
If You Think TikTok Is A Waste Of Time, Let These 31 Genuinely Useful Products Change Your Mind
We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
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Many things on social media are a waste of time, but not these products. We pinky promise.
1. A kids art frame for both 1) properly showing off your budding artist's latest creation, and 2) creating some hidden storage for your kiddo's growing oeuvre (so you don't have to throw away the stick figure family drawing your child just handed you when they hand you a new masterpiece in approximately five minutes).
Check out a TikTok of the art frames in action.
Promising review: "Wish I'd known about these with my first kid or my second. Now, I'm on my third, and our kitchen is littered with art projects. These were a great solution to clear out the clutter and make my kitchen look less like a kindergarten classroom. The frames store A LOT of art in them, and each kid has their own frame and can decide which picture to put on display. Magnetic case makes it easy to open but stays shut when it's supposed to." — probooks627
Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in 19 colors).
2. An airplane seat back organizer because air travel can actually be pleasant when all your in-flight essentials are within reach. Thanks to the four roomy pockets, this organizer can hold your snacks, drinks, electronics, books, toys, etc. so you may not need to squeeze past your seat neighbor 10 times in the same flight because you need to grab something else from your carry-on.
www.amazon.com
See it in action on TikTok. And check out BuzzFeed writer Emma Lord 's Airplane Pockets review for more deets!
Promising review: "Very useful, especially when traveling with kids. Provided easy access and storage to things like water bottles, hand sanitizer, snacks, wipes, and headphones. I didn't have to access my carry-on." — JJ
Get it from Amazon for $29.99.
3. A beloved tub of pink cleaning paste so you can restore your walls and dressers when your little ones go Baby Picasso on your furniture with a permanent marker.
A lot of people compare it to the Magic Eraser in paste form, so even your weirdest, most stubborn stains will meet their match.
See it in action on TikTok.
Promising review:"Found this product on TikTok. I don't think I've ever seen value like I do this product! Literally, use it on EVERYTHING!! Kids and teens have dirt, grime, and grease on their walls? This will make it look like a new paint job. Baseboards need some love? A pea-sized amount of this makes them look brand new. Need a shoe cleaner? PERFECT for sneakers. I could name a million more uses, but I can ASSURE you this is worth every penny. What's more? You need so LITTLE of this product that it will last a VERY long time. Thank you, TikTok!!!" — Rachel in CLT
Get it from Amazon for $5.97.
4. A pair of specially designed Wrist Buddy contoured yoga blocks to help you hold a pose or plank with less pressure on your wrist, which may cause less pain and allow you to grip the block better.
Amazon
See it in action on TikTok.
Promising review: "I typically have pretty bad pain in my right wrist. So, when I wanted to start yoga again, I did not want to aggravate it. These blocks have helped tremendously. I can now do poses like downward dog with no wrist pain at all!" — Cris
Get them from Amazon for $39.99 (available in four colors).
5. A bottle of KISS PowerFlex nail glue if you're constantly looking down at your press-ons only to realize, what the heck? Where did my nail go?! This nail glue's got a STRONG hold, and reviewers say their press-ons last at least a week and sometimes more, depending on how oily your nailbeds are!
www.amazon.com
Check out a TikTok of the nail glue in action.
Promising review: "I've been using this on my press-ons, and when I say they last a month or longer without any popping off! I will never go back to any other brand. Easy to use, quick-drying, GREAT PRICE!! Like, how can you best that value? The size you get for the price is really unmatched. The glue removal is pretty eas y. If I plan on reusing the press-ons, I'll soak them in water and soap and pop them off. If not, I'll cut and shave down the nails and soak in acetone until it dissolves the nails enough for me to use my drill." — Big Ming
Get it from Amazon for $1.97.
6. A ceiling fan carbon filter that'll grab dust, pollen, smoke, dander, and other allergens as the fan spins. It sticks to the fan blade and is unnoticeable — but you may notice the difference in the air!
Promising reviews: "I originally saw these on TikTok, and my house is really dusty. My dogs are highly allergic to dust mites, and I thought these might help. I can't speak for the filtering part, but I can say they certainly help with the amount of dust my fan collects. It is so much nicer, that's for sure! Will repurchase!" — Monica
"I wasn't sure what to expect when purchasing these, but now they are a staple in every room of our house. Within three days the air smelled more crisp and was easier to breathe in our home. So simple and effective!" — Haylee Marez
Get a three-pack from Amazon for $19.99.
