Following their Super Bowl halftime performance, Kendrick Lamar and SZA announce their Grand National Tour, presented by Live Nation, pgLang and Top Dawg Entertainment, will take over 13 stadiums across Europe and the United Kingdom this summer.
TICKETS: Various pre-sales available Wednesday, 12th February through 13th February. General on sale starts Friday, 14th February at 9am local time on grandnationaltour.com
TOUR DATES:
New Dates in Bold
Apr 19 – Minneapolis, MN – U.S. Bank Stadium
Apr 23 – Houston, TX – NRG Stadium
Apr 26 – Arlington, TX – AT&T Stadium
Apr 29 – Atlanta, GA – Mercedes Benz Stadium
May 03 – Charlotte, NC – Bank of America Stadium
May 05 – Philadelphia, PA – Lincoln Financial Field
May 08 – East Rutherford, NJ – MetLife Stadium
May 09 – East Rutherford, NJ – MetLife Stadium
May 12 – Foxborough, MA – Gillette Stadium
May 17 – Seattle, WA – Lumen Field
May 21 – Los Angeles, CA – SoFi Stadium
May 23 – Los Angeles, CA – SoFi Stadium
May 27 – Glendale, AZ – State Farm Stadium
May 29 – San Francisco, CA – Oracle Park
May 31 – Las Vegas, NV – Allegiant Stadium
Jun 04 – St. Louis, MO – The Dome at America’s Center
Jun 06 – Chicago, IL – Soldier Field
Jun 10 – Detroit, MI – Ford Field
Jun 12 – Toronto, ON – Rogers Centre
Jun 16 – Hershey, PA – Hersheypark Stadium
Jun 18 – Washington, DC – Northwest Stadium
Jul 02 – Cologne, Germany – RheinEnergieSTADION
Jul 04 – Frankfurt, Germany – Deutsche Bank Park
Jul 08 – Glasgow, UK – Hampden Park
Jul 10 – Birmingham, UK – Villa Park
Jul 13 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Johan Cruijff ArenA
By: Dr. Rudrani Banik, MD, Integrative Ophthalmologist and Neuro-Ophthalmologist
Founder, “The Eye Health Summit”
Author, “Beyond Carrots: Best Foods for Eye Health A to Z”
Author, “Dr. Rani’s Visionary Kitchen”
We live in a world dominated by screens. From smartphones and tablets to laptops and televisions, screen time has become inescapable. Americans now average 7 to 9 hours of screen exposure daily, and the consequences are taking a toll on our vision. Digital eye strain has reached epidemic proportions, with symptoms of blurred vision, dry eyes, and headaches. More alarmingly, excessive screen use may be fueling a sharp rise in myopia (nearsightedness), particularly in children. Based on these trends, half the world’s population is expected to be nearsighted by 2050.
The problem goes beyond discomfort. Increased screen exposure strains the eye’s focusing system, leads to poor blinking habits, and exposes us to high-energy blue light, which interferes with sleep cycles and may contribute to retinal damage.
Defend Your Eyes from Digital Overload
Follow the 20-20-20 Rule: Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This helps reduce strain and allows eye muscles to relax.
Optimize Your Blink Rate: Blinking lubricates the eyes, but screen use drastically reduces our natural blink rate. Make a conscious effort to blink often and use preservative-free artificial tears if dryness persists.
Limit Blue Light Exposure: Reduce screen brightness and enable blue light filters, especially in the evening to support better sleep.
Prioritize Outdoor Time: Natural daylight exposure, particularly in childhood, is linked to a lower risk of myopia. Aim for at least 2 hours, outdoors daily.
Fuel Your Eyes with the Right Nutrition: Key nutrients like lutein, zeaxanthin, and omega-3 fatty acids play a crucial role in protecting against eye strain, dry eye, and long-term degenerative diseases. Leafy greens, fatty fish, and colorful vegetables should be staples in your diet.
Join a Global Event to Empower Your Vision
While digital eye strain is a growing concern, preventive care can make a huge difference. That’s why I’m hosting The Eye Health Summit, a free, global event taking place on May 1–7, and coinciding with National Healthy Vision Month. This summit will feature more than 35 expert-led discussions on topics from eye strain and ocular nutrition to cutting-edge advancements in eye health.
