Latest news with #Uli
New York Post
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Traumatized millennials sound the alarm as Gen Z's ‘dangerous' #Y2KSkinny diet trend takes over TikTok
Millennials survived the original Y2K skinny craze — and now they're warning Gen Z not to repeat history. Millennial model and content creator Kaila Uli is going viral for calling out TikTok's troubling obsession with the 'Y2K skinny' aesthetic — a look she says glamorizes the brutal body standards that dominated the late '90s and early 2000s. 'My first thought was, 'No, we can't go back here,'' Uli, 33, told Newsweek in a recent interview. Advertisement 'These girls don't understand how absolutely dangerous trying to achieve a Y2K body was. People starved themselves, used drugs, went to the hospital, did extreme diets like the lemon cayenne diet, and went to absolute extremes to try to look emaciated.' The Los Angeles-based creator, who grew up modeling during the era of ultra-low-rise jeans — and even lower self-worth — said she felt the pressure from a young age. Millennials lived through the Y2K skinny era — when Kate Moss' physique was sought after. Now they're begging Gen Z not to make the same body-busting mistakes. Getty Images Advertisement 'I started dieting at 14 once I saw photos of Jessica Simpson being called obese,' Uli revealed. Uli, who was frequently sent home from castings 'for being fat,' says Gen Z doesn't realize how toxic the era truly was, when 'heroin chic' wasn't a cry for help, but a goal. 'I've had both anorexia and bulimia, and I'm blessed to be recovered, but not everyone is. I don't want to see a resurgence of women destroying their bodies to get thin,' Uli warned. Advertisement But with trends like #Y2KSkinny and #2000sSkinny climbing the algorithm — alongside the rise of weight-loss injections like Ozempic — Uli says the online culture is shifting back toward the kind of body ideals that nearly destroyed her. She called out the trend in a now-viral Instagram video, saying Gen Z 'don't remember how bad it was' — and the message clearly hit home. Her clip has racked up more than 2 million views and over 111,000 likes. With #Y2KSkinny trending and Ozempic on the rise, Uli says toxic body ideals are making a dangerous comeback, with many idolizing bodies from the early aughts, like Paris Hilton's. Getty Images The comments section quickly turned into a virtual support group. Advertisement 'Thank you! I'm glad someone said it because they're trying to take us back there,' one viewer wrote. 'Raise your hand if you have been victimized by y2k standards,' another added. As The Post previously exposed, 'SkinnyTok' has spiraled into a digital danger zone — peddling starvation, so-called 'discipline,' and crash-diet chaos as the secret to happiness (or at least a thigh gap). Experts say the trend is sending vulnerable viewers down a very thin — and very toxic — rabbit hole, warning that the trend glamorizes starving yourself and treats eating like a chore, not a basic human need. Some of the slogans sound like satire — if they weren't so scary: 'If your stomach is growling, pretend it's applauding you.' 'This mindset dismisses the complex realities of genetics, mental health and socioeconomic factors, promoting shame over support. It's a toxic narrative disguised as empowerment,' Stephen Buchwald of Manhattan Mental Health, told Forbes. Advertisement 'Seeing curated, unrealistic images of thinness on a daily basis can make people feel like they're never 'good enough.' This creates a cycle of self-criticism and low self-worth, which can escalate into anxiety and depression,' he added. Ultimately, when it comes to body image, what's passé (and problematic) should be left in the past — and millennials are begging Gen Z not to take the bait.
Newsweek
10-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Newsweek
Millennial Woman Calls Out Gen Z's 'Dangerous' Y2K Skinny Trend
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Another day, another Y2K trend makes a comeback. This time, though, we are not just talking about bucket hats or being brat, but rather the "Y2K skinny" trend that has led one millennial woman to call it out for being harmful to young people. When Kaila Uli was growing up in the 1990s and early 2000s, there was so much to love about that era. From the creative fashion to the excitement of a new millennium, it was truly an iconic time. But it was far from perfect, and for Uli, of Los Angeles, California, one of the most "brutal" aspects of Y2K were the body standards. She told Newsweek that the "pressure to lose weight was constant," because of how much people idolized being thin. That is why Uli, now 33, was incredibly dismayed when she saw that the latest Gen Z trend rolling off the social-media conveyor belt was the Y2K skinny aesthetic. "My first thought was, 'No, we can't go back here,'" Uli said. "These girls don't understand how absolutely dangerous trying to achieve a Y2K body was. People starved themselves, used drugs, went to the hospital, did extreme diets like the lemon cayenne diet, and went to absolute extremes to try to look emaciated." From left: Kaila Uli, 33, speaks to camera about how detrimental the Y2K skinny trend could be for Gen Z. From left: Kaila Uli, 33, speaks to camera about how detrimental the Y2K skinny trend could be for Gen Z. @kailauli / TikTok In the 1990s and early 2000s, looking thin and waiflike was a currency. It put people on a pedestal because they had the "It body type." Tabloids would print pictures of celebrities wearing tiny crop tops that showed off their abs; magazines would tout the latest fad diets that promised to help you shed 20 pounds in a week; and shows like America's Next Top Model