7. A genius "Bread Buddy" dispenser for the person who can't even make a sandwich because — oh great! — the bread already has little blue and green mold splotches. This space-saving container is designed to help keep bread fresher for longer.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
See it in action on TikTok.
Promising review:"The Buddeez Sandwich Bread Dispenser is great! It does exactly what it was intended for. I live alone and I don't quite go through bread often enough before the last quarter section of the loaf starts to go stale. I was originally looking for something to put a loaf of bread in as a shell for my vacuum sealer that would keep the bread from getting crushed by the pressure. This dispenser solved all of my problems. Thank you!" — DRMcQuaig
Get it from Amazon for $16.49+ (available in five colors/styles).
8. A Tub Topper because parents everywhere, bathtime is about to change forever. It attaches with suction cups to the lip of the tub and acts as a splash guard, toy tray, and a fun zone thanks to the flat surface, which allows for play.
Amazon
Check out a parent's review of the Tub Topper on TikTok!
Promising review: "Like you, when I first came across this, I was hesitant because of the price. It's a bit steep, I thought to myself. But then, after another night of bathtime with two towels on the ground to soak up the water my child had splashed all over, I took the plunge and bought it. And definitely worth it a million times over. My child LOVES the extra space for toys and I love the water staying in the tub. I definitely and highly suggest buying it. You won't be disappointed! Or your child!!" — Brianna
Get it from Amazon for $59.95 (available in four colors).
9. A WD-40 pen (A pen! Genius!) so you can enjoy the squeak-quieting, hinge-lubricating, rust-preventing powers that you know and love from traditional WD-40 but in an easy-to-maneuver precise pen tip.
www.amazon.com
Check out a TikTok of a reviewer using the pen to remove rust from their guitar
Promising review: "I love WD-40 products and use them for everything. I spray on shovels to keep dirt or snow from sticking, spray around windows and thresholds to deter bugs, clean Sharpies off wood and walls, and, of course, stop squeaky doors. These small direct-point application pens are great. Keep one in the glove box, my kitchen 'junk' drawer, and the house toolbox." — BBP623
Get a three-pack from Amazon for $18.96.
10. A length-adjustable pet hair broom to loosen the fur trapped in your carpet. It works just as well on wood and linoleum, with the rubber head working as a magnet to attract stray hairs. There's also a built-in squeegee for wiping up liquids or for cleaning glass. Plus, the handle extends from 36 to 60 inches so it can reach practically any mess.
Emma Lord / BuzzFeed, www.amazon.com
Check out my coworker's FURemover broom review for more deets and some very satisfying hair-removal photos!
Promising review:" I saw this on TikTok and thought it was worth a shot. I have two dogs and a cat, and being one with a dust and dander allergy, I have to vacuum often, but the vacuum can't always get in deep enough. This actually works, and I was shocked at how well it works. I brush the carpet a few times and vacuum it up, and the carpet looks even better!! I highly recommend this to everyone- especially pet owners." — Theo A
Get it from Amazon for $15.93.
11. An equal parts hilarious and genius sleep sack if your bedsheets are all stained with self-tanner. Keep your white sheets white and leave the beach towels in the closet! Slide yourself into the silky-feeling sack — there's even a foot opening to allow for airflow — and let any self-tanner stick to the sack and not your sheets.
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Check out a TikTok of the Sleep Sac in action.
Promising review: "I debated over buying this for a long time. I'm so glad I went with this product over the cheaper ones. Not only does it save my white sheets, but it's so comfortable! The fabric is top-quality and breathable! Easy to wash and store in your nightstand when not using it. Except I rarely store it because I love sleeping with it even when I don't have tanner on." — Barry Engelbrecht
Get it from Amazon for $46+ (available in three colors).
12. A pack of unscented antiperspirant wipes that'll protect you from excessive sweating for up to seven — SEVEN! — days.
Amazon
Psst — you should definitely "patch test" this on a small area of skin before putting it on to ensure you don't have any reaction!
