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  • Star Trek: Section 31 star reveals ‘there was so much more’ that was left out of the new Paramount Plus movie

    Star Trek: Section 31 star reveals ‘there was so much more’ that was left out of the new Paramount Plus movie

    Star Trek: Section 31, Paramount Plus’ first-ever Star Trek streaming film, just launched on the streaming service and while it seems it’s been ambushed by a critical cloud of polarizing opinions on what actually constitutes true Star Trek and whether or not the risky project respectfully represents it.

    Despite the critical wave of reviews, this rowdy space opera directed by Olatunde Osunsanmi (Star Trek: Discovery, Falling Skies) is a harmlessly entertaining romp into the more foreign corners of Gene Roddenberry’s final frontier.

    Academy Award-winning actress Michelle Yeoh looms over this pricey production playing Emperor Philippa Georgiou, who was last seen in the debut season of Star Trek: Discovery commanding a starship as Captain Georgiou and who later emerges in the far future’s Mirror Universe as the heartless ruler of the Terran Empire.

    Now stuck back in the Discovery timeline, she’s recruited to join Starfleet’s hush-hush black ops division, the clandestine spy organization known as Section 31 that protects the United Federation of Planets from the shadows.

    When Section 31’s Alpha Team leader Alok (Omari Hardwick) is dispatched to hunt down a black market weapon called The Godsend, he and his motley crew of bickering commandos lures Georgiou back into the fold from the glitzy space station nightclub that she’s been running.

    The ensuing heist to defend the Federation against Multi-universal threats results in a plot that will be compared to a low rent Guardians of the Galaxy or The Suicide Squad, so won’t be one of the best Paramount Plus movies but it’s still good fun!

    One of the breakout characters that makes up this merry band of Section 31 mercenaries secretly working under the auspices of Starfleet is a lively Vulcan operative named Fuzz. He’s portrayed by mercurial British actor Sven Ruygrok in a riveting performance delivered with reckless abandon. Fuzz appears to be a stoic Vulcan agent with one key difference in that he is actually just a mechanized android shell piloted by a crazy nano-sized alien creature inside!

    “All names were shrouded in mystery, but I initially got the sense off the page that there was this tiny microscopic being driving a Vulcan conveyance,” Ruygrok tells TechRadar regarding his first reading for the mysterious Nanokin role. “And that’s as much knowledge as I had going in. When I discussed it a little bit further with Olatunde we had a whole backstory.”

    Because initially this was a series and there was an entire episode dedicated to the Nanokin species, which we don’t get to explore. It was really up to me and Craig [screenwriter Craig Sweeny] and what was going on in his head to flesh out what we see now in the film. Fuzz is a wildcard and completely unhinged but there’s a lot of joy and you don’t quite know what you’re going to get.”

    Providing the character with a thick Irish accent, Ruygrok layers Fuzz with a playful dimension unlike any Vulcan ever seen in the Star Trek realm. We’re so conditioned to seeing Vulcans as controlled emotionless persons (unless under some spell or on special occasions), that seeing the familiar pointy-eared exterior exhibiting wild swings of witty emotion is enjoyably jarring.

    “While I was auditioning for Section 31 I was doing a stage production of a Martin McDonagh play, which was The Beauty Queen of Leenane,” he explains. “He’s done In Bruges and The Banshees of Inisherin. So I’m doing this play and the accent that was required was that they were from Galway, so it’s Ireland. Having Colin Farrell’s voice in the back of my mind helped. Saoirse Ronan was another strong contender, in terms of hearing the liltingness of the accent. I drew a lot from that. In terms of Fuzz himself, I think there’s a humanness to him and he speaks a lot about his hatchlings. So many hatchlings. And the reality is that in my life I’ve also got hatchlings. I’ve got five kids and they were there with me and present in the scenes. I knew that was something that had to ground him. He’s this outlandish person/thing/entity/species in space.”

    Working with director Olatunde Osunsanmi, executive producer Alex Kurtzman, and the entire cast including Kacey Rohl (Rachel Garrett), Sam Richardson (Quasi), Robert Kazinsky (Zeph), and Humberly Gonzalez (Melle) resulted in ample ad-libbing, something he recalls fondly from his time on set while filming in Toronto, Canada.

