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The Guardian
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
‘Why are you so damn gay?': the public policing of Karl-Anthony Towns' joy
The first time I danced was with my father. I plucked my bare feet onto his work boots, to my mother's distress, and let his rubber soles guide me into a groove. Hand in hand, we spun through the kitchen as Al Green's Love and Happiness christened my rhythm's baptism. The second time I danced was with myself – and it would be my last. I wrapped my arms around the fleshy part of my waist as Seal's Kiss from a Rose played from the Batman Forever CD in my stereo. Alone in my room, I was OK with the mirror seeing every part of me. I danced like Shirley Temple with Buddy Ebsen. Like my father guided me. The only thing that could have broken my rhythm did. My stepmother filled the doorway, barefoot except for a roach she had stepped on. 'Why are you so damn gay?' That question didn't land as curiosity. It landed as a sentence – as instruction. From that moment on, joy had to pass inspection before it could be expressed. A decade later, in a different home and a different neighborhood, I stood over a sink, washing someone else's blood off my hands – still shaking from having fought my way out of being jumped. I wasn't just cleaning up. I was trying to scrub away any lingering doubt about my masculinity. This essay is about what happens when boys who move freely are taught to fear their own rhythm – and what it means when grown men like Karl-Anthony Towns are mocked for keeping theirs. Confusion, softness and the urge to question societal norms are beaten out of all of us – but especially out of young boys of color in dangerous neighborhoods. It's as if the praxis of masculinity demands violence as the antidote to vulnerability. Even laughter had rules. You couldn't let it be too high-pitched. Too quick. You learned to clap shoulders, not hold hands. I didn't immediately reconcile my behavior with its double, but I spent my adolescence trying to prove my stepmom wrong. Since moving from Minnesota to New York, expectations for former No 1 draft pick Karl-Anthony Towns have increased on all fronts. In New York, the world's largest media market, scrutiny moves faster than any headline – amplified by the virality of social media. Towns is discovering what happens when softness is punished, when queerness is projected, and when public figures become unwilling avatars in culture wars over masculinity. The term 'zesty', a softened descendant of homophobic slang, became Towns' shadow. It trailed him through every three-point play, podcast outtake and postgame moment. He became the target for people eager to mock what they couldn't define. In Hilton Als's The Women, he recalls being called an 'auntie man' – a Barbadian phrase for a queer man, used with equal parts derision and familiarity. For Als, the term was both burden and lens – a way to understand how femininity in male bodies disturbs cultural norms. Towns, in his gestures and tones, touched that nerve – not by coming out, but by refusing to contort himself into the rigid, humorless frame of what a man in sports is supposed to be. Towns is far from alone. Figures like Tyler, the Creator, Russell Westbrook and Odell Beckham Jr have also been queer-coded and mocked online – not for coming out, but for expressing aesthetic freedom that unsettles traditional expectations of Black masculinity. Reading Als, I realized I wasn't just haunted by my stepmother's question. I was haunted by the idea that my joy, softness and rhythm might be interpreted the same way – that to some, my way of moving through the world would always be 'off'. Homophobia today isn't what it was in the 1990s, when the idea of a gay NBA player sparked outrage. American culture has shifted. Most people – not just millennials – know someone who is openly gay. Even baby boomers often count LGBTQ+ individuals among their friends or family. This broader familiarity has normalized queerness – but mostly white, heteronormative queerness. During his presidency, Donald Trump welcomed 'Gays for Trump', revealing how sexuality has become more complicated in modern politics, so long as it's white and votes red. But in sports, John Amaechi and Jason Collins remain punchlines. Dwight Howard was the most recent NBA player to be publicly dissected for his queer preferences. His situation involved layers of moral, legal and consensual complexity, but the cultural judgment echoed the same old anxieties. Towns is ostensibly straight. He's in a public relationship with Jordyn Woods. But his moments of effeminacy have gone viral on TikTok, trickling down through Twitter and into Facebook echo chambers. Many cite his Dominican heritage – not as a direct link to queerness, but to the flamboyance, rhythm and emotional