The O2, London
On her last live dates before she steps back from the public eye, Grande holds her own – but it’s also impossible to avoid feeling concerned for her wellbeing
There’s a thrum of excitement in the air as an eight-minute countdown starts and Ariana Grande’s unmistakable silhouette appears on a giant backlit curtain on the stage of the O2. Is it actually her? Posing there for eight minutes before the show starts? It can’t be. But is it? It’s the first time we question what is and isn’t real at this Eternal Sunshine tour stop, a 10-night residency and a robust arena show that ultimately wants us to see one thing and experience another.
Collectively, we’ve been scolded for talking about it – the “endless, ongoing public scrutiny” of Ariana Grande’s body has pushed her to “[take] a step back from visibility” when this tour ends. It can’t be nice or fun to have your body examined and discussed for any reason but it is impossible to witness the 33-year-old’s frame on stage and not be gripped by genuine concern for her. Two songs in, a lump forms in my throat, which is not the intended effect of Positions, the zippy title track of her 2020 album. As the set around her is engulfed in digital flames, Grande sings about her infinite flexibility vis a vis relationship boundaries and sexual olympics and all I can think is: she looks like a little kid.
Continue reading...Live updates from the 4pm kick-off at Turf Moor
Burnley (probable 3-4-2-1) Weiss; Walker, Alleyne, Humphreys; Sonne, Mejbri, Raghouber, Bruun Larsen; Edwards, Ramsey; Flemming.
Subs: Amos, Worrall, Sambo, Laurent, Lucas Pires, Tresor, Hountondji, Amdouni, Broja.
Continue reading...University says it continued to provide support after resignation of academic, who was found dead this week
The University of Cambridge has defended its mental health support for the academic Jason Arday.
The university said it had continued to provide Arday with extensive mental health support and security measures, including installing panic alarms and screening racist emails and post, after he resigned from his post as professor of sociology of education this month.
Continue reading...Benny, de zoon van wesp Pieter, wil later zelf ook wesp worden. Dat zegt Benny trots tijdens een kringgesprek. “Ik heb laatst gekeken naar wat mijn pa allemaal doet: beetje rondvliegen, voor mensen hun gezicht hangen, op houten balken zitten, ijsjes eten, nesten bouwen. Ik dacht: wow, ja, dit is het leven. Zo trots op hem. Dus ja, ik wil ook gewoon wesp worden als ik groot ben.”
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