“Now, if I were to tell you that Gordon Parks has written at least three autobiography-memoir mashups, you’d probably ask, ‘Why?’ And I would say, ‘Because this man has Lived,’ with a capital L. Parks was a groundbreaking photographer, film director, author, poet, composer — the very definition of reinvention without limits. Need I say more? OK, just a bit: ‘A Hungry Heart,’ Parks’s final memoir, chronicles the extraordinary life of a man who, from a young age, was on a mission to make his mark. It’s impossible to read this and not be in perpetual awe or turn the final page without finding your own heart hungrier for more.”
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When you think of an ergonomic or practical shoe, chic might not be the first word to come to mind. So when I was introduced to Kizik and its patented hands-free technology, I was surprised to discover how stylish the brand’s slip-on shoes were. Many of Kizik’s everyday styles look like any other sneaker (replete with shoelaces and various sleek designs), but their hands-free tech means you don’t have to bend down to tie them or hold down the heel or tongue to get your feet into the shoe.
Each style comes with a heel cup that’s designed to compress and bounce back, so you can simply slip them on and off without crushing the back or losing the shape of the shoe. But the added tech doesn’t mean they’re heavier or come with extra bulk — Kiziks may be one of the most lightweight sneakers I’ve ever owned.
I got the opportunity to try the Kizik Women’s Paris Sneaker ($135), the brand’s newest shoe, a few weeks before its release in its namesake city. Fifty thousand steps later, I can confirm these sneakers held up in the most fashionable city in the world on all fronts. Keep reading to see why they’re now my go-to shoes for traveling.
What I Like About the Kizik Paris Sneaker
For me, sneakers are split into two categories: athletic running shoes for the gym or other active purposes, and cute sneakers for everyday street style. Comfort in general is important to me, but I’ve been known to choose style over it on numerous occasions. So while I love my Hokas or On sneakers for HIIT workouts, I’ll never wear them with jeans or even an exercise dress to run errands in.
It’s not often there’s overlap between these categories, but Kizik’s Paris sneakers crossed over into that middle ground. During my weekend trip in Paris, I averaged about 15,000 steps a day in these shoes with no issue. The refined leather sneakers paired perfectly with my neutral, French-girl inspired outfits, with the rose gold detailing serving as a subtle pop of color.
Aside from the aesthetics, the shoes are truly comfortable and required no breaking in — something I’ve never experienced with leather sneakers. This particular pair is made with nubuck leather, which is more durable and breathable than typical synthetic leathers.
Though I was initially skeptical, I also found the hands-free feature to be such a game changer. The Paris sneakers are designed with Kizik’s patented External Flex Arc, which compresses against the back of the midsole and springs back up when stepped in. I didn’t realize how much time I’d been spending stopping to tie my shoes, twisting my feet into already-laced shoes, or using shoehorns to slide them on until I didn’t have to think about it at all. It was especially ideal for traveling: slipping them off on a long flight or passing through airport security, where shoe removal is required.
What to Consider Before Trying the Kizik Paris Sneaker
Kiziks are not waterproof or machine washable, though you can remove the insoles and wash them separately. So if you’re someone who’s careful about maintaining clean, white shoes, that’s something to keep in mind. I ended up wearing these sneakers in Paris’s random bursts of summer rain, and while they got wet, they did dry quickly. They also come with a sturdy rubber outsole to combat slippery streets. When it comes to cleaning the Paris sneakers, the brand recommends spot cleaning with a soft cloth only.
Unlike most other styles from Kizik, the Paris does not come in wide sizes, only standard.
Who’s the Kizik Paris Sneaker Best For?
Kizik’s hands-free tech is ideal for those who have limitations that make bending down and tying shoes difficult — such as reduced mobility or pregnancy. But they’re also great for anyone in search of a comfortable, stylish shoe for daily wear.
Additional Details:
These sneakers come in three colors: Pristine Amberlight, Metallic White, and Black Pristine.
They’re available in sizes ranging from women’s 6 to 13.
The Paris comes with a cushiony midsole, allowing for more momentum and absorbing impact.
Where Is the Kizik Paris Sneaker Available?
Kizik’s Paris sneakers are currently only available to shop on the brand’s site, though other styles are available at retailers like Amazon and Nordstrom.
Rating: ★★★★★
Yerin Kim is the features editor at POPSUGAR, where she helps shape the vision for special features and packages across the network. A graduate of Syracuse University’s Newhouse School, she has over five years of experience in the pop culture and women’s lifestyle spaces. She’s passionate about spreading cultural sensitivity through the lenses of lifestyle, entertainment, and style.
I knew I was going to shed a tear or two at Olivia Rodrigo’s “Guts” Tour. I’m just a girl, after all. On April 6, the three-time Grammy winner performed her second of four sold-out shows at Madison Square Garden in New York City. And for an hour and a half on Saturday night, Rodrigo reminded us of the good, bad, and ugly of girlhood.
A bag adorned with ribbon bows slung over my shoulder, I screamed in anticipation with a crowd full of sequin miniskirts, glittery purple eyeshadow, and fishnet tights as Rodrigo ascended onto the stage for her opening number, “Bad Idea Right.” To my surprise, the audience wasn’t just young teens, kids, and their parents. An unexpected handful of 20- and 30-something adults like me were just as ready to jump and sing along to a mix of tunes from her sophomore album, “Guts,” and her critically acclaimed debut album, “Sour.” I imagine we loved the concert the same reason I enjoy her music so much — she made us feel like teens again.