were all the rage. Who could possibly forget British supermodel Kate Moss's comments about how "nothing tastes as good as skinny feels" during a 2009 interview with WWD? The model was accused of encouraging eating disorders, and she was heavily criticized for it. As a model herself during the 2000s, Uli faced endless battles with her body image and recalls how many times she was sent home from castings "for being fat." Y2K skinny isn't just about being thin, but it is harking back to a time when "heroin chic" was used in a complimentary way. It was a time that swapped out any semblance of body positivity for being body conscious instead. Uli continued: "I think there's a misconception that being just a bit thinner than 'normal' is Y2K skinny. And, on one hand, I'm happy about that because it means we did a good job changing the body standards to be healthier. "I started dieting at 14 once I saw photos of Jessica Simpson being called obese. There was a day where I took a meat cleaver and began trying to cleave my inner thigh fat off. I was unsuccessful because the knife was dull (thank God), but it triggered a spiral into dieting and eating disorders." The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality said that eating disorder-related hospitalizations increased 18 percent from 1999 to 2006. Anorexia nervosa hospitalizations went up by 17 percent, and all other eating-disorder hospitalizations, excluding bulimia, increased by 38 percent. It is thought that 9 percent of the U.S. population, or 28.8 million Americans, will have an eating disorder in their lifetime. Additionally, between 6 and 8 percent of adolescents have an eating disorder, as suggested by the Eating Recovery Center. From left: Paris Hilton poses at the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards, and Kate Moss walks the Versace runway. From left: Paris Hilton poses at the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards, and Kate Moss walks the Versace runway. Mark Mainz /Things started to change in the 2010s, as we saw a major shift toward body positivity and inclusivity. Fashion brands started catering to all body types, and size-zero models were no longer the be-all-and-end-all. It felt like the tide was turning, and people were accepting their natural figures for all their beauty. Then, the drug Ozempic and Y2K skinny made a resurgence. Uli can't bear the thought of Gen Z going through what so many millennials experienced in the 2000s. She called out the Y2K skinny trend in an Instagram video (@kailauli) by saying they "don't remember how bad it was" back then. The clip went viral with over 2.4 million views and more than 111,000 likes on Instagram at the time of writing. Indeed, Uli told Newsweek that she has heard from countless women who related to her video and shared their own devastating experiences of that time. "I've had both anorexia and bulimia, and I'm blessed to be recovered, but not everyone is. I don't want to see a resurgence of women destroying their bodies to get thin," Uli said. With over 2,100 comments on her viral Instagram video, many internet users praised Uli for speaking out against this dangerous trend. One comment reads: "Thank you! I'm glad someone said it because they're trying to take us back there." Another Instagram user wrote: "I look back in my old modeling photos in shock of how skinny I was but was told to lose weight …" A third person added: "Raise your hand if you have been victimized by y2k standards." Is there a health issue that's worrying you? Let us know via health@ We can ask experts for advice, and your story could be featured on Newsweek.
Buzz Feed
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Uli Latukefu Interview — Voices Of The Pacific
BuzzFeed: Many American fans were introduced to you when you played the young adult Dwayne Johnson in Young Rock. What was it like portraying a character inspired by the life of a real person we all know and love? In a previous interview, you revealed that you didn't actually meet Dwayne in person until the set of Black Adam, which surprised me. Can you share what that was like? Did anything surprise you about how he was in person versus over Zoom? How do you balance staying true to your heritage while participating in an industry often dominated by non-Pacific Islander narratives? And is there a moment in your career where you felt especially empowered and proud of your Tongan identity? What can you tell us about your role as Lucas Finau in Prime Video's upcoming crime drama, Countdown? You played Callum in the Nicole Kidman-produced Australian show, The Last Anniversary, based on the book by Liane Moriarty. It felt different from some of your more physical roles since the show is a family drama mystery, and I loved seeing another side of you! How did it feel stepping into this genre and portraying Callum, whose focus is as a father and husband? For Pacific Islanders, there are so many aspects of our cultures that we hold close to our hearts, from our foods to our dances to our tattoos. What's your favorite part of your culture? Do you have a favorite Tongan food? You played Nicky Salapu in Next Goal Wins, a rare Hollywood film with a predominantly Pacific Islander cast, including legends like Oscar Kightley and Rachel House. What did you take away from that experience? Do you have any favorite behind-the-scenes memories with Taika? If you could work with any Pacific Islander, who would it be and why? You've been open about not speaking Tongan when you were young, which made it harder to connect with your community and culture. Though I believe you later learned the language, this is a common struggle for many Pacific Islanders across the diaspora, whether in the US, Australia, NZ, or anywhere else. What would say to anyone who doesn't speak their mother tongue and feels a bit disconnected? What would your dream role be? What advice do you have for young Pacific Islander creatives? Finally, what does being Pacific Islander mean to you? Thank you for chatting with us, Uli! Be sure to keep up with Uli here.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Disturbed's David Draiman Is Down With the Slickness After Totally Surprising His Girlfriend With On-Stage Proposal
