Wait, is April seriously here already? How the heck did that happen? It feels like just yesterday that 2023 began, yet here we are already a quarter of the way through it.
They say time flies when you’re having fun, so maybe it’s a good thing that the year seems to be going so fast!
This week’s list is full of fun finds, such as a 9-year-old aspiring tailor, the sweetest sibling wake-up ever, an incredible 3D artist, an adorable, thumb-sucking baby monkey and more.
Take a stroll through these delights and share them with others in your life who could use a boost of joy.
1. The way these students surprised their teacher with a 152-page book of his own random quotes is hilariously heartwarming
day 365 of trying to make my dad famous 🖌🎨 #art #mural #illusion #2d #3d #surreal #crazy #plants #nature #weird #painter #artist #professor #ucdavis #california #norcal #famous #viral #trending #fyp #foryou #foryoupage
Since he was diagnosed with aphasia, David Hollowell’s speech has been limited, but his artistic skills certainly aren’t. Absolutely incredible. Read the full story here.
10. Person shares dragon fruit with a baby monkey and generosity has never been so cute
The thumb-sucking at the beginning, though. Gracious, the preciousness.
Hope these brought some smiles to your face! If you’d like to have these posts delivered to your inbox each week, sign up for our free newsletter, The Upworthiest, here.
WrestleMania 39 week is upon us, and the Showcase of the Immortals yet again offers the opportunity for superstars across the WWE roster to create iconic moments. As he recovers from breaking his neck more than a year ago, Big E won’t be wrestling, but he’s taking part in the festivities through a partnership with Snickers as the presenting sponsor for the eighth year.
“It was a blast, man. Every time we work with Snickers, I have a ton of fun and we got to shoot a commercial, which was honestly a joy,” Big E told Uproxx Sports. “I love doing that stuff. Snickers is the presenting partner for WrestleMania for the eighth year, also co-promoting with WWE 2K23, and obviously when you’re watching WrestleMania, when you’re feeling outta sorts before, after, or during, what better thing to grab than a Snickers?”
While he’s on the mend, Big E is is taking it all in, starting with WaleMania on Thursday night before the big shows kick off on Saturday.
“For the show, I think the buildup for the Bloodline stuff has just been so amazing, everyone involved has really taken their game to the very next level,” he says. “So the tag match with Usos, Sami and KO, that’s definitely something I’m gonna have my eyes, I’ll be locked in for that one. And obviously, Cody’s return has been really inspiring in so many ways. I just love seeing people who, if you’re not satisfied in life, make a decision, take your career into your own hands. And he did that and seeing him come back, seeing the way the fans have taken to him has been amazing. In my opinion, I think he’s the guy, I think he’s the guy to to take that next step and be the face of Raw. Hopefully we’ll see if the uncrowned king will actually get his crown. So I’m excited for that one as well.
“But also, I’m such a big fan of Bianca Belair and Asuka, both of them,” he continues. “I hope they’re given the opportunity to go out there and tear it up because I know they have that in them. Both incredible, and to see the leaps that Bianca has made in such a short time in her career, what an incredible superstar, athlete, human being. And Asuka might be my favorite wrestler on the planet. So there’s a lot really to look forward to.”
There is one thing that I wanted to know among all else. Big E, famously, described his ideal match as “big, meaty men slappin’ meat,” and when he looks on the card for this sort of match, one sticks out among the rest.
“Ooh, ooh. Omos and Brock, that’s a lot of beef in there,” Big E says. “That’s a lot of be beef, that to me is definitely the one. I’m excited about that, man.”
The clip is pretty famous among the Internet Wrestling Community, and when big fellas take the ring against one another, you can usually see it pop up on Twitter. It’s a very silly line that mixed hilarious commentary on a very specific kind of match and an all-time reaction from everyone else on set — “[Xavier] Woods just laughing, like he really has an infectious laugh and that, I think, really made it cause this man almost needed medical attention,” Big E says. “He was keeled over laughing.”
But it’s more than just a funny video. As Big E explains, he loves that this riff has resonated with wrestling fans.
“As silly as that little saying is, I really enjoy that people have really clung to it, that it’s become a moniker for hoss matches,” Big E tells me. “The term for a match between big men just running into each other with big muscles, big chests, all that jazz. I love that people still love it. I try not to mention it too much so I don’t beat it into the ground, so I don’t make it something that you guys are tired of. But I love that big meaty men is still a thing. People on a regular basis, on almost a daily basis, I see a tweet and I’m tagged in it about big meaty men, or that clip replayed over and over, and it warms my heart.
