Latest news with #AndJustLikeThat…
Boston Globe
2 days ago
- Health
- Boston Globe
That's a lot of needles in your face
When it comes to achieving youthful-looking, rejuvenated skin, do all roads eventually lead to needles? It seems so, given the multitude of ways to poke one's face, from Botox injections and plumping fillers to microneedling facials and even PRP (platelet-rich plasma) and salmon sperm DNA injections, all sought out for the promise of a glowier, more supple visage. Pity the needle-phobic! Cosmetic acupuncture (aka facial acupuncture), the injection-free outlier of the bunch, uses needles approximately one-fifth the diameter of typical hypodermic needles and is said to increase circulation and collagen production, and improve skin tone. Long favored by wellness moguls such as Jessica Alba, Kim Kardashian and Gwyneth Paltrow, it has grown in popularity as more people turn to holistic skin care methods. In an interview in May, Sarita Choudhury, who stars in 'And Just Like That …,' said she indulged in weekly sessions with her acupuncturist. Advertisement As one of the Western Hemisphere's more widely known forms of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture's stateside popularity reaches back to the 1970s when an American journalist trailing President Richard Nixon's 1971 delegation to Beijing reported on having received the treatment there. Advertisement Stefanie DiLibero of Gotham Wellness conducted a facial acupuncture session in New York in March. Cosmetic acupuncture uses needles approximately one-fifth the diameter of typical hypodermic needles and is said to increase circulation, boost collagen production, and improve skin tone. JEANETTE SPICER/NYT In the ensuing decades, acupuncture coursed through the channels of medicine from alternative to the mainstream, seemingly effective for all manner of ills and conditions including migraines, digestive issues, infertility and insomnia, as well as general pain management. Olympic gymnast Simone Biles and NBA star LeBron James incorporated acupuncture into their injury recovery protocols. Wellness and lifestyle website Goop has referred to the treatment in more than 60 articles. Little wonder that as popular interest and curiosity has spread, some people would look to acupuncture for facial rejuvenation. Related : Interest in cosmetic acupuncture also aligns with the nascent #notox movement, which rejects Botox in favor of natural alternatives promising similar results — especially among Gen Z consumers. Online, Google searches for 'cosmetic acupuncture' have increased by 248% in the past two years. As of January, the average number of views for notox-related content on TikTok had increased 223% in the past year, according to the trend forecasting agency Trendalytics. Part of cosmetic acupuncture's outlier status lies in its holistic nature. Typically, treatments target points on the body, as well as on the face, to address issues such as poor sleep and digestion, stress, PMS — culprits that can factor into the skin's appearance. 'Its greatest benefit is that it's not just skin deep,' said Stefanie DiLibero of Gotham Wellness in the Manhattan borough of New York City. There, clients undergo a full health intake before their multistep treatments, which include full-body acupuncture, microcurrent stimulation and manual lymphatic drainage. DeLibero said 90% of her patients came for cosmetic acupuncture but welcomed the all-in-one perks. Advertisement Still, there's a strong emphasis on 'cosmetic,' as many salons build in treatments one would see on an aesthetician's menu: lymphatic drainage massages, hydrating face masks and red light therapy to stimulate collagen production. At ORA, a wellness spa with two locations in Manhattan, founder Kim Ross said that even teenagers with complexion concerns such as acne came in for its acupuncture facial, which also includes body acupuncture, gua sha and LED therapy. Since ORA's opening in 2021, the facial has become one of the its most popular offerings. Regardless of age or generation, nearly everyone is chasing that elusive 'glow,' Ross said. Claudia Baettig, an acupuncturist who works at Prosper LA in Los Angeles, is seeing women come in as early as their 20s for facial treatments. 