The internet is filled with think pieces and TikTok breakdowns that explain Rodrigo’s popularity among women who are older than her: it’s fueled by our nostalgia for girlhood and desire to revert back to our teenage years. Scream-singing along to her lyrics at the “Guts” Tour, I certainly felt that, and I saw it on the faces of fellow millennials in the crowd on Saturday night. She took us, her devoted fans, through angst, nostalgia, sadness, and of course, head-banging fun.
A few months prior, I’d seen Rodrigo perform bigger hits like “Get Him Back!” and “Vampire” at Z100’s Jingle Ball, so I was already aware of her performing prowess. At the “Guts” Tour, her vocals were raw, filled with a genuine passion and emotion, and her pop-punk energy was unmatched. But her more vulnerable ballads were especially moving to hear live.
When Rodrigo sang about not feeling pretty enough with society’s impossible beauty standards in “Pretty Isn’t Pretty” and putting yourself out there for someone you love — who’s so not worth it — in “Love Is Embarrassing,” she brought me back to those exact feelings I’d experienced in high school and college, and even at times in my late twenties. In one particularly special moment introducing “Teenage Dream,” she spoke about writing the song as an 18-year-old, being so afraid of growing up. But after recently turning 21 in late February, she realized getting older isn’t so scary after all. I admittedly chuckled because, well, she is only 21, but it’s also a sentiment I felt back then and still do now.
She cycled between emotional ballads like these and fiery bangers that had everyone on their feet. During her performance of “All American Bitch,” she encouraged the crowd to “think about someone or something that pisses you off” and scream at the top of your lungs. It was therapeutic.
So, thank you to Rodrigo for taking me back to those messy, fun days, but also reminding me why I’m relieved to be past that phase in my life. My other takeaway after that last encore? Maybe it’s OK to text your ex. Get him back!
After two more nights at MSG, the “Guts” Tour is heading to the UK and Europe in May and June, and concludes in August in Los Angeles.
Yerin Kim is the features editor at POPSUGAR, where she helps shape the vision for special features and packages across the network. A graduate of Syracuse University’s Newhouse School, she has over five years of experience in the pop culture and women’s lifestyle spaces. She’s passionate about spreading cultural sensitivity through the lenses of lifestyle, entertainment, and style.
Where I’m From: Now and Gen features in-conversation pieces between generations — like a younger woman and her grandmother — discussing a topic like beauty rituals, finances, or marriage. We sat down with filmmaker Sean Wang and his grandmothers, Yi Yan Fuei and Chang Li Hua, the subjects of Wang’s Oscar-nominated documentary short, “Nǎi Nai & Wài Pó.” Read their heartwarming chat about friendship below.
In 2021, in the wake of increased anti-Asian violence and the ongoing pandemic, filmmaker Sean Wang moved back home to San Francisco. There, he started observing — then filming — Nǎi Nai and Wài Pó, his 94-year-old paternal grandmother and 83-year-old maternal grandmother, respectively, who happen to be inseparable friends and roommates. As he captured the mundane moments and joys of their daily lives, he created “Nǎi Nai & Wài Pó,” an Oscar-nominated documentary short that recently landed on Disney+.
“As much as this movie is about my grandmothers and my relationship with them, it is about friendship, sisterhood, and the bonds that you maintain and water in old age.”
The Taiwanese American director — whose debut feature film, “Dìdi,” recently premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival — essentially filmed a series of home videos, which he turned into a beautiful 17-minute “personal love letter” to his grandmothers. “As much as this movie is about my grandmothers and my relationship with them, it is about friendship, sisterhood, and the bonds that you maintain and water in old age,” he tells POPSUGAR. “I’m not 86, 96 years old. But I think [their friendship] is a good north star — hopefully, the friendships I have now that I feel are deeply special in my life, the ones that I know will last, that I hope could be Nǎi Nai and Wài Pó in our old age, are still as silly and vibrant and fun.”
Ahead of the 2024 Oscars, Wang and his grandmothers discuss their decades-long bond, the power of friendship, and the life lessons they’ve taught one another.
On Nǎi Nai and Wài Pó’s Unique Friendship
Chang Li Hua (Wài Pó): Us being able to spend our days together and live together is also a form of fate and good fortune. Nǎi Nai is older than me by 10 years, so I have always seen her like my own big sister. I am younger than her by 10 years, so anytime I am able to help her and take care of her, I will do my best to do so. We have almost all the same hobbies. Reading the newspaper, exercising in the backyard, going out for walks. Every day, we go to our orchard together to check and see which tree has grown fruits. Every day, we eat fruits together, and we take the peels of fruits and vegetables to the backyard and make fertilizer.
Yi Yan Fuei (Nǎi Nai): [Wài Pó and I] have the same attitude. We both love friends, we love to exercise, and we love to read the news, so we are able to be together harmoniously, just like sisters. Sean knows too. He became close with us, and I cherish the time we spent together every day.
Sean Wang: They’re my grandmothers. And as their sort of mischievous, young filmmaker grandson, I think our relationship is one of such joy, silliness, and this childlike, youthful energy. They mention it in the film that I bring it out of them, but they also bring it out of me. I think that results in some fun collaborations and these silly videos that we make. A lot of those were the seeds that became one half of “Nǎi Nai & Wài Pó.” The silliness, the chaotic joy, I like to call it, that balances out of with the more poignant, deeply human grounded pains of their lives.
On What They Learned About Each Other Throughout Filming
Sean Wang: I think I knew all the broad strokes of their lives, but getting to really talk to them about their childhoods and their lives before they were my grandmothers was really enlightening. But cutting to present day — and maybe I always knew this — I learned just how much of these creative spirits they are.
