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Michelle Trachtenberg Leaves Impactful Legacy with the Entertainment Industry
By: Olivia Coish
Michelle Trachtenberg was an American renowned actress known for her versatility in the entertainment industry. Her career began as a child star, and has since made various impactful contributions within her adult roles. Tragically, Trachtenberg was pronounced dead on February 26, 2025, at the young age of 39.
Trachtenberg was born in New York City on October 11, 1985. Her parents were Jewish immigrants- her father from Germany and her mother from Ukraine. The child’s acting career began at the age of three, appearing in over 100 commercials. Her television debut is noted by her guest role in Law and Order, a six-season crime drama, but the actress gained early recognition as Nona F. Mecklenberg on the Nickelodeon show, The Adventures of Pete & Pete. In 1996, Trachtenberg landed a lead role in Harriet the Spy, which earned her a Young Artist Award. The actress solidified her status in pop culture through her portrayal of Dawn Summer in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The role earned her another Young Artist Award and multiple Saturn Award nominations. She also hosted Discovery Kids “True or Scare,” from 2001-2003, resulting in a Daytime Emmy nomination. Through the mid 2000’s, Trachtenberg showcased her range with roles in various genres, most notable being her portrayal of Georgina Sparks in the popular TV show Gossip Girl, where she played a complex, antagonistic character that challenged her skillset as an actress.
Given her Russian background and fluency, Trachtenberg oftentimes embraced roles that connected with her heritage. She was often known for her advocacy against bullying, which was drawn from her own struggles of being a child and teen actress. Trachtenberg’s death was met with an outpouring of tributes from fans and colleagues. The police responded to a 911 call just a few days after her death was confirmed. They found a woman unconscious and unresponsive inside a Manhattan apartment. In a statement, the NYPD said that, “Criminality is not suspected,” and that Trachtenberg had been dealing with a recent medical issue. Medical examiner’s concluded that her death appears to be related to natural causes.
Michelle Trachtenberg’s career spanned over three decades, during which she captivated audiences by showcasing her versatility as an actress. Her legacy is remembered through the memorable characters she brought to life, and inspiration she provided as a role model for aspiring actors worldwide.
The Backstreet Boys Make Their Return to the Big Stage
Legions of fans of all ages welcome them back
By: Chloe Diaz
On February 12, 2025, the Backstreet Boys announced that they would be performing at the Sphere in a residency set to last through July of 2025. The nostalgic boy band is prepared to make history, being the first pop performers to headline a residency in the famous Los Vegas performance venue. While this is great news for the fan base of the Backstreet Boys, it is also great news for any pop fans, as this residency is making headway for more pop acts in the future. The show titled, “Into The Millennium” is meant to celebrate the 25 year anniversary of their album named, “Millennium,” which was an iconic aspect of 90’s pop culture. Fans everywhere are thrilled to see their favorite performers return to the stage, with 18 performances available. The show will run from July 11 through August 17, with hit songs including “Larger Than Life” and “I Want It That Way” along with other hits outside of the album.
What makes this residency so exciting to old and new fans alike, is the added value of modern technology. The Sphere is known for its larger than life spectacles, and there is no doubt that it will deliver once again. While this show will bring back all of the 90’s nostalgia, it will also be enhanced by new technology like seat haptics, surround sound, and immersive visuals. The Sphere holds a 160,000 square foot LED screen that wraps around the entire audience, ensuring that this show will be the perfect setting for a high-energy performance. Many younger generations grew up listening to this music around the house or in the car under the influence of their parents. These modernized additions to the show, will help to bridge the gap between generations, and invite all age groups to enjoy and participate in a unique concert experience. Since this residency celebrates over three decades together as a group, it is natural that some of the bandmates anticipate being emotional.
Tickets for the show are already on sale, including potential VIP packages for exclusive and immersive fan experiences. VIP packages include meet and greets with members from the band for die-hard fans. This opportunity is very exciting for the audience, as they are noted to be one of the most devoted fan bases among boy bands. Any concert hosted at the Sphere is sure to be an unforgettable experience. It is not surprising that people are lining up to buy tickets, whether they be mega fans of the group, or are just familiar with their top hits.
It is likely that audiences can expect to see more pop acts in the following years, especially with the pop genre being so popular among younger audiences. This performance will be remembered as the residency that made history.
SNL Celebrates 50 Years of Comedic Entertainment and Ground-Breaking Humor
By: Olivia Coish
Saturday Night Live (SNL) celebrated its 50th anniversary with a grand special on February 16, 2025. Airing live on NBC and Peacock, the three and a half hour event honored the show’s rich legacy, with a combination of classical sketches, musical performances, and appearances from past and present members. The special opened with a performance of “Homeward Bound” by Paul Simon and Sabrina Carpenter, references Simon’s duet with Goerge Harrison in 1976. Throughout the show, viewers were entertained by jeopardy, as well as a humorous musical number called, “New York 50th Musical,” which featured David Spade and Pete Davidson.
SNL 50 highlighted top musical artists including Miley Cyrus and Brittany Howard’s rendition of “Nothing Compares 2 U,” Adam Sandler’s original tribute song, “50 Years,” and a medley by Lil Wayne and The Roots. The musical portion of the special concluded with Paul McCartney performing three Beatles’ classics songs, “Golden Slumbers, “Carry That Weight,” and “The End.” A wide array of celebrities and former cast members made special appearances throughout the night, including Steve Martin, Tina Frey, Eddie Murphy, and most notably, Jack Nicholson who made a rare appearance to introduce Adam Sandler.