At the summit, you will learn practical strategies to help safeguard your vision now and for the future. Whether you’re struggling with screen fatigue, concerned about your child’s eyesight, or simply want to maintain lifelong healthy vision, this event provides the knowledge and tools you need, without a doctor’s visit.
To learn more and register for free, visit: https://theeyehealthsummit.com. Your eyes work hard for you, so let’s give them the care they deserve.
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Biography:
Dr. Rudrani Banik, MD, is a board-certified ophthalmologist specializing in an integrative approach to vision health and author of, “Beyond Carrots: Best Foods for Eye Health A to Z,” and “Dr Rani’s Visionary Kitchen.” She is also a fellowship-trained neuro-ophthalmologist. Banik is the founder of EnVision Health NYC, a concierge practice specializing in eye health, neurological conditions, and migraine headaches. She is associate professor of ophthalmology at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and co-director of the neuro-ophthalmology service. Banik is a member of the American Board of Ophthalmology’s Exam Development Committee and contributes to setting the standards for board certification. She has committed herself to more than a decade of training at some of the finest medical institutions like Johns Hopkins and Brown University, allowing her to author numerous articles and present at national and international meetings. Banik has been called on as an expert on multiple media outlets including, The New York Times, “Good Morning America,” “CBS Evening News,” TODAY.com, and The Washington Post. She has been voted New York Magazine’s Best Doctor and a Castle Connolly Top Doctor every year from 2017-2025. Banik is the founder of “The Eye Health Summit,” a global patient-centered event dedicated to integrative eye health.
Elton John and Brandi Carlile unveil the music video for their brand new single “Who Believes In Angels?” Watch here. Directed by visionary photographer and director David LaChapelle, the video follows Wednesday’s announcement of Elton and Brandi’s collaborative studio album Who Believes In Angels?, set for release on April 4th via Interscope Records. Pre-order the album here.
David LaChapelle and Elton are regular collaborators, having first met when David photographed Elton for Interview Magazine in 1998. They’ve worked together many times since then, with David directing the music videos for Elton’s tracks “This Train Don’t Stop There Anymore” with Justin Timberlake, and “Original Sin” with Elizabeth Taylor and Mandy Moore, as well as shooting the poster for Elton’s Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour and directing his Red Piano residency in Las Vegas. David’s celebrated “Egg on You Face” photo is one of the crown jewels in Elton and David Furnish’s photography collection, which was recently on show at London’s V&A Museum for their Fragile Beauty exhibition.
The new video is a kaleidoscopic tribute to the rock & roll angels who continue to inspire successive generations. It finds Elton and Brandi performing on a giant pinball machine, playing a winged piano and guitar respectively, while Tina Turner and Little Richard shimmy amongst pink clouds and neon lights.
Speaking on the music video, David LaChapelle says: “It’s been a wonderful continuation of this journey with Elton over the last 20+ years – projects, videos, stage productions, photo shoots… I love these creative challenges we’ve explored and working on this duet with Brandi was really good fun and hard work, but a joyful experience on set. We created a gigantic pinball machine and made a magical world that reminds us of where we’ve been as kids – that dreams do come true – and creating together with your heroes can be a sublime experience.”
Fans can pre-order Who Believes In Angels? to gain exclusive access for the chance to buy tickets to ‘An Evening With Elton John & Brandi Carlile’ at The London Palladium on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. This one night only event will see Elton and Brandi grace the stage of one of London’s most iconic venues for a unique evening of performance and storytelling.
The concept for Who Believes In Angels? was devised by close friends and regular collaborators Elton John, eleven time GRAMMY winning US superstar Brandi Carlile and multiple GRAMMY Award winning producer and songwriter Andrew Watt. They set out to create a genuinely collaborative studio album between Elton and Brandi. The album would mix Elton-led songs and Brandi-led songs, with long term collaborator Bernie Taupin and Brandi both contributing lyrics, and producer and co-writer Andrew Watt acting as the producer, mediator and creative conduit. Entering Los Angeles’ Sunset Sound Studios in October 2023 with a completely blank slate, they pushed each other out of their comfort zones to write and record an album completely from scratch in just 20 days. They would be backed by a world class band of musicians comprising of Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Pino Palladino (Nine Inch Nails, Gary Numan and David Gilmour) and Josh Klinghoffer (Pearl Jam, Beck).
