Author: Chris

In recent years, Japan has become a cultural center and a place for those who love history, food, art, music, and more! As a result, many foreigners have chosen the country to reside in or vacation in. However, Japan has a set of traditions and cultural values that are unusual and foreign to Westerners. As such, making social or social mistakes without knowing it is possible. Here are some tips to avoid embarrassing yourself when arriving in the land of the rising sun.

A new meaning of Christmas

In the West, Christmas is a public holiday celebrated by everyone. This is a time for presents, Christmas trees, presents, singing carols, and more. However, in Japan, holidays are not treated as such. Christmas is celebrated in Japan, but mainly for couples. They will go out to dinner on Christmas Eve and have a romantic activity the next day. 

Slippers in the bathroom

In Japan, special slippers are worn when going to the toilet. These slippers can be shared. After using the slippers, you need to return them to their original position and location in which they were found. Failure to do so can disrespect the host or embarrass guests if they forget to remove their slippers before leaving the bathroom.

Four is an unlucky number.

Like the number thirteen in Western circles, the number “four” is taboo in Japan. This number is banned mainly because it sounds like the word for death. For visiting expats, you must not give anything in sets of four, as this will be seen as disrespectful and a bad omen.

Never give tips

In the West, tipping is a way to show someone they’ve done their best to serve. However, in Japan, tipping is an insult, if not outright humiliation. The Japanese believe that hard work is essential, so everything counts towards the cost of service. If you leave a tip, workers will return the money. 

Don’t dance at nightclubs.

This can be one of the most complex problems for ex-pats, as nightclubs are almost synonymous with dancing for them. However, in Japan, dancing is strictly prohibited in lounges. Nightclubs help reinforce this rule by posting polite signs asking those inside not to dance. All of this stems from a law passed in the 80s that required a specific floor area to be licensed to dance, and given the high cost of real estate in Japan, most places cannot. 

No trash can

If you are a tourist or visitor in Japan, finding a place to throw your trash will be hard. This is because, in the past, people have abused the privilege. So for those visiting Japan, leave your trash in a bag or bring a garbage bag to take it home at the end of the day.

From an unconventional romance to one of the world’s most coveted singles settling down and getting married, there are plenty of fun facts about how George Clooney and Amal became a couple. If you want to know how this relationship plays out, here’s George and Amal Clooney’s complete timeline!

They met at a party in July 2013

The actor met the love of his life through a mutual friend at a party he hosted. The party occurred at one of George Clooney’s houses near Lake Como in Italy. On the other hand, Amal was on her way to Cannes with a mutual friend. Although George Clooney admits there is an immediate attraction, the romance begins much later. They started talking because she had to send pictures of his parents at the party, which is how their affair began.

Their first date was in London.

Later that year, in October 2013, George Clooney asked Amal on a date in London. At the Abbey Road studios, he was working on his directorial debut, Monuments Men. George reminisced that London was the perfect place for a first date. Amal chose a modern and stylish restaurant for their first date. When they came out, they were surrounded by the paparazzi, but Amal handled it all like a pro. That must be the effect of being a good lawyer. After the first date, things got dire for this couple.

They are on vacation around the world.

Even though George is working on another movie, he’s still having a good time with Amal and traveling the world together. That year they enjoyed each other’s company, including Christmas in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. After they emailed repeatedly, George realized that he and Amal were more than just friends, so they wouldn’t let time pass. They went entirely ahead, knowing each other and building their relationship. But they still need to finish their adventure.

Amal and George visit Africa.

George and Amal’s trip to Africa is significant in their relationship. The two went on a safari in February 2014. In an interview, George revealed that when he looked back at the photos, he realized he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. The couple went hunting in Tanzania and then took a tropical vacation in Seychelles. George and Amal are pictured on the beach holding a tropical fruit. The actor said the travel and Amal looking at the giraffe made him want to propose.

Proposal in 2014

Surprisingly, the actor is the chef in the family. And for this special occasion, he decided to cook Amal a special dinner in April 2014. After sitting down, George asks her to take something from the drawer. When Amal went to get a lighter, she found a ring instead. The actor got on his knees, proposed, and did everything a gentleman should do. Amal was shocked and kept staring at the ring as George knelt and waited for an answer for almost 20 minutes until she agreed.

They got married in September 2014

If getting married in the same year and receiving a marriage proposal seems rushed, it doesn’t seem to be the case for this loving couple. They exchanged vows on a beautiful altar in a luxury resort in Venice, Italy. Their marriage proposal and marriage shocked many ardent fans of the single guy. Friends and family joined them in their multi-day love affair with many celebrations to celebrate the newlyweds. Among the guests, there are many famous people.

The world of the red carpet is filled with all sorts of glitz and glamour. Everyone dresses to impress in jaw-dropping outfits, fighting for the best shots from the press. However, did you know that most stars have a trick or two to stand out from the crowd? From butt pads to specialized shoes to prevent slipping, here are 10 red-carpet tricks used by celebrities to do at our next event.