    “There was so much improvising,” he recalls. “What you see is not really what we shot. There was so much more. What was so beautiful and the gifting of Olatunde as a director is that we had what we needed on page and he made sure you got that. Then he would come individually and just whisper something and we’d all get super excited. This would mean something was about to happen. Small things like, ‘go crazy,’ or, ‘now do something you’ve never done before.’ So that gave you the license and the freedom to play. And then having the cast and crew being able to play with you was such a gift. I was so helped by family and that for me is Star Trek.”

    Star Trek: Section 31 is available now to stream exclusively on Paramount Plus, and once you’ve finished there why not go back and watch all the Star Trek movies and shows in order.

  • Foreign films give Hollywood A-List a beatdown with Oscar nominations…

    Foreign films give Hollywood A-List a beatdown with Oscar nominations…

    A lot of celebs were feeling a real pain on Thursday morning as the 2025 Oscar nominations were announced. They surely thought the Academy was the brutal-est. Downright wicked.

    Many very famous names went noticeably unsaid as presenters Bowen Yang and Rachel Sennott read off the rude-awakening roster at 5:30 a.m. in Beverly Hills.

    The Hollywood star power was so quiet, you could hear a grin drop.

    Angelina Jolie, Nicole Kidman, Pamela Anderson, Daniel Craig, Selena Gomez and Denzel Washington — contenders all throughout award season — failed to make the cut.

    In their formidable places were a few superb, if lesser-known performers.

    If Joan Rivers was still alive and red-carpeting, she might very well ask them, “Who the hell are you?!”

    Fresh off her shock Golden Globes victory, Fernanda Torres got into the Academy Awards’ Best Actress category for “I’m Still Here,” and her home country of Brazil went berserk. The woman’s practically Ronaldo now. And her film was the big surprise of the Best Picture lineup.

    Also in Actress was 25-year-old Mikey Madison, an emerging star that you should get to know, who is just breathtaking as an NYC stripper in the hilarious, punchy comedy “Anora.”

    Madison’s castmate Yura Borisov, a sneaky scene-stealer, took a Supporting Actor slot.

    In a move that will shock some and ruffle others, Sebastian Stan got a Best Actor mention for playing Donald Trump in “The Apprentice” — a so-so biopic about the president’s early days in NYC real estate. Stan is good; Stan is also statement.

    OK, there were some A-Listers in the mix, too. Demi Moore is the Best Actress frontrunner for the insane body-horror film “The Substance.” And Kieran Culkin of “A Real Pain” is the guy to beat in Supporting.

    “Wicked” co-stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande were both nominated. I hereby ban “Defying Gravity” jokes.

    But the person mentioned the most was a fictional one: “Emilia Perez” — Netflix’s bizarre Spanish-language, made-in-France, trans musical that scored 13 nods, the most of any film this year.

    It’s not an all-time record. “All About Eve,” “Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” and “La La Land” are tied in first with 14 apiece. But “Emilia”‘s tally is nonetheless impressive and gives the love-it-or-loathe-it streaming movie a boost.

    Le flick has already won the Musical or Comedy Globe, scored a healthy haul of BAFTA nods and has been nominated by most of the Hollywood guilds. Plus, ten percent of voting Academy members are international these days, and “Emilia” went down a treat last spring at Cannes.

    That said, I’m not entirely convinced it can go all the way at the Oscars. Though it will take home plenty of gold, including Supporting Actress for Zoe Saldana.

    With a 33% RottenTomatoes audience score, “Emilia Perez” would be one of the most unpopular Best Picture winners in 97 years of Academy Awards ceremonies. The evening’s victor is rarely so provocative or controversial.

    But it has a solid chance. So does Brady Corbet’s 3 1/2-hour drama “The Brutalist,” which along with “Wicked,” came in second place with 10 nods. “Anora” only managed six, but those included the often telling Picture, Director and Editing triptych.