So much of this film was just a way to give them a platform that I think nobody had ever really considered them for. They dance, play, and allow their silliness to take center stage. And now that they’re going to the Oscars and being enveloped in this world that is full of spectacle and fancy dresses, they’re really loving it and getting to express a muscle that they so clearly have, that no one has ever allowed them to flex.
Yi Yan Fuei (Nǎi Nai): Sean was very approachable with us old people. He didn’t treat us as old people at all. He joked with us every day. He didn’t even act like we were dozens of years older than him. We were very happy having fun together.
Chang Li Hua (Wài Pó): I found that Sean was very talented — he has a great vision. Also, he was very patient with us when we were filming the movie. He would teach us how to pose. He’s a kid who loves to teach his friends. He’s able to hang out with old people, children, or friends of the same age. He’s a young man with a lively personality, but also works very hard.
On the Life Lessons They’ve Taught Each Other
“The days we spend feeling joy and the days we spend feeling pain are the same days spent, so I’m going to choose joy.”
Sean Wang: There’s a line in the movie that Nǎi Nai says that has really stuck with me. She says, “The days we spend feeling joy and the days we spend feeling pain are the same days spent, so I’m going to choose joy.” I think that very simple decision is a powerful one: choosing joy. Especially for someone like her who’s in the twilight years of her life, knowing that her days are more limited than mine. In our dumpster fire of a world at times, allowing yourself to choose joy and celebrate the people around you is a worthy decision.
Yi Yan Fuei (Nǎi Nai): This young kid can get along so well with others. He doesn’t treat us like old people; he still shouts like us young people in front of us every day. When he’s here, we have a very happy life. We should be like him, whether he’s young or old. He is our friend.
Chang Li Hua (Wài Pó): He helped us learn we’re not useless when we are old. We can still be useful people when we are old. We can still dance, make movies, and be actors. Old people should not underestimate themselves. The elderly are also capable of doing so many things.
This interview has been translated, edited, and condensed for clarity.
Yerin Kim is the features editor at POPSUGAR, where she helps shape the vision for special features and packages across the network. A graduate of Syracuse University’s Newhouse School, she has over five years of experience in the pop culture and women’s lifestyle spaces. She’s passionate about spreading cultural sensitivity through the lenses of lifestyle, entertainment, and style.
In season three of “The Morning Show,” a race scandal rocks UBA, the broadcast network that serves as the show’s backdrop. The storyline sees Karen Pittman’s Mia and Greta Lee’s Stella strikingly depict the realities of women of color in largely white, corporate spaces like network television. “That’s me and Greta actually, in a real way,” Pittman tells POPSUGAR after speaking at the 2024 Makers Conference on Feb. 28.
Through characters like Mia and Nya on “And Just Like That…,” Pittman brings incredible nuance to her portrayal of strong Black women who navigate their race in their respective environments, which she opened up about in conversation with “Succession” actor J. Smith-Cameron. The two spoke at the three-day summit hosted by Makers, a community-focused media brand owned by Yahoo that’s focused on accelerating equity for women in the workplace.
“I pride myself on having characters that don’t resemble me as an actor.”
For Pittman, identity-driven storytelling is inherently intentional. “I think the storytellers and writers are always looking for ways to imbue your personal, authentic perspective, whatever you have been through in your life,” she says. But for the actor and activist, that authenticity is less about sharing her lived experiences and more about bringing complex emotions to her characters. “I pride myself on having characters that don’t resemble me as an actor,” she explains. “I don’t see any of myself in Mia, and I hope to never see any of myself.”
Instead, she “influences the storytelling” by ensuring there’s depth to her characters. “I remind [writers], ‘Let’s make sure we show the heart of this character instead of just showing she’s a strong woman.’ That can end up being a trope,” she says. She likes to create characters through their “emotional landscape” in particular. “Knowing what the heart of that woman is and being able to convey that to the camera visually is really where I feel like the greatest influence I have as an actor in any story. That is what makes an audience connect.”
With a high-powered, independent TV producer like Mia, she’s focused on channeling vulnerability, a quality not often associated with Black women on screen. “The writers of [‘The Morning Show’] are always hoping to reflect back the strength and the nimbleness of African American women,” she says. “Sometimes that can be one-sided, so I’m always trying to infuse moments of fragility, softness, tenderness, and suppleness of what it means to be a woman in that job, in the same ways that you might see a white woman in those jobs.”
When it comes to Nya, Miranda’s professor-turned-friend on “And Just Like That…,” it was important to Pittman — and creator Michael Patrick King — that she wear her hair in braids. As she puts it, “I think it is important to reflect, especially on that platform, what it is to have an African American woman who completely accepts her naturalness, who isn’t trying to change or look different, who is embodying this construct of Blackness completely, and has decided that she’s going to live in a place of love and education — and to share that intelligence on the show.” Pittman also understands that Nya’s friendship with Miranda allows the opportunity to show viewers what it looks like for a woman of color to build a relationship with a white woman who may not know any other WOC. That’s especially impactful in a series with so much fanfare and generational popularity.
But while she’s able to start conversations about her characters in some ways, she also acknowledges the challenges that come with being a Black woman in the acting world. In her conversation with Smith-Cameron, Pittman shed light on Hollywood’s cultural reckoning in response to George Floyd’s murder by police in 2020. While there was an initial shift in the industry, she believes it’s since reverted back to the status quo.
“My white colleagues don’t have to have these conversations.”
“People are forgetful,” she tells POPSUGAR. “People forget, and as an actor, you don’t want to always have your finger on the pulse of culture trying to teach them or remind them, ‘Hey, we need to pump some life into this.’ My white colleagues don’t have to have these conversations.”