Volume Hair

Have you ever noticed how complete and luscious nearly every celeb’s hair seems? It’s like they were born with super genes and the perfect hairdo. But we aren’t buying that. So, what’s the secret? Celebrity hairstylist Jen Atkin, who works for the Kardashian and Jenner sisters, recently revealed she uses eye makeup to touch up the roots and hairline of her client’s hair to make it seem like they’ve got more volume than they do

Defining Shapewear

Sometimes, we only need a bit of sculpting to achieve that hourglass figure. That’s where Kim Kardashian’s SKIMS Collection comes into play. It isn’t the only shapewear line out there but one of the best. The line includes bras, bralettes, shorts, and bodysuits, and we can even see Kylie, her younger sister, sporting one of the brand’s products in the photo above. If you want to showcase your perfect body for an event, putting on shapewear is the way to go.

Tricking Mind Games

Some of the most head-turning looks in red carpet history are often the most daring. While celebrities like Rihanna, Miley Cyrus, and Kendall Jenner have famously been known to rock “nude” looks on the red carpet, other celebs like Beyonce prefer to wear dresses that seem scandalous. Celebrities have achieved that nude look without being barely clothed on the red carpet floor using a unique material known as illusion fabric or tulle. 

Cover Up

Besides the apparent sewing using a needle and thread, we can use many other items to help outfits stay in place. They can be convenient for deep cuts like a plunging neckline and a high slit. One of those items happens to be some good old sticky tape. It’s a quick solution for a daring outfit to ensure a celeb shows just the right amount of skin and offers some extra support so they don’t unintentionally show too much. 

Costly Skin Care

That glowing and glass-like skin you see on many celebrities isn’t a result of genes or makeup alone but also pretty extensive skin routines. Besides the traditional skin care procedures, celebrities have taken their facials a step further by booking appointments to get those tiny strands of hair on their faces shaved off. In addition to the traditional methods, some others also get derma-planes, a procedure where the top layers of their skin are removed. This way, the skin has that super neat, shiny, and soft red-carpet-worthy appearance. 

Emergency Tailoring

Most red carpet looks, unless custom designed, have a less-than-glove-like fit for the celeb wearing them. So, there’s got to be a lot of slight adjustments that have to be made to ensure the wearer fits into the clothes just like it was made for them. This can be tricky, especially if the event’s date is right now. This is why a tailor is usually needed on-site to handle any last-minute stitching or wardrobe malfunctions.

Wet Hair Look

The “wet hair” look some men prefer is done to give them a super sultry appearance, though the ladies have been catching on in recent years. Now it’s so popular. We can’t help but wonder how exactly they manage to keep their hair looking like that. The secret lies with lubricants like oils and gels — a ton of them. We’re curious how they wash it off and how long it takes. But it’s worth it if it looks this good.

Rubbing the uncomfortable way

Between going up and down the red carpet and wandering all over the venue exchanging pleasantries, it’s clear celebs have to do a lot of walking while they’re at the events. For this reason, their outfits have got to be comfortable. Since style and comfort don’t always go hand-in-hand, there’s always a risk of discomfort from their dresses rubbing with their skin. And there’s a limit to what celebs can carry with them. So, stylists like to bring some hairspray or fabric softener to keep their clients comfy.

Butt pads

It can be frustrating to have your perfect outfit picked out, but some areas need to be fixed when they’re supposed to be tightly fitted. Whether it’s the wearer’s or the tailor’s fault is debatable, but luckily, there’s a quick solution. And in Kristen Bell’s case, it was some excellent ol’ butt pads. Yeah, they’re associated with weird and insecure teens, but those can be handy for this situation. Achieving that full-figure look in just the nick of time has never been easier!

Oily Skin

Have you ever touched your face and noticed it feels much greasier than it should? Well, that’s a result of the over-secretion of sebum, the oil from our sebaceous glands — or pores, as they’re often called — making our skin oilier. Celebs are humans, too, and they also face this issue. But, since it interferes with their makeup, the oily skin has got to go, and their stylists have found just the thing. Coffee filters work wonders on oily skin. Who would have thought?

We often hear about an actress signing a movie contract and then finding out she’s pregnant. Many writers could change the script to include their pregnancy in the show, or try to cover it up with clever camera angles or baggy clothing. One way or another, fans won’t even be able to notice the baby bump. In some of our favorite movies and TV series, several famous actresses have kept their pregnancies a secret. Here are a few ways they’ve tried to hide their pregnant belly!

Angela Kinsey hid her pregnancy at work.

