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Maitland Ward Praises 'Not Perfect' PornHub for Rebuffing Florida Age Verification Law

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6 hours ago

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Maitland Ward Praises 'Not Perfect' PornHub for Rebuffing Florida Age Verification Law

Pornhub will no longer be available in Florida … a major response to a new state law requiring age verification to visit adult platforms — and one porn star tells TMZ the stand is a double-edged sword.

Here’s the deal … Pornhub’s parent company, Aylo, opted to block access to horny Floridians rather than comply with the law taking effect on Jan. 1, requiring a state ID be shared to prove that would-be lookers are 18.

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Maitland Ward tells TMZ … Pornhub is “not perfect” and could do more to ensure minors are not viewing the free site, but as she sees it — Florida tracking people’s porn habits is a slippery slope that’ll make horndogs mighty uncomfortable.

Maitland Ward's Hot Shots

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Applauding Pornhub’s stance, which is seen as standing for free speech, Maitland anticipates the decision will push more people to paid sites of stars and, of course, OnlyFans.

Liam Payne hulu-INLINE

Still, MW points out that by pulling out of Florida, the popular Canadian-based site is alienating a huge population that might hold a grudge … in only one of the four states where it is legal to film professional porn … so the decision is a big deal.

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TMZ.com

Paid sites require a credit card, so sharing an ID with that information does not seem as invasive … but again — PH is free, so uploading a driver’s license is seen as going too far.

On Monday, the Free Speech Coalition filed a federal lawsuit against the state … reportedly claiming the new law violates free speech rights and could put users’ personal data at risk.

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In 'Mufasa,' every question you never had about 'The Lion King' is answered : Pop Culture Happy Hour

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6 hours ago

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December 20, 2024

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In 'Mufasa,' every question you never had about 'The Lion King' is answered : Pop Culture Happy Hour

Mufasa (voiced by Braelyn Rankins) in Mufasa: The Lion King.

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Mufasa (voiced by Braelyn Rankins) in Mufasa: The Lion King.

Disney

It’s been five years since Disney remade its animated classic The Lion King as a photorealistic blockbuster. This leads us to Mufasa: The Lion King, a new prequel telling the story of Mufasa’s rise — as well as the origins of his rivalry with Scar. The film was directed by Barry Jenkins (Moonlight, If Beale Street Could Talk) and features new songs from Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Follow Pop Culture Happy Hour on Letterboxd at letterboxd.com/nprpopculture.

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Think you can't dance? Get up and try these tips in our comic. We dare you!

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13 hours ago

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December 20, 2024

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Think you can't dance? Get up and try these tips in our comic. We dare you!

A few years ago, I picked up dancing again after many years of taking a break. I was surprised how happy and free it made me feel, in addition to the physical workout. Now I want to share that wonderful feeling with others.

I asked experts to share their best advice on how to dance. Anyone can do it, and no special shoes or skills are required — except, of course, really great music. (Spotify tells me I’m having an “Indie Sleaze Strut Pop” moment, whatever that means.)

As you read this comic, follow each step — and you’ll be moving and grooving in no time.