    “Conclave,” somewhat surprisingly, fell flat in the Directing and Cinematography areas. So, don’t expect the twisty pope thriller to rise again. That measured enthusiasm could also hurt its terrific star Ralph Fiennes.

    Which creates a scintillating head-to-head.

    Beyond the juicy Best Picture horserace in which half the nominees could, at this very second, conceivably win, the biggest nail-biter is Best Actor: Adrien Brody in “The Brutalist” vs. Timothée Chalamet in “A Complete Unknown.”

    The Bob Dylan film, which American moviegoers are gushing over and is doing quite well at the UK box office, over-performed on Thursday with eight nominations. The major shocker was that it was called out for Best Director, which shows a lot of love for the movie. The Academy’s Director branch can be awfully pinky-out.

    I suspect that embrace extends to Chalamet as well. Without him — his increasingly impressive craft and his deserved celebrity status — there’s no movie.

    But there’s 41 days to go till the 97th Academy Awards on March 5. And a lot can happen in a month. Just ask January’s Golden Globe nominees Angelina Jolie and Nicole Kidman.

  • Oscar nominations 2025: cartel musical Emilia Pérez on song with 13

    Oscar nominations 2025: cartel musical Emilia Pérez on song with 13

    Amid the most open — and sometimes unlikely — Oscar race in several years, controversial musical Emilia Pérez emerged as frontrunner after the 2025 Academy Award nominations were announced today. Backed by Netflix and directed by Jacques Audiard, the film received 13 nominations, including one for the blue-ribbon Best Picture prize.

    The nomination ceremony had been delayed by the Los Angeles wildfires, giving the event an unusually sombre framing. Unusual too was the number and variety of realistic contenders, highlighted by the contrast between the two most successful films behind Emilia Pérez. Each receiving 10 nominations were Wicked, rollicking Broadway adaptation, and The Brutalist, a stark three-and-a-half-hour portrait of a Hungarian-Jewish émigré architect in postwar America. They too are both Best Picture nominees.

    But the morning in LA belonged to Emilia Pérez, the divisive Spanish-language tale of a Mexican cartel boss who transitions into a woman — told in song. The film has been accused of cultural insensitivity in Mexico, and faced criticism from the LGBT+ community. Audiard has apologised to those “shocked” by his film. But Oscar voters may now hand it prizes including Best Director, Best Actress for Karla Sofía Gascón and Best Supporting Actress for Zoe Saldaña.

    And yet perhaps a still bolder choice came with the two nominations for The Apprentice. The film is an often blunt account of the 1970s and 1980s rise of Donald Trump, in which the US president is portrayed raping his then-wife Ivana Trump. The Academy responded with a Best Actor nod for Sebastian Stan, who plays Trump, while Jeremy Strong, cast as infamous lawyer Roy Cohn, is up for Best Supporting Actor.

    Stan’s Best Actor rivals will include Adrien Brody, star of The Brutalist. That film was long seen as favourite for Best Picture, for which it has been nominated alongside director Brady Corbet. But it too has recently been dogged by arguments over its use of AI in production, still a source of discord in the film industry.

    Controversy aside, the likely winners at the March 2 award ceremony also seem notably hard to predict. Other multiple nominees are true surprise packages. Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance, a satirical body horror about ageing and sexism in Hollywood, was hailed by fans as an instant cult classic on release. Even admirers, though, did not predict it would now be up for awards including Best Picture and Best Director, with star Demi Moore among the clearest favourites in any category to win Best Actress.

    A major box office hit, Wicked is still only the second most successful commercial performer among Best Picture nominees: Dune: Part Two pips it there. The star of that film, Timothée Chalamet, is another Best Actor contender, but for his performance as the young Bob Dylan in James Mangold’s A Complete Unknown, also shortlisted for Best Picture and Best Director. Other Best Actor nominees are Colman Domingo for Sing Sing and Ralph Fiennes for Conclave.

    For Netflix, which spent much of the 2010s fruitlessly chasing Oscars, success now for Emilia Pérez will feel sweet indeed. And while traditional Hollywood still has its contenders, there will also be smiles at New York studio A24, backer of The Brutalist, and fast-rising independent Mubi, which released The Substance in the US and UK.

