Latest news with #Naked
Indian Express
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Papa CJ on roasts, becoming a leadership coach, and comedy scene in India : ‘If there is anyone to be blamed for vulgarity, it is the audience'
After realising he couldn't sustain a living solely through stand-up in 2007, Papa CJ turned to leadership coaching. His love for the stage never waned, though. Now, after years of staying 'under the radar,' the comedian is back with his India tour, Still Standing Up, produced and promoted by TribeVibe Entertainment, a BookMyShow Enterprise. Ahead of his return, he speaks to us about his journey, roast comedy, favourite cities to perform in, and more. Read the edited excerpts below: Papa CJ: I've published an autobiography titled Naked, which chronicles my journey. Some headlines: Oxford MBA, management consultant, executive coach pre-2008. Coaching began in 2007 in London because I couldn't make ends meet doing only stand-up. Between 2005–07, I performed 700 gigs across the United Kingdom, then moved to Delhi, did two national tours in 2008, and helped set up India's English-language comedy circuit in 2009. In the early years, I focused more on public shows; later, I shifted to corporate gigs. My love has always been for live performance, which is why I never prioritised online content or building a social media following. Odd as it may sound for someone in my field, I'm quite private and not drawn to fame. I'm curious to see how many people will show up now that I've been off the grid for so long. After Covid, with gigs drying up, I returned to coaching. But even that draws heavily on my comedy background. One of my most popular global modules is 'A Comedian's Guide to Communication and Storytelling Strategy,' where I help leaders apply techniques used by stand-up comedians. Papa CJ: I'm a curious person. I don't believe in being boxed in by a title. Steve Jobs said creativity is connecting the dots; I say curiosity is connecting the dots. The more dots you collect, the more connections you can make. And when you dive deeper into each dot, it becomes a circle. Your unique expertise lies where those circles overlap. Papa CJ: I do stand-up because I love it, and I'm happy for anyone who finds success doing what they enjoy. I didn't leave a corporate job to join a creative field just to be in another rat race. Eleanor Roosevelt said, Comparison is the thief of joy. Why would I rob myself of joy when I've got so much to be grateful for? I built platforms to help others grow in this space. It would be foolish to begrudge their success. There's enough room for all of us. To live any other way would be bitter and miserable. A post shared by Papa CJ (@papacj) Papa CJ: The digital boom has given comedians a platform to showcase their work, gain recognition, and build careers. What's been particularly heartening is the rise of comedy in Indian languages. Artists now feel free to be authentically themselves, and our country is rich enough to have audiences for everyone. Papa CJ: I'm not fond of performing roasts. I enjoy watching them, sure, but they often rely on mean-spirited humour, and personally, I'd rather not say those things. Papa CJ: I don't mind teasing or embarrassing people, but I'm not a hurtful person. I do a lot of crowd interaction and leg-pulling, but if I feel someone might genuinely be upset, I steer clear. There's also a big difference between public shows and corporate or private gigs. At a public show, the audience knows what they've come for, so I can push the boundaries. But at a corporate event, my job is to respect the client's brief. Papa CJ: Laughter is the only guarantee. Beyond that, I don't know what I'll do. Unlike my last tour, Naked, which followed a structured narrative, this one is completely open. Each show might vary wildly in terms of material and crowd interaction, from 0 to 100 per cent! Papa CJ: I disagree with the criticism. A comic says something to get a laugh. If the audience laughs, that's why the comic keeps saying it. So if there's anyone to blame for vulgarity, it's the audience. Both comedians and audiences evolve. Once the shock value of a risqué word wears off, you actually need to be funny. No one keeps rewarding crude humour unless the