标签： Asia

Roma Riaz, the 27-year-old Miss Universe Pakistan 2025, has ignited a global conversation about beauty standards after her selection sparked polarizing reactions. Representing Pakistan on the international stage in Thailand, Roma, who hails from a Punjabi Christian family and was raised in the UK, has faced intense scrutiny over her skin tone and body type. Critics have questioned her suitability, citing her darker complexion, Christian faith, and foreign upbringing as deviations from the conventional Pakistani beauty ideal. Comments such as ‘too dark,’ ‘she needs to lose weight,’ and ‘not a true representation of Pakistani beauty’ have highlighted the deeply ingrained preference for lighter skin in South Asia. However, Roma has embraced the platform to challenge these biases, stating, ‘This pageant was more than just becoming Miss Universe Pakistan. It’s an answer to everyone that has ever questioned my identity.’ She emphasized that beauty is not confined to a single mould, advocating for inclusivity and diversity. Beyond beauty, Roma is committed to promoting education for girls, asserting, ‘Education is empowerment, and I want our girls to be more educated, more respected.’ Her supporters have lauded her courage, with one social media user noting, ‘Why do people find it hard to believe pale people exist in the UK and darker tones exist in Pakistan? They’re both beautiful in their own ways.’ Roma’s journey underscores the evolving standards of beauty pageants and the importance of representation in challenging societal norms.

Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan has expressed profound grief over the passing of his long-time makeup artist, Ashok Sawant, who had been an integral part of his professional and personal life for over 27 years. In a deeply emotional Instagram post, Bachchan remembered Sawant not merely as a colleague but as a cherished member of his family. The actor fondly referred to him as ‘Ashok dada,’ highlighting their bond that transcended the professional realm. Sawant, who had been Bachchan’s makeup artist since his debut film, was described as a loving, gentle, and affable individual who always carried a smile and warm embrace. Despite his health struggles in recent years, Sawant remained deeply involved in Bachchan’s work, ensuring his assistant took meticulous care of the actor’s makeup. Bachchan also recalled Sawant’s thoughtful gestures, such as bringing homemade snacks like ‘namkeen chivda’ and ‘bhakar wadi’ to the sets. The actor expressed his gratitude for Sawant’s unwavering love, care, dignity, and talent, concluding his tribute with heartfelt thanks for the memories they shared. The news of Sawant’s demise has left the Bollywood fraternity and fans mourning the loss of a dedicated and beloved professional.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame welcomed a stellar lineup of inductees this year, celebrating the enduring legacy of music icons such as Cyndi Lauper, Outkast, The White Stripes, and Soundgarden. These artists joined the pantheon of legendary acts, cementing their place in music history. Cyndi Lauper, known for her vibrant punk aesthetic and timeless hits like ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun’ and ‘Time After Time,’ was introduced by Chappell Roan, who praised her four-octave range and fearless individuality. The White Stripes, celebrated for their anthems ‘Seven Nation Army’ and ‘Fell in Love with a Girl,’ were honored with a heartfelt tribute by Iggy Pop, who highlighted the band’s foundation of love in their music. Jack White accepted the award on behalf of the duo, dedicating it to the marginalized and forgotten. Outkast, the Atlanta hip-hop duo behind chart-toppers like ‘Hey Ya’ and ‘Ms. Jackson,’ and Soundgarden, the Seattle grunge pioneers of ‘Black Hole Sun,’ were also inducted, showcasing the diversity of musical genres represented. Posthumous honors were bestowed upon Joe Cocker, whose soulful renditions of ‘You Are So Beautiful’ and ‘With a Little Help from My Friends’ left an indelible mark on music history. Other inductees included arena rockers Bad Company and ‘The Twist’ singer Chubby Checker. Salt-N-Pepa, the groundbreaking hip-hop trio, received the Musical Influence Award for their empowering hits ‘Push It’ and ‘Shoop,’ with Missy Elliott lauding their foundational role in hip-hop. The event also recognized Nicky Hopkins, the English session pianist whose work with The Rolling Stones and The Beatles shaped iconic tracks like ‘Sympathy for the Devil.’ The ceremony featured electrifying performances by Elton John, Bryan Adams, Olivia Rodrigo, and more, while the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum in Cleveland unveiled an exhibit showcasing memorabilia from this year’s inductees.

Pop icon Britney Spears has made a comeback on Instagram, sharing a cryptic post about self-preservation and personal boundaries. This follows her recent decision to deactivate her account, during which she reflected on a tumultuous chapter in her life. Spears described a particularly harrowing experience in rehab towards the end of her 13-year conservatorship, a period she also detailed in her 2023 memoir, *The Woman in Me*.

In her Instagram post, Spears wrote, ‘So much has happened this year, it’s crazy… Get your ballerina slippers, circle, and own your boundaries. It’s incredibly strict and somewhat of a form of prayer, but with so many endless possibilities in life, it’s important to do you and keep it simple.’

Earlier, in a now-deleted post from October 19, Spears revealed the emotional and physical toll of her conservatorship, stating, ‘For 4 months I no longer had my private door and was illegally forced not to use my feet or body to go anywhere.’ She added, ‘I do feel like my wings were taken away and brain damage happened to me a long time ago, 100 per cent.’

The singer’s personal life has also been under scrutiny, particularly her relationship with her two sons, Sean Preston, 20, and Jayden James, 19, whom she shares with ex-husband Kevin Federline. Federline recently expressed concerns about Spears’ well-being while promoting his memoir, *You Thought You Knew*, which also touches on the boys’ strained relationship with their mother.

In response, Spears took to X (formerly Twitter) on October 15, accusing Federline of ‘constant gaslighting’ and describing his actions as ‘extremely hurtful and exhausting.’ She wrote, ‘I have always pleaded and screamed to have a life with my boys. Relationships with teenage boys are complex. I have felt demoralised by this situation and have always asked and almost begged for them to be a part of my life.’

Spears dismissed Federline’s memoir as ‘white lies,’ emphasizing, ‘I am the only one who genuinely gets hurt here.’ She concluded, ‘I speak on this because I have had enough, and any real woman would do the same.’