Latest news with #Astrid
Boston Globe
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Lesson learned: Globe readers want to know when a show is based on something else
I decided the sheer volume of emails merited a public response: I would watch 'Astrid,' and provide the comparison readers clearly thought was lacking in my 'Patience' review. I searched for the show on my Roku, found a streaming service that had it, and began watching. The episode opened with a jewel heist. 'How glamorous and French!' I thought. 'So different from the grim and violent murder in a parking garage that opens 'Patience.'' Then the episode cut to the two main characters. 'Ah ha,' I thought. 'Let's see how they compare to the British version.' Advertisement About 45 seconds later, I realized the two characters were already friends, and I was watching the fourth season premiere of the French version. The streaming service I'd found did not have Season 1. I decided to try PBS, which seemed to have it on their Passport app. Several failed attempts to activate a PBS account later, I gave up and watched an episode of ' Advertisement What have we learned here? One: always reference the source material; readers clearly want to know. And two: sometimes even a person who writes TV criticism for a living can't get their streaming apps to work for them. I promise, someday I'll watch 'Astrid' from the beginning. I hear it's pretty good. Lisa Weidenfeld is an arts editor for the Globe. Lisa Weidenfeld can be reached at
New Indian Express
06-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- New Indian Express
Leather, luxe, limitless
The Astrid Collection reflects Kelby Huston's ethos of intentional design, honest materials, and slow, thoughtful craftsmanship. Every piece is handmade by artisans in India who've spent decades perfecting their craft. 'Every detail in the Astrid Collection is purposeful. You'll find clean lines, discreet hardware, and carefully placed compartments that make the bags feel as functional as they are elegant. We avoid unnecessary embellishments, letting the material and craftsmanship take centre stage,' explains Keshav Munjal, founder of the Lucknow-based Kelby Huston. The collection is inspired by stillness in the sense of clarity—stripping away the noise and honing in on what truly matters. That philosophy runs through every piece in the Astrid Collection. 'The forms are calm and composed, free of unnecessary elements, yet full of quiet strength. It's a celebration of restraint and presence, translated into design,' says Munjal. The Argentinian leather bags are well-structured, and the team has worked hard to strike that perfect balance between structure and softness. The Astrid bags hold their shape thanks to considered construction, but they aren't rigid or bulky. 'The natural full-grain leather has just the right amount of give—it's sculpted but supple, so it moves with you and softens over time, developing a beautiful patina as it ages,' says Munjal. The colour palette follows the same ethos with its warm, grounded, and deeply wearable hues. Espresso, burgundy, cognac, and black—these are shades that transcend seasons and trends.
NDTV
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
"Mermaids Do Exist": Norwegian Singer's Performance At Women's Euro Is Viral
A video of Norwegian pop artiste Astrid S delivering a beautiful rendition of Norway's national anthem at the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 has taken the Internet by storm. Astrid S performed the anthem ahead of Norway's match in Switzerland, who are currently hosting the 14th edition of the Women's European Championship. Her emotionally charged performance was widely praised, with many calling it one of the most moving moments of the tournament so far. 'I heard this live, and for a brief second, I thought maybe mermaids do exist,' wrote a user on X (formerly Twitter), expressing how surreal and touching the performance was. I heard this live, and for a brief second, I thought maybe mermaids do exist. — Marva (@MarvaKreel) July 4, 2025 'That's unbelievably beautiful' was the sentiment online. That's unbelievably beautiful. I can't understand a word but it's bursting with emotion. — Waleed Wahba (@walidwahba) July 3, 2025 The clip has also garnered widespread praise on YouTube and Facebook. 'Who knew the Aurora Borealis had a voice?' remarked a Facebook user, referencing the singer's magical vocals. On YouTube, a user wrote, 'I dare say that this is one of the best renditions someone's ever sung of a national anthem in any sporting event ever! What a mellifluous voice, she sung a patriotic lullaby.' Others echoed similar sentiments with comments like, 'Such an angelic voice, goosebumps,' and 'When you cry for an anthem that isn't even from your own country, the singer has done something very right.' Astrid S, known for her voice and international appeal, rose to fame after appearing on Norway's Pop Idol in 2013. Since then, she has become one of Norway's leading music exports, with global hits like 'Hurts So Good' and 'Think Before I Talk'. With over five billion streams to her name and collaborations with artists such as Shawn Mendes and NOTD, Astrid has built a strong reputation for her distinct musical style and hands-on approach to her craft. The UEFA Women's Euro 2025, featuring 16 teams, kicked off on July 2 and will run until July 27 in cities across Switzerland. While the tournament showcases top-tier football talent, Astrid's anthem performance has added a viral cultural moment that is sure to be remembered long after the final whistle.
