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Business Insider
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Business Insider
Here's the best advice for the Class of 2025 from 10 notable graduation speakers
High-profile writers, doctors, entrepreneurs, and actors are making their annual rounds through college commencement ceremonies. They're dispensing some of their best advice to new grads preparing to take on the challenges that lie ahead, talking about everything from taking chances, surrounding yourself with the right people, and understanding your place in an AI-enabled workplace. Here are some standout pieces of advice to the Class of 2025 from 10 commencement speakers. Tech journalist Steven Levy "You do have a great future ahead of you, no matter how smart and capable ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Llama get," author and tech journalist Steven Levy told graduates at the Temple University College of Liberal Arts on May 7. "And here is the reason: You have something that no computer can ever have. It's a superpower, and every one of you has it in abundance," he said, according to Wired. "The lords of AI are spending hundreds of billions of dollars to make their models think like accomplished humans. You have just spent four years at Temple University learning to think as accomplished humans. The difference is immeasurable," he said. Actor Jennifer Coolidge "When you find the thing that you want to do, I really want to highly recommend — just friggin' go for it," Jennifer Coolidge, the star of HBO's White Lotus, told graduates at Emerson College on May 12. "You really have to psych yourself up into bleeding absurd possibilities, and you have to believe that they are not absurd because there's nothing foolish or accidental about expecting things that are unattainable for yourself." Kermit the Frog Everyone's favorite Muppet shared "a little advice — if you're willing to listen to a frog" at the University of Maryland's commencement ceremony on May 22. "Rather than jumping over someone to get what you want, consider reaching out your hand and taking the leap side by side. Because life is better when we leap together." Actor Elizabeth Banks "You're about to enter the incredibly competitive job market, so I can understand why you believe that life is a zero-sum game, that there's only so much opportunity to go around," actor Elizabeth Banks told graduates of the University of Pennsylvania on May 19. "And if one person takes a bigger slice, everyone else has to make a smaller slice, and the total size of the pie remains the same. And that is true with actual pie," she said. "But not with life, not with opportunity. So my advice to you is, as much as possible from here on out, take yourself out of that mindset." Physician and author Abraham Verghese Physician and author Abraham Verghese told Harvard graduates on May 29 to "make your decisions worthy of those who supported, nurtured, and sacrificed for you." "The decisions you will make in the future under pressure will say something about your character, while they also shape and transform you in unexpected ways," he said. Verghese also encouraged the Class of 2025 to read fiction. "To paraphrase Camus, fiction is the great lie that tells the truth about how the world lives," he said. "And if you don't read fiction, my considered medical opinion is that a part of your brain responsible for active imagination atrophies." Actor Henry Winkler Actor Henry Winkler spoke about the power of positive thinking in his May 17 address to graduates of the Georgetown University College of Arts & Sciences. "A negative thought comes into your mind, you say out loud — you say out loud — 'I am sorry, I have no time for you now,'" he said. "Yes, people will look at you very strangely. But it doesn't matter. Because it becomes your habit." Instead, when faced with doubts and negative thoughts about your goals, "you move it out; you move a positive in," he said. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell told graduates of Princeton University on May 25 that "the combination of luck, the courage to make mistakes, and a little initiative can lead to much success." "We risk failure, awkwardness, embarrassment, and rejection," he said. "But that's how we create the career opportunities, the great friendships, and the loves that make life worth living." He reminded graduates that "each of us is a work in progress" and "the possibilities for self-improvement are limitless." "The vast majority of what you need to know about work, about relationships, about yourself, about life, you have yet to learn," Powell said. "And that itself is a tremendous gift." Y Combinator cofounder Jessica Livingston Jessica Livingston, cofounder of startup accelerator Y Combinator, told Bucknell University