    Still, on a day when long shots took centre stage, the most unusual Oscar nomination of all may have come in the category reserved for true stories. One of the Academy’s most prestigious awards could now go to a film almost literally from outside the system — No Other Land, about the destruction of Palestinian villages in the West Bank, is up for Best Documentary despite no US distributor having chosen to release it.

  • Resilience and Positivity: Keys to Thriving Amid Chaos

    Resilience and Positivity: Keys to Thriving Amid Chaos

    Resilience isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the lifeline that keeps us swimming when we’re tossed into the deep end of life. When the storm clouds gather and health battles loom large, resilience and a positive mindset can make all the difference. Let’s dive into how a tenacious spirit and a cheerful outlook can transform the daunting journey of illness into a path paved with strength and hope.

    Imagine resilience as an unyielding anchor, keeping you steady amidst the turbulence of illness. It’s that inner fortitude that compels you to rise each morning, no matter how heavy the ache or how daunting the prognosis. As a fitness enthusiast knows, each challenge—whether lifting a new weight or battling cancer—requires an unrelenting spirit and a heart full of determination.

    Now, sprinkle in a dose of positivity—an equally formidable ally on this journey. Positivity is the bright light that reframes each setback as a stepping stone rather than a stumbling block. It’s in those moments of levity, where a simple dance with the dogs or a hearty laugh with loved ones becomes a balm for the weary soul.

    You don’t need to face this challenge alone; support from loved ones is a crucial ingredient. Just as Melissa Coulier stands by her husband Dave, your circle can be the wind beneath your wings. Their unwavering belief in your strength mirrors the trust you must place in yourself to fight the good fight.

    To cultivate resilience and positivity, embark on a journey of small but mighty lifestyle changes. Start by nourishing your body with wholesome foods—think of every meal as a building block for recovery. Embrace laughter and joy, even if it’s a fleeting moment during the darkest days. And don’t forget the power of nurturing your mind through meditation or simply basking in the serenity of nature.

    Life’s challenges might be inevitable, but how you tackle them is your choice. Take the reins, gear up for the battle, and let resilience and positivity illuminate your path. In the end, it’s not just about surviving—it’s about thriving amidst the chaos, with a spirit that refuses to be extinguished.

  • Youth Gender Dysphoria: Understanding the Rising Numbers

    Youth Gender Dysphoria: Understanding the Rising Numbers

    Gender Dysphoria: Unpacking the Rise of an Emerging Understanding

    The whispers of change echo through the halls of medical records—gender dysphoria diagnoses among youth are rising, revealing a landscape both complex and compelling. From a mere flicker in 2011 to a noticeable spark in 2021, the shift in our understanding and recognition is undeniable. What used to be a diagnosis reserved for a few has seen its prevalence soar fiftyfold over a mere decade, challenging societal norms and medical practices alike.

    At the heart of this paradigm shift are the young lives seeking clarity and comfort in their identities. While the numbers are still relatively low—about one in 1,200 in 2021 compared to one in 60,000 in 2011—the narrative around these diagnoses is as vital as the statistics themselves. The journey from confusion to comfort is rarely linear, often requiring a medley of medical support, mental fortitude, and societal acceptance.

    The road to recognition hasn’t been without its bumps. Conflicting views and hesitant policy shifts have put puberty blockers and hormone therapy under intense scrutiny. Despite the clamor for clear conclusions, the current evidence—a patchwork of preliminary studies and expert reviews like the Cass review—leaves as many questions as it answers. It’s a dance of data, with calls for robust, methodologically rigorous studies echoing loudly, urging for clarity in practice and policy.

    But beyond the clinical corridors, there’s a larger story unfolding—a tale of youth who turn their struggles into strengths, of communities that rally around their own, and caregivers who navigate the choppy waters of understanding and support. It’s about crafting a world where gender dysphoria isn’t a source of distress, but a call to understand, accept, and act with empathy and efficacy.