As with women of color in any field, she’d like to solely focus on the job at hand: acting. “I would love to go into an experience where the only thing that I’m called to do is to bring the full breadth of my craft and not have to concern myself with anything else,” she says. But, as she reminds us, this is the reality for any othered person in our society.
As Pittman underscored in her conversation with Smith-Cameron, “the system is broken,” and she knows it’ll take time for the industry to progress. But what she can do is collaborate with allies to advocate for the stories and characters they feel are important. “I want to be a human that builds coalition, that keeps common ground,” she tells POPSUGAR. “One of the reasons I love portraying these characters is because they have their hand out for connection; they are reflecting back to the culture. There is space for all of us. Certainly in my career, as a mother, as a human being, that is the way I am in the world.”
She’s also hopeful for change. “If you’re an actor or if you’re an artist, you are an optimist and an activist,” she says. “And if you’re an activist or an optimist, you believe that humanity can do something different.”
Yerin Kim is the features editor at POPSUGAR, where she helps shape the vision for special features and packages across the network. A graduate of Syracuse University’s Newhouse School, she has over five years of experience in the pop culture and women’s lifestyle spaces. She’s passionate about spreading cultural sensitivity through the lenses of lifestyle, entertainment, and style.
Laufey has always felt “undefined.” Whether it was her unique, modern jazz sound or her identity as a Chinese Icelandic artist, the 24-year-old singer-songwriter and producer tells POPSUGAR she “always felt like an anomaly and a bit of an outsider in my communities.”
“Being a bit different became my status quo.”
The artist, who recently took home her first Grammy for best traditional pop vocal album, has taken the music world — and TikTok — by storm. Since going viral on the platform in early 2022, she’s released two albums, the second of which earned her the accolade. “Being a bit different became my status quo. I took my experience of being undefined into the music industry,” she says.
Laufey’s background growing up with Chinese and Icelandic parents in Iceland and later living in the US was pivotal to building her sound and, eventually, her career in music. “I had such a mix of experiences learning music,” she says. Her first foray into music was connected to her Chinese culture — through her mother, a world-class violinist, and her maternal grandfather, who taught the instrument.
Laufey took piano lessons at Beijing’s prestigious Central Conservatory of Music, and she performed as a solo cellist for the Iceland Symphony Orchestra at 15. When she started attending Berklee College of Music in Boston, she learned jazz and pop for the first time. “All of those experiences allowed me to grow up hearing the different sounds of each of my cultures and taught me about the things that bind different musical disciplines together and what sets them apart,” she explains. Her blend of jazz, classical, and pop is so unique that there’s often debate over defining her exact genre of music.
In addition to influencing her music, her college experience allowed her to embrace more of her Asian heritage, which she says she wasn’t exposed to growing up in Iceland. “Living in the US has given me exposure to bigger Asian communities that I didn’t necessarily have growing up in Iceland, where my mother and a few of her friends were the extent of my Asian community,” she says. “Outside of the music industry, I’ve been able to embrace my identity as an Asian and be more proud of that side of me.” In turn, that shift has given her the opportunity to “connect on a deeper level” with her fans of Asian descent.
And now, as a young woman in the music industry, Laufey is passionate about opening up opportunities for other women artists, particularly those of color. She can count the number of women producers she’s worked with on one hand. Through Bose’s Turn the Dial initiative, which aims to close the gender gap in music production, the musician collaborated with Eunike Tanzil, a rising producer and composer, to create a song from scratch in just three hours. “Eunike has such a beautiful way of approaching a simple melody, which is what drew me to her in the beginning,” Laufey says. “It’s an honor to create music with other Asian women in the industry. Together, we bring to our music a type of sincerity that is unique to our backgrounds.”
As she continues to climb the charts, Laufey understands her undefined genre and identity represent what mainstream music and media have been missing. For Laufey, her recent Grammy win was “for those who couldn’t figure out who they wanted to be.”
As she puts it: “It was a stamp of approval proving that you don’t have to follow a certain path in order to succeed in music.”
2023 was all about the joy of girlhood, so it’s no surprise the biggest musical hits of the year were also for women and by women. Ahead of the 2024 Grammy Awards, women dominated nominations across categories. But the Feb. 4 ceremony celebrated not only women nominees, but also winners, performers, and presenters — at every age. From longtime legends to rising artists, women celebrated each other unabashedly in an industry that tends to emphasize youth and often pits women against each other. For the first time in years, an award show seemed to hit the mark on entertaining audiences across generations, striking the perfect chord between embracing nostalgia and highlighting newer talent.
Women nominees were up for every major category, and ultimately snagged the big wins, too. Phoebe Bridgers took home the most trophies with four wins, making her a first-time Grammy winner alongside Victoria Monét, Miley Cyrus, Karol G, and Lainey Wilson. SZA led the pack with nine nominations, and won two. And of course, Taylor Swift became the first artist in history to win Album of the Year four times.
While the wins were certainly worth celebrating, the performances are what made an impact and warmed nostalgic hearts. In arguably the most-talked-about moment of the night, Tracy Chapman appeared with Luke Combs to perform a duet of “Fast Car,” her 1988 hit that has since seen a cross-generational resurgence (one that she was not fully recognized for until last night). She hadn’t sung on live TV in years, and has rarely toured since 2009. Another standout performance came from Joni Mitchell, who performed at the Grammys for the very first time at 80 years old. The crowd was teary as Mitchell sang her 1968 hit “Both Sides Now,” her presence itself a triumph after she recovered from a 2015 brain aneurysm. Annie Lennox also made an appearance to pay tribute to Sinead O’Connor during the “In Memoriam” segment of the ceremony with an emotional cover of “Nothing Compares 2 U.” These legends got the visibility they deserved on music’s biggest night — and proved that it’s never too late to get your flowers.