graduates to "find the interesting people." "Talk to people. Get introduced to new people. Find the people that you think are interesting, and then ask what they're working on. And if you find yourself working at a place where you don't like the people, get out," she said in her May 18 speech. She also advised the Class of 2025 that "you can reinvent yourself" at any time. "If you want to, you can just decide to shift gears at this point, and no one's going to tell you you can't," she said. "You can just decide to be more curious, or more responsible, or more energetic, and no one's going to look up your college grades and say, 'Hey, wait a minute. This person's supposed to be a slacker!'" S&P Global CEO Martina L. Cheung "Don't collect promotions. Collect experiences," S&P Global President and CEO Martina L. Cheung told graduates of George Mason University. In her May 15 address, Cheung shared how lateral moves in her own career later prepared her for promotions. "Most people think of their careers as a ladder," she said. "They see the goal as climbing the ladder with promotions or leaving one job to take a bigger one elsewhere. The truth is, moving up is not the only direction. It's not even always the best direction. Sometimes it's the lateral move." YouTuber Hank Green Writer and science YouTuber Hank Green reminded MIT graduates in his May 29 speech to stay curious. "Your curiosity is not out of your control," he said. "You decide how you orient it, and that orientation is going to affect the entire rest of your life. It may be the single most important factor in your career." Green also emphasized the importance of taking chances on your ideas. "Ideas do not belong in your head," he said. "They can't help anyone in there. I sometimes see people become addicted to their good idea. They love it so much, they can't bring themselves to expose it to the imperfection of reality. Stop waiting. Get the ideas out. You may fail, but while you fail, you will build new tools." He closed his speech on this inspiring note: "Do not forget how special and bizarre it is to get to live a human life. It took 3 billion years for the Earth to go from single-celled life forms to you. That's more than a quarter of the life of the entire universe. Something very special and strange is happening on this planet and it is you."
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Cosmetics giant to acquire Hailey Bieber's Rhode in colossal $1 BILLION deal
E.l.f. Cosmetics has acquired Hailey Bieber 's skincare and beauty line, Rhode, in a new deal that is worth $1 billion, the companies announced Wednesday. Bieber first launched the much-anticipated brand in June 2022, releasing only three products at the time - Peptide Glazing Fluid, Barrier Restore Cream, and Peptide Lip Treatment. Since then, the brand has grown immensely, expanding into different tinted lip products, blush and even viral phone cases made to fit your lip gloss inside. 'e.l.f. Beauty found a like-minded disruptor in rhode,' said e.l.f. Chairman and CEO Tarang Amin Wednesday, per Business Wire. 'rhode further diversifies our portfolio with a fast-growing brand that makes the best of prestige accessible,' his statement continued. 'We are excited by rhode's ability to break beauty barriers, fully aligning with e.l.f. Beauty's vision to create a different kind of company. rhode is a beautiful brand that we believe is ready for rocketship growth.' e.l.f. cosmetics is currently sold at a variety of stores, like Ulta and Walmart. They offer all different kinds of makeup products at relatively low price points, with mega stars like Jennifer Coolidge working as a spokesperson over the past year.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
These Celebrities Gave College Commencement Speeches With the Best Advice for 2025 Grads
Every year, celebrities, businesspeople, politicians, artists, and more get asked to address a graduating class in a commencement speech. The moment, which is usually equally exciting to the honoree as it is to the university, can shape how the graduates feel about their future after their cap and gown days. Will they leave her inspired? Will they go for their dreams? To Usher, who was asked to deliver the commencement speech for Emory University to the 2025 graduating class this year, the honor was quite a milestone. So much so that he proudly wrote every word in his speech, and even shared the process with the New York Times. More from SheKnows 16 Gifts 2025 High School Graduates Will Find Way More Useful Than a Card Full of Cash 'There's a beginning, there's a middle and there's an end, and within that process, what you choose to make people feel,' he told the outlet. 'Do they smile? Do they think? Do they laugh? Do they cry? Are they angry? Are they motivated?' 