As for Big E and a return to the ring, he says he feels great as he waits for the bone in his neck to fully heal. He’s had no nerve issues, no strength issues, and calls himself fortunate and blessed to not have any displacement when he broke the C1 in two places.
“When I get back home in early April I’ll get scans and then we’ll talk to the doctors, see what that looks like, and go from there,” he says. “But I really just wanna say thank you so much. I’ve had so many people reach out. So many people give the well wishes, and even though I can’t respond to everyone, honestly, it means the world to me. Oftentimes, when you think of rehab, physically, that’s the focus. The focus is on how’s the body healing. But I know for a lot of athletes, the mental part is the hardest part, and oftentimes it’s feeling like you’re forgotten about. Like you’re away from people. But the constant outpouring of love, people reaching out, sending their well wishes, asking how I’m doing, that has definitely helped make this so much easier mentally.”
As he recovers, Big E has taken advantage of the opportunity to travel on weekends for the first time in almost 13 years since joining the business. Currently, he’s working on WWE’s NIL program and other components of the company, but he’s taking it day to day when it comes to his recovery.
What he fondly refers to as the “Neck Club” has helped him gain perspective on not rushing the process, listening to doctors, getting multiple opinions, and taking the time to make the right decision for his future. He brings up a number of individuals who have served as a support system and shown that a serious neck injury is “not a death sentence for your career.”
“Right out the gate right, I had so many people reach out,” he says. “I refer to it as a club that you really don’t want to be in, but once you’re in, it’s a pretty incredible group. It’s the Neck Club, so Edge reached out to me. Edge is honestly one of the best human beings in the business. Has always checked in on me a bunch of times. Steve Austin reached out as well. Kevin Nash, and just so many guys that I grew up loving as a kid and have been blessed enough to be in rooms with as peers have reached out because unfortunately so many of us have dealt with neck injuries to some degree.”
For now, Big E isn’t focused on ambitions to hold this title, main event a show, or anything outside of what he can control. Meditation has become something that means a lot to him and it’s given him the mentality of being present in the moment.
“As much as I still have hopes and dreams and want to plan, I’m just really more focused on where am I at today? What is the next step? What’s the next hurdle? The biggest thing, I’m really on that health is wealth kick,” he says. “And that’s the biggest thing is if I come back too quickly and this were to end catastrophically, that’s obviously not what I want or what anyone wants.
“So I’m really just focused on let’s get these scans, let’s talk to doctors,” he continues. “Let’s get these opinions, let’s see where we’re at with that. Because everything else I really can’t control. And for me to expend a lot of mental energy or being anxious or worried or sad about any of those things that I can’t control just doesn’t serve me at all. So right now, that’s really just the focus is right now just enjoying being out here for WrestleMania and like truly enjoying. I love being out in LA, it’s also a big reunion for a lot of us. And then I know when I get home, we’ll get the scans and then we’ll go on from there. But I try not to spin out of control, worrying about things that I can’t control.”
If you haven’t heard: on Thursday evening, a New York grand jury officially indicted Donald Trump over his hush money payment to porn legend Stormy Daniels. Which officially makes Trump the first former president to be indicted on criminal charges. (Congratulations?)
While it was Trump himself who alerted the world to the pending charges, hearing that it actually happened still came as a bit of a surprise — particularly as it occurred shortly after it was reported that the grand jury would be putting the case aside for the month of April. And while the history-making ex-POTUS’ response to the official news was about what you would expect, it turns out that Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg wanted to move things along even more quickly and have Trump turn himself in today. But the Secret Service stepped in — or at least served as a scapegoat — to delay that particular embarrassment.
According to Politico, when Trump’s lawyers were informed about the grand jury’s decision, the plan was that the freshly indicted ex-president would turn himself in on Friday. But Trump’s lawyers claimed that wouldn’t be possible, as his Secret Service detail would not be able to coordinate security regarding his surrender that quickly. As Erica Orden wrote:
The exchange, which was relayed to POLITICO by a law-enforcement source and confirmed by Joe Tacopina, a lawyer for the former president, underscores the extremely delicate, unprecedented nature of the indictment. Until Thursday, no ex-president in history had been criminally charged. And both the charges itself and the application of them have placed the country on uncharted legal and political terrain…
Trump is expected to surrender to the Manhattan D.A.’s office, but Tacopina said that no precise date had been set for it. Ultimately the Secret Service will have to coordinate the conditions of the surrender with court officials and the New York Police Department.
A spokesperson for Bragg’s office did not respond to Politico’s request for comment.
On March 21, Tekashi 69, real name Daniel Hernandez, was hospitalized after being attacked in the sauna in LA Fitness in Lake Worth, Florida. Footage showed a man punching and kicking Hernandez and several attackers can be seen in the video. He suffered cuts to his face as well as injuries to his back, ribs, and jaw.