    As we forge ahead, the stakes are as high as the hopes. Each diagnosis isn’t just a statistic; it’s a call to action—a reminder that these young lives, vibrant and varied, deserve a future where they can be wholly themselves. So, what’s our next step? It’s simple: let compassion, education, and action guide our path, ensuring every step we take is towards a tomorrow where acceptance isn’t just an aspiration—it’s an unwavering reality.

  • Breaking the Silence on Youth Cancer Surge

    Breaking the Silence on Youth Cancer Surge

    The Rise of Early-Onset Cancer: What You Need to Know

    Imagine gearing up for a marathon only to find out you’re facing a beast of a race—early-onset cancer. This silent invader is creeping up the ranks, quietly escalating among young adults who least expect it. With lifestyle factors and overlooked symptoms playing their roles, it’s time to turn the spotlight on this growing concern.

    Understanding the Trend

    Cancer—once thought to be an affliction of the aged—is increasingly putting younger populations under the microscope. Recent findings suggest a concerning rise in cancer rates for those under 50, with colorectal cancer leading the charge. This isn’t merely bad luck; it’s a reflection of modern lifestyles that have taken a turn for the worse.

    The Lifestyle Connection

    Sitting for long hours, gulping down ultra-processed foods, and enduring stress—today’s hallmarks of a “normal” life—are now being linked to increasing cancer rates among the youth. We’ve embraced convenience at a hefty price, with our daily choices altering the very makeup of our bodies.

    The Role of Screening

    While screening techniques have made leaps in accuracy and accessibility, they’re often too late to catch aggressive early-onset cases. A promising new blood test for colorectal cancer screening offers hope and a potentially simpler method, but the need for vigilance and awareness still towers over us.

    Overcoming the Odds

    Facing down cancer at a young age requires more than just medical intervention—mental resilience takes center stage. Young patients juggle careers, family, and the terrifying prospect of the “C” word, underscoring the need for targeted support systems and awareness campaigns.

    Taking Action

    It’s time to take the reins and make informed decisions to safeguard our health. Prioritize regular check-ups, be mindful of bodily changes, and embrace healthier lifestyle habits. The fight against early-onset cancer isn’t just about surviving; it’s about thriving and seizing control of our future.

    Early-onset cancer is a complex puzzle, but with the right awareness and tools, we can begin to piece together solutions that give hope to the affected and educate the uninformed. Let’s rewrite the narrative and push beyond the limits of what we thought we knew.

  • 10 Ways to Fortify Your Resilience Today

    10 Ways to Fortify Your Resilience Today

    Life isn’t just a straight path blanketed with sunshine and rainbows—it’s a rugged trail demanding every ounce of resilience you’ve got. But resilience isn’t just bouncing back; it’s gearing up for a greater fight each time life throws a curveball. So, let’s talk tactics, strategies, and game plans to fortify your resilience and turn life’s obstacles into opportunities for success.

    Embrace the Setback: Every setback is a setup for a comeback. Use these moments not just to bounce back, but to spring forward—delve into what went wrong, and pivot towards better outcomes. Breathe in the knowledge, and exhale improvement.

    Mindful Meditation: Center your mind in the swirling chaos. Just a few minutes of meditation daily can clear the mental fog, sharpen your focus, and build inner peace—the foundational pillars of resilience.

    Physical Fitness: Toughen your body to toughen your mind. Regular workouts don’t just sculpt muscles—they forge endurance, grit, and mental fortitude. Sweat it out, and let your body teach your mind the essence of resilience.

    Community Support: You’re strong, but together, you’re invincible. Gather strength from those around you—friends, family, mentors. Their encouragement is the wind beneath your wings, propelling you through rough patches.

    Positive Self-talk: Words are powerful—make them work for you. Swap self-doubt with affirmations that inspire action and confidence. Flip the script and steer the narrative towards resilience and victory.

    Goal Setting: Break down those daunting challenges into bite-sized goals. A clear path forward turns uncertainty into certainty, one step at a time. Measure progress, and celebrate even the smallest victories on your journey to resilience.