'A lot of their peers are already doing Botox and injectables, and they want something preventative,' she said. Or they want to avoid Botox altogether. Red light therapy is used to stimulate collagen production during a facial acupuncture session at Gotham Wellness in March. JEANETTE SPICER/NYT 'I'm just so scared of getting filler and then regretting it,' said Michelle Desouza, who lives in Brooklyn and is the founder of Same Skin, a culture and wellness community for women. She scheduled her first cosmetic acupuncture session with DiLibero at Gotham Wellness when she was just entering her 30s. She wanted to look rejuvenated but 'not look like everyone else,' she said, referring to the ubiquitous 'Instagram face,' the neutered look (sometimes facilitated by face-tuning filters and actual aesthetic treatments) that, often as not, looks artificial-intelligence generated. Desouza, now 36, said she was an exception among her friends, many of whom had gone the way of Botox. While someone who has gotten Botox can still receive cosmetic acupuncture, Baettig noted that it was like buying into 'two opposing schools of thought.' Botox prevents muscle contraction, while acupuncture performs the opposite. Advertisement 'We're stimulating,' she said. 'We want to increase circulation to the muscles.' Does cosmetic acupuncture actually work? Success can be hard to measure because the objective is often subjective and varying. Baettig said clients tended to have an instant glow after one session, but she warned them not to expect the same results as one would with injectables. 'But you do see a subtle reduction of fine lines and wrinkles,' she said. 'You do see a brighter complexion, typically after anywhere from six to 10 treatments.' At Prosper LA, where a single cosmetic acupuncture session costs $195 to $225, and at other skin care salons, including ORA, where the signature facial is $475, a series of treatments could easily put one in the same beauty budget range as injectables. But potential holistic benefits like serenity and a relaxed mood are foreign to most serums, peels and Botox sessions. 'It's a way for me to center and calm myself,' said Abrams, whose acupuncturist did manage to see her for a treatment without the six-week wait. This article originally appeared in .
Elle
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Elle
Carrie's Future Is Uncertain in the Penultimate Episode of 'And Just Like That'
Spoilers below. The latest episode of And Just Like That… hits a little different today, knowing that the series is coming to an end in a week's time. It's possible that, at the time the show was being written or filmed, the team didn't know that this would be the final season. But it's unfortunate that the penultimate episode of an iconic franchise that just can't die has to be this bland. At just half an hour, it makes me wonder whether events were split between this and next week's finale, rather than crammed into one supersized episode. But once the credits began rolling on season 3, episode 11, I caught myself saying aloud, 'That's it?' After Carrie finally gets together with her neighbor and writing partner Duncan in the previous episode, he's nowhere to be found. The show jumps ahead to Thanksgiving, as Carrie is ordering pies at her favorite bakery for the dinner Miranda is hosting. The errand has brought her back to her old neighborhood, which leads her to stroll down her old street and run into Lisette, the stylish jewelry designer who now lives in Carrie's old apartment. Carrie jokes that she wants her place back, but the closest she'll get to moving in again (for now) is an invite to a party with Lisette and her friends. Carrie's future is a little up in the air at this point. That's clear in the semi-autobiographical historical novel she hands in. Her publisher loves it, but believes it's missing a final chapter. Carrie's protagonist, 'the woman,' ends the story alone after the love of her life dies. That might be normal in 2025, but it would've been a tragedy in 1846, when the story is set. So now Carrie must write an epilogue that 'makes the reader feel good' and reflects her own journey, too. Will she end the series with a new love interest or continue to fly solo? Will she stay in her new apartment, move back, or find a new place that's just right? Anthony also finds himself facing a