Springbok Ox Nché's lessons on love, mental health and money as he turns 30
ox_nche/Instagram
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Yahoo
3 minutes ago
- Yahoo
I've seen her name and photo - but we can't talk before the date. Will it work out?
I'm sitting - trying to look composed - in a London bar. Cocktail ordered, there's a rollercoaster knot of anticipation building in my stomach - I'm waiting for a date. Except this isn't exactly your typical dating rendezvous - because while my date and I met online, as so many people do nowadays, we matched on an app that doesn't allow users to exchange messages until a few hours before the meetup. I know my date's name and I've seen her photo, but there's been none of the usual small talk messaging - just a few words to confirm I'm looking forward to meeting, and that's it. I first started using dating apps during the Covid lockdowns - Hinge mainly, but I've also tried Tinder and Bumble. They introduced me to a vibrant mix of people - some became short-term flings, others full-blown relationships, and then there were the other indefinable in-betweens. But after a mutual new year break-up (with an ex I'd met on Hinge), I returned to the dating app scene as a 30-something tired of the cookie-cutter profiles and weird monoculture. Everyone seems to be looking for someone who "doesn't take themselves too seriously", is itching to make travel and running a personality trait, or is desperate to go hiking. As a wheelchair user, I definitely won't be doing the last two - no matter how much physio I do. I wanted something different. I was after a pasta admirer, like me So, when a friend told me about an app which cuts out pre-date chat and gets straight to the date, I was intrigued. No awkward talking stage, no wondering if you've asked someone out too early - or left it too late. Research suggests an overwhelming number of daters have online burnout - so it's no wonder dating apps are trying to reignite the spark. There's Feeld, an app for the sexually curious; Fourplay, which teams single friends together with other pairs for group dates; and Lex, an LGBTQ+ message board app, while Raya is invite-only for celeb matches. According to Ofcom, singletons aged under 25 are dating online more than any other age group – so the big dating apps are also adding functionality to try to keep them interested. In June, Tinder introduced its double date feature. Akin to the Fourplay app, it lets users create a joint profile with a friend. Tinder's umbrella company, Match Group, said it needed to keep up with what Gen Z wanted and "build lower-pressure" ways for them to meet. Hinge has basically been charging more for a premium match-making service. Hinge X, the most expensive tier, charges £24.99 per week for "enhanced access to your type", the ability to "skip the line" and "like priority". The obvious question, of course, is how that works if multiple users are signed up - they can't all be the priority. These apps preach a tailored focus, but together respond to the same underlying sense of dating fatigue I have been feeling too. I'd been sending messages into the ether without any guarantee the algorithm would actually get them to the potential future love of my life - increasingly it felt a waste of time. And as someone who's been on the end of multiple failed talking stages in the past few months - cutting straight to the date felt a novel thing to try. Because, why not? Does online dating work? Once mocked, online dating is now a global love affair worth billions, and love at first swipe has become the generational norm. Almost 10% of Brits told a recent YouGov poll they met their partner on an app too, so that probably tells us something. But studies show cross-gender dissatisfaction, with women overwhelmed by matches, while men generally struggle and are more likely to turn to paid features to boost their chances. Add the normalisation of unhealthy dating behaviours like ghosting - suddenly cutting contact without explanation - and some drained daters are deciding: "it's not me, it's you". Last year, a class action lawsuit accused Match Group, owners of mainstream apps like Tinder and Hinge, of using addictive game-like features to encourage compulsive use. The case has since been sent to arbitration. Match Group rejected the claims calling the lawsuit "ridiculous", reports Reuters news agency. In Depth: Why dating apps could be in trouble Is speed dating the answer for Gen Zs looking for love? Tinder's height filter divides daters Yet, despite trying to keep us hooked, Ofcom data shows the UK's most popular dating apps saw usage fall by 16% in 2024. Tinder lost 594,000 users, Hinge dropped by 131,000, Bumble by 368,000 and Grindr by 11,000. In June, Bumble laid off 30% of its global staff. On Breeze, the new app I was trying, once you match a date is booked at a "partner venue" - this is partly how the app makes its money. Users pay upfront for a drink which acts as a soft deterrent to prevent no-shows – but bail repeatedly and your account will be temporarily frozen. Creating my profile, I wrote that I hoped to meet someone self-assured - able to laugh at life and themselves, while also embracing a dance floor with enthusiasm. Bonus points for cat people and pasta-admirers. My date, Rozena (not her real