Watch a short film about the process of making Who Believes In Angels? here. This is the first time that Elton has allowed cameras to film his writing and recording sessions. Static cameras positioned around the studio captured thousands of hours of raw footage, and ultimately documented the entire creative process – breakdowns, breakthroughs, tears, torn up lyric sheets and all. The candid footage offers fans an unprecedented, searingly honest insight into the emotionally turbulent creative process for Elton, Brandi and the rest of the team.
The results of this creative friction are stunning, and the kaleidoscopic scope of Who Believes In Angels? draws comparisons with some of Elton’s very finest works. Ballads co-exist with raw rock and roll, pop songs and country-hued Americana rub shoulders with synth-heavy psychedelia. It’s an album as unexpected as it is triumphant. Elton sounds utterly revitalized. Brandi sounds like a singer-songwriter at the absolute top of her game, her voice melding with Elton’s like a hand in a glove. The resulting songs somehow manage to be unequivocally the work of Elton John and Brandi Carlile, while sounding unlike any album either have made before.
Elton says: “This record was one of the toughest I’ve ever made, but it was also one of the greatest musical experiences of my life. It has given me a place where I know I can move forward. Who Believes In Angels? feels like going into another era and I’m pushing the door open to come into the future. I have everything I’ve done behind me and it’s been brilliant, amazing. But this is the new start for me. As far as I’m concerned, this is the start of my career Mark 2.”
Brandi says: “I’m still reeling from the fact that I got to do it. I think all ships rise with Elton John’s standards for songwriting, and it was an incredibly challenging and inspiring environment to work in, everybody throwing in ideas, everybody listening to everybody else’s ideas. It felt like a family. The world is a wild place to live in right now. It’s hard to find peace and triumph. It’s a radical act to seek out joyful and euphoric happenings. And that is what this album represents to me.”
The eponymous single “Who Believes In Angels?” is out now. Listen here and watch the video here. In keeping with the album it gives its name to, it is a true collaboration; Brandi penned the lyrics and Elton the theme, before Andrew joined them to bring it all together. From the opening piano chords, it’s unmistakably a slice of classic Elton John, that at once manages to nod to past glories whilst sounding thoroughly modern and forward looking. Brandi’s soaring vocals meld exquisitely with Elton’s on a towering synth charged chorus, as hard hitting as many of his best-loved classics.
Who Believes In Angels? also features 2025 Oscar nominated song “Never Too Late,” created especially for the Disney+ documentary of the same name and unveiled last year to widespread critical acclaim. Listen here. A beautiful, reflective and ultimately uplifting story of finding happiness and redemption in love and family, “Never Too Late” is the truly fitting finale to the documentary that plays out over the credits of the documentary of the same name. The documentary follows Elton as he looks back on his life and the astonishing early days of his 50-year career in an emotionally charged, intimate and inspiring full-circle journey. Directed by R.J. Cutler and David Furnish the documentary is available to watch on Disney+ now.
Thrivelab Longevity is a state-of-the-art wellness clinic located at Mizata by Antiresort, dedicated to optimizing health, beauty, and longevity through personalized treatments and holistic care. Designed for guests seeking enhanced well-being and a vibrant, extended life, the clinic offers advanced medical aesthetics, personalized health assessments, regenerative therapies, and innovative treatments that boost vitality, skin health, and overall wellness. By integrating science-backed techniques with holistic practices, Thrivelab Longevity delivers tailored wellness solutions, empowering clients to thrive at every stage of life.
What Makes Thrivelab Longevity Unique?
Thrivelab Longevity stands out through its holistic approach to wellness, combining cutting-edge aesthetics with personalized care for the mind, body, and spirit. Our focus extends beyond beauty, emphasizing comprehensive well-being through customized treatments designed to optimize health and vitality.