big question. While shopping at Bergdorf's, Giuseppe gets down on one knee and proposes in the dressing room. Anthony tearfully says yes. It seems like happily ever after for the bread-baking duo, but Anthony later reveals that he's having second thoughts. He only accepted the proposal because he can't say no to Giuseppe. Given their age gap, Anthony doesn't know if he's supposed to 'marry him or mommy him.' Speaking of moms, Miranda is excited to host Thanksgiving, and gets a little too eager and invites Mia, the mother of Brady's child (played by Ella Stiller, Ben Stiller's daughter). After last week's disastrous encounter at the hair salon, it's surprising Miranda still wants to forge a relationship with this woman—and Brady is understandably angry at her for inviting Mia behind his back. Seema is also fretting about her Thanksgiving plans. She's set to meet Adam's sister—a big step in their relationship—on the holiday, although Adam tries to downplay the event. (He doesn't celebrate Thanksgiving.) Meanwhile, Harry's also in his feels and doesn't want to go to Miranda's dinner. He reveals to Charlotte that when he was first diagnosed with cancer, one thing he kept telling himself was that he wanted to 'make it to Thanksgiving,' and now that it's finally here, he wants to be able to celebrate it with his family in a more intimate way. Charlotte hears him out and wonders why he didn't tell her sooner. Besides, Charlotte is more concerned about her child Rock's school production of Thoroughly Modern Millie. Rock is playing the titular role in the musical, and the first time Charlotte sees them in full costume—makeup, wig, and all—she's overcome with emotion. Rock is wearing blush and a bright red flapper dress as they step out of the bathroom. They appear before Charlotte in a glowy haze, walking in slow motion. Charlotte later tells her friends that she thought Rock looked so grown-up and 'pretty' in that moment, but she didn't know if she's allowed to say that to her nonbinary kid. The night of the play, Charlotte watches Rock sing and dance in awe. (For what it's worth, Rock makes a great theater kid!) Notably, the number they're shown performing is 'Forget About the Boy,' which mirrors Charlotte's own desire to forget about Rock's nonbinary identity. I get that Charlotte probably dreamed of having another daughter, but it feels a little weird to see her impose this feminine identity on her child, wishing they were something they aren't. After everything both Rock and Charlotte have gone through the past three seasons, shouldn't Charlotte be a more supportive parent by now? Herbert is grieving too, as he's reminded of his election loss with every parent he faces at the school. Well-wishers try to comfort him for losing to a 'community activist in bad shoes.' (Interesting timing as this season coincides with another high-profile New York election.) When Carrie gets to Lisette's place, she realizes some changes have been made. There is a wall splitting the unit in half (so much for the renovation Aidan did all those years ago), with Lisette living on one side and her roommate in the other. This isn't the home she once knew. This episode makes clear that Carrie's new apartment in Gramercy is now too big for her. She initially got it hoping to start a life with Aidan, but that didn't work out. And now Duncan has, rather unceremoniously, moved out of the basement unit too—off to resume his life in London. Seema mentions that Carrie should buy the bottom-floor unit because Duncan is not coming back, and she'll get more for it when she resells the full property. Carrie isn't sure she's ready for that yet. But it's not like she's going to move back to her old place, which is now unrecognizable. So she keeps writing. There are a lot of loose ends waiting to be tied up in the finale, like: Seema meeting Adam's family; whether Charlotte finally comes to terms with Rock's identity; whether Miranda, Brady, and Mia form a new family unit; and whether Lisa makes any lifestyle changes to embrace better work-life balance. Most of all, the ending of And Just Like That... will reveal 'the woman''s fate, and Carrie's own.
Elle
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Elle
Sarita Choudhury Feels ‘Lucky' She Didn't See That Infamous Trey Scene in 'The O.C.'