    Gratitude Journaling: Keep your eyes on the prize. Regularly jot down what you’re thankful for—shift your focus from what’s lost to what’s gained. This subtle change in perspective fuels resilience with an optimistic outlook.

    Visualization Techniques: See it, believe it, achieve it. Visualize success in vibrant detail, and let your imagination pave the way to reality. This mental rehearsal nurtures confidence and sets the stage for success.

    Emotional Intelligence: Strengthen your EQ to weather any storm. Understand and manage your emotions effectively—this clarity allows for thoughtful responses, making resilience a natural reflex in challenging situations.

    Continuous Learning: Stay adaptable in a world that’s constantly changing. Every new skill is a tool in your resilience toolkit—embrace lifelong learning as a way to stay ahead of life’s unpredictable curveballs.

    With these strategies in your arsenal, you’re not just prepared to face life’s challenges; you’re empowered to master them. It’s time to build your resilience muscle—get ready to bounce back stronger, wiser, and more determined than ever.

  • 8 Exercises to Energize Aging Bodies

    8 Exercises to Energize Aging Bodies

    Staying Active While Aging: Exercises Tailored for Longevity

    Let’s face it — as the years gear up against us, our bodies demand a smarter approach to staying fit. But aging isn’t a sentence — it’s an opportunity to adapt, grow stronger, and redefine what it means to live fully. With the right exercises, you can not only keep moving but also thrive while doing so.

    First up, the Muscle Memory Effect. As we age, our muscles might not be as sprightly, but they’re hungry for action. Embrace weight training — it’s a powerhouse method to maintain muscle mass and keep your metabolism revving. Those dumbbells? They’re your allies in this journey.

    Don’t just stretch your patience with age-related aches — stretch your body too. A daily stretching routine won’t just make you limber but will shield you from injuries. Flexibility is the silent guardian of mobility, and it’s time to give it the spotlight it deserves.

    Then comes the core — the unsung hero of your body. Strengthen those abdominal muscles to enhance balance and stability. Think of it as building a foundation that keeps you upright, sturdy, and ready for anything life throws your way.

    For a splash of excitement, take it to the water. Aqua aerobics provides a refreshing, low-impact workout that gently coaxes your heart and joints into action. It’s like letting your body frolic in a playground that happens to tone every muscle.

    But what if the ground is more your style? Walk the line with grace. Integrate balance-centric moves like heel-to-toe walking in your routine. It’s a simple, yet powerful way to keep your equilibrium in check, ensuring every step is a confident one.

    Mindful Movement, such as yoga or tai chi, offers a dual benefit — mental serenity and physical agility. These practices do more than bend the body; they also flex your mind into a state of calm, balanced brilliance.

    If music moves your soul, let dance whisk your body into health. Whether it’s salsa in the living room or a waltz in the kitchen, these routines ramp up coordination and cardiovascular health while keeping the joy factor at a ten.

    Lastly, don’t underestimate the power of Breathing Bravado. Deep breathing exercises might sound too simple, yet they enhance lung capacity and endurance, turning every inhale into a step towards vitality.

    With these tailored exercises, aging gracefully isn’t just a concept — it’s your reality. So step into each day with purpose, knowing that the strength you build now will carry you through your golden years with vigor and zest.

  • Speak Up: 8 Steps to Better Healthcare Advocacy

    Speak Up: 8 Steps to Better Healthcare Advocacy

    The Power of Self-Advocacy in Healthcare: How to Speak Up for Your Needs

    When it comes to healthcare, being your own advocate can sometimes feel like an uphill battle. But without a doubt, it’s a battle worth gearing up for. Navigating the healthcare system—dense, intimidating, and often riddled with red tape—demands that you take the reins. Below are powerful strategies to ensure your voice is heard and your needs are met.

    1. Know Your Rights

    Arm yourself with knowledge about patient rights. Understanding what you’re entitled to—like accessing your medical records or getting a second opinion—can bolster your confidence in medical settings. This awareness turns you from a passive recipient to an active participant in your healthcare journey.