The drama ”The Office” has been broadcast for nine seasons. The show has won numerous awards and established itself as one of the most groundbreaking comedy shows of the century. It has also led to a cult following from “Dunder Mifflin” lovers of all things and spawned several viral memes on the internet. Angela Kinsey, who also plays a character named Angela, became pregnant during the show’s ninth season. However, it’s easy to find a workaround for the actress as the film is set in an office, which means there’s a lot to hide – printer, desk, copier, and file pair.

Amanda Rightetti – Psychologist

Amanda Righetti became pregnant while filming the fifth season of the hit series The Mentalist. Moreover, the show’s writers had a complex puzzle: how to hide the actress’ belly from the viewer’s eyes. This is how they successfully hid. For the film’s professional reasons, the actress’s hands are almost always placed in front of her midsection, especially when the angles are set correctly. She was also filmed standing behind random obstacles – water coolers, boxes, or desks – and these worked wonders.

Reese Witherspoon – Vanity Fair

The movie ”Vanity Fair” has been out for a while. But fans didn’t know that actress Reese Witherspoon was pregnant during filming. Thankfully, this is when sportswear for pregnant women is popular, so it all falls into place. But that doesn’t mean the crew didn’t do much extra behind-the-scenes work to hide her plight. Talk about dark, flowing dresses, matte sets, and some CGI changes here and there to reduce her actual size on the screen.

Kate Winslet – Divergent

Kate Winslet is a familiar actress in the sci-fi movie, Divergent. But few people know that her personality is much more than what she cares. Kate Winslet was pregnant during filming, five months to be exact! The question now is: how can the British star keep this not-so-small fact secret? A lot has happened behind the scenes to work the magic. From dark outfits to lots of props used to cover up her swelling, Katey can do this.

Kelly Rutherford – Gossip Girl

In the popular series Gossip Girl, the character Lily Van der Woodsen plays a mother, and Kelly Rutherford plays that role. The real-life Kelly wasn’t a mom at the show’s start, but she will be pregnant during the filming of the fifth season. Here’s how the writers handled this without changing the plot of being pregnant. Instead, they ensured her character only appeared in an outdoor setting, where she could wear baggy clothes and a trench coat to hide her pregnant belly. You have to give it to them; That’s a clever workaround.

The popularity of tattoos has skyrocketed in recent years, and with that has come a dramatic rise in the race to create the most unique body art. While others are happy with a small cute tattoo or a full back with intricated lines, some people take it up a notch and choose for themselves the most horrible designs.

Today’s list includes some of the lousiest artwork including shaky lines, lousy resilience, and bad shadows. After witnessing these atrocities, we hope you never decide to design a tattoo yourself, and always check the artist’s credentials before your appointment.

Lip tattoo

A few years ago, tattoos on one’s lips became very popular. It’s probably because you can hide it, and it only shows up when you pull your bottom lip down. It is an incomplete form of rebellion. Well, at least that’s the idea. This artist got it very wrong. Instead of being obscured, the tattoo is only on the lower lip and is rather very conspicuous. To make it worse, why would she choose such a silly word?

Twilight fish

It’s unclear how this person came up with this combination, but they somehow put a sick Twilight quote into the rainbow fish-like tattoo. The two seem to be far apart, but there is some common ground for this individual. It’s a unique look, for sure. We hope they pay less for this, as the design needs to be revised. The quote will be a bit gory, but adding the fish is coincidental.

Compass

A lot of people have tattoos dedicated to their significant other. Usually, they receive a heart, their lover’s name, or some form of symbolism for their relationship. This person chose the third option uniquely. This uneven compass has a heart with what appear to be knives cut through it, with a quote around it. The original saying was, “I was once lost, but now I have been found.” This person used their version of the famous quote and ended up with this body art.

Sunny day

“The sun will rise.” This is undoubtedly true. However, the sun in this tattoo has already risen, so it loses its purpose of this tattoo. The lines are also very uneven and shaky, so clearly, this is not the most professional artist who has done this tattoo. We don’t knock feelings down because it’s a friendly reminder that everything is temporary and tomorrow will always be a new day—no matter what you’re going through. 

Crystal Lake

There’s so much going on here, from the horrible fox design to the random rose. The face is a bit thin and not very proportionate, so now it looks half like a side view and half like a straight face. The rose that grows out of the fox’s mouth is an entirely different design, making us think this could be a cover-up. It also seems a bit out of place. Wolves are powerful creatures, but this one has a delicate flower in its mouth.

Mobile phones were one of the most useful inventions in modern times. However, some designs are just a bit out of this world. Out list today includes some crazy phone designs that didn’t make it to the 21st century. Here are some images of old-school phones that will take us all on a trip down memory lane. 

Dual-tech Mobile

Sony Ericsson W950i was a great cellphone with a touchscreen and button system. Moreover, it came with a stylus pen to assist with touchscreen writing. Meanwhile, the wider screen can accommodate the phone’s writing capabilities. 