The younger pop stars also delivered memorable performances, and seemed to lean into the empowering theme of the night. Cyrus kicked off the ceremony with a fun rendition of “Flowers,” a self-love anthem that earned her her two wins. Not to mention, she paired the performance with an homage to the late icon Tina Turner. Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo also gave raw, vocal-first performances of their hits “What I Was Made For” and “Vampire,” respectively, both of which reflect on the expectations young women face.
Even as JAY-Z accepted the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award, he brought 12-year-old Blue Ivy on stage and centered his wife, Beyoncé, in his speech, criticizing the Recording Academy for repeatedly snubbing her for Album of the Year despite her record-breaking number of Grammys.
Of course, there were other high-profile snubs (notably SZA and Lana Del Rey). Award shows can’t please everyone. But there’s no doubt women of all ages reigned at last night’s Grammys, indulging Gen Z, millennial, and Gen X fans alike and making us all feel seen. Witnessing legends and newcomers celebrating each other and themselves felt like a real step forward for all women.
When Sam Song Li came across the role of Bruce on “The Brothers Sun,” he felt like the character was written uniquely for him. In Netflix’s new action-packed drama series, Bruce’s life is upended when his older brother, Charles (Justin Chien), who turns out to be a Taiwanese gangster, comes to LA to protect their mom, Eileen (Michelle Yeoh). When Li first read the script, he quickly learned he shared a number of “shockingly close” similarities with his onscreen counterpart. Like Bruce, the 27-year-old actor and content creator was raised by a single mom in the San Gabriel Valley, CA, a predominantly Asian American community where the series partially takes place. Similarly, he also dreamed of being an actor and improv comedian, despite his mom’s hopes that he’d become a doctor. “I feel like that especially is just really relatable for a lot of Asian Americans,” he tells POPSUGAR.
That’s why Bruce’s story was personal to Li, who was born in Guangzhou, China. He drew from his own experiences to authentically portray Bruce — and the character’s relationship with Mama Sun in particular. “I was raised by a single mom, and my mom in real life is my hero,” he says. “She raised me and my sister all by herself. To see a single parent have all the weight of the responsibilities of raising a kid, you take it for granted when it’s happening. I brought that energy and perspective into Bruce in his love for his mom.”
Against his mom’s best wishes, Li ultimately decided to pursue acting. Amid creating comedic content and racking up a following on TikTok and Instagram, he booked smaller roles on shows like “Never Have I Ever” and “Better Call Saul.” When he landed “The Brothers Sun,” it was a welcome surprise; he didn’t imagine a role like this one to come about so early on in his career.
As if securing his first major role – and one he related to so deeply — wasn’t exciting enough, “The Brothers Sun” was also the first time Li worked alongside an all Asian writers’ room and a majority Asian American cast. “Our production was uniquely Asian American in so many facets, but I think one thing that really stood out to me was that we really practice what we preach on the show,” he says. “In the show, the family, and how you treat people as a family, is the focal point of the story. We as a team really had that connection. We felt really passionate about what we were doing, what was happening in front of us, regardless of if the show was a success or not. I think the one thing we were all holding onto was that this was a very special moment.”
The cast’s strong connection was also sustained by food — a hallmark of many Asian cultures. There were Asian snacks and food available on set all the time, including boba at least once a week. According to Li, Yeoh would order food from a different local Chinese spot every week. “She would always surprise us with something,” he says.
“I’ve always felt I was not Westernized enough for Hollywood, and not Asian enough to work in Asia.”
Growing up, it would’ve been difficult for Li to imagine an experience like the “Brothers Sun” set. Asian and Asian American representation on screen was few and far between. “I’ve always felt I was not Westernized enough for Hollywood, and not Asian enough to work in Asia,” Li says, describing a struggle all too common for Asian Americans, both in and out of the entertainment industry.
But with the influx of APIA projects in theaters and on streaming platforms in the past three years, Li’s perspective on his future in acting has changed drastically. “I’ve realized the direction that Hollywood and the world is moving is connecting the globe in so many ways,” he explains. “Content is no longer just for a Western or American audience right now. Content is for a global audience.”
As a result, he’s been able to seek out roles that are tied to his upbringing and identity. “The one common thread between all of the roles I gravitate towards is that they are part of my identity, not just based on race, but literally who I am as a person or the experiences that I’ve had,” he says. Aside from playing Bruce on “The Brothers Sun,” he shot a pilot in 2023, “Marvin Is Sorry,” in which he plays a mega influencer and content creator who gets canceled. “A lot of the elements and nuances of that story I felt like I gravitated towards because it was just something I knew very intimately,” he says.
Looking forward to the future, Li feels optimistic about more cultural projects like “The Brothers Sun.”
“That freshness, the authenticity of storytelling, is more important than ever,” he says. “Any time we can show new perspectives, have a fresh take on something, or show the world something they’ve never seen before, that is what I think Hollywood and global audiences are craving.”
For what would’ve been the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade in late January, we published a collection of stories marking the past, present, and future of abortion access in America. During Pride Month in June, we highlighted trans and nonbinary voices and their moments of gender euphoria and joy. In September, we celebrated Latine Heritage Month by spotlighting Latinas who have made the decision to prioritize their mental, physical, and spiritual health instead of the ever-present hustle culture. These are just a few examples of ways our editors, writers, and contributors have brought attention to important issues and tackled complexities not often talked about.