It was reported today (March 31) that three men have been arrested in connection to the event, according to Billboard. Rafael Medina Jr., Octavious Medina, and Anthony Maldonado were arrested on robbery and assault charges, said The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. Their respective ages are 43, 23, and 25.
In August of last year, the notorious rapper’s girlfriend, Rachel Wattley, was arrested on a battery charge after punching him. He told TMZ directly, “She attacked me in front of the police. I told them, ‘You have to evaluate her, she’s obviously under the influence.’ I don’t plan to press charges … I’m the one trying to bail her out.”
After paying tribute to the iconic producer and recording artist Missy Elliott at the 2023 Recording Academy Honors Gala, Chlöe’s collaboration with Elliott is now available across streaming platforms. The song titled “Told Ya,” featured on the singer’s debut solo album, In Pieces, is specifically aimed at the haters.
The Praise This actress tries not to address the naysayers. Well, so long as it isn’t tied to her sister Halle Bailey. But as Chlöe sings, “I thought I told you that I’m the sh*t / You must not know who you f*ckin’ with / I thought I told you that I’m the one (Uh) / All of you hoes, get up off my D (Woah) / I thought I told you that I’ma win / I thought I told you that I’m a ten / I thought I told you I never lose / I can see now that you’re listenin’,” she uses the track as her official clap back reminiscent of Kelly Rowland’s 2007 track “Like This.”
Although the official visualizer leaves much to be desired, knowing Elliott and seeing Chlöe’s series of recently released visuals, when the time does come to film an official video we’re sure they will knock it out of the park.
When discussing the inspiration behind the album’s cover, Chlöe took to Instagram to write, “I saw a photo of a porcelain doll 3 years ago, holding her heart just like this, and from then, I said this will be my album cover… that same day I also wrote ‘Heart On My Sleeve.’ The beginning of a scary and exciting journey for me,” adding, “This cover represents so much for me, down to the color of my hair when I had the red hair 1.5 years ago, it was one of the darkest times in my life that’s why I never wore it again. It reminded me too much of the pain that I was going through at that moment, and I didn’t want any reminders.”
Watch the official visualizer for “Told Ya” above.
In Pieces is out now via Parkwood/Columbia. For more information, click here.
On Tyler The Creator’s deluxe edition of Call Me If You Get Lost, subtitled The Estate Sale, the former demon child enters what Pitchfork is calling his “Munch era,” embracing the freedom and sincerity of falling in love on previously unreleased tracks like “Dogtooth” and “Sorry Not Sorry.” Honestly, it’s a good look on him, cementing his evolution from a talented but obnoxious enfant terrible to a dapper, forthright artiste.
His latest video from the release, “Wharf Talk,” keeps the good vibes flowing. On this one, Tyler’s in full loverboy mode, singing plaintively about how much he wants to spend time with this special lady over what sounds very much like some classic Neptunes production. When Tyler’s good friend ASAP Rocky shows up for a good, old-fashioned rap bridge — man, remember those? — he too sounds transformed by the affections of a good woman. It’s genuinely endearing and inspirational to see our boys really grow up. They’ve come a long way.
The video’s pretty clever, too, messing with the viewer’s perception as Tyler goes on a series of what appear to be solo dates: a picnic in the park, a day trip to the beach, and more. However, a bike ride through nature throws off this reading when one of the bikes propels itself — is Tyler dating The Invisible Woman, or what? (There’s some nifty commentary about how this makes his “keeping it low-key” approach to his relationship visual, but it’s also just fun to see him toasting what appears to be nobody.)
You can watch the “Wharf Talk” video above and check out Call Me If You Get Lost: The Estate Salehere.
One of the biggest Oscar snubs in recent memory is Florence Pugh in Midsommar. She should have won for her vulnerable, cathartic performance, but because the Academy only acknowledges horror once a decade and Get Out had already come out, she wasn’t even nominated. I’m still mad.
In an interview on the Off Menu podcast, Pugh revealed what she put herself through while making the Ari Aster film. “Each day the content would be getting more weird and harder to do,” she said. “I was putting things in my head that were getting worse and more bleak. I think by the end I probably, most definitely abused my own self in order to get that performance.”
Pugh continued, “There were so many places that I had to go to. I’d never played someone that was in that much pain before, and I would put myself in really shit situations that maybe other actors don’t need to do, but I would just be imagining the worst things.” She also explained what was going through her mind when she left the Midsommar set to go film Little Women.