Sarita Choudhury makes a point of avoiding the ever-fervent And Just Like That… discourse. 'I protect myself by not reading anything,' says the veteran stage and screen actress, who portrays the ultra-confident and unapologetically sexy real estate broker Seema Patel on the Sex and the City sequel series. But last week, news broke that Choudhury couldn't avoid—even on vacation in Spain. A day after she jumped on Zoom to speak with ELLE, series creator Michael Patrick King and star Sarah Jessica Parker dropped the bombshell that And Just Like That… would end with the remaining two episodes of the current third season. Immediately after, Choudhury reposted Parker's tribute in her Instagram Story, but has otherwise remained quiet. (Her representatives declined to comment.) In 2021, Choudhury—whose career took off after starring opposite Denzel Washington in Mira Nair's 1991 film, Mississippi Masala, and recently stole scenes in Fallout and Ramy—joined three-fourths of the original SATC cast in And Just Like That... After helping a widowed Carrie (Parker) sell the apartment she shared with Big (Chris Noth), Seema filled out an expanded and more diverse circle of high-powered, well-dressed, and quick-witted women that's actually representative of New York City. She brings the single, child-free, and self-made woman energy to the group—which sometimes elicits an oversimplified comparison to Kim Cattrall's Samantha. But in AJLT's now-final season, Seema embarks on an uncharted and revealing journey that feels much higher-stakes than when she was a victim of Birkin bag theft. Professionally, Seema—at the top of her game in a posh real estate agency—is thrown for a loop with her business partner and friend, Elliott (John Glover) announces early retirement. Instead of elevating her to sole owner of Proust & Patel, like originally promised, Elliott sells his controlling shares to Owning Manhattan's showboating deal-closer Ryan Serhant. Bouncing back from her initial shock and humiliation, a resolute Seema starts her own luxury boutique agency. But she encounters hurdles along the way, like getting real about her finances, swapping her chauffeured car for an MTA card, and braving a case of pink eye, thanks to her budget-friendly, but hygienically-challenged neighborhood lash spot. After breaking up with smooth but distracted movie director Ravi Gordi (Armin Amiri), Seema finds an instant spark with Carrie's crunchy, hunky landscaper Adam, played by Logan Marshall-Green, a.k.a. The OC's Chino hothead, Trey Atwood. Choudhury, however, didn't watch the mid-aughts teen drama, so she wouldn't have been preoccupied by, say, memories of a comatose Trey after Marissa (Mischa Barton) shot him. 'I'm lucky I didn't,' says Choudhury. Adam, who's at ease with his own feelings (maybe due to his close relationship with his late hippie, artist mother) plays a perfect foil to the bold, but emotionally guarded Seema. With Adam, she learns to be vulnerable and honestly express her feelings, which is perhaps a more daunting prospect than starting her own business. Behind the scenes of AJLT, Choudhury settled into a groove, too, especially with filming raucous lunch scenes with the rest of the main cast. 'The group scenes are now my favorite, because it's the only time I get to see everyone and we get to hang out in the makeup trailer before,' says Choudhury, who at first feared those moments back in season 1. 'Those lunch scenes in Sex and the City back in the day were iconic. So in my head, I was like, 'It doesn't even make sense for me to sit at that lunch table.' It was too meta for me. But now, it's completely the opposite.' Choudhury explains she quickly found her footing in season 1, largely because the original cast members, Parker, Cynthia Nixon, and Kristin Davis, were so supportive and welcoming. 'The original girls are so amazing. They're so normal. It's shocking. That's why it was actually very easy [to settle in],' she says. 'You don't feel that pressure on the set. I mean, it's women in their 50s hanging out. Everyone has children, and there's so many things that we're juggling.' While Choudhury ignores her social mentions and comment section, she welcomes the fans who approach her on the street—many of whom are rooting for Seema and Adam. 'They're super excited and they just give me a lot of energy,' says Choudhury. 'I've never experienced that. I've never done a show with that kind of energy.' Ahead, Choudhury—who was extremely careful not to reveal finale spoilers—discusses why Adam is different from other guys, a time when she felt like she lost her power, and how she takes inspiration from her character during a 'shake up.' I didn't actually take anything from my own. I got the help from MPK [Michael Patrick King]. There were two scenes, specifically, where you're being told something, and people are watching your expression, you're covering up, but you can't help but show [emotion] a bit. When we were shooting, MPK was like, '[Seema] covers up immediately, and then her awkwardness or vulnerability [later] betrays it. But she would never [reveal it immediately in the