… until the pandemic. I was living with my parents … and I needed a way to get out of the house. Connie eats dinner with their parents, looking bored. They stare wistfully out a nearby window. So I started taking ballet classes at a local studio — and discovered a new love for something I’d only sort of liked as a teen. It felt good to express myself through movement when so much else in my life was restricted. Connie dances with other adults in class, all wearing face masks.
In fact, studies have found that dancing regularly can help you feel less anxious and stressed. Connie chats with their parents, looking happy and animated. Interested in giving dance a try? Whether you’re a total beginner or coming back to it like me, anyone can dance. Get up and try these steps as you read the comic — and you’ll be dancing in no time! Connie offers a hand to the reader, pulling them into a dance floor full of people having a blast.
Step 1: Play a favorite song and start moving your body any way you like. You may feel awkward, and that’s OK. Here’s what to do when those thoughts start to creep up. Connie crouches over, looking nervous while music plays, thinking “I look weird!” and “Ugh…” “Allow yourself to just feel what you’re feeling,” says Jacelyn Biondo, dance therapist. Jacelyn is a white woman with a shaved head, large round glasses and a septum ring. “Settle into your body, be present, don’t think about whether this looks good.” If you keep at it, you’ll get better at enjoying yourself. Connie dances their way through their earlier anxious thoughts.
Step 2: Try some fun dance moves. Incorporate different motions and maneuvers into your dance. What emotions or images does the music stir up in you? Try translating that into movement. Connie sways slowly to sad music, jumps up and down to a punk song, and does disco fingers to disco music. Don’t worry about dancing the “right” way. “If it feels safe for you, then it’s OK to be moving that way,” says Jacelyn. Below her, various people dance in different ways – an older woman wiggles her arms, a young boy pushes his hands forward, and a woman with curly hair twerks.
Step 3: Find the beat and let it lead you. If you feel confused about when to move your limbs or switch up your moves, try to clap or count along to the beat. Connie claps along to the beat of “Twinkle, twinkle little star,” splitting the first two sentences into eight counts. A lot of pop music is split into measures of four beats, and many dancers will group two measures into a total of eight counts to form phrases they choreograph or dance to. Connie dances through an eight-count choreographic phrase. Once you’ve found the beat, move in sync with it or come up with original moves to set to counts of eight.
Step 4: Resist the urge to dance in front of the mirror. It may just make you more self-conscious. “I think it’s important to understand who you are from the inside out and not lean on the mirror to tell you what’s good, what’s bad,” says Alicia Graf Mack, dean and director of dance at The Juilliard School. Alicia is a black woman with long curly hair. Instead of looking at your reflection, look in the direction of where you want to move your body next. Or close your eyes briefly to feel how your body is moving in space. This can help you feel more connected to your movement. Connie dances, looking at their hands moving and closing their eyes
Step 5: Grab a dance partner. You know what makes dancing even better? Dancing with someone else! Connie and a woman with a long ponytail and short dress approach each other and start dancing together. “When you join somebody in your body, there’s an energetic connection,” says Jacelyn Biondo. Connie and their partner keep dancing together, getting closer and looking into each other's eyes. “A movement connection. An empathetic connection. We are truly seen in that moment.”
Step 6: Sign up for a class to take your dancing a step further. Check out local dance studios, community centers, fitness centers or universities. Connie tries different styles: swing dancing, line dancing, even step aerobics. If you’re not sure what style of dance interests you, give something a shot and see. “If it feels good to the soul, if the movement makes you feel a certain way, that’s the class you want to show up in,” says Kevin Malone, a dance teacher and choreographer. Kevin is a black man with closely cropped hair wearing rectangular glasses.
I moved out of my parents’ place years ago, but I still dance every week. Connie steps into a side tilt in Kevin’s class. I’ve made so many new friends through my dance classes and performances. I’ve found a whole community of welcoming people. And I’ve learned that dance doesn’t just expand my movements. It expands my world. Connie sits at a table, chatting and waving to different dance friends.

This comic was edited by Malaka Gharib and Beck Harlan. The visual editor is Beck Harlan. We’d love to hear from you. Leave us a voicemail at 202-216-9823, or email us at LifeKit@npr.org.

Listen to Life Kit on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and sign up for our newsletter. Follow us on Instagram at @NPRLifeKit.

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Strong at any age: Readers 65 and up share their favorite fitness routines

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14 hours ago

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December 19, 2024

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Strong at any age: Readers 65 and up share their favorite fitness routines

Mark Olson at the gym.

(Mark Olsen)

“Throughout my life I’ve been a skier, weightlifter, hiker and runner, including many local 10K races. Following open-heart aortic valve replacement surgery in late 2023, I embarked upon a cardio rehabilitation program introduced by the cardio center: I do a mix of of high-intensity resistance training, free weight exercises, machine resistance training, cardio on the treadmill or stationary bike, lap swimming and yoga. I do all of this at my local 24 Hour Fitness, where 20 years ago I was able to snag the greatest deal of my life — a lifetime membership for $5 per month.”

—Mark Olsen, 57, Redondo Beach, circuit trains for 30 to 60 minutes daily

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“I love the fact that I am able to maintain my routine over the past few years. I feel much stronger and more agile. No matter how tired I am, when I start strength training, I feel very energetic afterwards with a positive attitude towards things.

I work out with a trainer two times a week, so I have to show up no matter what. My third session is a group class and after a few sessions, I began to feel a part of the group. The leader of the group class is like a camp counselor urging us to go farther and work harder. And with fun music I would probably never listen to [on my own], I really enjoy each class.”

—Susan Freedman, 65, Westchester, weight lifts for 45 minutes three times a week plus 30 minutes on a stationary bike, five days a week

“I race walked in college and continued to do that sporadically. Other than that, I never weight lifted before. I love the toned look of muscles and I like feeling strong and not having to ask for help moving or lifting things. It gives me a feeling of independence.”

—Edith Hicks, 66, Chatsworth, weight lifts twice a week

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“I have tried to stay active my whole life, everything from boxing and martial arts when I was young to road and mountain biking, rock climbing and skiing. I started [circuit training] at 17 and have been doing it for 52 years. I warm up with dumbbells, walk, do a set of push-ups, run and do another set of push-ups. And keep repeating.

I turn 70 this year and I’m ‘celebrating’ by doing 700 push-ups on my birthday and 70,000 push-ups for the year. My goal is to add 1,000 push-ups a year for as long as I can.”

—Paul Clark, 69, Virginia, circuit trains for two hours a day, five days a week

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