expressiveness embedded in that culture. And if he were gay or bi or queer, what exactly would that change? KAT is still a dawg. It's ironic that this ridicule came during the best season of his career. He averaged 24.7 points and a career-high 13.5 rebounds while leading the Knicks to their first Eastern Conference finals appearance in 25 years. He delivered signature performances, including back-to-back 40-point games and a playoff triple-double. His offensive dominance marked a personal and franchise turning point. But it wasn't enough. The online ridicule intensified, crystallizing into what became known as 'Zesty Karl-Anthony Towns', or Zesty KAT – a meme that painted the Knicks star as flamboyant or queer-coded based on voice, gesture and posture. The term resurfaced in 2024 after viral TikTok compilations dissected clips from his postgame interviews and on-court expressions, reigniting during the 2025 playoffs. One of the most viral examples came from X user @Zazamyodor, who quote-tweeted a clip of Towns softly saying 'for sure' with the caption, 'That 'for sure' was nasty work.' The post earned over 46,000 likes and helped cement 'zesty' as shorthand for mocking his style, despite his career peak. I still haven't danced like I did that first time, or even the second. But I think about it often: what it meant to be light on my feet, unburdened, joyful without explanation. What Karl-Anthony Towns is enduring isn't just a meme cycle. It's the same sentence I heard in my doorway, repackaged for likes and algorithm reach: 'Why are you so damn gay?' Not a question, an accusation. In this world, to be joyful in your body, to be expressive without apology, is still treated like defiance. Towns may not need to dance like I did. But every time he celebrates a three-pointer with flair, every time he speaks in a tone too tender for a seven-footer, he keeps the rhythm going for those of us who had ours interrupted.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
BYD Atto 2 spotted testing in India, launch likely soon. What to expect?
BYD seems to be mulling the plan to add another electric car to its India lineup, which currently has models like Atto 3, Seal , eMax 7 , and Sealion 7 . The Chinese electric car giant that has been throwing tough challenges to Tesla has been testing the BYD Atto 2, which was first unveiled at the 2025 Brussels Motor Show. A test mule of the BYD Atto 2 was recently spotted on Indian roads, which fuelled speculation about the possibility of the launch of this EV in the country. What if BYD Atto 2 lands in India? BYD India hasn't officially confirmed the launch of the Atto 2 in India. However, the auto company has been witnessing rising demand and popularity of its cars in India. Hence, bringing a more affordable EV to the Indian market could help the brand rake in more sales numbers, giving it a stronger grip in the market. Considering this, Atto 2 seems the automaker's next big launch in India. Watch: BYD Atto 3: First Drive Review BYD Atto 2: What it offers? BYD Atto 2 is basically the next entry-level electric car from the automaker, which could come to India as the most affordable model from the brand in the country. If launched, the Atto 2 would be positioned below the Atto 3. Available with different names in different countries, the BYD Atto 2 is already on sale in markets like China and Brazil. The China-spec BYD Atto 2, which is dubbed as Yuan Up in the country, is powered by a 45.1 kWh battery pack, paired with a single electric motor, and churns out 175 bhp peak power and 290 Nm of maximum torque. It promises an NEDC-rated range of 380 kilometres on a full charge. It is not clear if the test mule spotted in India is powered by the same electric propulsion system or not. The Atto 2 has a compact size and a feature-packed interior. Dimensionally, the BYD Atto 2 is 4,310 mm long, slightly shorter than its bigger sibling Atto 3. It looks boxier and has a more upright approach, while the interior features a 12.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system and an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster. Other notable features include a panoramic sunroof, heated and power-adjustable front seats, and leather upholstery. Check out Upcoming EV Cars in India. First Published Date:
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Heidi Klum Describes How She Makes Her $9.8 Million Bel-Air Pad ‘Home Base' for Her Children