Graziadaily
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Graziadaily
Why I Feel No Guilt When My Children Go To Kids' Clubs
A close friend is baffled by parents who send their children to kids' clubs on holidays. 'What's the point in having children if you don't even want to spend time with them?' she asks me. Now, I agree that the best thing about holidays is spending time with my children: I love that we can enjoy each other's company without the rush to get ready for school punctuating our days. I feel my heart lift when I see them invent games together; am frequently taken aback by how perceptive and emotionally intelligent they are - and they all make me laugh hugely. But I feel utterly unashamed when it comes to encouraging Astrid, eight, Xavi, six and Juno, aged two, to try out kids' clubs. In fact, it was only when I heard criticisms of kid-club-parenting that I realised how divisive a subject it is. On Mumsnet, one camp of parents believe 'we go on holiday to spend our time together as a family' while another say their children 'meet friends and you get a couple of hours to yourself'. Each side judges the other. On a recent trip to Portugal, we stayed at Club Med's cliffside resort Da Balaia in Albufeira. The green lawns of the resort are set above winding steps that lead to pale sands and the Atlantic Ocean, framed by fiery orange cliffs. My children don't enjoy indoor kids' clubs - they tried one for an hour once and never went back. But throw in activities and they ask to go. Here, Astrid and Xavi tried archery and learnt circus skills, including the high flying trapeze. We'd drop them off after a buffet breakfast each day and two hours later their confidence had grown as they told us about their new skills over lunch. Xavi's often too nervous to play football in the school playground as he's not quite sure of the rules, but he joined in at the kids' club and enjoyed it so much that he's now starting regular sessions after school. Many of the children at the resort were French, and after a few games of cache-cache (hide-and-seek), Astrid and Xavi picked up ca vas , saluts and mercis . Juno went to a smaller kids' club for younger children, which had its own spacious playground with slides, rockers and ride-on cars. I'm always struck when I meet people with the rare, calm and secure energy that children instinctively trust. Here, it's part of the job description: the childcare team can't spend a week or two settling new children in, as they would at a nursery, when their stay is temporary. I was amazed at how happily Juno got involved with treasure hunts, playing in the paddling pool and around the playground, making art work and 'reading' lots of stories. It's strikingly unusual for me to have two hours free with absolutely no demands. I'd injured my knee but watched yoga sessions from afar in case I could pick up the benefits vicariously. I felt a rare sense of calm when swimming in the wonderful, wild adults-only pool, fringed with rushes, among tadpoles, frogs and dragonflies. My biggest indulgence was lying on a lounger, sipping freshly-made juice and spending an unreasonable amount of time deliberating on the most luxurious of decisions: whether to read another chapter of my book or swim a few more lengths. Did I feel guilty? Absolutely not. We'd have all our meals together as a family. One of the benefits of a French-feeling resort is that the food is excellent: different areas around the restaurant would have seared tuna, seafood paella, roast suckling pig, noodles or ceviche. Each would be manned by servers. In what might be peculiarly British behaviour, I felt concerned they might take it personally if I didn't choose 'their' dish so I'd tell them all I'd return later. The buffet set up was brilliant for the children: they ate olives with every meal, discovered they love squid and would have happily spent the whole night dipping strawberries in a chocolate fountain. We spent our afternoons in the family swimming pool, on the beach or down by the beach volleyball court - occasionally running back to our interconnecting, functional rooms (with pleasingly comfortable beds) to change out of wet swimwear. On our first afternoon, there was a picnic for all the children and their families, with a bouncy castle, giant games of Connect Four and lots of doughnuts. Entertainers dressed as superheroes and I'm sure it helped Juno feel more comfortable when playing with them at the kids' club. For me, the best moment of the holiday was when Astrid showed me all she'd learnt on the trapeze at the kids' club. She was clipped up to a safety rope and climbed a ladder, past the safety net, up 10 metres to the platform where she grabbed onto the bar. She swung through the air, wiggled her legs to gain momentum and on a count of un-deux-trois dropped onto the safety net. As someone who occasionally gets vertigo and is slightly scared of heights, I admired her hugely. Until she challenged me to have a turn. If it weren't for my eight-year-old daughter, there is no chance I'd have climbed that ladder. My hands were sweating so much by the time I reached the top the trapeze team had to cover them in chalk so I didn't slip. I don't know whether it was nerves, or simple daftness, but I didn't realise that my conversation up high could be heard by children on the ground. 