Promising reviews:"I saw this product on TikTok, and I decided to give it a shot since it was only like $20 for 10 wipes (that's 10 weeks, 2.5 months) of no underarm sweat. It worked! I was so happy to finally be able to wear all the shirts I own that are not black!" — Nes172011
"It works! Really does. Follow the instructions, and you won't be disappointed. The small downside I have experienced is it makes my underarms itchy that first night. I would say the protection lasts three to four days 100%, then slowly drops off to about 10% on that seventh day. I am absolutely buying this again. (From a guy that has tried everything possible.)" — Kyle Moran
Get a 10-pack from Amazon for $19.99 (each box lasts two months).
13. A leakproof dog water bottle for keeping your pooch hydrated without wasting water. Hold down the button and tilt the bottle horizontally until water flows into the built-in bowl. Once Buddy has had his fill, the water will flow back into the bottle until he's thirsty again.
The water bottle also includes a sling rope and carabiner for clipping onto a bag or belt loop.
See it in action on TikTok.
Promising review:"I love this item. Especially nice when I take my dog to the dog park...for some reason he doesn't like drinking out of the communal dog bowl. The water flows into the cup area and back into the reservoir if the dog doesn't drink it all...with a button to lock in the water. Perfect product." — J. Chevalier
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in two sizes and in three colors).
14. A pair of new and improved Loop Quiet 2 noise-reduction earplugs because — for whatever reason — you just need some quiet. They help dull loud noises and background sounds, as well as muffle voices, so they're great for people with auditory sensitivities and folks who just want some peace and quiet to focus or find zen.
The earplugs also come with a carrying case and four different ear tips (XS–L) to ensure the perfect fit.
Check out this in-depth review on TikTok.
Promising reviews:"They are amazing. They fit and stay in all night even when side sleeping. They reduce ambient sound so well. It helps get rid of the annoying sound of my CPAP machine. It works so well it makes it hard to hear my alarm go off in the morning, which would be my only issue. Though I'd rather have that issue than not have an actual good night of sleep." — Tim W
"I'm a bartender at a live music venue. We have music every day, and some bands are just louder than ever. I not only wanted to save my ears from future issues but also be able to work without my ears ringing for hours afterward. These are perfect. I can still hear my customers, but it muffles the sound of the bands and helps keep me comfortable throughout my shift. The silicone is very comfortable, and I thought it was really nice that it came with 3 interchangeable sized earpieces. I have a couple of (nontraditional) piercings in my ear, and the plugs still fit comfortably! I convinced my coworker to get some. Great value for money, would buy them over and over again!!" — Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $27.95 (available in 10 colors).
15. A 2-in-1 mascara and strengthening serum so you can coat every. single. lash. No more contorting your arm and tilting your head to the back and the side, thanks to this mascara's adjustable wand. Just twist the wand to your desired curve!
Amazon
Check out a Reel of the mascara wand in action.
Promising review: "This product is so universal, it works on all types of lashes. The finish is so nice, lengthening and volumizing, and DOESN'T CLUMP. And on top it's a lash serum and tubing mascara! Daily essential." — K. Ali
Get it from Amazon for $30.
16. And a mascara remover you can use at the end of the day because it'll lift even the most stubborn waterproof formulas with ease. You apply it just like mascara!
Check out a TikTok of the mascara remover in action.
This stuff is MAGICAL. I have stick-straight Asian lashes that refuse to hold a curl with wetter mascara formulas. As a result, I have to use waterproof mascara, which is a total pain to remove at night. Instead of rubbing my eyes raw with makeup removers that burn, I apply this like mascara, let it sit for a few minutes, and my waterproof mascara MELTS. Then I go in with a micellar water–soaked cotton pad, and my mascara is gone in 1–2 passes.
Promising review: "I was skeptical because I have always struggled with removing waterproof mascara 100% on the first wash/wipe. I applied it to both my lashes and then immediately washed my face with my normal cleanser, and I felt nothing on my lashes! Like I never applied anything to them. I am amazed and in shock still from this magical formula and invention! Best creation ever!" — Chrisy
Get it from Amazon for $11.99.
17. A famous Little Green upholstery cleaner if your living room looks like you're running a doggy daycare out of it. This portable upholstery and carpet cleaner cleans deeply, penetrating household fabrics and even car interiors to erase any sign of your pet's accidents.
www.amazon.com
See it in action on TikTok.