Meet Dr. Sofia
Leading our expert team is Dr. Sofia, a licensed medical doctor from El Salvador with over eight years of global experience in non-surgical facial rejuvenation. Her distinguished career includes working aboard prestigious cruise ships and training under a renowned plastic surgeon Dr. Brad Herman in Miami. With advanced certifications in Botox, dermal fillers, and facial harmonization, Dr. Sofia blends art and science to deliver natural, beautiful results using the safest and most effective techniques.
Revolutionizing Care with Safe, Simple, and Convenient Treatment Options
Thrivelab, a trusted leader in hormone health and weight management services, is proud to announce the addition of compounded oral (sublingual) semaglutide to its weight loss and hormone balancing programs for men and women. Designed to help individuals achieve effective weight loss without the need for needles and injections, this innovative alternative provides a simplified, safe, consistent, and less invasive application of the popular weight loss medication, to address weight management challenges on a biological level.
“By eliminating the need for needles, we’re enhancing comfort, making this life-changing treatment more accessible for those seeking sustainable weight loss and improved metabolic health.” – Dr. Bimisa Augustin, Director of Clinicians, Thrivelab
Why Oral Semaglutide?
Oral semaglutide provides a safe and effective alternative to traditional injection-based treatments for weight management. Key benefits include:
No injections or surgery required: A daily oral medication simplifies the treatment process and eliminates the fear associated with needles.
Minimal side effects: Oral semaglutide has little to no side effects that interfere with daily routines, making it a practical option for busy lifestyles.
Convenient at-home use: Patients can take the medication at home, avoiding frequent trips to the doctor’s office.
Support for consistency: With personalized prescriptions, ongoing patient support and nutrition coaching, Thrivelab helps patients stay on track and achieve long-term success.
Thrivelab’s Commitment to Accessibility and Care
Recognized for its excellence, Thrivelab is ranked 2nd in the Women’s Health Clinic category on Trustpilot. Known for outstanding patient care and results, the company extends its expertise to weight management solutions with the launch of this program.
Thrivelab’s virtual model ensures patients can access personalized consultations and tailored treatment plans from the comfort of their homes. By integrating hormone health, nutrition guidance, and lifestyle coaching, Thrivelab’s expert team—including physicians, nutritionists, and health coaches—develops comprehensive strategies for optimal results.
Joshua Host, CEO of Thrivelab, emphasized the importance of this breakthrough:
“At Thrivelab, we are committed to making effective weight management solutions more accessible and less intimidating. Oral semaglutide eliminates the fear of needles and the potential for user error associated with injections, giving patients a more convenient option to stay consistent with their treatment. With this, you don’t need to lose as much weight to see meaningful health improvements, and prescription coaching ensures patients achieve safe and lasting results.”
Reebok announces the launch of its highly anticipated performance basketball shoe, the ‘Engine A.’
Returning to the hardwood as the first official Reebok performance basketball sneaker since the early 2010s, Engine A has been spotted on today’s top basketball stars – including WNBA All-Star Angel Reese – and will become available for sale globally on February 13th, 2025, in the debut silver colorway.
“The launch of the Reebok Engine A is a monumental moment for the brand as we reclaim our stance on the court and within basketball culture, says Todd Krinsky, Reebok CEO. “The Engine A embodies all that Reebok stands for: top performance innovation, fearless risk-taking design, and a continued commitment to deliver the best product possible to the athletes who are changing the game.”
A one-of-a-kind, durable, lightweight basketball shoe that’s designed for the game that moves in every direction, Engine A features the patented Energy Return System technology, ERS™, in a modern design inspired by the brand’s ‘90s Mobius line, delivering a high-performance shoe for dynamic athletes.
Key tech features include:
Exoskeleton Upper: Lightweight, molded upper offers secure, breathable support and dynamic fit. The ‘exoskeleton’ design enables bold color blocking and pays homage to Reebok’s hoops heritage.
ERS™ Midsole: a lightweight EVA midsole ensures a stable, flexible ride plus Nitrogen infused SuperFloat in the heel and forefront absorbs impact for ample energy return to comfort and bounce.
High-Abrasion Rubber Outsole: featuring a multi-directional, herringbone traction pattern designed for elite grip for basketball.
Speaking to Engine A’s performance qualities, 5-star high school pheno Nate Ament comments: “A locked-in fit, great bounce and ample traction for quick moves, plus a look and design like no other. I’m excited to see it on the feet of hoopers of all levels.”