content underneath it is genuinely strong. Papa CJ: Of course. We've all had jokes fall flat. If my best joke doesn't land, I remind the audience I've been doing this for over 20 years, so if they aren't laughing, it's they who've failed. Jokes aside, they're paying to have fun and I'm getting paid to be there. It's in their interest to let loose and enjoy. Papa CJ: I don't watch much online comedy, so I'm not sure who qualifies as 'current crop'. But Vipul Goyal has been bulletproof onstage for 15 years. I'm also biased towards friends, and there are too many of them to name here. Papa CJ: I love understanding what makes different audiences tick. I don't have a specific preference, but there are two caveats. First, I prefer performing for local audiences wherever I go. In Cambodia, for instance, my crowd was all expats –– I felt silly flying all the way there just to perform for Australians and Brits. Second, I love performing in India. Having grown up here, I'm fluent in the cultural nuances. That gives me the freedom to play much more onstage. Papa CJ: Absolutely. I wouldn't have survived 17 years doing stand-up in this country if that weren't true. Also, India is too diverse to describe with a single label. That richness is reflected in our comedy audiences too. Shweta Sharma leads the lifestyle section at Over the years, she has written about culture, music, art, books, health, fashion, and food. She can be reached at ... Read More
Fashion Network
6 days ago
- Business
- Fashion Network
FlamAid teams up with 38Graus for safety-first swimwear collaboration
FlamAid, a Portuguese passive self-defense startup founded by Julieta Rueff, has partnered with local swimwear label 38Graus for a bold collaboration merging fashion and personal protection. The limited-edition "Safe & Naked" set includes a statement bikini and a compact personal safety alarm designed to empower women in public spaces. The collaboration brings together FlamAid's signature product—a grenade-shaped device that emits a 110-decibel alarm and notifies police and emergency contacts—with a daring bikini designed by 38Graus. The campaign invites women to embrace summer with freedom, without compromising on personal safety. FlamAid was created by Julieta Rueff, whose brand name fuses 'flame' and 'aid' as a symbol of strength and support. Rueff launched the company after personally experiencing fear in public spaces. 'We were talking about summer and our bodies, and how even wearing something simple like a summer top or shorts can make you feel exposed or unsafe,' Rueff said in an interview with Portuguese magazine Máxima. 'That constant fear is what led me to create FlamAid.' Founded by Marta Oliveira, along with Inês Pereira da Costa and Joana Machado, 38Graus is recognized for its inclusive and expressive approach to swimwear. Together, the two brands aim to shift the conversation around vulnerability and body confidence. FlamAid, which operates with a small but growing team, was recently spotlighted by Forbes Portugal, which noted its upcoming second round of investment in 2025. The magazine wrote: 'The company founded by a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree joins forces with a bikini brand to champion women's safety.' Rueff added on Instagram, 'We felt it was time to strip the conversation about women's safety down to its core—literally. Summer should be about freedom, showing your body, and feeling light. But for many women, it comes with vulnerability. We want to change that narrative.' At the heart of the campaign is a single question: What if you could feel fully exposed and still feel protected? The "Safe & Naked" set responds with both form and function: a fashion-forward swimsuit paired with a discreet self-defense device. The alarm, styled like a small grenade, can be carried in hand or clipped to a bag, ready to be activated with the push of a button. To visualize the message, the team staged a campaign shoot on the streets of Lisbon, featuring models in 38Graus swimwear equipped with FlamAid's personal alarm. Rueff noted that the imagery was partly inspired by past Desigual campaigns that invited shoppers to 'come naked, we'll dress you.' In this case, she said, 'It's more like—even if you're naked, we'll protect you.'
