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Icons and Influencers

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Icons and Influencers
Who's making headlines and creating trends? Meet the social media icons and influencers who shape the world as we know it.
Chinese actress Mao Xiaotong, who known for her pure image, has endured severe hardships in her life, including being abandoned at birth by her father and discovering her boyfriend’s affair in 2017. Photo: SCMP composite/Weibo/QQ.com
Trending in China

Profile | China actress Mao Xiaotong abandoned by dad, rejects his post-fame cash demands

‘Cute and sweet’ exterior of 37-year-old actress hides an inner strength that saw her stand up to her ‘alcoholic’ father, philandering ex-boyfriend.

Fame and celebrity

Meet Byredo founder Ben Gorham, who’s been hanging out with Kendall Jenner

Fashion

Hanan Besovic on American Vogue and Duran Lantink’s Jean Paul Gaultier debut

Fashion

4 fashion drops to shop this Christmas, from Ferragamo to Jacquemus

Actor Bill Nighy has partnered with knitwear house John Smedley, while Etnodim reinterprets the traditional Ukrainian vyshyvanka.

Jacquemus small Turismo bag in dark mint. Photo: Handout
Food and Drinks

Old-fashioned cookbooks remain popular, including with many professional chefs

Social media may be awash with recipes, but book fans cite their appreciation for high-quality narratives and photography in a tangible form.

Fame and celebrity

Meet Laura Lynne Jackson, psychic medium to Hollywood celebrities

Meghan Markle and Dior creative director Jonathan Anderson are also reportedly fans of the divinatory arts.

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Britain

Starmer pressured to intercept Andrew Tate in Dubai over UK rape charges

The self-described misogynist will appear at a Dubai boxing match this weekend, while facing civil action in the UK from four women alleging assault and rape.

Andrew Tate leaves the Bucharest Tribunal in Romania in February 2024. Photo: AP
Obituaries

In memoriam: 29 beloved celebrities we lost in 2025

We remember stars from the worlds of Hollywood, TV, music, fashion and more, from Jane Goodall to Giorgio Armani and Hulk Hogan.

Fame and celebrity

Meet Trevor Ballin, fashion designer and tarot reader to the stars

Ballin has worked with brands like Gap, Calvin Klein and Proenza Schouler and has done tarot readings for stars like Sarah Paulson and Emma Corrin.

Trending in China

Chinese rookie cop resembling actor Eddie Peng goes viral, attracts a million likes

Newly graduated officer with a canine partner called Fries shuns online fame, wants to focus on work, says he already has a girlfriend.

A rookie police officer in China who resembles Taiwan actor Eddie Peng has gone viral, with his video attracting more than one million likes. Photo: SCMP composite/RedNote/IG@yuyanpeng
Trending in China

China influencer aping Blackpink’s Rosé sparks fandom-celebrity grey area debate

Blonde-haired content creator who identifies as ‘Blink’ online appears at event dressed like star, signs postcards bearing image of iconic singer.

A Chinese influencer has triggered controversy by impersonating Blackpink’s Rosé at a pop-up event, reigniting a debate about the boundaries between fandom and celebrity identity. Photo: SCMP composite/IG@roses_are_rosie/Rednote
Jewellery

More is more: 5 jewellery maximalists making a case for stacking it on

From Chanel to Ralph Lauren, maximalism is back as fashionistas don extra necklaces, armfuls of bracelets and rings on every finger.

Taylor Swift

Meet Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour choreographer, Mandy Moore

She’s won three Emmys, worked on films including La La Land and Silver Linings Playbook, and choreographed the music video for Swift’s ‘The Fate of Ophelia’.

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Fashion

The stars wearing upcycled fashion using everything from watch straps to spoons

Hailey Bieber and Lorde both wore a dress made from watch straps by Marine Serre, while Cate Blanchett was spotted in a Hodakova halter top made of spoons.