moment].' So she'll take the champagne and be like, 'Well, that's for me. I deserve it.' Because she's in a business suit, in the meeting, being told she's not getting the company or being valued for all that work. I think I do that. I think we all do that, where you have the facial reaction and then, later, you have the phone call or the road trip with Carrie. But in terms of my life, as an actor, you go through it all the time. Because everything is about your artistic desire versus what you're receiving. Maybe the job doesn't align perfectly with what you want. Or we audition and don't get the part. We're so good at rejection as actors. I'm really enjoying it in season 3. Because in season 1, it was more, 'Oh, I need to pull this off, because I'm so different from Seema.' This comedy, mixed in with a very grounded—oddly—story, is an opportunity I've had in theater, but never really on screen. So it's been fun to be agile. It's like doing math. You literally have to figure out the comedy and keep it real. It's new for me and I love it now. I remember realizing, 'Oh, my God, this is the rom-com moment.' Everyone probably thinks Seema's really tough, but I think every woman wants that moment. Every other scene with Adam before that was sparring with words and Seema just making fun of [him] because she liked him. You do that when you're 12 years old; that's how she was behaving. So for me, that scene was just like, 'It's happening, so just let it happen and enjoy it.' It's that moment you can't quite believe it's happening, and there's part of your brain that just is like, 'Don't talk. Just accept it. It's so beautiful. Oh my god.' I think I was having that realization even though everyone is staring at me, and there is a side to it that's just so outlandish. Logan is so good at this. [Adam] is so grounded and he watches, and that disarms her. Because I think she's the watcher and the mover. Like, she says something, and he matches it with a phrase. It's like Beatrice and Benedict in Much Ado About Nothing. They're not the ones that are supposed to fall in love. They're constantly sparring. Of course, as you're watching it, you're like, 'Of course, they're gonna get together.' He's the only one who doesn't let it go. He's matching her word for word. He touches her … like [removing her] eyelash and coming in that close and touching her face. I don't think Seema was used to that on any level. Again, as women, we love that, but we don't know how to tell a guy to be like that. You can't train someone to be like that. A guy is like that or not. Yeah, his hands are in the dirt every day with things that are growing. He's just the opposite of Seema. It's the kind of thing, when you're so happy in your own world, and then a friend or someone just goes, 'Yeah, but…'' Like, reminding me of something I wanted to do, as if I hadn't remembered myself. It's embarrassing. [For Seema], it's like, 'Well, you think you're on top of the world with everything, but then why is your love life always such a sham?' Even in her business mind, she's like, 'Wait a minute, the equation is not working. Let me try and play with this equation.' But within three wrong sentences, either from the brilliant Cheri Oteri, or from the guy on the date, she's out. She's not gonna give anything too long. I never thought I'd feel this, because I know it's a scene where I'm playing the character doing this. But when I saw the costume options, I was literally appalled. I've played Seema long enough, but it kind of shocked me. I felt like an imposter, even with the straightened hair. It was perfect for that [scene]. Because you could wear pastels in the style that you usually dress and still feel some odd power. It felt like I had no angle that I was used to! So I lost my power. I didn't know how to navigate these colors and clothes. Oh, wow. [Long pause.] It's funny because we get the scripts ahead of time by a few or maybe five days. But I remember, as we were hitting this area, I was even thinking, 'Oh my god, what is going to happen?' Because, with shows, sometimes you open the script that's just been sent to you, and you're praying—because some story lines you enjoy—and you're like, 'Oh, please don't shift this one away.' So I can't give anything away, obviously, but the question you are asking is exactly how I felt as an actor at this point in the series. I remember thinking, 'Oh my god, what are they going to do with the last?'—especially because there's only a few left. I did not know what was going to happen. I know that doesn't answer your question. But I'm aligned with you in asking it. Oh I know, it's inspiring to me too, because we all get shaken up—or need shaking up—and I don't know which one is truer. Because she's a so-called 'strong woman,' it's kind of great to see, 'Oh, how did she deal with it?' Because, I need to learn that all the time. This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
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First Post
03-08-2025
- Entertainment
- First Post
HBO's show 'And Just Like That ...' to end after third season
