so no two scoops were identical.
The breading on this chicken's exterior was much thicker than most restaurant versions, which I found gave every bite a satisfying crunch. The meat was also surprisingly soft even after being cooked under the dry heat of the oven.
Without being super heavy or oily, this meal reminded me of a typical fried-chicken entrée.
Trader Joe's orange-chicken sauce is wonderfully balanced.
Savanna Swain-Wilson for Insider
The sauce that comes with the dish is much thinner than some others, so much so that it's more like a glaze. I combined the ingredients in a shallow mixing bowl, which left each piece nicely coated.
Good orange chicken is mostly defined by its sauce, which is why Panda Express' balanced mix of sweet, tangy, and savory remains unmatched. And although it wasn't identical, Trader Joe's orange-chicken glaze came close to mimicking the iconic combo.
Flavor-wise, the grocery chain's sauce is much less spicy than Panda Express', but it still had a nice, even blend of tangy orange flavor and a sweetness that didn't taste syrupy or artificial.
It leaned slightly more to the acidic side, which nicely cut down the sugar and created a wonderfully balanced dish.
Panda Express' orange chicken had the most memorable flavor
The Panda Express chicken came in a red box.
Savanna Swain-Wilson for Insider
According to NPR, Panda Express is believed to have invented this popular dish in the 1980s when a chef at one of the chain's Hawaii locations experimented with creating a spin on General Tso's chicken.
I've eaten this restaurant's orange chicken for as long as I can remember. Affordable, tasty, and consistent, it's pretty difficult to beat as far as fast-food dishes go.
At a glance, the order looks pretty unassuming — it's essentially bite-sized morsels of fried dark-meat chicken coated in a sticky, tangy orange sauce with no vegetables anywhere in sight.
Served in the signature red takeout box, it's a simple, no-frills option that's pretty much designed for convenient eating.
But don't let presentation fool you — this orange chicken hit all the right notes of a perfect takeout meal.
The chain's signature sauce really made this chicken a standout hit
Thick enough to cling well to every piece but not so syrupy that you have to scoop it up with a fork, this sauce balanced honeyed sweetness and tang just right.
Plus the lip-smacking umami finish lingered on the inside of my cheeks and kept me reaching for more like a bag of salty potato chips would.
The orange flavor was clearly detectable, but it didn't overpower the entire dish, which I actually prefer so my dinner doesn't taste like a mimosa. And a kick of chili came through to give each bite an extra oomph.
Plus every chicken morsel was fried to perfection and had a tender, juicy center.
A small order of Panda Express' orange chicken costs under $5.
Savanna Swain-Wilson for Insider
Compared to the other two dishes I tried, this one's breading-to-chicken ratio was just right, as the coating on each piece was thick enough to provide an initial crunch without tasting like fried bread.
To put it plainly, the chain's meal was perfectly balanced, and I wouldn't expect any less from a company that's had several decades to perfect its recipe.
Currently, a small order costs under $5 and gets you enough food to eat as an entrée for one or a light snack for two. This seemed like a pretty solid deal until I realized that an entire multi-serving bag of orange chicken from Trader Joe's is only $4.99.
P.F. Chang's orange chicken had a refreshing, homemade taste
P.F. Chang's order had the best presentation.
Savanna Swain-Wilson for Insider
A single order from my local P.F. Chang's cost me $14.95, making it the most expensive orange chicken I tried for this taste test. But to be fair, that price gets you a more sophisticated version of this takeout classic.
Garnished with fresh orange slices delicately placed around the edges and finely minced scallions speckled throughout the center, this entée consisted of several thick pieces of meat doused in a vibrant sauce.
This order also came with a side of rice at no extra cost. Compared to the others, this option had the appearance of a complete meal rather than a snack or appetizer.
Although the chicken was juicy and well-marinated, the orange-peel sauce was slightly too sweet for my liking
P.F. Chang's chicken had terrific breading.
Savanna Swain-Wilson for Insider
According to its menu, P.F. Chang's current orange chicken features a recently updated recipe. Since I've never tasted the previous version, I can't accurately speak to what's different about this new one.
The chain describes its orange-peel chicken as "lightly battered" with a "sweet citrus-chili sauce" and "fresh orange slices" — and based on what I tried, that seems accurate.
I don't know what's in the batter, but I'd have to guess it contains some cornstarch, as each piece of chicken had a thin outer layer of breading with a delicate crisp that gave way to a tender meat interior.
The sauce from P.F. Chang's wasn't my favorite.
Savanna Swain-Wilson for Insider
It could be that I'm so used to the fast-food version of this dish, but the sauce seemed off-balance and was a little too tangy and fruity for my liking. It reminded me of an orange marmalade with the slightest whisper of chili.
The sauce's jelly-like texture oddly paired with the fried meat, and there was also way too much — the chicken was practically swimming in it.
And although I appreciated the fresh oranges, they seemingly served no real purpose beyond garnish.
I'll give P.F. Chang's props for elevating this classic takeout dish and putting an upscale spin on it, but I can't picture myself craving orange chicken and immediately reaching for this fancier version first, especially when others exist for half the cost.
If you love traditional sweet-and-sour sauce or the "orange" half of the equation the most, you'd probably enjoy this option. But if you're looking for something with that familiar orange-and-spice combo, I'd advise ordering from elsewhere.
Still, if I went to an office party or a dinner soiree where P.F. Chang's was being catered, I definitely wouldn't turn this dish away.
Despite having to cook it myself, Trader Joe's orange chicken may be my new go-to
Panda Express' and Trader Joe's orange-chicken dishes were comparably good.
Savanna Swain-Wilson for Insider
P.F. Chang's meal had a yummy, fresh taste to it, but its citrus-forward sauce lacked the distinct orange-chicken seasoning found in the other versions. And although the portion size was generous, it is still much pricier than the other two options.
If you like yours on the sweeter side, you may find P.F. Chang's meal to be just right. If you favor more of a spicy or tangy taste, you'd probably enjoy the other two.
Trader Joe's orange chicken gives the buyers more bang for their buck.
Savanna Swain-Wilson for Insider
With a winning combination of sweet, tangy, and umami, Panda Express is clearly the expert when it comes to this iconic dish. That said, Trader Joe's orange chicken left me feeling equally as satisfied.
And the fact that I can buy a 22-ounce bag of it from the store for almost the same price as a small order from Panda Express made it quite clear to me who the winner of my orange-chicken battle had to be.
Sure, eating it requires a little bit more work than simply ordering takeout. But considering I can get at least two meals out of it for the price of one, Joe can go ahead and take my money.