'I'm scared of heights, but I can't let my children know,' I told the trapeze assistant, who kindly didn't point out that I'd just broadcast the information to them. 'There's nothing to be scared of, you can do it,' she encouraged me. I did it. I leant forward, grabbed the trapeze with my tightest grip and swung. I've never been on a high trapeze, and the last time I was on one in a gym I was in my teens and would happily hang by my knees. I was very aware of the different body I now inhabit, and grateful that it didn't let me down as I flew back and forth. Then the instructor on the ground told me to let go in un-deux-trois . There was no way I could! I kept hold for two more counts before eventually releasing my grip. I was shaking with nerves and pride as I got down from the safety net. I might be too old for a kids' club, but I'm not too old to get a confidence boost from learning from my children. Without Flights Seven nights all-inclusive stay at Club Med Da Balaia, Portugal from £1,129 (was £1,188) per adult (based on double occupancy). Price based on departure date 31.08.25. Book now at [ target='_blank' rel='noreferrer noopener'} or call 03453 676767 London Departure Seven nights all-inclusive stay at Club Med Da Balaia, Portugal from £1,467 (was £1,526) per adult (based on double occupancy) with return flights from London (LGW) with transfers included. Price based on departure date 31.08.25. Book now at or call 03453 676767
IOL News
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
From studio to proposal: the journey of 'Favourite Person'
Cameron Emmanuel and Lequicia Astrid. Image: Supplied WHEN Cameron Emmanuel first wrote Favourite Person, it wasn't meant for the woman he would one day propose to. It was one of several tracks inspired by a different season of his life. But fate has a way of flipping the script. Today, Favourite Person is the soundtrack of a real love story - one that started in a studio and led to a proposal. It's the debut single from Emmanuel featuring Lequicia Astrid. It is a heartfelt Afropop duet born out of serendipity, shared pain, and an unexpected turn of events. Emmanuel grew up surrounded by music. He was raised on the melodies of the Bee Gees, the Beatles, and Simon & Garfunkel. He picked up a guitar at just 8 years old, and by 16 was teaching himself keys, while watching Idols SA and admiring artists like Khaya Mthethwa, who would later become a mentor and collaborator. Astrid, a powerhouse vocalist and former winner of Chatsworth's Got Talent, had only met Emmanuel once before they linked up for studio sessions at Wave Productions. She was navigating her own storm of grief after the recent passing of her mum. When Emmanuel offered her a list of tracks to choose from for a collaboration, she gravitated to one in particular - Favourite Person. What she did not know was that the song had been written while Emmanuel was seeing someone else. 'That's the irony,' Astrid said. 'It was written with someone else in mind. But when we sang it together, it became ours.' The track's core was produced during a TikTok Live by Durban-based DJ Keys (David Govender). Live on air, Keys started mixing the foundation of the beat. Days later, Emmanuel and Astrid were adding lyrics, refining verses, and finding their harmony - both musically and personally. Months later, Emmanuel proposed and Astrid said yes. Favourite Person is already creating waves on social media. The song has drawn excitement from listeners praising its heartfelt lyrics, vocal blend, and relatable message - perfect for those who have found love where they least expected it. 'I want my music to feel real,' said Emmanuel. 'So many artists chase the next big hit. But I want to write songs that mean something, songs that reflect where we are, who we're with, and what we're feeling at the moment. Favourite Person did that for us.' Astrid said she hoped the song reminded people that even in the chaos of life, there was still room for connection, healing, and joy. 'Sometimes love is in the background, quietly waiting for you to notice,' she said. Favourite Person will be available on all streaming platforms on June 27. THE POST