Michael Patrick King, showrunner of the 'Sex and the City' sequel 'And Just Like That …,' announced on Instagram that the series will end after the third season concludes read more And just like that, a universe of fun, friendship and fashion is coming to an end. Michael Patrick King, showrunner of the 'Sex and the City' sequel 'And Just Like That …,' announced on Instagram that the series will end after the third season concludes. Fans have a two-part finale to savor later this month. 'It's with great gratitude we thank all the viewers who have let these characters into their homes and their hearts over these many years,' he wrote. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD King said he decided to wrap things up while writing the season's final episode. He then split the finale into two episodes. The last episode will drop Aug. 14. In a long, heartfelt Instagram post of her own, Sarah Jessica Parker, who played the iconic Carrie Bradshaw character in both series, called the sequel 'all joy, adventure, the greatest kind of hard work alongside the most extraordinary talent.' She included a montage of Carrie's fashion and moments. Parker added: 'I am better for every single day I spent with you. It will be forever before I forget. The whole thing. Thank you all. I love you so.' Parker, Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon returned for the sequel. Largely absent was Kim Cattrall and her Samantha Jones, though Cattrall did make a brief, uncredited cameo in the Season 2 finale. Samantha's absence was explained as a move to London. Reports of pay and personal disputes bubbled over behind the scenes. The original series ran from 1998 to 2004, taking pop culture by storm with the style and drama of the 30-something friends in New York City. They shopped. They brunched. They dated, leaning on each other as Parker's Carrie, a writer, chronicled it all. The sequel picks up their lives in their mid-50s, to mixed reviews. Carrie became a widow. Nixon's Miranda Hobbes came out as queer. Davis' Charlotte York Goldenblatt copes with husband Harry's prostate cancer diagnosis. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Fashion remains ever-present, including all those iconic heels still clacking through New York's brownstone-lined streets. In her farewell post, Parker wrote of her stylish Carrie that she, 'Changed homes, time zones, boyfriends, her mind, her shoes, her hair, but never her love and devotion to New York City.' She called Carrie 'my professional heartbeat for 27 years.'
Express Tribune
02-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
‘And Just Like That…' is officially cancelled after Season 3
HBO Max has confirmed that And Just Like That…, the revival and sequel to Sex and the City, will conclude with its third season. Showrunner Michael Patrick King made the announcement on August 1, explaining that while writing the season's final episode, he realized it was a natural endpoint for the series. The season was extended from 10 to 12 episodes to accommodate a two-part finale airing on August 7 and August 14, respectively. Sarah Jessica Parker, who has portrayed Carrie Bradshaw since 1998, shared an emotional post on Instagram in response. She reflected on her 27-year journey with the character, describing Carrie as someone who 'broke hearts, heels and habits' and expressing gratitude for the fans and creative team. Parker wrote that both she and King recognised that this chapter had reached a satisfying conclusion, calling the production process 'joy, adventure, the greatest kind of hard work alongside the most extraordinary talent.' Cynthia Nixon, who revived her role as Miranda Hobbes, posted a touching tribute on her Instagram account, celebrating the friendships, memories, and collaborative experience. She expressed that while she will deeply miss her co-stars, 'we will always be a part of each other's lives' and teased surprises in the final episodes. Kristin Davis, who plays Charlotte York, described herself as 'profoundly sad' in a post shared on Instagram. She thanked the 'whole beautiful cast and crew' and reassured fans of the show's lasting impact. She emphasized gratitude to the 400 artisans involved in producing the series and reiterated appreciation to viewers for their ongoing support. Other cast members echoed similar sentiments. Actor Mario Cantone called his work on the show 'a beautiful journey,' while younger cast members such as Alexa Swinton (Rock) and Alexander Bello (Henry) shared personal reflections about growth and gratitude from their time on set. Bello noted how the series shaped his adolescence, beginning as a seventh grader and ending as he prepares to head off to college. The decision to end the series appears to be a creative choice rather than a cancellation due to underperformance. While viewership declined over successive seasons, the producers and lead cast have framed this as closing a story on their own terms, a final creative closing for the Sex and the City universe. As the last two episodes approach, fans are engaging in reflection, anticipation, and mourning for a franchise that has spanned over two decades.
