Saturday Star 2024-12-21

When it comes to powerful performances, Viola Davis has cemented her place as one of the greatest actors of her generation. With a career spanning decades and an Academy Award to her name, Davis has proven time and again that she’s a force to be reckoned with. When asked to reflect on the role she’s most proud of, she didn’t hesitate to name Annalise Keating, the complex lead character in the hit TV drama, How to Get Away with Murder. Speaking at the Red Sea Film Festival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Davis shared why this role meant so much to her, not just professionally but personally. As fans continue to binge-watch the series on streaming platforms even years after its finale, it’s clear that Davis’s portrayal of Annalise left an…

CARRY-ON stars Taron Egerton as Ethan Koplek, a down-on-his-luck TSA agent whose dream of becoming a police officer has stalled. Stuck at a dead-end job, Ethan’s big break seems like a distant fantasy, especially with a baby on the way. On Christmas Eve – the busiest travel day of the year – he finds himself pulling a late shift at the airport alongside his pregnant girlfriend, Nora (Sofia Carson). Ethan, eager to prove his worth to Nora and perhaps to himself, convinces his boss (Dean Norris) to let him operate the scanner machine for checked baggage – a task he’s wildly underqualified for. Norris reluctantly agrees. Chaos follows. The trouble begins when Ethan encounters a mysterious traveller, portrayed by Jason Bateman, who exudes his signature mix of brooding menace…

Most celebrities are obsessed with their looks and are willing to do anything and everything to slow down ageing. Media personality and business- woman Kim Kardashian always looks gorgeous and is known for introducing new beauty trends. The mother of four has popularised polynucleotide injections, also known as “salmon sperm injections”. “This procedure is similar to dermal fillers or hyaluronic acid injections. It emerged from the wider trend of using marine-based ingredients in skincare,” explained Dr Phillip Kuan, quadruple board-certified physician. “Although still somewhat niche, treatments used by celebrities such as Kardashian and Jennifer Aniston have made them more mainstream.” This procedure involves injecting a DNA extract from salmon sperm into the skin to improve skin texture and promote a more youthful appearance by stimulating collagen production. “Like hyaluronic acid…

As we wrap up 2024, it’s fascinating to take a closer look at what people have been searching for when it comes to love, relationships and navigating connections in the modern world. Google Trends, our ever-reliable window into what’s on people’s minds, has revealed some intriguing relationship terms that dominated searches this year. Words like “open relationship,” “gaslighting” and “breadcrumbing” have been at the forefront of conversations. But what do these terms really mean and why are people so curious about them? Let’s unpack the relationship buzz- words of the year, explore why they resonate and how they’ve shaped the way we navigate love in 2024. Open relationships: the rise of non-traditional love One of the biggest relationship trends of 2024 is the increasing curiosity around “open relationships”. This year,…

Mental health is no longer a conversation on the sidelines. Mental health challenges like stress, anxiety, depression, and burnout are at an all-time high, both globally and in South Africa. With the traditional healthcare system struggling to meet the demand for holistic, accessible care, technology has stepped up to fill the gap. Mental health apps are no longer just trendy digital tools – they’re becoming essential allies for individuals seeking convenient, stigma-free, and affordable mental health support. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 1 billion people worldwide experience some form of mental health issue, yet more than 75% don’t receive the care they need. South Africa is no exception, with a shortage of mental health professionals and the stigma surrounding mental illness still prevalent. According to the South…

Every year, the culinary landscape is graced with innovative dishes and food pairings that make mouths water and stomachs rumble. However, 2024 seemed to usher in bizarre food trends that have left even the most adventurous foodies scratching their heads in disbelief. While some of these trends may have tickled the taste buds, others are far from palatable and deserve to be relegated to the archives of cringe-worthy cuisine. Here’s a rundown of bizarre food trends that we hope will not see the light of day again. Tomato ice toast In the realm of online culinary experiments, ‘tomato ice toast’ has emerged as a particularly bewildering entry. Social media platforms, particularly TikTok, have taken to freezing a whole tomato and grating it atop freshly toasted bread, sometimes garnished with burrata…