The main reason for its discontinuation was the emergence of smartphones. Full-sized touchscreens were faster and easier to control than hybrids. The Sony Ericsson W950i came to the market in 2006 and enjoyed brief success before being upstaged by other big names.

Advanced Mobile

Siemens made a masterpiece with this 2004 model, SK65. Its unique design made this phone one of the best of its time. As soon as you flipped it over, the keypad would quickly open up on the sides for easier texting. This made the design highly compact and easy to use. 

The mobile design was very cool. It was attractive and accessible for easy typing. Siemens was typically famous for making distinctive mobile designs at the cost of bonus features, but they didn’t compromise. SK65 was not only stylish but also packed with advanced functionalities.

Plus Keyboard

Cell phones were designed for calls, not messaging. Hence, earlier design engineers tried appending old mobile phones with keypads to make texting more feasible. Ericsson made great efforts to turn a regular mobile into a messaging cell phone, but the results could have been more desirable. 

We wonder how a person carried this phone in their pocket. Even if the keypad were removable, it wouldn’t improve the design. Having an external keypad and attaching it to the mobile phone whenever you need to text is more inconvenient.

Samsung Spy Phone

Samsung SPH-N270 owners could have easily called residents of other planets and tased anyone on this one with their phone. Just kidding! But looking at this mobile phone design, what else would we think? Samsung indeed made it look like a phone from the future — a future that didn’t reach us. 

The green-colored buttons, overt speaker, and blockish design gave the design an extraterrestrial appearance. Maye ET should’ve tried to use this to phone home. While the mobile came with some good features, its design didn’t let it proceed any further.

Nokia Leaf Phone

The device in the image below isn’t from some sci-fi movie. It’s a Nokia from 2003, the Nokia 7600. It was a cell phone designed as a spade-shaped leaf. Some might even say it looked like a kitchen alarm clock, and we can’t blame them. 

Every mobile company tried to make their devices more compact in that era. This is the result of many failed attempts to create something innovative. Nokia was always famous for its device durability, so perhaps these still exist somewhere on Earth today.

Being a lead actor in a TV show or movie can be challenging. It usually takes some major acting chops and charisma to pull it off. But some would say it takes even more skill to take a relatively minor role and make it your own. These actors made the most of their supporting roles and became fan favorites on the TV shows and movies they were in.

Sydney Sweeney as Eden – The Handmaid’s Tale 

Eden was brought in in season 2 and married off to Nick by the oppressive government of Gilead. A pious 15-year-old played by the baby-faced Sweeney, Eden got more attention from viewers and critics than the actor herself had anticipated. Was Eden a spy for Serena or the Eyes? We kept guessing all season, and the answer turned out to be shocking, heartbreaking, and a potential turning point for the show.

Alexandra Breckenridge as Moira – American Horror Story 

Moira O’Hara in American Horror Story: Murder House was played by the iconic Frances Conroy, who went on to play the Angel of Death in Asylum and the unforgettable Myrtle Snow in Coven (“Balenciagaaa!”). As Moira occasionally took the form of her younger self, they needed a younger actor. Sharing a role with Conroy is a tall order – but Alexandra Breckenbridge’s stunning red hair and stocking tops proved unforgettable.

Alexandra Daddario as Lisa – True Detective 

The first season of True Detective was criticized for its portrayal of women. Detective Rust Cohle’s big notebook is given more agency than the female characters, who mainly move the plot by meeting an untimely end or trying to date the other detectives. Still, you have to admit they look good doing it – at least when it comes to Alexandra Daddario as Detective Hart’s bit on the side, Lisa Tragnetti. She reportedly received marriage proposals from fans after her nude scene in episode 2.

Rose Leslie as Ygritte – Game of Thrones 

Game of Thrones left us with many memorable lines: “Winter is coming!”; “Hodor!”; “What do we say to the God of Death? Not today!”; “If you think this has a happy ending, you haven’t been paying attention.” Each is a winner, but perhaps no line has been quoted and seemed quite as much as, “You know nothing, Jon Snow,” spoken by the flame-haired wildling Ygritte. Fresh from Downton Abbey, Rose Leslie made an impression not only on viewers but on Kit “Jon Snow” Harrington himself. The two of them got married in 2018.

Reese Witherspoon as Jill – Friends 

Now that Reese is a media mogul in her own right, it’s hard not to see her appearance as an attempt to inject minor stardom into the saggy middle of season 6. But this was before Legally Blonde, before Sweet Home Alabama. We had no idea just how huge Reese Witherspoon was about to become. And what’s more, Jill’s character worked brilliantly. She takes all the mistakes Rachel made in the early seasons — expecting shopping to fix all her problems, staying tethered to Daddy’s credit card, dating Ross — and makes them her own.

