Latest news with #Briefly
Miami Herald
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Review: Long-missing man turns family's life upside-down in ‘The Original'
The title of "The Original" refers to: A. The painting its heroine, Grace, copies. B. Grace's cousin, Charles, who disappears and then (allegedly) returns, more than a decade later. C. The idea that we are all constantly changing and that trying to revert to a previous version of ourselves dooms us to failure. I'm sure there are more interpretations of that title in Nell Stevens' ("Briefly, a Delicious Life") tricky novel. Set in the late 19th century, it's a gothic tale that opens with a double bang: We're introduced to a family curse (because of a broken promise, Grace's family lacks male heirs) and a haunted, indestructible painting (the family burned it - only to have it "reappear" in what we know is actually Grace's re-creation). The instigating event in "The Original" is Charles' return. Is he who he claims to be or a fortune hunter, bent on claiming an inheritance? But the spine of the book is Grace's story, as she figures out what she wants in a society that forbids her to do much of anything. Grace's singular quality is that she cannot recognize faces. It's a disaster when she attempts to paint portraits but a superpower when she turns to forging great works by Vermeer, Velázquez and others. Instead of worrying over facial expressions in canvases, she simply reproduces brushstrokes and colors with a kind of paintographic memory. She does something similar with the people around her, whom she learns to recognize by voices and mannerisms. Our narrator, Grace seems able to tumble immediately to the central truths of things. Maybe it doesn't matter if Charles is an impostor if he's essentially a good person? And maybe it doesn't matter if that painting hanging in a collector's home is a real or fake Botticelli - as long as they find it beautiful? Like TV's "Mad Men‚" "The Original" exists in a between place that takes place in its own time but asks us to weigh its depiction of the past against the present. Stevens' book, divided into brief cleverly-titled chapters, is attentive to the language and manners of England's late Victorian era while also looking ahead. We're aware that bygone times can be disconcerting (expectant mothers smoking on "Mad Men," anyone?) but also that plenty of stuff happened that never made it into the novels of Thomas Hardy or Oscar Wilde, who wrote in the period when "The Original" takes place. This wouldn't have made their books, for instance, but when Grace falls for a noblewoman named Ruby, the love that dare not speak its name is depicted with restraint and secrecy: "'Are you like me?' she said. 'I nodded. 'Yes.' 'Good.'" When a century dawns, there's always talk of new ideas and trends, but Stevens knows that many of them have always been there, waiting for us to recognize them. Her Grace is a fascinating, un-self-pitying heroine, who tells us she will be ready for the world when it is ready for her: "Surely, surely something now had to change. I thought this daily. I tried to stay warm. I planned my own plans, worked on my own work secretively, as I did everything." ____ The Original By: Nell Stevens. Publisher: Norton, 328 pages. Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.
The South African
20-05-2025
- Business
- The South African
Dricus Du Plessis fight earnings QUADRUPLED - Staggering figures REVEALED!
UFC and MMA SA-born superstar, Dricus Du Plessis has tripled his earnings in a few huge fights. Dricus Du Plessis earnings (base earnings per fight) have skyrocketed since he first triumphantly made history to claim the UFC Middleweight Championship against Sean Strickland. Thereafter, these figures have skyrocketed. The SA-born superstars earnings have quadrupled between then and his most recent bout against American, Sean Strickland – in their re-match. Du Plessis earnings have multiplied by four since his he claimed the UFC middleweight championship against Strickland. Thereafter, he submitted the imposing, agile and dangerous Israel Adesanya. In a his first title defence – a statement of note by the South African. When he first took on Strickland, as the challenger, he took home a reported $300 000 base salary for the fight (excluding add-ons), according to Briefly. Now, the South African UFC middleweight champion salary has drastically increased with Du Plessis earning a reported $1.2 million (base salary) for his re-match against Sean Strickland. This is a staggering 300% increase between three fights. For the rematch against Strickland these were the estimated pay-outs from add-ons to the reported base salary he took home: 'Du Plessis was guaranteed a payday and base salary of $1.2 million, and he's expected to have another added fee of $400,000, which is his PPV payout, along with a $42,000 in sponsorships,' the report read on the same publication. Additional earnings such as pay per view payouts and sponsorship deals are dependent on each fight. Furthermore, being the Fight of the Night or Performance of the Night influence his pay-pay view earnings. Dricus will defend his title against Khamzat Chimaev on August 16 in Chicago, USA. 'UFC owner Dana White announced that Dricus du Plessis will defend his belt against Khamzat Chimaev,' White told the media. 'After much speculation, the fight is happening and is scheduled for August 16 in Chicago, USA,' White added during the press conference. Furthermore, he is expected to earn a similiar base fee or even more for his next bout against Khamzat. With sponsorship deals, pay per view payout and his base salary likely to increase. DO YOU THINK DRICUS DU PLESSIS SHOULD EARN MORE OR LESS AS A BASE SALARY PER FIGHT? WHAT ARE YOUR PREDICTIONS FOR HIS TITANTIC TITLE DEFENCE AGAINST KHAMZAT IN AUGUST? Let us know by clicking on the comment tab below this article or by emailing info@ You can also send us a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Follow @ TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest news.
The South African
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The South African
Tyla and Doja Cat set to host star-studded Met Gala afterparty
Tyla and Doja Cat, two South African-born global superstars, will co-host the 2025 Met Gala Afterparty in New York on Monday, 5 May. For South Africans, this is a moment of pure pride. Tyla, our very own Grammy winner, is stepping onto the world's biggest fashion stage-and she's taking Mzansi with her. The afterparty will light up Casa Cipriani, a venue famous for its luxury and star-studded guest list. The main Met Gala is always a spectacle, but it's the afterparty where celebrities really let loose. The lineup is fire, and Kaytranada, Pedro, and Kitty Ca$h are all set to perform. There's also a secret act on the bill. Doja Cat is no stranger to the Met Gala scene, she co-hosted last year's afterparty with Diddy and Richie Akiva. But this year, her partnership with Tyla has everyone talking. 'We are witnessing a Tyla Takeover, she's gonna be everywhere!' a fan declared. Tyla and Doja Cat are hugely popular in South Africa for different but equally powerful reasons. Tyla, born and raised in Johannesburg, has captured the nation's heart with her unique blend of R&B, Afrobeats, and amapiano, according to Briefly . Her global hit Water sparked a viral dance challenge that put South African music and dance on the world stage. Doja Cat, whose father is South African actor Dumisani Dlamini, is also celebrated locally for her heritage and international stardom, even though she has yet to visit the country. Tyla and Doja Cat are putting South Africa on the map, and fans are loving it. 'South Africa is the best country,' one supporter wrote. The hope for a musical collaboration between Tyla and Doja Cat is also growing louder. 'Their collaboration is definitely coming. First, Hey Neighbour, now this?' another fan predicted. The theme for 2025 is 'Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.' It's a celebration of Black creativity and excellence, and Tyla and Doja Cat are the perfect hosts. They both break boundaries and redefine style, as one fan put it, 'That's the kind of chaos we need. Fashion, music, and mayhem-count me in.' Whether you're in New York or watching from Mzansi, this afterparty will be the talk of the town. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