“I felt like I’d left her there in that field, in that state, and it was so weird. I’ve never had that before. I’ve always thought all my characters, once I left like, ‘They’ll be fine.’ She can’t fend for herself, almost like I’d created this person, and then I just left her when I had to go do another movie. I created such a sad person, and then felt guilty that I’d created that person and then left her.”
During the courtroom proceedings in Utah, Paltrow faced off against retired optometrist Terry Sanderson who sued the Oscar-winning actress for damagers after accusing her of colliding into him then fleeing after allegedly causing him several injuries. Paltrow, however, countersued and accused Sanderson of crashing into her, which a jury believed. She was awarded a symbolic one dollar in damages and a reimbursement of legal fees.
After the verdict, Paltrow was seen whispering in Sanderson’s ear, and we now know what she said. Like a bone broth angel on wings of grace, she had nothing but good will for her opponent.
“Her exact words: ‘I wish you well,’” Sanderson said. “Very kind of her.”
He said he responded, “Thank you, dear.”
Despite Paltrow reaching down from her organically gilded pedestal to bless the rest of his days, Sanderson was understandably not thrilled with the outcome. He lamented that Paltrow’s celebrity status gave her “assumed credibility” with the jury.
“Who wants to take on a celebrity? No wonder I hesitated, right? It’s difficult,” Sanderson said. “Who wants to do that? Someone who learns lines, learns how to play someone else’s part and be believable, be credible, wins awards? Who wants to go on that path.”
As for Paltrow, obviously, she’s pleased with the outcome and congratulated herself for showing up in court.
“I felt that acquiescing to a false claim compromised my integrity,” Paltrow wrote in an Instagram Story via PEOPLE. “I am pleased with the outcome and I appreciate all of the hard work of Judge Holmberg and the jury, and thank them for their thoughtfulness in handling this case.”
To say that Vladimir Putin has been in denial over his war would be an understatement. He only recently admitted (after a year of embarrassment) that Russian troops were making far fewer advances in Ukraine than he expected, but the Putin backlash is becoming realer by the day. Angry Russian elites were allegedly recorded while labelling him as “Satan,” and his former underlings have expressed their stunned state over how his “Superman” image has disintegrated.
To make matters worse for him, the Russian economy is apparently in a state of collapse. Putin recently delivered a public guilt-trip to billionaires while asking them to prop up the tattered financial state of Russia, given that the company cannot even muster up paper or Viagra, but recently a billionaire oligarch (and one-time Putin ally) laid down some reality.
As reported by Forbes, industrialist tycoon Oleg Deripaska proclaimed that “they” (Putin’s regime?) has started to “shake us down” because “[t]here will be no money already next year.” And now, Putin has been forced to admit that Western sanctions are really hurting Russia. Via CNN:
“The illegitimate restrictions imposed on the Russian economy may indeed have a negative impact on it in the medium term,” Putin said in televised remarks Wednesday reported by state news agency TASS.
CNN’s analysis points towards Russia being unable to control its own expenditures (which happens in wartime), which jumped 59% from January 2022 to January 2023 while the government’s incoming wallet shrunk by 35%. The World Bank apparently points towards worsening times for the “medium term” with a further 7% contraction due to the ongoing war and sanctions from dozens of countries. All the while, Russians have also been dealing with a sorry imitation of McDonald’s, too. In other words, Putin cannot possibly expect to remain president if he loses this war.
Earlier this month, Taylor Swift kicked off her colossal Eras Tour. It was no casual affair in Glendale, Arizona; the town honored her presence by temporarily changing its name to Swift City. Now, Arlington, Texas is following suit in welcoming the pop star.
Just for the weekend (March 31-April 2), the town will be renaming Randol Mill Road to Taylor Swift Way. They’re inviting fans to take photos in front of the sign. Read an excerpt of their statement below.
“Arlington is participating in a friendly competition with other U.S. cities hosting The Eras Tour to demonstrate its ‘Reputation’ as one of Swift’s biggest fans. We don’t have any ‘Bad Blood’ with Las Vegas, which recently lit its Gateway Arches in colors that correspond with Swift’s various musical eras, but never in our ‘Wildest Dreams’ would we go so far as to ‘Change’ Arlington’s name as our friends in Glendale, Ariz., did when it rebranded as Swift City.
In honor of the ‘Bejeweled’ singer, Arlington is ceremoniously naming Randol Mill Road to Taylor Swift Way for the weekend. Fans are invited to pose for pics with the temporary street sign at the corner of Collins Street and Randol Mill Road, which features the ‘Gorgeous’ AT&T Stadium in the background.”
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EPISODE 185 OUT NOW 
Apple: 