name), had amazing eyes - deep blue, with a purple tinge. She said she was looking for a long-term relationship, listed culture and theatre among her interests, and described the "worst idea she ever had" as the time she tried a particular dance move in heels, and ended up in an ambulance. This felt like exactly the kind of calamity I could get on board with. And that's how I found myself heading to this date. I'd flagged to Breeze that I'm a wheelchair user to make sure the venue was accessible before the booking was confirmed. The app's support team was responsive and the bar certainly seemed fine on paper. But while I could technically get in, all the indoor tables were up a few steps I couldn't navigate, meaning we would have to sit outside. The app later apologised for this and said it would work on how it audits places for accessibility in the future. Less pre-chat made us more present I messaged Rozena through the app - in the short pre-date window that opens just before that first meeting. She was understanding and said she'd brought a raincoat. Luckily, the rain held off. Less fortunately, the table leg made it difficult for me to wheel my chair under it, meaning I had to do a Tom Daley-style swan dive every time I reached for my drink. At least I didn't knock it over. Our date was fun - but there was no romantic spark. Rozena admitted her interest in music didn't extend beyond musicals. And while she claimed to be joking, I suspect her disappointment that I wasn't as aligned with her passion for theatre may have been genuine. Would we have discovered there was no chemistry had we met on an app with a pre-date chat function? It's impossible to say. But the limited pre-meet communication window seemed to make us both more engaged when we met in person. When I told Rozena I was thinking of writing an article about the app, she told me she'd been on a few dates through it. One drawback she'd discovered was that her matches weren't always close by – she'd had dates travel from hours away to meet up. Perhaps this is due to a growing user base. After finishing our drinks and saying goodbye, the app's chat window stayed open for a few hours, meaning we could check each other had reached home safely. There was an opportunity to exchange numbers via the app if both parties wished to. I received a message saying Rozena had declined, but she left a note saying she had had a lovely time. I am unable to contact her again, but it gave closure. No ghosting. Reflecting on this new approach to online dating, I wonder if we are going full circle, pining for the traditional dating culture of the pre-internet age? Sure, it didn't work out this time for me and my date, but it felt much more human, less AI. Breeze isn't unique in trying to do something different to help daters find love, but my experience on it made me realise that chatting beforehand can actually really help to build rapport ahead of a date (even if I do sometimes accidentally send essays). Even so, I'll probably continue to use Breeze, as it feels quite low effort. But my Hinge dating profile is still running and I'm chatting to four people there - who knows how many might lead to a date? Or perhaps I'll bump into the love of my life the old fashioned way - no phone, no algorithm. Imagine that. More Weekend Picks Sleep, exercise, hydrate - do we really need to stick to recommended daily doses? Not getting a summer job? Here are eight ways to change that World's thirst for matcha dries up global supplies Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
‘80s Brat Pack Legend Shares Rare Photo of Her Twins for a Special Occasion
'80s Brat Pack Legend Shares Rare Photo of Her Twins for a Special Occasion originally appeared on Parade. shared a rare photo of her twins, Adele and Roman, as they celebrated their birthday with 16 candles. On July 10, the Brat pack legend—known for her iconic roles in Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, Pretty in Pink and more—took to Instagram with a throwback picture of her teenagers. 🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬 "Happy 16 Roman and Adele 🎂❤️❤️♥️," Rignwald, 57, captioned her update. In the featured image, an old snap of her children showed them eating ice cream cones at a carnival. Instagram users flooded Ringwald's comments with well-wishes as the doting mom marked the twins' major milestone. One follower wrote, "Unlike Mrs. Baker, you'd never forget their birthday. ☺️," referencing her Sixteen Candles character Samantha Baker's mother. Another echoed, "You remembered! 😉." Someone else shared, "Happiest of birthdays are wished for the both of you today Roman & Adele🥳🎂." Meanwhile, yet another Instagram user commented, "Happy birthday to them both 🎉🎊🎁🎂🎈." Ringwald shares Adele and Roman with her husband, , whom she married in 2007. Next: '80s Brat Pack Legend Shares Rare Photo of Her Twins for a Special Occasion first appeared on Parade on Jul 11, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 11, 2025, where it first appeared. Solve the daily Crossword
New York Post
3 hours ago
- New York Post
Kim Cattrall seemingly reacts to ‘And Just Like That' ending — as ‘Sex and the City' franchise closes after 27 years