'In the same way I've figured out how tone and algorithm and cadence work in music, it does the same in speech,' he said. Together with Usher, find out what other stars added 'Commencement Speaker' to their resume this year below! The White Lotus star Jennifer Coolidge left Emerson College graduates giggling in their seats during their commencement ceremony on May 11. In her speech, Coolidge remembered some of her biggest dreams, including her dream of becoming the queen of Monaco after seeing a picture of Grace Kelly in a magazine. 'In retrospect, it was the one and only thing I really had going for me,' the Emmy winner said. 'I had this thing inside of me telling me that I could achieve anything, anything, in this world, and there was just nothing to back it up.' 'When you find the thing that you want to do, I really want to highly recommend, just friggin' go for it,' she told the graduates. 'You really have to psych yourself up into believing absurd possibilities, and you have to believe that they are not absurd.' Bones star Emily Deschanel delivered an inspiring speech for her Alma Mater, Boston University. In it, she talked about the importance of empathy in all circumstances, no matter where their journeys lead them. 'Empathy isn't weakness,' she said. 'It's not about letting people off the hook for their behavior and choices. It's about understanding what led to those choices so you can decide how to respond from a place of authenticity.' Usher proudly delivered Emory University's commencement speech this year after receiving an honorary doctorate from the institution. In his speech, the 'Yeah!' singer talked about one of the biggest challenges he faced when he first moved to Atlanta, Georgia. 'I was academically so far behind that I was unable to keep up and the staff at the school that I attended didn't have the resources to help me, so I was assigned to remedial classes, which at the time felt like a judgment on my ability,' he remembered. 'As a young Black man, or a kid at the time, I was discouraged.' 'The system doesn't always understand, and it doesn't always celebrate passion; however, before I could sing, before I could dance, or before I was a doctor, I had passion,' he said. 'Sometimes, you may be passed on; someone, for some reason, may not understand or feel the same as you do, but if you change your mindset, you can blaze a new trail in the system.' Saturday Night Live legend Molly Shannon took her Alma Mater by storm in her hilarious commencement speech at NYU. 'Whatever road you choose to follow, you will hit bumps,' Shannon told students, per Washington Square News. 'These bumps will make you feel stuffed or like a failure, or make you regret choosing to go down that road in the first place — the key is how you react.' Henry Winkler surely gave graduates chills when he delivered his speech to Georgetown University's College of Arts & Sciences. 'You can be the voice of the children before they ever take their first step, before they ever speak their first word,' Hinkler said in his speech. 'I want to tell you — I don't know you, I met some of you, I took some selfies, I met a future reporter, but for the most part, I don't know you — but I'm telling you from my gedeyrem, from my center, I am so proud of you.' 'I am proud of how you got yourself into these chairs. And I cannot wait to see who you become,' he continued. 'This world is yours now. And this world needs fixing. And I pray to the heavens that you are the fixers. I say to you now, go!' Elizabeth Banks was thrilled to return to her Alma Mater this year and deliver her commencement speech at the University of Pennsylvania. In her speech, she looked back at some moments in her college days, and how some of those lessons shaped her attitude moving forward. In one moment, she talked about how one class had mandatory attendance, and that any absence would deduct a half grade. After getting an A in most of the semester, there was one class she couldn't make because of a family wedding she needed to attend. 'In the end, I went to my cousin's wedding and I took the hit,' she told the crowd. 'I drove to Tennessee with my family, including my grandmother, who sat in the middle seat for seven hours. I had a wonderful time. My Grammy passed away soon after and my cousin, just a few years older than me, she's gone now too. I have never regretted that choice. I didn't graduate summa cum laude and that's never come up, not once.' 'The profound lesson I learned through all this was that our values conflict sometimes and it's making choices in those moments that help you clarify who you are and what you value in this world,' she reflected. 'And that's adulting.' 'It's not just cleaning your hair out of the drain of a shared shower or sink, which you should absolutely do. It's the series of decisions you make when your values conflict, GPA or family, creativity or security, loyalty or personal growth, love or money,' she said. 