Engine A will be ushered in on-court and through its debut global campaign by Reebok’s growing hoops roster, Team RBK.B. Team RBK.B includes professional, college, and high school athletes across the basketball landscape that hold a shared commitment to individuality and doing things differently, trailblazers on the court and beyond, putting an emphasis on championing and supporting young talent as they redefine the sport.
The current Team RBK.B roster line-up includes the first men’s pro hooper to step foot on-court in the Engine A – Matas Buzelis, WNBA icons Angel Reese and Lexie Brown, 5-star high school phenom Nate Ament and rising basketball star Dink Pate. Reebok is expected to add additional players to its growing basketball roster in the coming weeks.
On February 13th, the all-new Reebok Engine A – Silver will be available for $120 USD MSRP on Reebok.com worldwide. Additional colorway drops are expected throughout the season.
Oakley® Authentic Prescription unravels the mystery with Enigma Ink and Enigma Mass, two lifestyle frames that redefine prescription and inspire wearers to express a whole other side of themselves.
The campaign features Team Oakley athletes Damian Lillard, Justin Jefferson, Diamond DeShields, and Kylian Mbappé, as Enigma Ink and Enigma Mass empower our athletes to reframe the style game, revealing limitless self-expression and creativity off the field.
Enigma Ink features a bold design for the boundary-pushing individual, while Enigma Mass offers a slim silhouette for those who want to focus on their craft while keeping aesthetics in check. Both are lightweight and available in Oakley® Authentic Prescription.
“Basketball is my passion, but my purpose goes far beyond the court,” said Diamond DeShields. “When I put on Enigma Ink, I tap into a new level of focus and self-expression. It doesn’t just enhance my perspective; it’s about seeing the world through a new lens of possibility.”
Enigma Ink and Enigma Mass are now available at prescription retailers, Oakley flagship stores, and Oakley.com.
Vybz Kartel celebrates life outside on his birthday today with a new song and video STR8 VYBZ. “Make it rum” the Worl’ Boss declares in the intro of this TJ Records, Adidjahiem Records & Angustura produced single, carrying the same name as the dancehall star’s new rum line.
Kartel also lands the cover of Billboard, the publication’s first exclusive digital cover for 2025 ( READ | WATCH ) shortly after his historic homecoming Freedom Street Concert (produced by Downsound Entertainment) after serving over 13 years in prison.
Watch: Vybz Kartel – “Str8 Vybz” (directed by Shane Creative)
VYBZ KARTEL
Vybz Kartel a.k.a. the Worl’ Boss has solidified his place as one of Jamaica’s most influential artists, with a career spanning over 20 years. Even after being sentenced to life in prison, the unstoppable artist has remained a dominant force in the music industry, dropping hits from his cell. Known for his razor-sharp lyrics and iconic Billboard chart toppers like Romping Shop, Fever, and Clarks, he continues to make a mark on both local and international music scenes. His impact is evident in the careers of Jamaican stars like Spice, Popcaan, and Shenseea, and he has received high praise from global icons such as Cardi B, Rihanna, JAY-Z, Mick Jagger, and Drake. Following his prison release in July 2024, when his conviction was overturned after serving 13 years, Kartel’s star has risen even higher. In just a few months, he received his first GRAMMY nomination in the Best Reggae Album category for his EP Party With Me, launched a rum brand (STR8 VYBZ), and staged his monumental return with the Freedom Street concert. This year, the living legend will also release a deluxe 10th-anniversary edition of his iconic album Viking (Vybz Is King). Vybz Kartel has cemented his legacy. He stands as a living legend, embodying the indomitable spirit that defines the island of Jamaica.
STR8 VYBZ RUM BRAND
STR8 VYBZ, in partnership with TJ Records and The House of Angostura Bitters, is signaling a new chapter in Vybz Kartel’s entrepreneurial journey. The rum portfolio consists of four new bold flavors of white overproof, spiced, white and dark rum, each labeled Fever, Ramping Shop, Electric, and Unstoppable, respectively. “STR8 VYBZ is more than just a rum; it’s a movement. Each bottle embodies the energy and passion of my music, and the spirit of the culture I represent,” declares Vybz Kartel. STR8 VYBZ is produced and bottled by Angostura Distillers in Trinidad and Tobago, distributed exclusively by Caribbean Producers Jamaica Ltd. (CPJ). Select retailers in the U.S., England, Bahamas, Guyana, St. Lucia, Barbados, Jamaica, and Grenada will sell STR8 VYBZ.
