Latest Stories from Flo
Opinion – ‘Queerbaiting’ creates unfair pressure on young celebrities
18-year-old actor Kit Connor announced he was bisexual this week, claiming that pressure from fans and the media had forced him out of the closet. Are we forcing celebrities out of the closet? It sounds like a bizarre question. Just a few years ago, being queer in the public eye was considered career ending. Now, fans of stars like Harry Styles and Taylor Swift are so desperate for their idols to...
Saatchi Gallery’s new exhibition spotlights Black visionaries
The New Black Vanguard features photographers Campbell Addy and Tyler Mitchell, spotlighting Black visionaries at the intersection of art and fashion. The Saatchi Gallery’s latest show, ‘The New Black Vanguard’, is – as its name would suggest – a celebration of Blackness. Photographer Campbell Addy, whose work features in the exhibit and whose vision helped bring it to life, is one of a number of Black photographers working at the intersection...
Kevin Spacey has won lawsuit against Anthony Rapp
The jury’s decision marks a difficult turning point in the #Metoo movement. This week, as a jury concluded actor Kevin Spacey was not guilty of molesting Anthony Rapp – an assault that Mr Rapp alleges took place when he was just 14 – Spacey dropped his head in relief. Hugging lawyers and others, Spacey said he was ‘deeply grateful’ for the court's decision. The lawsuit had been based on Anthony Rapp’s...
Why aren’t we talking about Gen Z drug use?
New research shows that 1 in 3 young people have used drugs in the past 12 months. So why can’t we talk about it? Since the pandemic, the number of young people using drugs has spiked. According to The Mix, an organisation providing ‘essential support for under 25s’, 1 in 5 substance users now take drugs or alcohol to escape problems in their life. Official figures show that drug-related deaths...
Opinion – Elnaz Rekabi deserves her status as Iranian hero
Despite claims that her missing hijab was an accident, Iranian climber Elnaz Rekabi has been greeted by fervent crowds after competing in an international tournament. After she competed at an international climbing tournament without her hijab, concerns were mounting for missing climber Elnaz Rekabi. Those close to Rekabi said they had been unable to make contact with her after her appearance at the climbing competition in South Korea, where the absence...
Nicole Mann becomes first Indigenous woman in space
Mann – a NASA astronaut – has become the first Native American to travel into space. Last Wednesday NASA launched its SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule to the International Space Station. On board were a team of NASA crewmates; Anna Kikina, Josh Cassada, and Koichi Wakata. Their commander was Nicole Aunapu Mann – a Native American woman and NASA astronaut of almost 10 years. Mann’s journey on the SpaceX Crew Dragon makes her...
Scooby-Doo writers finally confirm Velma is gay
After years of speculation, ‘Scooby-Doo’ has officially confirmed Velma is gay. If that news seems both obvious and overdue, that’s because it is. In the new straight-to-TV film ‘Trick or Treat Scooby-Doo’ – the thirty-fourth of the series – show runners decided to give fans what they’ve been waiting for. A now viral clip from the movie shows Velma crushing on a woman. ‘Jinkies’ she sighs, voiced by Kate Micucci, after meeting her...
Opinion – Kanye needs to stop using ‘art’ as an excuse for hate
Kanye West’s new ‘Wh*te Lives Matter’ T-shirts are more than a cry for attention. They’re dangerous. This year, Paris Fashion Week burst at the seams with viral conversation starters. Despite a disappointing lack of sustainable sentiment, it would be hard to deny the future-facing stance of Paris’ shows – with a large number of brands using the runway to explore fashion’s future in an increasingly digitised and divided world. From Coperni’s spray...
Why Kim won’t be the one suffering for her crypto touting
Despite paying the SEC $1.26 million for an undisclosed Instagram ad, Kim Kardashian’s hefty fine is nothing compared to the impacts on those she scammed. Kim Kardashian has been forced to pay $1.2 million to the Securities and Exchange Commission for an undisclosed promotion of EMAX tokens, a crypto asset by EthereumMax. While the name might sound familiar, the asset Kardashian promoted on her Instagram stories is not the second largest...
Caleb McLaughlin opens up about racist ‘Stranger Things’ fans
McLaughlin’s experience proves one thing: that whether young, old, or wildly successful, even those who seem untouchable still face racism. We’re all guilty of mystifying Hollywood stars. We immortalise them, so much so that the death of a mainstream actor feels like the loss of a loved one. Their wealth feels untouchable – their fame endless. Of all celebrities, perhaps none are more beguiling than the child star. The ability to achieve...