Norman Reedus as Daryl – The Walking Dead 

The Daryl Dixon character didn’t exist in The Walking Dead during its preparation phrase. When Norman Reedus auditioned to play Merle Dixon, the creators knew he wasn’t suitable for the part, but they also knew they wanted him in the show. So they created the role of Daryl, especially for him — and the character quickly became such a fan favorite that he was upgraded to series regular after season 1. He eventually became the series’s main protagonist following Andrew Lincoln’s departure as Rick.

Charisma Carpenter as Cordelia – Buffy the Vampire Slayer 

In the early episodes, Cordelia’s role seemed set in stone: she was the well-dressed, popular girl who was mean to the nerds. By opting to be friends with Willow instead of her, Buffy showed viewers that she was turning her back on the high school life she could have had. But throughout the show’s first three seasons, she transformed from an antagonist pitted against the Scooby gang to their ally — even doing a little vampire slaying herself — before she crossed over to Angel with David Boreanaz.

Krysten Ritter as Gia – Veronica Mars 

Everyone has a favorite Krysten Ritter vehicle — Jessica Jones, Breaking Bad, Don’t Trust the B**** in Apartment 23 — but Veronica Mars fans have loved her longer than anybody else. She took Gia Goodman (a ditzy, privileged character that could quickly have become just another rich girl trope) and made her such an integral part of the show that there was no question of her not returning for the fan-funded movie in 2014.

April Bowlby as Kandi – Two and A Half Men 

Kandi is the classic example of a sitcom character working her way up from a single appearance to the main cast. April Bowlby appeared in season 3 of Two and A Half Men as a one-off bimbette with a different name: Kimber. Kimber had so little discernible personality that we’re wondering if Kandi was a new character or just had a new name. Either way, Kandi was a main character in season 4, eventually becoming Alan’s second wife and returning in season 10 for a surprise twist.

These celebrities don’t just act; they also have many other hidden talents that we may not even hear about most of the time. Did you know Lady Gaga could cook or Zac Efron could pole dance? These are all the fun talents these stars have held back from us. Take a look at this list to find out!

Snoop Dogg is a football coach.

Snoop Dogg is one of the most renowned and legendary rappers. Everyone knows him as a talented rap and hip-hop artist, but we doubt many know he was a football coach and mentor. He started a youth football league in 2005 and has coached many people who played in the big leagues. Snoop has also revealed that coaching has improved his life.

Mark Ruffalo is good at riding unicycles.

Anyone who’s ever learned to ride human-powered vehicles knows the order of difficulty increases from tricycles to bicycles, then unicycles. Riding a unicycle is incredibly hard work and takes a lot of practice. It seems like one of Hollywood’s most delectable actors is skilled at riding a unicycle. We wonder what the backstory is behind this talent of Mark’s, and we’d love to see him showcase his skills to the world someday.

Sandra Bullock is bilingual.

The Golden Globe and Academy Award-winning actress has made a name for herself in America’s entertainment industry. Yet, many people need to learn she has another unique set of skills. Although she doesn’t make much fuss about it, Sandra is also fluent in a central European language: German. Her mother was German and was raised in Nuremberg (a city in Germany) for twelve years, which explains her fluency.

Harry Styles loves to knit

Everyone has one activity they love doing during their leisure time. Former One Direction member, Harry Styles, is not any different. During a tour, when the group was still together, Harry would reportedly knit to relax and help himself deal with all the hustle and bustle of life on tour. Some fans can get a little crazy, and we don’t blame him for wanting to keep his mental health in check!

Terry Crews is skilled at drawing.

We’ve come across quite a list of actors here who’ve got a knack for a thing or two besides playing roles, and Terry Crews is one of them. He’s not just an actor, host, and former football player but also a skilled illustrator. Many of his works have made the rounds on the internet, and we were some of the millions amazed by his unbelievable skills. We’d have never guessed that Terry was also good with a pencil and some crayons in a billion years.

Harrison Ford is a pilot.

Hollywood has several legends, and Harrison Ford can easily be called one of them. He’s one of the highest-grossing actors ever and has many accolades under his belt. Besides acting, he’s also a pilot. The actor started flying far back in the 60s, but it wasn’t until much later he was given his license. Now, the legendary actor has thousands of flying miles to his name and can call himself one of the best pilots in Hollywood. 

Vin Diesel contributes to the development of video games.

Anyone who’s into action movies must know a man named Vin Diesel. He’s been the star of numerous blockbusters, some of which have featured him in their video game versions. Vin founded a video game company, Tigon Studios, which has been the creator of these video games. He also joined Studio Wildcard, an American video game developer, as their president of creative convergence, contributing even more to video gaming.

Angelina Jolie is a skilled knife thrower.

We’re not the best at statistics or guesses, but we can comfortably say it won’t be all that easy to meet people fascinated by knives. We can also say it’ll be hard to find one good at throwing them. That’s exactly why we think Angelina’s talent is one in a million. She even told Conan O’Brien, the popular television host, that she’s been collecting weapons since she was a little girl and showed off her super cool butterfly knife skills during the interview.