MORE NEW MUSIC + FIRST TIME GRAMMY NOMINATION
Vybz Kartel’s ability to consistently churn out hit songs and albums over the past two decades, despite his extraordinary circumstances, is unparalleled. This year alone, he has released a number of singles like “Comet,” “White Rum,” and “Cloudy” and major projects, including his First Week Out album (Jul 31, 21st Hapilos Compilations), and his EP Party With Me (May 31, Adidjahiem Records). The latter, which was released while he was still incarcerated, earned Kartel his first GRAMMY nomination for Best Reggae Album. Despite uncertainty about his future, he manifested the commanding title with 8 party anthems that firmly establish that Vybz Kartel is finally outside. In 2025, Vybz Kartel will drop a deluxe 10th anniversary edition of his pivotal album Viking (Vybz Is King), which spawned hits like “Unstoppable,” “Gon Get Better” (sampled by pop group Fifth Harmony), “Dancehall,” and “Enchanting.” Fans can anticipate a few new bonus tracks with this re-release as well.
GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy have become central to the weight-loss conversation, and it’s easy to see why they can produce impressive results. However, alongside their benefits, there are potential side effects and risks that often go unnoticed. As an integrative pharmacist and natural medicine specialist, my goal is to provide insight on how to manage these side effects, should you choose to explore these medications, and help you make an informed decision about your health.
First, let’s talk about the risks. One of the most common risks involves gastrointestinal issues. Nausea and vomiting may seem like minor side effects that come with taking medication, but they may lead to something more serious called gastroparesis. This condition makes it harder for your stomach to empty itself, causing chronic digestive issues. If you’re new to GLP-1 drugs, ask your healthcare provider if you can start at the lowest dose possible that will still be effective, and then increase the dosage gradually. Staying hydrated and adding fiber to your diet can also help manage milder symptoms and prevent further complications.
Rapid muscle loss is one of the most overlooked downsides of these medications. Losing weight is the goal, but losing muscle along the way? That’s not ideal. Muscle loss slows your metabolism and can make you feel weaker and more vulnerable to injury, especially as you age. To counter this, you should engage in routine weight bearing activities combined with exercise that gets your heart rate up to avoid muscle loss. However, due to the rapid weight loss associated with GLP-1 drugs, this may not be enough. As a medical advisor at MYOS MD, I highly recommend to healthcare providers that they add a natural dietary supplement called Fortetropin to a patient’s nutrition plan when they prescribe GLP-1 drugs. This natural bioactive compound derived from fertilized egg yolk has been shown in six published clinical studies to effectively increase and support muscle health. A recent University of California, Berkeley study, published in The Journals of Gerontology, showed Fortetropin increased muscle protein synthesis by 18% in adults with an average age of 66, even without exercise. This supplement is an easy, proactive addition to your nutrition that can help maintain muscle while you are shedding pounds. Patients should discuss the option of Fortetropin with their healthcare provider, as it is only available through select healthcare practitioner supplement lines, like MYOS MD.
Now let’s talk about off-label misuse. GLP-1 drugs are increasingly used by people with normal BMIs (BMI: 18.5-24.9) for cosmetic purposes to lose a few pounds. But heed this warning: The weight often comes back, and it’s mostly fat, not muscle. In fact, these drugs are only FDA approved for people with a BMI of 27 and above. Building sustainable habits with balanced meals and consistent movement is always the better long-term solution. Think twice before jumping on the GLP-1 medication bandwagon simply because someone you know had success with them. These drugs come with a hefty price tag, and if your health insurance doesn’t cover them, maintaining their use over the long term can become financially overwhelming. More importantly, GLP-1 medications aren’t quick fixes; they’re designed to be lifetime treatments. Understanding this commitment is crucial before making a decision.