Supermodel has explained how she has transformed her $9.8 million Bel-Air mansion into a 'home base' where her children feel 'safe' as she acknowledged that being a 'control freak' has helped her career. The 52-year-old detailed how she has stayed confident even when she didn't match the body type catalogs were looking for at the start of her career and the moments she cherishes at her California dwelling in a wide-ranging interview with People. Klum, who shares children Leni, 21, Henry, 19, Johan, 18, and Lou, 15, with ex-husband Seal, got candid about the early days of her career and how having 'hips' and 'boobs' and being a 'workaholic' helped her in the long run. Her relationship with her children has blossomed throughout the years, she says, in large part thanks to her hard work at creating a place where their children feel at home. The model-turned-TV-show-judge noted that she wants her kids to feel comfortable bringing their friends to the home, adding that she enjoys having people over. 'I love having a house where they feel safe. My son was barbecuing with his friends in the backyard the other day and doing all the things I taught him. It was so cute. For me, it's always the more, the merrier. I like it when they're all at home,' she said. The mom revealed that her relationship with her children is built off of 'transparency,' referencing her controversial photo shoot with her daughter, which saw the pair posing in lingerie. 'A lot of people are like, 'Oh, I don't know about mom and daughter doing this together,' but for us? I'm proud of my daughter. She's fine with me like that. 'I've always been very open with my body. When I'm suntanning in the backyard, I might not have a top on. I'm European … my kids don't know me any other way and are probably more easygoing with their bodies because of it,' the mom explained. Although her children are getting older, Klum revealed that she still worries about them and always will. 'When they're young, you're worried they're going to jump in the pool or stick their finger in a socket. Then they're driving. Then it's sex, drugs and rock and roll. You hope the seed you planted in them grows. That they're good people. 'That they're healthy. But you always worry. And I know I'll still be worrying when I'm 80,' she said. Further in the interview, the 'America's Got Talent' alum explained that she loves keeping busy and pours herself into her work. 'I'm a workaholic, control freak. I've been so focused with the shows that I have been doing and making sure that everything that comes out of them looks good. I love what I do,' said Klum, who is returning to 'Project Runway.' Klum, who wed Tom Kaulitz in 2019, holds the keys to many properties, but her main residence is her Bel-Air mansion, which is where she and her hubby reside. The model snapped up the home in 2013 for $9.8 million from TV producer Ed Weinberger. The Georgian-style dwelling boasts six bedrooms and nine bathrooms and sprawls across 11,000 square feet. The outside of the property features a resort-style pool, a trampoline, a pizza oven, and the $22,000 giant blue plastic snail that was gifted to her by ex-boyfriend Vito Schnabel. She also owns a $5.1 million penthouse in SoHo, which sprawls across 4,772 square feet. Related Articles New Home Sales Remain Slow in June Here's How Much $1 Homes Really Sell For In This Top U.S. Housing Market, Buyers Near Boston Can Save $250,000 Solve the daily Crossword
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- Lifestyle
- The Advertiser
Truffle hunting in NSW Southern Highlands like searching for black gold
Unearthing these fancy fungi is even more satisfying than eating them. Just underneath the surface of the ground, around the 300 oak trees filling the paddock on this NSW Southern Highlands farm, something special is growing in the dark. From the mycorrhizal fungus that the farm's Tanya Grassi affectionately calls "the mother" are born some of Australia's most sought-after truffles. Subscribe now for unlimited access. or signup to continue reading All articles from our website The digital version of Today's Paper All other in your area What a find! Picture by Michael Turtle "It's science... but it's magic," Tanya tells me, adding an even deeper layer to the experience we're having. For my next trick, watch me pull a truffle out of the ground. Tanya Grassi and Patrick Moroney run Robertson Truffles about two hours' drive from either Canberra or Sydney. Not only do they provide produce to some of the country's top restaurants, they also offer truffle-hunting experiences during the season from June to August. That's why I'm here, to try to find some of these famously tasty treats. It turns out that there's not much hunting involved... at least, not for me. That role is taken by two adorable dogs, a black labrador called Seal and a former explosives-detecting dog called Twiggy. Their handler, Marilyn McKenzie, explains how she has to use them in different ways: "Seal is good at dragging me to where the aroma is best because she knows she'll get better rewarded if it's a better truffle. But Twiggy is an opportunist, so she'll stop at them all." From what I can see, they're both finding lots of truffles, and Marilyn marks with pink flags the spots where the