Promising review:"Saw this thing all over TikTok and caved because my couch was looking BUSTED. This little green monster was super simple to put together out of the box, easy to wrap back up after use, and the water that came after cleaning my couch was literally black... My couch is light blue so, definitely gets things CLEAN. Do it, you don't know you need it but you do." — KD Krane
Get it from Amazon for $123.59.
18. An eyeliner stamp that'll simplify your winged liner routine. One end is a triangular stamp for the wings, and the other is a felt tip to connect the wing to the inner corner.
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Check it out in action on TikTok here!
Promising review:"Best eyeliner ever! This item was a 'TikTok made me buy it' LOL, but overall, I am truly happy with this purchase. Thank you! Your product is truly amazing!" — Samantha Lopez
Get a set of two from Amazon for $14.97 (available in three styles).
19. A portable door lock for added security or for doors that don't have locks. It jams the door so it's impossible for an intruder to force themselves in using the door handle.
Promising review:"My apartment door has a deadbolt but no lock on the door handle. The latch is also misplaced, so if it's not dead-bolted, anyone can just push my door open. It took a few tries to get this right, but it makes me feel much more secure, and it's easy to use when you get the hang of it! I also take this with me when traveling as it fits almost all doors. Definitely recommend, thanks TikTok for showing this to me." — Anna
Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
20. A time-saving fruit and veggie divider because quartering grapes by hand...yeah no thank you!! Parents swear this thing is so convenient because it easy enough and safe enough for their kiddos to use — and the little ones find it fun to use too!
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Check out a TikTok of the fruit and veggie divider in action.
Promising review: "If you have toddlers, get it — especially if you're on the fence. I needed something for grapes, blueberries, blackberries, and other small fruits and veggies we go through so much. My breakfast was getting cold long before I was done cutting fruit for two toddlers. Most cutters only do one grape or berry, but this one can do several grapes and a small handful of blueberries. We will definitely be getting a lot of use out of it in this house." — Kindle Customer
Get it from Amazon for $13.47.
21. A wireless transmitter so you can watch the free in-flight movies with your Bluetooth headphones even though you forgot your corded earbuds.
www.amazon.com
It also comes with a USB-C charging cable, travel pouch, keychain holder, quick-start guide, and a manual.
See one TikTok user using it in tandem with their AirPods Pro here.
Promising review:"I love this gadget ... I fly a lot, and this works on the majority of wide-body planes I've taken over the past six months. Just plug into one of the three-prong outlets (or a single outlet in economy), and you can connect any Bluetooth device. It doesn't always connect on the first try, as I have multiple devices that my headphones are searching for, but if you turn off all other devices, it seems to connect right away. Once connected, it works for many hours. A few planes I've taken recently (Qatar Airways) have USB charge points so close to the headphone jack that you can even plug it in while it's working and never lose the charge. Highly recommend for travelers." — Joseph Britto
Get it from Amazon for $44.99+ (available in four styles).
22. A cleverly designed rechargeable electric candle lighter with a genius bendable neck to light just about anything without a struggle or stress about burning your fingers trying to light a slumped-over wick that's half buried in wax. (Just me??) This is especially great if you have mobility issues or arthritis, as it turns on with a simple switch.
Promising review: "I absolutely love this product. Now I'm able to light candles where the candle wax has melted down, and it's hard to reach inside the jar. I also love the fact that you charge this with a USB cable, and the charge lasts for a long time. It has indicator lights to let you know how much of a charge is remaining. I've only had to charge it once since I purchased it. I Very durable and a great value for the price. I definitely recommend this." — Cassandra S.
"Another product I got from TikTok. It's a necessity. No more struggling and almost burning yourself. Stays charged for days. A week at most if you use it frequently." — Nijada
Get it from Amazon for $15.99 (available in seven colors and two packs).
23. A foaming garbage disposal cleaner if your sink, to be very blunt, STINKS. These will clean your sink from the inside out, loosening built-up grime that's hiding under the splash guard and on the disposal's blades and sidewalls.
Amazon
Promising review:"Saw on TikTok (don't judge) and automatically added to cart. So easy to use, takes probably a minute to fully bubble up and clean, and you're left with a clean sink! I use with other drain cleaning products, but would 100% recommend for weekly maintenance." — Jessica House
Get a four-pack from Amazon for $3.78.