'Your path is guaranteed to be paved with these decisions.' While Regina Hall's full speech isn't available online, it's clear that delivering her commencement speech at Fordham University meant a lot to her. 'What I don't remember is my GPA, I don't remember many of my tests or exams, what I do remember are the people who helped me type papers late at night, my professors, who took extra time with instructions and support, because college is not merely an academic institution,' she said. 'It's a stepping stone to building independence and testing the limits of your moral compass.' 'So we look to you to hold humanity to the highest standard, to remind us of our divine nature,' she continued. 'You will exemplify the excellence that resides in us all.' We all know Sheryl Lee Ralph absolutely commands the screen as Barbara in Abbott Elementary, so it's no surprise that she was an incredible speaker at Tulane University's commencement ceremony this year. 'When I told my cast members at Abbott Elementary, Quinta [Brunson] said, 'Oh my God, Tulane! It's not just a university. It's a special place,'' Ralph said in her speech. 'That's when I realized Tulane isn't just a school,' she reflected. 'It's a living, breathing testament to resilience, innovation, and the power of community. And today, I have the immense joy of speaking to the unstoppable, unshakable, undeniable Class of 2025.' LeVar Burton called Howard University 'the Mecca' in his commencement speech a Howard University. In it, he looked back at his first job as an actor on Roots in 1977. 'My very first day as a professional actor, Cicely Tyson played my mother and Maya Angelou played my grandmother,' he said. 'I was plucked from the college ranks and found myself in the deep end of the pool filled with heroes and legends. Thank God I didn't drown.' 'It has been an honor of my lifetime to have represented the Black experience in America, from our enslavement to boldly going to the stars,' he said, also referencing his role in Star Trek. 'Remember that you are the descended from some of the most resilient souls in the history of humanity,' he said at the end. 'And whatever you do, do not allow fear to paralyze you into non-action.' Today Show co-host Al Roker inspired a whole graduating class with his speech at Siena College. 'Truth matters, and that's never been more relevant than right now,' he said in his speech. 'We are in a moment when truth is under attack, when the loudest voice, too often, drowns out the most honest one, where misinformation spreads faster than facts, and that's why your voices matter.' 'Whether you're going into journalism, business, science, art, education, public service, your responsibility is the same: To lead with integrity,' he said. 'To ground yourself and those around you in truth. To resist the temptation to chase viral over vital. And when you run into somebody — like I did early in my career in Cleveland — who tries to reduce you to a stereotype or just a number or throws ignorance in your face, you don't let that define you. You define the moment.' Meagan Good also delivered a commencement speech this year, this time to the graduates at Old Dominion University. 'Walk in purpose,' she said. 'Each and every one of you has a distinct path, a purpose that is uniquely yours. Keep your vision alive. There will be moments when others cannot see your vision, they might doubt you, they may question your choices, judge you, or try to dim your light. But remember, your vision was not given to them. It was entrusted to you. Protect it, nurture it, and chase it with all the passion you possess.' President Donald Trump delivered the longest speech on this list to the University of Alabama. Trump spoke for over 58 minutes, and, according to PBS, alternated in his speech between inspirational messages to the graduates and speaking of his own politics. 'Now is the time to work harder than you've ever worked before,' he told the graduates. 'Find your limits and then smash through everything.' Best of SheKnows 23 Famous Women Over 40 Who Have Posed For Gorgeous Nude Photoshoots Gabrielle Union, Olivia Munn & 44 More Celebrities Who Keep It Refreshingly Real on Social Media 15 Things You Probably Never Knew About Kelly Clarkson
The South African
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The South African
Jennifer Coolidge inspires graduates to chase ‘absurd possibilities'