To commemorate the end of the year, we’ve gathered an essential reading list of PS’s best stories from 2023. From insightful personal essays to thoughtfully reported features, these stories represent some of our favorite works from the past 12 months. Take a look back below.
“I’d heard about the wonders of Halara’s ‘magical denim’ and form-fitting pant styles but have always been weary about just how universally comfortable and flattering they actually are. As a 5’10” woman with a curvier shape, pants shopping hasn’t always been the easiest task for me — especially when I’m shopping online.
I can honestly say these HalaraMagic High Waisted Button Pockets Washed Stretchy Knit Casual Wide Leg Jeans ($45, originally $55) exceeded all of my expectations and then some. The bottoms are supremely comfortable, with a lightweight design that’s composed primarily of the brand’s signature HalaraMagic material. These casual pants slip right on without an adjustable button closure up top, which is a feat in itself considering I can’t even remember the last time I didn’t have to wiggle my way into a pair of jeans.
Despite its denim-like design, the pants fit more like a wide-leg legging — courtesy of the bottom’s extra stretch at the waist and breathable material. I love everything about them right down to the coloring (I opted for the dark blue denim shade), and also appreciate that because of their mid-calf length, they’re a style that I can wear year-round, regardless of the temperatures. This might be my first style from Halara, but rest assured, it won’t be my last.” — Kyley Warren, assistant editor, Commerce
Hollywood’s most stylish gathered on Nov. 6 to celebrate the CFDA Awards, honoring mainstays and emerging designers in the industry at the American Museum of Natural History. From red carpet regulars like Kim Kardashian and Serena Williams to rising style stars like Lola Tung and Amelia Hamlin, celebrities wore standout looks to celebrate the best in fashion.
Anne Hathaway, who served as the evening’s host, kicked off the night in a floral double-denim ensemble from Ralph Lauren’s spring/summer 2024 collection and a layered Bulgari diamond necklace. Later on, she switched gears in a sheer lace Rodarte gown, featuring black floral embroidery and rosettes throughout. Hamlin and Tung also chose naked dresses for the occasion, with the former wearing a baby-blue nipple-baring gown from Alaïa and the “Summer I Turned Pretty” star wearing a Balmain minidress adorned with crystals.
Others chose classic all-black looks with pops of texture and playful details. Ahead of receiving the CFDA fashion icon award, Williams walked the red carpet in a custom sequin gown by Thom Browne, accented with giant statement sleeves and a long train. Kardashian turned heads in an open-back halter gown from Chrome Hearts, which she paired with impressive Barbie-foot heels. On the other hand, bride-to-be Vanessa Hudgens and Lori Harvey both exuded Old Hollywood glam. Hudgens wore a Vera Wang ballgown with matching leather opera gloves, while Harvey stunned in a fur set with a sky-high slit from Luar.
Whether it was the ever-popular naked trend or timeless glamour, celebrities pulled out all the stops at Monday night’s CFDA Awards. Keep reading to see all the best dressed stars from the show.
If Taylor Swift’s latest girls’ night out was any indication, bucket bags are definitely back. On Nov. 4, the singer hit the town with famous friends Selena Gomez, Sophie Turner, Gigi Hadid, Cara Delevingne, and Brittany Mahomes for a star-studded dinner at NYC’s BondSt. While each star was dressed to impress in their own stylish ways, Swift and Gomez’s bag choices in particular caught our attention.
Swift carried a croc-embossed bucket bag from Stella McCartney to top off her black long-sleeve top, plaid miniskirt, and over-the-knee boots. The bag was adorned with the designer’s signature chainlink detail and made of an innovative vegan material sourced from apple waste. Similarly, Gomez held a black bucket bag with gold hardware from Saint Laurent to accessorize her cozy belted sweater dress. Their versatile purse choices make sense considering bucket bags made a splash on the fall/winter 2023 runways earlier this year.
Swift’s McCartney purse is from the aforementioned collection, while luxury brands like Bottega Veneta, Hermés, and Ulla Johnson also reimagined the design for their recent shows. Mansur Gavriel — which popularized the now-ubiquitous silhouette in 2013 — recently debuted a revamped, eco-conscious version of its famous style. More affordable brands like A.P.C and Madewell have also come out with their own iterations, like the latter’s The Essential Bucket Tote recently worn by Katie Holmes.
The bucket bag is making a steady comeback as larger, more practical bags take priority over micro-mini and kitschy statement accessories. Aside from Gomez and Swift, celebrities like Holmes, Meghan Markle, and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley are also bringing back the versatile, hands-free style this fall. Take a closer look at the trend in action ahead.
As POPSUGAR editors, we independently select and write about stuff we love and think you’ll like too. If you buy a product we have recommended, we may receive affiliate commission, which in turn supports our work.
Among all of the cool home-decor finds and fun gadgets at Target, sometimes we forget the fan-favorite retailer has a trendy clothing selection too. There’s knit sweaters, stylish boots, and even expensive-looking outerwear, but TikTok has declared a particular pair of pants a fall must have. Wild Fable’s cargo sweatpants have been the talk of the platform over the past few months. According to many fans of the style, the pants have a high-rise waist and wide-leg silhouette that makes for a flattering fit, but at the end of the day, they’re still cozy sweats made from cotton, fleece fabric.
Though TikTok first began discovering the pants in August, the style has maintained its popularity into the fall. They’ve been described as “so, so, so, soft” and “the best pants I own” by various creators, and at $28 a piece, they’re hard to resist. Some have even noticed they’ve gone on sale for as low as $15 in the past. The cargos come in three different colorways including an acid-wash black, light brown, and sage, with sizes ranging from XXS to 4X. Shoppers recommend sizing down as many have noticed they run a little big.