24. An electrical outlet cover with a power strip that'll clear cluttered cords stat. It's also pretty great if you want to push your furniture right up against the wall but can't because your phone charger adapter is in the way.
See it in action on TikTok here!
Promising review:"It looks perfect! So clean! I have so many wires for the TV and it looked so ugly. This hid everything. So glad I saw this on TikTok! They made me buy it, and I don't regret it!! LOL." — Lisette J Haslam
Get it from Amazon for $23.95+ (available in four lengths).
25. A keyboard cover for long nails for anyone who's tired of having to type with their finger pads instead of their fingertips when their nails are long. The soft silicone keys are raised to allow you to press with your tips, and the gentle material is designed to not damage your nails.
Check out a Reel for the Tippy Type in action.
Promising review: "I'm a nail artist who loves to rock medium stiletto Gel-X nails, and this keyboard has increased my productivity by 120%. It's intuitive, and it's so fun to type on! It takes some getting used to a couple of small typos, but I know that will only improve the more I use it! I've been showing all my clients!" — Sarah O.
Get it from Tippy Type for $45 (available in six styles and three colors).
26. A set of cowboy straw toppers because your emotional support water bottle comes with ya everywhere...and maybe some places it doesn't need to be...like a germy gas station bathroom. Protect your feller from all the lil' outlaws: pet fur, a coworker's sneeze, dust, bugs, and more.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
27. A standing weeder so you can totally just skip the worst part of gardening: kneeling for hours plucking weeds. My back hurts just thinking about it! Thankfully, this tool has three steel claws that grip weeds and roots so you can pull them out while standing.
Grampa's Gardenware Co. is an Oregon-based, family-owned small business.
Made with a bamboo handle and powder-coated steel, it uses a simple lever system to make weeding easy.
Promising review:"My neighbor was using this and when I asked what in the holy Midwest she was doing, she told me it was the easiest way to get weeds out of the lawn. And she saw it on a TikTok. Now, I'm not a cool mid-thirtysomething, so I don't Tik the Tok, but she did sound so convincing, and as the aforementioned 3-and-a-half-ish-decades-aged person, what excites me anymore is stuff that fits the following criteria: 1) Is for boring adulthood chores, 2) Makes things easier since my body is starting to deteriorate, and 3) If after use of the item, I feel tempted to stand proudly with my hands on my hips, let out a victorious sigh, and say something along the lines of, 'Yep, that looks great.' This hit all three, and I both loathe myself and feel amazing at how easy it is to get those weeds out of my lawn. Especially the spiky ones that I always would tell myself I could pull with bare fingers without injury and curse the error of my judgment out loud for the poor neighborhood kids to hear. Tiktokers and old souls alike, this tool is for you." — Kimberly B
Get it from Amazon for $39.99.
28. A "flossing toothbrush" with two types of bristles: flossing bristles that are 10 times thinner to really get into the grooves between your teeth and regular firm bristles that are designed to last longer than the nylon bristles your current toothbrush probably has. Reviewers say it's gentle yet effective, even on sensitive teeth!
Emma Lord / BuzzFeed
Mouthwatchers is a small business established by Ronald Plotka, DDS, that specializes in antimicrobial toothbrushes designed to get deeper cleans even patients with "great" dental hygiene might miss with traditional brush and floss routines.
BuzzFeed writer Emma Lord says, "I've had one of these for a while, and I love it! I usually use an electric toothbrush, but I feel like I'm getting a much more satisfying clean from these?? Especially because I tend to get yellow stains between my teeth no matter *how* much I floss, and these bristles seem to actually target that a lot more effectively. I've switched to using this in the morning and the electric one at night and definitely see a difference in that area in particular."
Promising review: "This was another one of my TikTok purchases! I was skeptical, but my kids hate flossing their teeth, so thought this might help in between making them floss. They work amazing! My kids said they could see and feel a difference on the first use, and I agree! They are definitely worth a try! I would suggest not pushing too hard. Those tiny bristles really get in there, and if you push too hard, you might be sore like I was. It felt like after going to a dental cleaning." — Amy N.
Get a two-pack from Amazon for $8.91.
29. A pet hair roller if you love your fur babies but hate how much they shed...on everything. Roll it over your couch, bed, favorite blanket, you name it, and watch it lift the fur away. See, we can own nice things!!