Mental health concerns are another overlooked side effect of GLP-1 medications, yet they can significantly impact a patient’s overall well-being. Many individuals report experiencing mood swings, heightened anxiety, or even depression while on these medications, which can be easily dismissed as isolated incidents. That’s why I advocate for a whole-person approach to managing health and longevity. Incorporating mindfulness practices, such as yoga and meditation, can help balance emotional well-being, while regular talk therapy sessions provide valuable support in navigating any mental health challenges that arise. Equally important is maintaining an open line of communication with your healthcare team, ensuring they are aware of any shifts in mood or behavior so they can offer appropriate guidance and adjustments to your treatment plan. Taking a comprehensive approach to your mental health can make all the difference in achieving long-term success with GLP-1 medications.
Weight loss should make you feel better. It should not be about trading one health problem for another. GLP-1 drugs are not a one-size-fits-all solution. By understanding these risks and taking proactive steps to mitigate side effects, these medications can be used wisely to promote a healthier lifestyle.
Biography
Swathi Varanasi-Diaz, Pharm.D., known to audiences as Dr. Swathi is an award-winning healthcare professional recognized for her trailblazing work at the forefront of personalized medicine and healthcare innovation. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree from the Medical University of South Carolina and became the first pharmacist in the U.S. to complete a postdoctoral residency in integrative medicine and preventive health. Following this achievement, she co-founded the Integrative Health Pharmacy Residency Program. Her credentials also include a postdoctoral fellowship in biotech and nutrition from Cornell University. With experience spanning patient care, biotech, clinical research, academia, and consumer product goods, Dr. Swathi is a scientific and medical advisor and consultant with many innovative companies, including MYOS MD. Her research has been published in peer-reviewed academic journals, and she has served as a faculty and guest lecturer at numerous academic institutions. In 2023, I was honored as one of 50 Most Influential Leaders in Pharmacy.
• Landmark Bespoke commissions completed in 2024 reflect the record level of Bespoke demand
• Commissions illustrate clients’ increasingly bold, diverse, and personal inspirations
• Each features unique details never previously seen in a Rolls-Royce motor car
• Testament to the exceptional creativity, skill, and unparalleled artistry of the Bespoke Collective
• Highlights include all motor cars in the current Rolls-Royce product portfolio
In 2024, the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective of designers, engineers, and craftspeople brought to life some of the most creative and ambitious examples of artistry ever seen.
Client commissions comprised highly complex, hand-painted, and embroidered artworks, stainless steel and gold inlays, exquisite iridescent paint finishes, and much more. Driven by their pursuit of perfection and the dreams of the marque’s clients, Rolls-Royce artisans created singular graphics, such as an 869,500-stitch embroidery inspired by the Spirit of Ecstasy, and captured cultural symbols using the canvas of leather, wood, and fabric. From finely executed coachline motifs to full-scale artworks within the interior, the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective once again stretched the breadth of luxury possibility.
The extraordinary complexity behind this year’s commissions reflects the ever-growing number of clients that trust the marque’s artisans with their boldest visions. While these inspirations are as diverse as the personalities of the clients themselves, clear themes have emerged over the year. Bespoke commissions are becoming increasingly personal, with many clients curating individual masterpieces to mark major life events and commemorate transformative moments, places, and people that are meaningful to them.
As 2024 comes to an end, Rolls-Royce reflects on just some of the finest examples of Bespoke possibility. The motor cars selected are owned by clients who have generously given permission for their details to be shared with the public.
PHANTOM SCINTILLA
Limited to just 10 examples worldwide, this magnificent Private Collection celebrates the ethereal beauty, grace, and legacy of the Spirit of Ecstasy.
The interior features 869,500 stitches forming a continuous graphic inspired by her expressive form. The figurine itself has a unique ceramic finish, evoking the Parian marble of The Winged Victory of Samothrace, the Greek statue that inspired Claude Johnson to commission the original mascot in 1910.
The centerpiece is the Celestial Pulse Gallery, capturing the fleeting presence of the Spirit of Ecstasy. This artwork comprises seven individually milled ribbons, cloaked in the same ceramic finish as the Spirit of Ecstasy figurine. Above, the Bespoke Starlight Headliner features an animation with 1,500 fiber-optic “stars,” inspired by the Spirit of Ecstasy’s flowing gown.