Disturbed singer David Draiman is down with the nuptials. The 52-year-old hard rock singer popped the question to girlfriend model Sarah Uli during a surprise moment at his band's Disturbed: The Sickness 25th anniversary concert in Sacramento, CA on Friday night (May 9). During the show at the Golden 1 Center honoring the band's landmark 2000 album, Draiman paused things for a few minutes after the group's beloved Simon & Garfunkel 'The Sound of Silence' cover for a bit of personal business. 'At this time, I would like to call miss Sarah Uli to the stage please,' Draiman is heard saying in a video of the moment. More from Billboard Disturbed Scores 13th Mainstream Rock Airplay No. 1 With 'I Will Not Break' Bad Bunny's 'Debí Tirar Más Fotos' Returns to No. 1 on Billboard 200 After Vinyl Release John Legend Says He's Shocked by Ye's 'Descent' Into 'Antisemitism' and 'Anti-Blackness' Dressed in his traditional black pants and sleeveless black t-shirt, Draiman invited his beloved to join him center stage as she looks around seemingly confused while he takes her hand. 'Everyone say hello to my lovely lady Sarah,' he continued. 'She's looking at me and she's wondering, 'What the f–k is he doing?' Sarah, my love. You have made my life so much better,' Draiman said, pulling Uli close and staring deeply into her eyes. 'You are the light in the darkness for me. I love you more than anything I have ever loved in this world, and it would be the absolute pinnacle of my life and my existence,' he added, while pulling a ring box out of his pocket and getting down on one knee as Uli covered her face. 'Sarah Uli, will you marry me?' The crowd went wild when the two shared a passionate kiss afterwards, with Draiman assuring them, 'In case you didn't hear, she said yes.' Uli posted pics of the moment with the caption, 'the happiest moment ever with the love of my life.' The marriage will mark the second for Draiman, who was previously married to model/actress Lena Yada from 2011-2023; the couple share a 12-year-old son. Watch Draiman and Uli's engagement below. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
David Draiman Surprises Girlfriend with Onstage Marriage Proposal at Disturbed Show: Watch
The post David Draiman Surprises Girlfriend with Onstage Marriage Proposal at Disturbed Show: Watch appeared first on Consequence. Disturbed frontman David Draiman had a big surprise for his girlfriend Sarah Uli during the band's concert at Golden 1 Center on Friday (May 9th) in Sacramento, California. The singer called Uli onstage, and proceeded to propose to her, to which she said, 'Yes.' At a quiet point in the set, after the band had played their famous cover of Simon & Garfunkel's 'The Sound of Silence,' the heartwarming moment happened when Draiman took the stage by himself and asked Uli to come up from where she was standing in the front of the audience. Get Disturbed Tickets Here As he pulled her in close to him, he said, 'Everyone say hello to my lovely lady Sarah. She's looking at me and she's wondering, 'What the fuck is he doing?' Sarah, my love. You have made my life so much better. You are the light in the darkness for me. I love you more than anything I have ever loved in this world.' Draiman then started to reach into his pocket and grab a ring and kneel down on one knee, continuing, 'And it would be the absolute pinnacle of my life and my existence… Sarah Uli, will you marry me?' Uli then responded affirmatively, and the two shared a long kiss, with Draiman, adding, 'In case you didn't hear, she said yes.' With Uli shedding tears of joy, the two embraced once more, before she left the stage, and Draiman's bandmates returned to play two more tunes to close out the 19-song set. Draiman had previously been married to Lena Yada, with whom he shares a son named Samuel Bear. The two divorced in 2023 after 11 years of marriage. Following that divorce, the Disturbed singer went through a dark time, even telling the audience at a May 2023 concert that he had recently battled suicidal thoughts. It also later came to light that Draiman was dealing with a mold issue at his Florida rental house at the time that led to debilitating health issues. Thankfully, things are looking much brighter for David Draiman these days. Our congratulations go out to him and Sarah Uli on their engagement. Watch it all go down in the Instagram post below. Disturbed have a few more dates left on their North American tour celebrating the 25th anniversary of their multiplatinum debut album, The Sickness. Tickets to the remaining shows are available here. Popular Posts Drummer Chris Adler Opens Up on What Led to Firing from Lamb of God Stephen King's The Long Walk Movie Gets Long-Awaited Trailer: Watch Say It in Ghor: How Andor Brought a Brand New Language to Star Wars Jazz Pianist Matthew Shipp Derides André 3000's New Piano Project: "Complete and Utter Crap" Metallica Perform "Enter Sandman" at Virginia Tech Stadium 25 Years After It Became School Tradition: Watch Nicolas Cage Says He Is "Mistaken" for Nick Cave Almost Every Day Subscribe to Consequence's email digest and get the latest breaking news in music, film, and television, tour updates, access to exclusive giveaways, and more straight to your inbox.