Hollywood star Jennifer Coolidge delivered a memorable and heartfelt commencement speech to Emerson College's 2025 graduates. The actress urged the young graduates to boldly pursue their dreams, no matter how wild or 'absurd' those dreams might seem. Jennifer Coolidge, 63, once walked the very same halls of Emerson College in Boston. This was before leaving to chase her Hollywood ambitions, according to People. She shared candid stories from her childhood and early career, encouraging the graduates to 'just friggin' go for it.' Her message resonated deeply, especially for South African youth who face their unique challenges in carving out a future. Jennifer began by recalling a childhood memory that many can relate to – a moment of both triumph and embarrassment. As a young girl, she raced through an obstacle course at school, convinced she had won. But she hadn't completed the course properly and was disqualified. 'I realised I was going to go the rest of my life as a joke,' she said. This moment of ridicule could have crushed her spirit. Instead, it sparked a powerful shift. 'I began to completely live in my head,' Jennifer explained. 'But it also gave me insane expectations for myself – and I believed they were going to come true.' Her dreams took a royal turn when she saw a magazine featuring Grace Kelly's wedding. 'I wanted to be the queen of Monaco,' she joked. 'Looking back, it was the one thing I had going for me. I had this thing inside me telling me I could achieve anything – even if there was nothing to back it up.' Jennifer Coolidge's speech was peppered with humour and wisdom. She told the graduates: 'When you find the thing you want to do, just friggin' go for it. Psych yourself up to believe in absurd possibilities. And believe that they're not absurd.' Her words carry weight for South Africans, especially young people navigating a complex job market and social challenges. Believing in oneself, despite setbacks or societal doubts, is crucial. Jennifer admitted she was 'overly sensitive' and often felt like she was 'recovering' from rejection or criticism. 'Don't listen to the people who mess up the real story you've got going,' she urged. 'You have to convince yourself you can make it.' Jennifer Coolidge's advice is universal but especially relevant for South African graduates stepping into a world full of uncertainty. 'It doesn't matter what anyone thinks or says,' she said. 'When it comes to the obstacle course of your life, find your path. You can't perfectly plan it. Part of directing your life is just letting it unfold. So let it.' Her speech reminds us all: life is unpredictable. Success often comes from resilience, belief, and daring to dream big – even if those dreams seem absurd at first. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Buzz Feed
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
If You're In Your Thirties, Here Are 27 Chic, Lightweight Pieces You'll Want In Your Spring Closet
A corset lace-up sundress that kind of reminds me of Gabriella's finale dress in High School Musical when in red, tbh. It's lightweight and flowy, and — wait for it — it looks extremely similar to the House of CB version that costs over $200 👀. A two-piece casual set more comfortable than me on my couch watching TRL way back when (so, comfortable). It comes complete with a short-sleeved button-down and matching drawstring shorts. Plus, the pattern options are giving ~vacation~ which I KNOW you're in need of! An affordable, Lululemon-esque longline sports bra featuring built-in padding, meaning you don't need to wear a bra. I repeat, NO BRA NEEDED! If you're like me and throw your bra across the room like a shotput Olympic champion when you get home... just get this top now. Oh and you can hike, work out, and do yoga comfortably in it too, but you know, minor detail in comparison. A Levi's classic denim jacket with no fancy frills but that brings all the effortless style you can imagine — the key to easy styling. This timeless piece has four pockets, a slightly cropped cut for style points, and the versatility to wear layered with a hoodie on a grocery run or a tulle skirt in front of the Eiffel Tower. A pair of durable, comfortable classic white sneakers because these days, I refuse to hear my dogs bark for the sake of a cute but uncomfortable logo or brand name. With these shoes, you'll get style, comfort, and the versatility of having a great white shoe that goes with ~everything~. And yes, reviewers rave they're extremely lightweight, too. A flowy tiered dress you'll love if your style inspo was Jennifer Coolidge in Legally Blonde *and* Jennifer Coolidge in The White Lotus. It's called range, people! And this sweet and simple dress truly has it. Some stretchy wide-leg jeans that look sooo old school with the cutest button details in front, the ultra-high waist, and the adorable straight-leg fit. If Mandy Moore would have rocked these in her 'Candy' era, that's immediate permission that you can, too! We don't do plain and simple over here, not even with our denim. A pair of super lightweight ruffled elastic shorts — something you can easily throw on and go but will still have that element of chicness you're looking for. A drawstring bodycon dress because it's cute, comfortable, AND the perfect amount of thickness for a nice spring day. The high neckline is gorge, but my favorite part is the adjustable ruching on each side. A well-constructed satin midi skirt that'll fit so well you'll think you're being Punk'd. Don't worry — no Ashton Kutcher jump scares, just a comfortable elastic waistband and soft-to-touch, lightweight material for you to enjoy all season long. A smocked mini dress worthy of every romantic picnic, bestie brunch, and exciting vacation in your future. It's *incredibly* comfortable and stretchy, so much so that many reviewers consider it the perfect "grow with me" dress during pregnancy! A versatile floral mesh top with a mock neck and long sleeves, making it *perfect* for springtime layering! Wear this beauty under your favorite dress or on top of a basic spaghetti strap tank, and you'll be bound to have heads turning and people asking, "Where did you get that top!?" Many reviewers even compare it to a much pricier brand that shall not be named 👀. A button-down blouse because you can wear it on its own, as a cover-up, as a light layer — really, the options are endless. It's a classic piece you need in your closet, no matter the season. A breezy long-sleeve crochet swimsuit cover-up so that you're prepared to hit the beach or the pool as soon as the warm weather arrives — no time shall be wasted! Now grab your copy of Britney's The Woman In Me memoir to read for the third time, but this time... ~stylishly~ poolside. A pair of chic striped linen pants worthy of being worn as a pool cover-up, but they're honestly *so* much more. Wear them running errands, on a coffee date, while you're singing Mariah Carey-oke — anything! Or a pair of affordable drawstring wide-leg pants that give a similar vibe and come in solid colors. The relaxed fit of these linen-blend beauties will make them your spring go-to from now on. A square-neck top feautring buttery smooth "smoke cloud" fabric and beautiful spring-worthy color options that'll make you want to buy multiple. It's the perfect choice on a nice warm evening — phew I can't wait for those! A stylish and breathable off-shoulder jumpsuit you can wear while relaxing at home, but easily throw a classic blazer on top when you've got an important meeting. With the jogger-style bottom, you're sure to be comfortable and (effortlessly) cute all day long. A dreamy, airy V-neck linen dress that'll last you yearssss to come. This Etsy shop specializes in clothing that'll never go out of style and will last through seasons and seasonal trends. This may be a future dress your kid will steal out of your closet to wear! A pair of high-waisted flowy pants sure to be your go-to all spring long. The split hem and the wide leg make it an easy choice. (And who wants to squeeze into tight skinny jeans anyway?) A lightweight rickrack-trim sun dress you can wear to the garden wedding, the baby shower, the tropical vacation, and any other warm weather ~events~ that's got you booked and busy this spring! The adorable trim really is the perfect touch, don't ya think? AND a breezy top-and-shorts set if you're just as obsessed with this trim as Bella was obsessed with Edward (IYKYK). It even features pockets! Now that spring has sprung, go ahead and ~spring~ this into your closet, too. A long chiffon skirt whose designer must've been aware of the important three F's: flowy, fun, and floral. This stunning piece has a comfy elastic waistband and comes in an array of vibrant colors that can take any white shirt to new, stylish heights (just look at the reviewers below!). Or a solid-colored flowy maxi skirt if you truly believe that florals in spring are *not* groundbreaking in the least. Luckily there are plenty of options without, including this gorgeous drawstring-waist, tassel-detailed, you-can-wear-it-with-everything maxi! A stylish overall jumpsuit to take a casual T-shirt to the next level. It has deep pockets, a comfy oversized fit, and even comes in tons of cute prints! A two-piece matching linen-blend set complete with a one-shoulder crop top and ~adorable~ high-waisted paper bag-style shorts. According to reviewers, both of these pieces are comfy and breathable, making it the perfect choice for one of your vacation 'fits (as long as you're avoiding the White Lotus resorts). A ~groovy~ pair of flowy chambray pants with a high waist and material so light you'll be tempted to lounge in them... Although these beauties definitely deserve to be seen by the world! The jean look reigns supreme over actual jeans any day. When someone asks how you pulled off the perfect spring wardrobe: Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