BLACK BADGE GHOST CITY LIGHTS
In this commission, created exclusively for the U.S., the Illuminated Fascia features a Bespoke design recreating a bird’s-eye view of a city at night. The graphic is inspired by the thrilling view seen from an airplane as it makes its final approach for landing. The pattern is composed of 8,372 laser-etched lights, each individually placed by hand in the Piano Black veneer surface.
CULLINAN SERIES II – INSPIRED BY ROSE
This delicate, highly artistic commission was inspired by the Phantom Rose, specially bred for Rolls-Royce, which grows in the courtyard of the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood and nowhere else in the world.
Bespoke designers created a stylized rose motif, which was then translated into delicate embroidery on the front and rear headrests and incorporated into the meticulously hand-painted coachline.
PHANTOM GOLDFINGER
To mark the 60th anniversary of the James Bond film Goldfinger, Rolls-Royce created this intricately detailed homage to the eponymous villain’s 1937 Phantom III Sedanca de Ville.
Bespoke specialists faithfully recreated the original car’s famous black and yellow exterior finish, with ingenious features referencing the film’s pivotal scenes – from a gold golf putter, inspired by one used by Auric Goldfinger in his infamous match with 007, to a solid 18-carat gold speedform displayed in the center console.
Other gold-inspired features include gold-plated treadplates embossed with the same font developed for the film in 1964, a 24-carat gold-plated VIN plaque engraved with a number ending in 007, as well as organ stops, seat bullets, and speaker frets with a lustrous gold finish.
The Gallery houses a stainless-steel artwork featuring an isoline map of the Furka Pass, where 007 follows Goldfinger to his smelting plant in the film. As another subtle reference, the Starlight Headliner reflects the constellations as they appeared over the Furka Pass in Switzerland on the final day of filming the scene. As a finishing touch, a hidden projector was developed to display the legendary “007” logo when the trunk is opened.
SPECTRE LUNAFLAIR
Commissioned by a discerning client from the United States, Spectre Lunaflair draws inspiration from the optical phenomenon of a lunar halo, where moonlight refracted through high-altitude ice crystals creates a bright ring around the moon.
To capture this spectacle, the marque’s specialists spent a year developing a unique holographic paint finish, reserved exclusively for the commissioning client. The captivating “rainbow” effect is achieved by applying seven layers of lacquer, including a pearlescent layer infused with fine flakes of magnesium fluoride and aluminum. This creates a deep metallic effect in low light that bursts into rainbow technicolor under bright sunlight.
The Spectre Lunaflair concept was partially inspired by another Bespoke masterpiece, the one-of-one Phantom Syntopia. Captivated by Phantom Syntopia’s iridescent Liquid Noir finish, the commissioning client asked the Bespoke Collective to create a light and luminous expression of this concept that reflected their fascination with the lunar halo phenomenon. This cross-pollination of ideas exemplifies the power of Bespoke at Rolls-Royce.
GHOST EXTENDED SERIES II – THE ENCOUNTER
This exquisite Ghost Extended Series II is designed to mark the 120th anniversary of the meeting of its founders on May 4, 1904. The celebratory commission contains numerous references to The Hon. Charles Stewart Rolls and Henry Royce, including their initials, embroidered on the headrests, their signatures on the C-pillar, and the historic date of their introduction as the coachline motif.
These include a unique hand-painted artwork on the front passenger panel, dragon embroidery on the headrests, a coachline motif, and the first-ever depiction of a dragon in a Bespoke Starlight Headliner, crafted from 677 “stars.”
The interior is finished in Duality Twill, a new rayon fabric made from bamboo, embroidered with a “Duality” graphic – an abstract interpretation of the interlinked R initials of the marque’s founders’ names.
PHANTOM YEAR OF THE DRAGON
Commissioned via the Shanghai Private Office, this extraordinary Phantom Extended was created to mark the Lunar New Year, beginning on February 10, 2024. In a beautiful example of the growing trend toward blending international heritage and Chinese cultural traditions, known as guochao, the interior features meticulously crafted details inspired by a traditional dragon symbol.