Bradley Cooper speaks French.

We’ve already talked about a bilingual star who has a lot of success in Hollywood, so this next one isn’t as much of a shocker. Bradley Cooper is another star who speaks a foreign language fluently. Bradley has a good command of French as he studied in France for a short while. The actor has shown his French language skills in public as he’s spoken the language during an interview, setting the internet ablaze.

Steve Carell played ice hockey.

Besides Mark Ruffalo’s unicycling talent, only a few of what we’ve seen so far have required that much physical strain. That’s why Steve Carell’s talent for playing ice hockey is an impressive one and another favorite we’d like to see in action. We don’t need to wish for that to happen. Steve displayed his impressive ice hockey skills during an episode of The Office, a comedy series he starred in. Watching the episode puts some perspective on how great he is at the game.

Game of Thrones might have ended, but the show still lives in the hearts of the fans. Creating eight seasons of the highest quality of content must have been quite a tough job. In between the hard work, life on the sets of this show was full of fun, and these behind-the-scenes photos shall prove it, accompanied by so many secrets you may not yet heard before.

Good things come with a fine price

We don’t need to point out the fact that the last season of GoT was one of the most highly-anticipated season finales of all time. We were all clueless about the ending, and we were all eager to see what would happen. At the time, fans were waiting for the last few episodes with different emotions. Now that you know what went down in the end, did you know that each episode from the eighth season cost up to $10 million to produce?

Most challenging tasks

GoT fans know The White Walkers are some of the most frightening creatures in the show. But let us tell you something about how these characters came to life. Some of these were doctored with the help of CGI. But, the actors who played these characters had to work with some very complex prosthetics on their faces. You can’t just buy this kind of stuff from a store. In short, making just one of these took six weeks for a team of 10-15 artists.

The weapons

While you were watching the fighting scenes in the show, it would’ve been pretty easy to assume that the weapons used were real. That’s understandable because the characters put a lot of effort into throwing those spears and swinging those swords. But in reality, it’s not what you think. The weapons weren’t even replicas of lighter metal or steel. These weapons were made of 99% rubber by the weapons master Tommy Dunne. He knew that the real-steel heavy weapons wouldn’t be a practical option for filming.

Repercussions

Many people love Brienne of Tarth from the show; it was a big break for Gwendoline Christie. But every knight needed a strong costume, so she also had to don an impressive and heavy suit of armor for filming the show. It might have looked cool on the screen, but unfortunately, it adversely affected her. She said that her costume was pretty intense and painful. Its weight made her change the way she walked. Because of that, it also affected her walk permanently.

Inspiration

If there’s one thing that makes Game of Thrones the show, it’s those dragons. The creatures did well with the Mother of Dragons. Emilia was told to treat the dragons as if they all were her cats. In reality, she had to sit on wooden dragons and pat cushions covered in green fabric. The dragons were created with CGI and special effects, but much planning had to go into making the creatures look believable. Here’s an interesting fact: The dragon roars were inspired by the sound that tortoises make while mating!

Characteristics

Fans went through a lot of emotional ups and downs, especially during the finale. The characters from the Seven Kingdoms had it quite rough. Characters had to wear a lot of layers. We hope you remember when Cersei Lannister’s hair was chopped off. Therefore, Lena Headey, who played Cersei, had to wear a shorter wig that she called “The Trump wig!” It was itchy, and she wanted to burn it after filming, but that didn’t happen.

Furry Cloths

If you think of Game of Thrones, you think of the phrase “winter is coming.” That means that you need to wrap yourself up! On the show, you could often see Jon Snow wearing some fancy capes that would shield him from the cold Northern winds. Although these rugs looked like they were made of expensive animal furs, they were actually from IKEA! The costume department didn’t want to get costly animal furs for filming, so they chose a cheaper option. But they did add their own touches!

My co-wig friends

You might know her as Khaleesi, Daenerys Targaryen, Breaker of Chains, or the Mother of Dragons. You could always recognize her from her platinum-blond hair. Other cast members loved trying her wigs on, but it was a huge struggle for her. Emilia had just one wig during season one. Fast forward to season eight, and she had four wigs! She named the wigs Dany, Diva, Candice, and Blondie.

Devotion

Without a doubt, Emilia Clarke played the role of one of the strongest women in the world of movies and shows. Fans commended her for her portrayal and her real-life power. While shooting Game of Thrones, Emilia Clarke had to go through two brain aneurysms, but it didn’t stop her from perfectly portraying the role. The first aneurysm was during the first season, and she underwent brain surgery during the third season. She had another aneurysm shortly post-that.