Leading up the main event, NBC aired several specials to get audiences excited, including “SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night” a documentary series on Peacock, and “SNL50: The Homecoming Concert,” which features performances by Lady Gaga and Bad Bunny. Following the 50th anniversary, Saturday Night Live announced plans to launch a U.K version of the show in 2026. Saturday Night Live UK is in collaboration with the Sky Studios, and will feature a cast of British comedians in order to maintain the original format of the skits and musical performances. SNL’s creator and executive producer, Lorne Michaels, will oversee the UK adaptation as SNl expands globally.
As Saturday Night Live celebrates five decades of comedic and musical entertainment, the 50th anniversary paid tribute to not only its past hosts, members, and special appearances, but also to its future endeavors of spreading internationally.
Scientists Reveal Helpful and Interesting Things to Do with Banana Peels
Keep your eyes "peeled" for the benefits of what typically is viewed as garbage
By: Tessa O’Brien
Banana peels are often discarded without a second thought, but these peels have various surprising uses that are both helpful and interesting, such as using them as a natural fertilizer! Because banana peels are rich in nutrients such as potassium, phosphorus, and calcium, they have everything that is essential for plant’s growth. To do so you can chop up the peels and bury them in garden soil, or make banana peel tea by soaking them in water for a few days and using the liquid to water your plants. This helps to promote healthier and stronger plant growth!
Another great way to recycle banana peels in the garden; banana peels are a great addition to your compost pile. They can enhance the nutrient content of your compost because they compose quickly and contribute valuable nutrients. Not only will this improve the quality of your compost but ultimately you will see a significant difference in your garden soil.
Believe it or not, banana peels can even be used to polish shoes and silverware! How you might ask? Well, the inside of banana peels contain natural oils and potassium that can help shine and clean leather shoes and silverware. You can simply rub the inside of the peel on the surface you want to polish and then buff with a cloth. This is an eco-friendly method that saves money and avoids harsh chemicals.
Banana peels, among other fruits and vegetables, can also be implemented into skin care routines. Banana peels contain antioxidants and vitamins which can help reduce acne, wrinkles, and dark spots. Rubbing the inside of a banana peel on clean skin can soothe irritation and reduce inflammation, just leave the peel on the skin for about 10 to 15 minutes and rinse with water.
Some people also use banana peels for natural teeth whitening. The minerals in the peel such as magnesium and manganese can help remove staining on the teeth. Rubbing the inside of the banana peel on your teeth for a couple of minutes daily, followed by brushing your teeth as always, can be very beneficial for teeth health and whitening and lead to an overall brighter smile!
It is common to use bananas for baking, but, surprisingly, the peels can also be used in the kitchen. They can be blended into smoothies for added fiber or used to tenderize meat. In some cultures they are also cooked and eaten as a vegetable, incorporated into curries and stews, or even made into vegan bacon. Just make sure to wash them thoroughly before use!
These are just a few of the many ways you can re-purpose banana peels, turning what is often seen as waste into something valuable and useful. So next time you enjoy a banana, think twice before tossing the peel.
Oscars 2025: Ceremonial Titles Reinstated For This Year's Winners
By: Zayna Saidi
This past March, the 97th annual Oscars ceremony was held. Many well known films were serious contenders for multiple categories, such as highest grossing Broadway musical adaptation, “Wicked,” as well as the overall highest grossing film for 2024, “Dune: Part Two.”
The Oscars, first starting on May 16, 1929, is now one of the most famous ceremonies globally. The Oscars came into existence shortly after the creation of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, as members of this newly formed association discussed what their goals were for the organization. After their meeting, they agreed that one of their goals was to honor outstanding motion picture productions, which led directly to what we now know today as the Oscars. Since the first award banquet, over 3,000 Oscars have been awarded to those who partake in the process of film making, from directors to technicians, who exemplify what the Oscars stand for.
One of the most memorable moments from this year's Oscars, which took place on March 2, 2025, was the outstanding work from everybody involved in the production of the film “Anora.” With nominations in 6 categories, “Anora” secured 5 Oscars for the categories of Writing (Original Screenplay), Actress in a Leading Role, Directing, Film Editing, and Best Picture. Interestingly, when director Sean Baker accepted his award, he shared in his speech the importance of watching films in movie theaters once more rather than at home, “In a time in which our world can feel very divided, this is more important than ever: It’s a communal experience you simply don’t get at home.” Overall, the producers of “Anora” were able to spend the night reflecting on their hard work and dedication to their craft. However, not all winners of the night were as well received as theirs had been.
Winning two Oscars that night in the categories of Actress in Supporting Role and Music (Original Song) was the film “Emilia Pérez,” which later faced harsh criticism across social media platforms due to many believing that others nominated for those categories were more deserving. This statement sparked a lot of controversy throughout film enthusiasts online, with many people comparing other films to “Emilia Pérez” in order to support their argument.
One of the films that “Emilia Pérez” was commonly compared to was “Wicked,” which ended up winning two Oscars of its own that night for Costume Design and Production Design. However, many fans of the film believed that it was deserving of more recognition for its excellence in overall adaptation, music, and more, and were disappointed by the outcome of the night.
However, the amount of discourse sparked from the chosen winners only shows how popular this ceremony is today. As the film industry continues to develop with the advancements in technology, there is no telling what the future for film making will hold.
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