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I have a corgi…that should say plenty about my dog hair situation. He just loooooooooooves to rub his tan self up against my dark grey upholstered headboard 😂. I was going through lint roller like someone who bought stock in them. I saw a TikTok of someone using the ChomChom and bought it. It came super fast and my headboard no longer looks like it's made of corgi hide." — Mrs. Bechard
Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in black and white).
30. A cruelty-free Capri Blue Volcano-scented multipurpose cleaner that'll make your home smell like the most delicious blend of citrus and sugar. If you've ever walked into Anthropologie and spent a good five minutes just inhaaaaaallllingggg that scent *ding ding ding* this is what you're smelling.
Amazon
Check out a review of the cleaner on TikTok!
Promising reviews: "It smells wonderful and works well. Also looks great to leave on the counter." — James R. Curry
"Smells amazing, love this scent, and it doesn't leave a residue. Wish it was cheaper but love it!" — AshBurton
Get it from Amazon for $15.
31. A roll of road tape for encouraging your kiddo's imagination and creativity — and perhaps also helping you achieve your dream of being a race course designer.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Several genius reviewers said they used this tape on airplane tray tables to entertain their kids while traveling. One parent on TikTok stands by this hack, too!
Promising review: "I was so excited to gift this tape to a 4-year-old boy and to see how it was. It's very light and stuck to a table very nicely. It left no residue on the table and could tear easily to make a turn in the road. You could put this anywhere in your house and not be worried about damage. Very cool!" — Courtney S.
Get a 30-foot roll from Amazon for $9.47 (available in multipacks).
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.
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Mr Keating is a leading member of Keep Streets Live, a community group set up to support and protect buskers. He said a lot of the group's work was about promoting the benefits of art in public spaces. "Performances in public spaces are a really important foundation and cornerstone of our national identity," he said. "I can see all aspects of society come together, whether it's people who are sleeping rough, people who are out on the town having a night out - they all come together and dance or party or enjoy an experience and a lot of people respect that and really appreciate it. "I'm really sorry to see the interaction Jason had and it wasn't a positive one this time around. "I want to reassure people that Leeds isn't a dangerous place. It's such a brilliant city and it's a safe city, it's a really welcoming city. " But on the streets of Leeds on Wednesday, busker Katie Gittins described a recent incident in which her takings were stolen. "He literally took everything I'd made that day and I'd only made like 15 quid," she said. "I was pretty hungry at the time and I was trying to get the money together for a gas and electric bill. "When it is most of your income, it does weigh on you a hell of a lot more. Buskers like Jason have the luxury of having income from another place." Ms Gittins has been busking for about three years, mostly in Leeds, but also in Leicester, Wakefield, Bradford, Newcastle, Sheffield and Richmond. While we're talking a busker approaches Ms Gittins to warn her that another performer has had their sound equipment stolen. "In the last couple of months, that's the second load of someone's musical equipment that's been stolen," she said. "This whole week has just felt weird. I don't know if that's the result of all the tensions that fizzled over during the heatwave. "But to me, the altercation I saw that Jason caught on video. Honestly, that looks like a regular Saturday night." She blames the increasing difficulty of busking on streaming and lack of music education in school. "Withdrawing the funding from the arts has meant young children are not introduced to music or taught to respect it," she said. "The modern streaming system means everybody can just download music for free. "A lot of my friends are independent artists. It just seems like they're not getting anything back for the effort they're putting in and it's not just them." A spokesperson for Leeds City Council said any safety concerns should be reported to the police. "We are proud to support busking as a vibrant part of our city's culture," they said. "Keeping people safe, and ensuring they feel welcome in the city, is a priority for us and our Safer Leeds team works in partnership with other organisations across the city, including emergency services, to achieve this." Nick Broad is co-founder and former CEO of The Busking Project, which is behind the busking payment platform allows performers to get tipped via Apple Pay, Google Pay and PayPal. "There are fewer street performers today because of cashless payments," he said. "The cost-of-living crisis and gentrification push struggling artists out of city centres and add to that the rising inflation, street performers need