    2. Ask Questions Relentlessly

    Curiosity isn’t just for the curious—it’s your best ally in medical appointments. If an explanation leaves you confused, keep asking until clarity prevails. Healthcare professionals might hold the key, but you hold the lock. Keep turning until it clicks.

    3. Keep Detailed Records

    The devil’s in the details, as they say, and documentation is your trusty sidekick. Record symptoms, treatments, and medications meticulously. This practice isn’t just for posterity—it’s your personal ledger, a powerful tool when consultations turn into memory tests.

    4. Trust Your Instincts

    Feel like something’s amiss? Don’t dismiss those gut feelings. Whether it’s a nagging doubt or a whisper of unease, pursue further investigation. Sometimes, your instincts know what your mind can’t quite articulate yet—so listen.

    5. Prepare for Appointments

    Appointments can feel like revolving doors of information. Arriving prepared—armed with a list of questions and concerns—ensures you don’t leave with more questions than answers. Think of it as your mission briefing.

    6. Build a Support Network

    Two heads are better than one—and an extra set of ears can be invaluable in deciphering dense medical jargon. Bring a trusted companion to your appointments. They serve not just as a support system but as another advocate for your health.

    7. Utilize Technology

    Smartphones aren’t just for selfies—they’re your personal healthcare assistants. Harness apps and devices to track your health metrics, from blood pressure to peculiar symptoms. This data isn’t just valuable for you; it’s a powerful, factual tool when conversing with healthcare providers.

    8. Research Conditions

    Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to understanding your health. Educate yourself about your condition to engage meaningfully in discussions about treatment options. An informed patient is a healthcare professional’s greatest ally.

    Remember, in the world of healthcare, your voice is your most potent asset. Don’t let it be drowned out—speak up, ask boldly, and trust in the journey you’re on. The path to well-being isn’t walked alone; it’s forged through your advocacy and determination.

  • Karla Sofía Gascón Becomes First Trans-Identifying Man Up For Best Actress Oscar

    Karla Sofía Gascón Becomes First Trans-Identifying Man Up For Best Actress Oscar

    The 52-year-old actor was also nominated for a Best Actress Golden Globe for the role.

    “Emilia Pérez” star Karla Sofía Gascón became the first trans-identifying person in history to be nominated for an Academy Award as the committee announced the nominees on Thursday morning.

    Gascón, 52, is a biological man who will be up for the Oscar for Best Actress alongside Cynthia Erivo (“Wicked”), Mikey Madison (“Anora”), Demi Moore (“The Substance”), and Fernanda Torres (“I’m Still Here”).

    Previously, Gascón jointly won the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actress alongside the movie’s other co-stars, becoming the first trans-identifying star to win the prize. The “Emilia Pérez” headliner also got a Best Actress nomination at the Golden Globes but lost out to Demi Moore for her role in “The Substance.”

    Despite controversy surrounding the film, “Emilia Pérez” received the most nominations at this year’s Oscars with 13.

    “Emilia Pérez” is also nominated for Best Picture, Best Director (Jacques Audiard), Best Supporting Actress (Zoe Saldaña), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Score, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Cinematography, Best Sound, Best Original Song (“El Mal” and “Mi Camino”), Best Film Editing, and Best International Feature.

    Gascón previously spoke about being proud to be in the movie. “You have an action movie that’s not an action movie, a drama that’s not a drama, a comedy that’s not a comedy,” Gascón told Tudum in November. “It is such a great gift, and I’m so proud to be part of it.”

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    The narrative follows a Mexican drug cartel leader who fakes his own death to undergo gender transition surgery and live a new life. Chaos ensues when “Emilia Pérez” insists on reuniting with his family while disguised as a distant female relative following gender reassignment surgery.

    Reactions on social media to Gascón being nominated for Best Actress were mostly negative.

    “The patriarchy continues to win,” one person replied to the nomination announcement on X.

    “Another year of dismal ratings and awards to movies no one cares about,” another agreed.

    “Liberal Hollywood has learned nothing from the recent election,” a third commenter chimed in. “They keep trying to cancel women even though America soundly rejected Democrats in the presidential election for doing exactly that…the entertainment industry has lost its mind.”