Fashion Network
6 days ago
- Business
- Fashion Network
FlamAid teams up with 38Graus for safety-first swimwear collaboration
FlamAid, a Portuguese passive self-defense startup founded by Julieta Rueff, has partnered with local swimwear label 38Graus for a bold collaboration merging fashion and personal protection. The limited-edition "Safe & Naked" set includes a statement bikini and a compact personal safety alarm designed to empower women in public spaces. The collaboration brings together FlamAid's signature product—a grenade-shaped device that emits a 110-decibel alarm and notifies police and emergency contacts—with a daring bikini designed by 38Graus. The campaign invites women to embrace summer with freedom, without compromising on personal safety. FlamAid was created by Julieta Rueff, whose brand name fuses 'flame' and 'aid' as a symbol of strength and support. Rueff launched the company after personally experiencing fear in public spaces. 'We were talking about summer and our bodies, and how even wearing something simple like a summer top or shorts can make you feel exposed or unsafe,' Rueff said in an interview with Portuguese magazine Máxima. 'That constant fear is what led me to create FlamAid.' Founded by Marta Oliveira, along with Inês Pereira da Costa and Joana Machado, 38Graus is recognized for its inclusive and expressive approach to swimwear. Together, the two brands aim to shift the conversation around vulnerability and body confidence. FlamAid, which operates with a small but growing team, was recently spotlighted by Forbes Portugal, which noted its upcoming second round of investment in 2025. The magazine wrote: 'The company founded by a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree joins forces with a bikini brand to champion women's safety.' Rueff added on Instagram, 'We felt it was time to strip the conversation about women's safety down to its core—literally. Summer should be about freedom, showing your body, and feeling light. But for many women, it comes with vulnerability. We want to change that narrative.' At the heart of the campaign is a single question: What if you could feel fully exposed and still feel protected? The "Safe & Naked" set responds with both form and function: a fashion-forward swimsuit paired with a discreet self-defense device. The alarm, styled like a small grenade, can be carried in hand or clipped to a bag, ready to be activated with the push of a button. To visualize the message, the team staged a campaign shoot on the streets of Lisbon, featuring models in 38Graus swimwear equipped with FlamAid's personal alarm. Rueff noted that the imagery was partly inspired by past Desigual campaigns that invited shoppers to 'come naked, we'll dress you.' In this case, she said, 'It's more like—even if you're naked, we'll protect you.'
Belfast Telegraph
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
‘I was raised in a single-parent family – so I've always had an awareness of the value of money'
Actor Ayoola Smart was raised in the west Cork town of Schull from the age of three by her drama teacher mother Sally. She then studied drama in England, and was thrust into the spotlight when she was cast in 2016 in an acclaimed all-Irish production of The Taming of the Shrew at the Globe Theatre in London. Since then, the Cork native has clinched a slew of high-profile roles. While filming the RTÉ drama Smother in Co Clare, she learned she'd landed a role in the cult hit film Cocaine Bear. Her first film role was the big-screen adaptation of the Nick Hornby novel Juliet, Naked.
Time Out
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Nijo Castle in Kyoto lights up with digital art for a special summer night event
Summer in Japan can be swelteringly hot and humid, which is why it's always a good idea to head out in the late afternoon or evening instead. And come July, you'll have a good reason to. Naked, one of Japan's renowned digital art outfits, is once again transforming Kyoto's iconic World Heritage Site, Nijo Castle, into a magical nighttime attraction. This year's theme puts a contemporary spin on the classic Japanese tradition of noryo, the art of enjoying the evening cool. Usually closed after dark, the castle grounds will be opened at night especially for this limited-time event, running from July 25 to August 24. Here's what you can expect at the Naked meets Nijo-jo Castle 2025: A Summer Flow of Light event. Relax at a summer festival-inspired space This year, Naked is introducing a new section called 'Kawato no Niwa', located near the Karamon Gate and the Ninomaru Palace drop-off area. Here you'll find light displays inspired by traditional riverside dining and night-blooming flowers, along with food stalls serving shaved ice and sake. You can also partake in classic summer activities such as a bow-and-arrow shooting game, or set off bamboo-leaf boats on the water to trigger special digital effects. Enjoy the vibrant illuminations and digital art displays To set the scene at the entrance, the Higashi Otemon Gate will be illuminated for the evening, complete with handmade Kojima lanterns. Naked's signature handheld lanterns will also return (additional fees required), along with a workshop where you can colour in fireworks illustrations and turn them into glowing lantern art. In the Seiryu-en Garden, lighting effects inspired by fireflies will illuminate the greenery, while the 75-metre inner moat will be adorned with projected visuals and sound effects depicting classic summer imagery, including fireworks. The Ninomaru Palace and its courtyard garden will also be lit up as part of the installation. General tickets are priced at ¥1,400 for Monday through Thursday, and ¥1,800 for Fridays, weekends and holidays. Early-bird tickets will be available from July 1 to July 24, offering up to ¥400 off. For more details on 'Naked meets Nijo-jo Castle 2025: A Summer Flow of Light', and to book tickets, visit the event website.