As we transition into cold weather, fashion trends have fittingly shifted towards comfort and warmth. In fact, the hunt for “hoodies that hoodie” is currently taking over TikTok. Similar to these viral cargo sweats, these oversize hoodies strike the perfect balance between being comfortable for lounging at home in and stylish enough to wear out in public.
Ahead, see why TikTok is so obsessed with Target’s cargo sweatpants, and shop a pair for yourself before they inevitably sell out.
Ariana Grande is known to enjoy a quirky trend. Just a week ago, she took the “ugly” balloon heels from Loewe out for a spin, and more recently, she’s been spotted around New York City rocking statement-making gloves. On Nov. 2, the singer shared a photo dump of her latest outings, which included supporting rumored boyfriend Ethan Slater at his “Spamalot” performance and hanging out with friends like Liz Gillies. While previewing Slater’s Broadway show on Oct. 31, Grande wore an oversize, chocolate brown coat with white lace gloves from The Row.
Grande looked adorable, as usual, but we have to ask: what are those gloves for, exactly? Casually sporting a $990 price tag, the hand-crocheted gloves are of short length, with a playful, scalloped trim at the cuffs. Since they’re netted and have holes throughout, and don’t even extend to the forearms, it’s obvious they don’t serve the accessory’s usual purpose: warmth and protection. Its function is even more confusing upon examining the photos. She holds a glass of red wine in one, so perhaps they’re offering a no-slip grip. But in another, she’s blowing a kiss from her gloved hand. The delicate, vintage-style gloves are likely a sartorial choice, and honestly, perfectly fitting for her flirty style.
Opera gloves had a big moment in 2020, and their rise continued throughout the return to red carpets and award shows in the years following. While its popularity has dwindled since, Grande was actually a glove girl long before the trend and has continued to embrace the look.
She’s worn gloves dating back to her 2015 world tour, where she was equipped with high-tech gloves from MiMU that changed her voice. Since then, she’s switched over to the fancier statement glove. Grande has reached for a variety of opera gloves for award shows like the 2020 Grammys, appearances on “The Voice,” and music videos alike. Now, she’s incorporating the accessory into her everyday wardrobe.
Scroll through her photos ahead to see how she pulled off the fun trend.
“Disability does not seem escapist. But I love clothes.”
The actor has long been involved in the world of fashion, wearing playful, dramatic looks long before her diagnosis. She recently collaborated with Isaac Mizrahi on an accessible clothing collection for QVC, which included elements like flat seams, magnetic closures, and seated wheelchair pants. “Disability does not seem escapist. But I love clothes. I love pretty people doing pretty things,” she told Glamour.
Blair’s appreciation for fashion is clear, and it’s a joy to see her having fun with her clothing. Elsewhere in the story, she continued to play with various trends. In one image, she went pantless in a backless metallic top, Marc Jacobs underwear, and knee-high Moschino boots with giant buckle details. For another, she rocked a David Koma bra top with black leather Khaite pants with red fishnet tights peeking from underneath.
Blair is one of Glamour’s seven Women of the Year honorees, alongside Brooke Shields, Quinta Brunson, Mary J. Blige, Geena Rocero, Millie Bobby Brown, and America Ferrera. Check out more photos from her latest shoot ahead.
Sabrina Carpenter rang in Halloween with a gift for her fans: a campy, slasher music video for her single, “Feather.” Carpenter’s style has been described as that of a Bratz doll by her fans, characterized by her penchant for tiny miniskirts, graphic tees, platform shoes, and chunky jewelry. Working with stylist Ronnie Hart, she brought that flair to her video, wearing a series of playful, Y2K-inspired looks and an assortment of sky-high heels.
Carpenter gives us acting — and style — range throughout the video. She kicked things off strutting down the pavement in the famous Pleaser platforms popularized by celebrities like Lady Gaga and Julia Fox, further emphasizing her legs with a low-rise miniskirt and cropped graphic tee that said, “You act like a b*tch.”
In another scene, she opted for a similar outfit formula while boxing among a group of athletes. She paired a pink cutout bodysuit with tiny blue hot pants and matching knee-high sport socks, adding an unexpected pink pair of towering stilettos with ruffle details. Later in the video, she swapped out the cheeky short shorts and ditched pants altogether, rocking the pantless look in a giant tulle top and sheer black tights. On her feet were — you guessed it — 6.5-inch Christian Louboutin pumps with red bottoms.
As POPSUGAR editors, we independently select and write about stuff we love and think you’ll like too. If you buy a product we have recommended, we may receive affiliate commission, which in turn supports our work.
Go big or go home, right?
It’s not wrong. When our team first caught wind of the news — and saw photos — we were certainly taken aback. With metallic embroidery, croc-skin texture, and the brand’s signature vent holes and uniquely shaped footbed, the Crocs are quite the sight. The rubber, mid-calf boots also come with a removable spur on the back strap, as well as gold star and cowboy Jibbitz charms. Though the brand has debuted a plethora of funky styles over the years, like bejeweled platforms, heeled mules, and Shrek-inspired clogs, it never ceases to surprise us.
Despite some of its bizarre yet buzzy launches, I’ve often heard people rave about how comfortable Crocs are. I’ve also seen fashion girlies style — and look very cute in — these rubbery clogs. Of course, I’ve never owned a pair before, so it just felt right to choose the Classic Cowboy Boot as my first. Go big or go home, right?