At the Emmys in September, Jenna Ortega turned heads in a stand-out upcycled piece from Sarah Burton’s debut collection for Givenchy, made from dozens of vintage jewels. Photo: TNS
Internet

Video | How a block of online text led to a cafe’s viral stardom

Tai Bo Cafe in Yuen Long has gone viral online thanks to a copypasta trend on Threads recommending their meat patties, and have seen customers from as far as Macau.

Yuen Long cafe’s meat patties skyrockets to fame after viral online copypasta trend
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Kim Kardashian

Explainer | Not so fair: the controversy behind Kim Kardashian’s elephant Hermès Birkin

The All’s Fair star recently sparked social media outrage when she appeared in a Donna Karan look accessorised with a Birkin made from elephant hide.

Celebrity children

Meet Guess heir Nicolai Marciano – who’s dating Amelia Gray Hamlin

The pair have known each other for years but only hard-launched their relationship in November – Marciano also worked with A$AP Rocky for his first Guess project.

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Thailand

Asian Angle | The Thai influencer bringing viral warfare to Cambodia’s border

Gun Jompalang is a self-styled ‘justice crusader’ with over 9 million followers but no commander. He’s not a soldier, but he is waging war.

Self-styled social media influencer Gun Jompalang with Thai officers. Photo: Handout
Wellness

Could magic mushrooms help us live longer? What Bryan Johnson’s test showed

Johnson’s conclusions after taking magic mushrooms are backed by findings that psychedelics could extend life by rewiring the brain and more.

Singapore

Singapore ‘sharenting’: where does openness end and overexposure begin?

While sharing children’s exam results may serve to document life’s journey, it may also expose them to danger, counsellors say.

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Wellness

How to make 2026 the best year of your life? YouTuber Ali Abdaal has answers

An entrepreneur with 7.6 million followers across social media, Abdaal will share tips on subjects from careers to love at a Hong Kong talk.

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Ali Abdaal, a former doctor who is now a digital creator, entrepreneur and YouTube star, sits at a cafe in Causeway Bay. Abdaal will speak at the Hong Kong Jockey Club Amphitheatre on December 8 to explain how to make 2026 “the best year of your life”. Photo: Nora Tam
Fashion

8 viral tote bags: Emily Ratajkowski’s Daunt Books tote and more

Trader Joe’s micro bags have brought totes into the conversation again – here are a few that have taken off and are gaining cult status.

Emily Ratajkowski with a Daunt Books tote. Photo: Getty Images
Americas and the Caribbean

Jimmy Cliff, reggae icon and ‘cultural giant’, dies at 81

The Jamaican singer, along with Bob Marley, popularised reggae, ska and rocksteady. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2010.

Fashion

Legacy of Vogue Italia’s Franca Sozzani honoured at inaugural Franca Fund Gala

Co-hosted by Anna Wintour, the event included a fundraising auction and drew guests including Gisele Bündchen and Miuccia Prada.

Fashion

Fashion Trust Arabia 2025: which emerging designers won at this year’s awards?

The awards honoured MENA designers, drew celebrities including Lindsay Lohan, and were hosted by Queen Latifah.

The 2025 Fashion Trust Arabia award ceremony took place on November 21, in Doha. Photo: Handout
Food and Drinks

Food influencer Jaeki Cho brings New York-Seoul vibes to Hong Kong pop-up

Pineapple bun sandwiches with char siu and honey butter were one star of Shop B’s event with Cho, who champions community via food and music.

The star of the night, the pineapple bun sandwich with char siu.
Malaysia

‘Forgotten by everyone’: Namewee blasted for job hunt amid Iris Hsieh probe

Taiwanese model Sprite Fang accused Namewee of lacking sincerity in the social media star’s death.

France

Princess Diana enters Paris waxwork museum in ‘revenge dress’

Princess Diana wore the dazzling off-the-shoulder outfit shortly after the infidelity of her then-husband, Prince Charles, was publicly revealed.

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