dogs lay down with their noses on the ground. When I reach one of them, I get down on my knees and use a spoon to gently push away dirt, uncovering a hard brown lump. I loosen the earth around it, then, with a wiggle and a tug, I hold up the truffle triumphantly! Truffle dogs Twiggy and Seal. Picture by Michael Turtle "It's firm, no squishy bits, and no surface damage," Patrick says as he assesses it for me. "See how it's a deep rich black with clear white lines, that's what you want. It's got a nice surface and good aroma." But how much is it worth? Just under a hundred bucks, he tells me. Robertson Truffles is not like a fruit-picking farm where you get to keep what you find, so Patrick takes my treasure from me and jokes that the dogs sniff everyone as they leave to make sure. But most of the truffle hunting experiences you can book here also include a long lunch that incorporates the farm's truffles into the dishes, so you do get to eat some of your discoveries. Today, though, I'm having lunch in Robertson at the Moonacres Cooking School, right next to the Big Potato (which has recently been painted pink to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the movie Babe , pleasing local residents who would sometimes refer to it as 'the Big Turd'). There are regular classes at the cooking school (the winter pie lesson next month looks good!) but I'm here for a special event to meet some of the local food producers. The Big Potato, recently painted to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the movie Babe. Picture by Michael Turtle It's not all truffles in the NSW Southern Highlands, but it's all a delicacy - and it's all produced with care. At the Moonacres Farm, there's a focus on the quality of the soil, which helps to grow its high-quality fruit and vegetables. At Jamberoo Mountain Farm, the chickens are moved around in caravans to naturally fertilise the land. At Taluca Park, the Berkshire pigs are all free range. And at Mussett Holdings, the regenerative farm is the result of a young couple trying to teach their children about food origins. It's inspiring to hear from all these farmers (and to taste their hard work!). But when I ask how many restaurants in the Southern Highlands use their produce, the answer is... not many. There are some places to eat that they recommend - the Moonscapes Cafe in Robertson, Paste in Mittagong, and The What If Society in Moss Vale, for example. But if you just popped into a random cafe, restaurant, or pub, it's more likely that you'll be eating meals made with ingredients grown interstate or even overseas. Why? The short answer is that it's cheaper. Tasting local produce at Moonacres Cooking School. Picture by Michael Turtle There are many places around the world where local and seasonal produce makes up the bulk of the food that's eaten there. Italy is the obvious one, where the cuisine has evolved around the availability of local ingredients. Even a simple pizza will generally have fresh toppings that have come from the nearby market. But I've also experienced it a lot in my travels, in countries like Austria, Japan, Vietnam, and Mexico. Sometimes it's because it's cheaper to use ingredients grown locally than to import them (which tends to be the opposite of what often happens in Australia) and sometimes it's because that's what consumers want. Of course, there are lots of restaurants in Australia that use produce from the region - I'm thinking especially of some fantastic places in the NSW Riverina, an area known as the state's food bowl. But they can seem like the exception rather than the rule, 'farm to table' being a promotable selling-point and not just expected behaviour. Truffle producer Tanya Grassi. Picture by Michael Turtle Why am I mentioning all of this? Well, because I realise I'm guilty of not thinking or asking about this often enough... and perhaps you are too? I always appreciate when I'm told that a meal has been made with local ingredients, but I don't necessarily do the research to choose a restaurant based on that. I don't do that often enough when travelling overseas and I don't do it enough here in Australia. Hunting for truffles was fun, perhaps a bit of a decadent quest for what producer Tanya Grassi describes as "one of the most seductive smells to humans on earth". But you know what else is seductive? Any good quality food that's been grown sustainably, nutritiously... and locally. Words by Michael Turtle Michael Turtle is an Australian journalist who left his job in televisionto travel the world forever. He'll show you how to find the lesser-knownplaces, get involved in the culture, learn the history, and meet locals along the way.
Business Insider
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Business Insider
I test drove BYD's latest midsize SUV. It accelerates faster than a Porsche Cayenne Coupe S.