to be earning more than ever before but they are earning less." But despite backing the revolution in digital payments, Mr Broad is wary of encouraging buskers to push their art online. "I can't stand the digital landscape," he said. "During lockdowns people set up online and put time and money into looking good for Zoom concerts. That's all good but then we came out of lockdowns. "If you create music and upload it to platforms like TikTok or Spotify you're competing with an algorithm for views and it's not always about artistic integrity." works with artists in Australia, the US, Canada and the UK. And safety is not a concern Mr Broad regularly hears people complain about. "Busking is the one part of outdoor city life that has lasted from ancient times until now. The hawkers, market traders, kids playing games, news callers and so on have all been eradicated," he said. "Street performers are still there for a very good reason: there will always be demand for entertainment, and people will always be willing to support a good show." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. Busker quits playing in Leeds to 'put safety first' Busker 'struggled' to keep Sam Fender gig a secret Keep Streets Live
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What's Next for Denis Villeneuve's Bond Movie? Amazon's Wishlist Includes Jacob Elordi, Tom Holland and Harris Dickinson
In the 2021 film 'No Time to Die,' Daniel Craig repeats one of the James Bond franchise's most enduring lines to Léa Seydoux: 'We have all the time in the world.' Well, not quite. More from Variety Amazon MGM Partners With Sony Pictures for International Theatrical Distribution Under New Multi-Year Deal Denis Villeneuve to Direct James Bond Film at Amazon Amazon MGM Studios' United Artists, Scott Stuber Board Action-Thriller 'The Seventh Man' From 'Carry On' Writer T.J. Fixman (EXCLUSIVE) Now that Amazon has tapped Denis Villeneuve as the franchise's next director, the pace is about to accelerate significantly on the 26th outing of James Bond. Even still, Amazon is looking at a 2028 release date for Bond 26. Anything sooner would be impossible to pull off, given the film's scale, sources say. Amazon declined to comment for this story. French-Canadian helmer Villeneuve beat out four European directors — Edward Berger, Edgar Wright, Paul King and Jonathan Nolan — for the coveted job. Now, Amazon will move fast to attach a writer, and then an actor who will slip into Agent 007's shoes. Insiders say that the studio and producers are interested in casting a British actor under the age of 30, with Jacob Elordi ('Saltburn'), Tom Holland ('Spider-Man') and Harris Dickinson ('Babygirl') at the top of the list. (Elordi is Australian, but that would not be a deal-breaker as far as Amazon is concerned; remember Aussie George Lazenby starred in 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service.') While there has been speculation that Aaron Taylor-Johnson or Henry Cavill would be possible heirs to Craig, they are 35 and 42, respectively, and thus unlikely to fit the mandate. So, too, is fan-favorite Idris Elba, 52, who has ducked Bond speculation for years. (No meetings have happened at this stage.) Alfonso Cuarón was an early contender to direct, and Bond producer David Heyman pushed hard to make that happen, given that the two had worked together on the third 'Harry Potter' movie. But Cuarón removed himself from competition, choosing to focus on other projects, including the Charlize Theron-starrer 'Jane.' That film, which is also on a fast track at Amazon, is awaiting a draft of the script from Jack Thorne, who penned the 'Enola Holmes' trilogy. (It is unclear if Cuarón would direct or only produce 'Jane.') Initially, Amazon was very interested in Christopher Nolan, who is Jonathan's brother, even if that meant breaking a decades-long rule of not allowing a Bond director to have final cut. Until now, the Broccoli family held tight control of the franchise's creative direction, and ultimately had final say. But Barbara Broccoli and her half-brother, Michael Wilson, relinquished the reins earlier this year and now have only a financial stake in the property. Either way, Nolan is tied up on his next project, 'The Odyssey,' which stars Holland, for at least a year. Villeneuve is currently quite busy, too, planning to film 'Dune: Messiah' later this year to make an expected December 2026 release date. For his part, Villeneuve has a one-off deal on Bond, meaning he is not locked in for a sequel, and does not have final cut. The last director to helm two Bond films back to back was Sam Mendes with 2012's 'Skyfall' and 2015's 'Spectre.' Amazon has a short list of writers who will chart the future course for the man with the license to kill as he makes his debut with Amazon after decades at MGM. One scenario making the rounds is that Jonathan Nolan, whose take on the material was enthusiastically received at Amazon, would write the screenplay. Though Nolan has a close relationship with the studio via the series 'Fallout,' sources say he is not available to write. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? 25 Hollywood Legends Who Deserve an Honorary Oscar