Costumes Change

Thinking up the costumes for TV shows and movies must be pretty cool, especially for shows like GoT. There are so many characters and so many areas of the Seven Kingdoms. But it looks as if the costume department struggled with the Kingsguard. Michele Clapton, one of the costume designers for the show, said that the early Kingsguard costumes had to be changed because they made a lot of sounds, which were too loud for the mics. The suits had metal scales like armor, which caused the issue.

We would never have guessed what spooks some of these stars, but Hollywood is home to strange and unusual phobias. From Kristen Bell’s aversion to pruney fingers to Channing Tatum’s fear of porcelain dolls, here are some bizarre phobias among celebs.

Kendall Jenner

Kendall Jenner allegedly has a super bad case of trypophobia. For anyone unsure about what that is, she says tiny little holes set in random patterns put her on edge. For example, she can’t look at things like lotus heads, honeycombs, or even pancakes. Imagine being unable to eat pancakes for breakfast due to fear.

Britney Spears

Britney Spears has spoken about her herpetophobia many times, which is a fear of snakes. Specifically, the superstar is most terrified of the Komodo dragons, but any reptile sighting is enough to make Britney freak out. We are guessing that the reptile exhibit at the zoo is not a place the Princess of Pop will be seen at any time soon.

Scarlett Johansson

Scarlett Johansson has been in dozens of movies, and we are sure that at least one featured her greatest fear. That is, Scarlett is terrified of birds. The actress told New York Magazine that “Something about wings and beaks and the flapping” angers her. When she encountered some peacocks on set, she said that she definitely tried to keep her distance. So, if we see Scarlett shouting in fear, we can assume there’s a bird nearby.

Channing Tatum

If not for Channing Tatum confessing that he has a severe fear of porcelain dolls, we would have assumed he is fearless. We should know by now not to judge a book by its cover because Tatum recoiled and panicked when Ellen DeGeneres brought out a porcelain doll while interviewing the actor. Perhaps he should try playing with his daughter’s doll house to overcome this fear.

Johnny Depp

With the number of fantasy films Johnny Depp has acted in, we would have assumed that the actor would not possess a fear of clowns. Nonetheless, the Pirates of the Caribbean star gets rather scared by the idea of people walking around with big red noses atop white face paint. Back in 1999, Depp was quoted saying, “there always seemed to be a darkness lurking just under the surface, a potential for real evil.”

Taylor Swift

Sea urchins sure ruin a perfect beach day, but to be honest, they are not enough to deter us from going into the water. On the other hand, Taylor Swift is so terrified of these spiny sea animals that if she knows that sea urchins are lingering beneath the waves, she will not dare step into the water just in case she accidentally steps on one and gets pricked.

The world of the red carpet is filled with all sorts of glitz and glamour. Everyone dresses to impress in jaw-dropping outfits, fighting for the best shots from the press. However, did you know that most stars have a trick or two to stand out from the crowd? From butt pads to specialized shoes to prevent slipping, here are 10 red-carpet tricks used by celebrities to do at our next event.

Volume Hair

Have you ever noticed how complete and luscious nearly every celeb’s hair seems? It’s like they were born with super genes and the perfect hairdo. But we aren’t buying that. So, what’s the secret? Celebrity hairstylist Jen Atkin, who works for the Kardashian and Jenner sisters, recently revealed she uses eye makeup to touch up the roots and hairline of her client’s hair to make it seem like they’ve got more volume than they do.

Defining Shapewear

Sometimes, we only need a bit of sculpting to achieve that hourglass figure. That’s where Kim Kardashian’s SKIMS Collection comes into play. It isn’t the only shapewear line out there but one of the best. The line includes bras, bralettes, shorts, and bodysuits, and we can even see Kylie, her younger sister, sporting one of the brand’s products in the photo above. If you want to showcase your perfect body for an event, putting on shapewear is the way to go.

Tricking Mind Games

Some of the most head-turning looks in red carpet history are often the most daring. While celebrities like Rihanna, Miley Cyrus, and Kendall Jenner have famously been known to rock “nude” looks on the red carpet, other celebs like Beyonce prefer to wear dresses that seem scandalous. Celebrities have achieved that nude look without being barely clothed on the red carpet floor using a unique material known as illusion fabric or tulle. 

Cover Up

Besides the apparent sewing using a needle and thread, we can use many other items to help outfits stay in place. They can be convenient for deep cuts like a plunging neckline and a high slit. One of those items happens to be some good old sticky tape. It’s a quick solution for a daring outfit to ensure a celeb shows just the right amount of skin and offers some extra support so they don’t unintentionally show too much. 

Costly Skin Care

That glowing and glass-like skin you see on many celebrities isn’t a result of genes or makeup alone but also pretty extensive skin routines. Besides the traditional skin care procedures, celebrities have taken their facials a step further by booking appointments to get those tiny strands of hair on their faces shaved off. In addition to the traditional methods, some others also get derma-planes, a procedure where the top layers of their skin are removed. This way, the skin has that super neat, shiny, and soft red-carpet-worthy appearance. 