In April, BYD outsold Tesla in Europe for the first time. The Chinese EV giant has a key model in almost every segment, including the Sealion 7. Our reviewer was impressed by the midsize SUV's handling. BYD is on a roll, with a key model in nearly every segment: the Dolphin in compact hatchbacks, the Seal in sedans, the M6 in MPVs, and the Atto 3 in compact SUVs. The lineup reflects a strategy designed to match drivers' needs in nearly every stage of life. Last month, I borrowed a Sealion 7 and spent three days driving it around Singapore to get a feel for the car. The midsize SUV has two variants: Premium and AWD Performance. I test drove the higher-end AWD Performance model, which is priced at 219,000 yuan, or about $30,500. The Sealion 7 was first unveiled at the 2023 Guangzhou Auto Show and made its international debut at the 2024 Paris Motor Show. In the first half of 2025, BYD overtook Toyota to become Singapore's top-selling car brand. By April, it was also outselling Tesla in EV sales across Europe. On the outside After spending three days driving the car around Singapore, I can't find much to complain about the Sealion 7's design. Even the panel gaps and finish are solid — a big step up from how people used to view Chinese cars. Part of BYD's visual success comes down to its design team, led by Wolfgang Egger, who joined BYD in 2017. Egger was the designer behind some of Alfa Romeo's best-looking models. As the more premium Sealion variant, this one features red brake calipers — perhaps a subtle hint at how fast it can go. The less subtle way BYD is shouting about how fast its Sealion 7 AWD Performance is? A "4.5S" badge slapped on the back — signaling that it hits 62 mph from a standstill in just 4.5 seconds. The Porsche Cayenne Coupe S takes 4.7 seconds. Behind the wheel Since we're on the topic of performance — and given that this is the more powerful variant — the risk of losing my license on Singapore's heavily policed roads felt real. Speed limits here top out at just 90 km/h, or about 56 mph. Whenever a car crept up behind me, I was tempted to unleash all 523 bhp and 690 Nm of torque. And funnily enough, it felt like, or maybe I imagined, that every Tesla I passed was daring me to do it. I'll admit it: I may have caved once or twice. But after watching how fast the range dropped whenever I floored it, I decided to drive like a more responsible 40-something. It's worth highlighting how refined the Sealion 7 feels in everyday driving. On the expressway, it cruises comfortably at fast speeds with minimal wind or road noise. Tire noise is slightly noticeable, though — this variant runs on performance-oriented Michelin Pilot Sport EVs, which tend to be louder due to their tread pattern. Still, that hardly matters when you have the standard 12-speaker DynAudio sound system and double-glazed windows. Together, they ensured I could enjoy my playlist without interruption. For the curious: Bruno Mars, The Weeknd, Sam Smith, John Mayer, Stereophonics, and Fuel were part of the mix. The 15.6-inch touchscreen rotates to portrait mode and controls everything from windows and climate to in-car karaoke. When karaoke is activated, the screen displays a QR code that passengers can scan — so drivers don't get distracted by the lyrics. Back in 2008, I reviewed a Chinese SUV at a time when the country was still new to exporting cars. I remember thinking its handling was underwhelming, even questioning how safe it would be in an emergency maneuver. Well, it's now 2025, and it's clear that ride and handling have improved. In this all-wheel-drive variant, I would be confident to take it down winding roads. Steering feedback is reassuring, and stopping power is just as strong. On the inside The seats are comfortable and well-cushioned, offering solid support for long drives. That said, I found the back seats were a bit low for my liking — a matter of personal preference, but worth keeping in mind for taller passengers. The driving position is excellent, with great outward and all-around visibility. All the key controls are within easy reach, and the steering wheel is perfectly sized for a confident grip. If there's one area that could be improved, it's the font size on the driver display. It's slightly too small, especially for those not quite ready for reading glasses, but not far off either. I also found the Driver Attention Warning overly sensitive — it popped up every time I yawned, displaying a coffee icon and suggesting I take a break, which became mildly irritating. I returned the keys to the BYD Sealion 7 feeling genuinely impressed. While I haven't tested the more affordable Premium variant, the extra 42,620 Chinese yuan for the AWD Performance model feels justified. It has stronger performance, larger wheels with better tires, and an all-wheel-drive system that adds both confidence and capability. I drove 223 miles on a full charge and returned the car with 7% battery remaining — about 20 miles of range. That falls slightly short of the brochure's quoted 460 km, or 286 miles, WLTP range, but in real-world conditions, it's still solid for everyday use.