I’ve seen how cool street style stars and celebrities have worn Crocs, but the half-clog, half-cowboy-boot hybrid presented a challenge. Upon unboxing, I was admittedly overwhelmed by the thought of styling these bad boys. But once I threw on some basics and played around with different styling cues, they started growing on me. In fact, I actually found cowboy Crocs to be pretty chic once built into an outfit. That said, I did opt out of adding the Jibbitz charms because they were a little too flashy for my taste, not to mention difficult to attach and remove.
Needless to say, I kept the styling minimal and true to my personal fashion because I knew the boots would do the talking. You’ll see they took the lead against more casual basics like my everyday straight-leg jeans, effortless Bermuda shorts, and a structured blazer. Ahead, see how I wore the much-talked-about shoe, and snag your own pair before they sell out completely.
As POPSUGAR editors, we independently select and write about stuff we love and think you’ll like too. If you buy a product we have recommended, we may receive affiliate commission, which in turn supports our work.
It may not look like much, but a baseball cap can really take an outfit to the next level. One style in particular, Polo Ralph Lauren’s chino cap, has especially been popular among celebrities and the street-style set. Stars like Jennifer Lawrence, Taylor Swift, and Kendall Jenner have been spotted dressing down a more formal outfit or adding a sporty touch with the effortless accessory. The certified dad hat has a more broken-in look than a traditional baseball cap, and the cotton chino fabric gives off a comfortable yet preppy feel. Best of all, the exact cap is available at several retailers and in various colorways for $50.
Lawrence’s recent looks out in New York City epitomize cool-girl style, and while her designer pieces are expensive, she’s topped off her outfits with the dad hat. She’s worn it in different colors with a crisp, oversize shirt from Polo Ralph Lauren and baggy cargo pants, as well as a simple white t-shirt and black trousers.
Having recently entered her sporty era, Swift is also a fan of the collegiate hat. During a recent outing in NYC on Oct. 26, she rocked the pantless trend in an oversize rugby sweater, long blazer, brown knee-high boots, and the trusty beige chino cap. In September, she threw on a corduroy version of the hat, adding a pop to her casual, all-black outfit while leaving a recording studio. At the US Open last September, Kendall Jenner also wore the same blue cap and a matching knit sweater to contrast her structured, ivory midi dress.
Shop the classic accessory ahead, and see how celebrities have elevated the unassuming dad hat.
After a buzzy foray into menswear earlier this week, Skims has already announced its next product: a nipple bra. What exactly is that, you may ask? According to Kim Kardashian, who gracefully modeled the new innovation while debuting the product on Oct. 27, it’s a regular push-up bra with built-in, faux nipples.
Upon discovery, the internet was in disbelief. Despite inquiries around whether this was a delayed April Fools’ joke, turns out, it’s actually a pretty genius way to market Skims’s investment in advancing carbon removal. The company also announced it would donate 10 percent of the bra’s sales to 1% For the Planet, an organization dedicated to addressing the global environmental crisis. Earlier this year, Skims also announced its participation in Watershed’s Frontier market initiative, a long-term climate-change commitment to accelerate permanent carbon removal.
“Some days are hard, but these nipple are harder.”
“Some days are hard, but these nipple are harder. And unlike the icebergs, these aren’t going anywhere,” Kardashian says, wearing the upcoming launch under a seamless bodysuit and, later, a tee, presumably also from Skims. Launching on Oct. 31, the Ultimate Nipple Bra promises a “perfect fullness” and, of course, the fake nipples. While this iteration might seem bizarre, there’s certainly an existing market for the new bra. Nipples can be your best accessory, according to the many celebrities we’ve seen in completely sheer dresses, see-through swimsuits, and wild variations of the naked trend. In fact, Kardashian has demonstrated that in her own style choices on numerous occasions. Why not draw even more attention to the nipples with a full-coverage, push-up bra?
As Kardashian so aptly declares, she’s not a scientist, but she does “believe everyone can use their skillset to do their part.” So she’s using her wildly popular undergarment brand — and entrepreneurial mindset — to do her part in saving the planet.
Watch Kardashian’s hilarious announcement in full below.
As POPSUGAR editors, we independently select and write about stuff we love and think you’ll like too. If you buy a product we have recommended, we may receive affiliate commission, which in turn supports our work.
If your TikTok For You page looks anything like mine, you’ve probably heard the word “hoodie” way too many times in the past few weeks. Earlier in October, creator Julia Huynh shared a video defining exactly what makes a hoodie “hoodie” — aka a comfortable, oversize hoodie that’s also stylish — garnering over 10 million views and thousands of comments with recommendations for the perfect hoodie that’s both cool and cozy.
After much demand, Huynh, explained her essential criteria for “hoodies that hoodie.” According to the TikToker, that includes the following: a drop shoulder or raglan sleeve; a wide, boxy fit; 100 percent cotton material; cuffs that aren’t too tight; a huge hood; a large neck opening that doesn’t swipe your makeup; and no hoodie strings. The “hoodiest of hoodies” is one that has all of these qualities, and strikes the right balance between being comfy enough to lounge in at home and looking stylish while out and about. On the flip side, a hoodie that isn’t “hoodieing” has more of a tighter fit, with less room in the sleeves and neck.
Since Huynh’s videos have gone viral, she’s divulged her favorites and influenced fellow TikTokers to share their treasured hoodies that meet her requirements. At the end of the day, the best loungewear is dependent on your own lifestyle and preferences. But if you, too, are now on the hunt for the “hoodiest hoodie” according to TikTok, we scoured user recommendations for the coziest, oversize hooded sweatshirts on the market. From affordable, under-$30 options to more luxe, designer items, check out the best of TikTok’s hoodie picks ahead.
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