Emergency Tailoring

Most red carpet looks, unless custom designed, have a less-than-glove-like fit for the celeb wearing them. So, there’s got to be a lot of slight adjustments that have to be made to ensure the wearer fits into the clothes just like it was made for them. This can be tricky, especially if the event’s date is right now. This is why a tailor is usually needed on-site to handle any last-minute stitching or wardrobe malfunctions.

Wet Hair Look

The “wet hair” look some men prefer is done to give them a super sultry appearance, though the ladies have been catching on in recent years. Now it’s so popular. We can’t help but wonder how exactly they manage to keep their hair looking like that. The secret lies with lubricants like oils and gels — a ton of them. We’re curious how they wash it off and how long it takes. But it’s worth it if it looks this good.

Rubbing the uncomfortable way

Between going up and down the red carpet and wandering all over the venue exchanging pleasantries, it’s clear celebs have to do a lot of walking while they’re at the events. For this reason, their outfits have got to be comfortable. Since style and comfort don’t always go hand-in-hand, there’s always a risk of discomfort from their dresses rubbing with their skin. And there’s a limit to what celebs can carry with them. So, stylists like to bring some hairspray or fabric softener to keep their clients comfy.

Butt pads

It can be frustrating to have your perfect outfit picked out, but some areas need to be fixed when they’re supposed to be tightly fitted. Whether it’s the wearer’s or the tailor’s fault is debatable, but luckily, there’s a quick solution. And in Kristen Bell’s case, it was some excellent ol’ butt pads. Yeah, they’re associated with weird and insecure teens, but those can be handy for this situation. Achieving that full-figure look in just the nick of time has never been easier!

Oily Skin

Have you ever touched your face and noticed it feels much greasier than it should? Well, that’s a result of the over-secretion of sebum, the oil from our sebaceous glands — or pores, as they’re often called — making our skin oilier. Celebs are humans, too, and they also face this issue. But, since it interferes with their makeup, the oily skin has got to go, and their stylists have found just the thing. Coffee filters work wonders on oily skin. Who would have thought?

As most celebrities’ red carpet is about making a striking statement, many stars nowadays are willing to experiment. From Emmy Awards to elegance at Cannes Film Festival, these women made fashion statements that were the talk of the town. Look at the bold and beautiful dresses from the past decade in our article below.

Gwyneth Paltrow

The see-through trend is popular among stars, but they can face criticism if done wrong. However, such a case didn’t happen when someone like Gwyneth decided to wear it. The actress chose this look for the 2013 ‘Iron Man 3’ premiere. She was wearing a sheer-paneled Antonio Berardi gown. The sheer design is provocative but still elegant. As her gown couldn’t be worn with underwear, she needed to be extra careful since one wrong move would have caused a scandal.

Paris Hilton

Paris Hilton stole the spotlight at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival event with this glorious dress. The socialite appeared on the red carpet for the movie ‘Inside Out premiere, wearing a backless sheer fabric gown by Yousef Al-Jasmi. Of course, what is Paris without breaking some rules? She took a selfie with actor Sun Zu Yang at this strictest no-selfie event.

Kendall Jenner

Wearing Giambattista Valli Couture, Kendall stood out at the ‘120 Beats Per Minute’ premiere. Moreover, the model also accommodated the alight, airy silk chiffon with Chopard jewels. The beautiful florals made a dreamy impression and raised the heartbeat of many fashion lovers. She stole the show at the Cannes Film Festival of 2017.

Lady Gaga

Who remembers this iconic “meat dress” of the mother monster herself? The design came from Franc Fernandez and was suggested to Gaga by Nicola Formichetti. After the superstar wore it, she faced many backlashes from animal rights groups. Nevertheless, the singer stated that there is a big reason for such a decision. The outfit made it into Time magazine as the top fashion statement of 2010. After that, it was preserved by taxidermists as a type of jerky.

Lady Gaga

This time, Lady Gaga went old-school glamour with this beautiful metallic custom gown by stylist turned designer Brandon Maxwell. During the Grammy ceremony, Tony Bennett accompanied her, so the dress was spot on—old-school glamour for old-school charm.

Rita Ora

Rita Ora wore not one, not two, but three gowns throughout the 2015 Oscar. After the official ceremony, she went to Post Oscars Vanity Fair party wearing her most eye-catching outfit. The see-through asymmetric single-sleeved dress by Donna Karan Atelier suited the quirky star the best.

Diane Kruger

 German model and actress Diane Kruger surprised us by wearing this Marchesa design at the Golden Globe Awards in 2005. Diane later confessed that while she loved the dress, it might not be the perfect fit for the occasion. She told one magazine: “You could see my belly button, and everybody else was in long, flowy gowns.”