Samantha Jones has entered the chat. Kim Cattrall, who played Jones, the sex-positive public relations boss in 'Sex and the City' for decades, has seemingly responded to the news that its HBO spinoff 'And Just Like That' is ending after three seasons. The closure of the reboot marks the end of 'Sex and the City' after 27 years. Advertisement 12 Kim Cattrall appeared to hint at the end of 'And Just Like That' shortly after Michael Patrick King and Sarah Jessica Parker made the surprising announcement. Kim Cattrall/Instagram 12 Kim Cattrall shared this on Instagram after it was announced that 'And Just Like That' was ending after three seasons. Kim Cattrall/Instagram Cattrall hinted about the end after taking to her Instagram shortly after the spinoff's showrunner, Michael Patrick King, and the franchise's star, Sarah Jessica Parker, made the announcement. Advertisement Posting clear waters with a gorgeous sunset, Cattrall made her first post since the 'And Just Like That' news broke. 'It's the end of a very long week ❤️💋,' the actress wrote. Although she did not join her original co-stars Parker (Carrie Bradshaw), Cynthia Nixon (Miranda Hobbes) and Kristin Davis (Charlotte York) for the reboot following an alleged feud with Parker, Cattrall did make a brief solo appearance at the end of Season 2. Her absence was felt by fans everywhere and was a huge miss for the series. Advertisement 12 Kim Cattrall during Paris Fashion Week on March 5, 2025, in Paris, France. WWD via Getty Images 12 Kim Cattrall at the Dorchester Hotel on December 1, 2024, in London, England. Hoda Davaine/for Perfect Cattrall starred as the sexpot Samantha in the original series from 1998 to 2004. She reprised the fan-favorite role alongside Parker, Nixon and Davis in the 2008 'Sex and the City' movie and its 2010 sequel. 12 Kristin Davis, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall and Cynthia Nixon during Season 3 of 'Sex and the City.' Getty Images Advertisement 12 Kristin Davis, Kim Cattrall, Cynthia Nixon and Sarah Jessica Parker during a scene from 'Sex and the City.' Getty Images Despite failing to return as Samantha for 'And Just Like That' beyond a single, brief cameo, Cattrall still spoke highly of the role earlier this year during an interview with The Times. 'I created a fantastic character that I loved, and I put a lot of love in it,' she told the outlet in June. 'And if I'm remembered only for that, then that's really OK.' As for Cattrall's former co-stars, they each took to social media following the news that 'And Just Like That' would not be returning after Season 3. 12 Cynthia Nixon, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall and Kristin Davis in the movie 'Sex and the City 2' (2010). ©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection 'Carrie Bradshaw has dominated my professional heartbeat for 27 years. I think I have loved her most of all,' Parker, 60, wrote on Instagram. 'I am profoundly sad,' Davis, also 60, said in an Instagram post of her own. 'I love our whole beautiful cast and crew. 400 artisans working hard on our show with deep love.' Nixon, 59, wrote that she 'couldn't believe' the 'Sex and the City' spinoff was officially coming to an end. Advertisement 12 Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw in 'And Just Like That.' HBO 12 Cynthia Nixon, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kristin Davis during Season 2 of 'And Just Like That.' MAX 'It has been such a delight from start to finish,' she said on Instagram alongside several behind-the-scenes photos and clips. 'I will miss working with these people everyday SO incredibly much but know we will always be a part of each other's lives.' The spinoff's showrunner, meanwhile, insisted that the show wasn't canceled. Advertisement While announcing the end of 'And Just Like That' on Friday, King explained why the show will not continue beyond a two-part series finale later this month. 12 Creator Michael Patrick King announced that 'And Just Like That' is ending after its current, third season. AndJustLikeThat/X 'And just like that… the ongoing storytelling of the' Sex And The City' universe is coming to an end,' he said. 'While I was writing the last episode of 'And Just Like That…' season 3, it became clear to me that this might be a wonderful place to stop.' But canceled or not, the reboot's ratings had been steadily dropping from season to season. Advertisement Plus, some critics claimed that the show had become 'insufferably woke' – particularly with Miranda's non-binary love interest, Che Diaz (Sara Ramirez). 'Che seems like they are a manifestation of… an irritating Twitter account come to life,' one viewer told The Post after the first season aired. 12 Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Davis and Kim Cattrall during the beginning of 'Sex and the City.' Getty Images 12 Kristin Davis, Sarah Jessica Parker and Cynthia Nixon during Season 3 of 'And Just Like That.' HBO Advertisement 'Che Diaz single-handedly set back non-binary representation 70 years,' another critic complained. Comedian Bobby Lee, who played the role of Jackie Nee in the first two seasons, also claimed last month that the spinoff suffered from 'woke elements.' 'Some of the woke elements of the show, they got rid of, and I think I was a part of that,' he said. However, insiders speculated that the series was most likely cut because it was simply becoming too expensive.
