Welcome to Pole Position, our new Formula 1 series. The cities, the drivers, the parties, the brands, the people, the adrenaline of race day. We’re here to loop you in on everything that actually matters. 

We arrived in Miami with what we thought was a clear read on Formula 1 and where it sits in the culture right now. Drive to Survive turned the sport into a pandemic obsession, and Cadillac just rolled onto the grid as the first American team. But what we found wasn’t just a race weekend — it felt more like a music festival that happened to include a race. Which, it turns out, is what makes a Grand Prix unlike any other sporting event. And that’s a good thing. 

Sandy was on the ground all week with Jim Beam and Cadillac. I came in over the weekend with MSC Cruises. What follows is the debrief we owed each other once the dust settled. 

You’re In It Long Before You Get to the Track 

ERICA: You were there three days before me. Walk me through it. 

SANDY: The moment I landed Thursday, I could already feel the energy. The city was gearing up for race weekend. I checked into my room, and it was decked out — cute merch, a bottle of whiskey, and the kind of thoughtful goodies that instantly told me somebody Black was behind the gifting. (I was right. Shoutout to Amanda.) There was Valentino fragrance, Brown Sugar body oil, Topicals lip balm, and a portable fan. Later that night, I met up with the team for dinner and got my first taste of their signature cocktail for the weekend: the Golden Mullet. Whiskey isn’t normally my drink, but after a few sips, the Golden Mullet had me reconsidering. 

ERICA: Welcome to the club Ma’am! I’m an old-fashioned girl myself. 

ERICA: Wait, who’s Amanda? 

SANDY: Amanda Haynes — she’s the Global Brand PR Director at Suntory Global Spirits. She built our trip. You could see her touch in every detail, from the gifting to the events to the overall energy. Every choice felt intentional. I love that more women are stepping in to co-create the F1 experience so more of us can find our way into the sport. 

ERICA: Yes, it’s comforting that more of us are finally giving in to F1. Honestly, I was surprised at how my DMs lit up from friends I had no idea were into the sport. Something’s in the water. 

SANDY: Totally! Then Thursday night rolled into the opening party at the Moxy South Beach, and from the second we walked in, the energy was high. Cadillac driver Sergio Pérez made his appearance, and the entire room lit up. It was such a dope moment to witness in person. He’s the most successful Mexican driver in F1 history, sat out all of 2025, and is now officially back on the grid with Cadillac. He talked about what it meant to represent Mexico on a global stage and how meaningful it feels to be back. 

SANDY: Friday afternoon started with a whiskey tasting, and that’s also when Lady London officially joined the trip. She’s already an Unbothered fan, so having her there alongside other editors and whiskey enthusiasts was a fun mix.  

After the tasting, I headed to the Hard Rock Stadium solo to check out Audi’s Turn 1 Club. If you’re going to watch the race, Turn 1 Club is exactly where you want to be. The view of the cars flying past was unreal. There was AC, unlimited food and drinks, cozy seating, and the most incredible view of the track. Watching the race for the first time, I was fully locked in and screaming “GOOOO!”  

What I wasn’t prepared for was the traffic leaving the race. On a normal day, the drive from Brickell to the track is about 30 minutes. It took me almost two hours to get back to my hotel. My biggest tip: leave about 15 minutes before the race officially ends unless you’re prepared to sit for a while. 

BIG Yacht Energy (and That Wild Race Day Moment) 

SANDY: When did you finally get there? 

ERICA: Friday afternoon. The Fontainebleau lobby on a Wednesday-into-Friday during F1 weekend was something I am still processing. It was BUSY. 

SANDY: [laughing] It tracks. The Fontainebleau tends to pump for sure. 

ERICA: When I got to the track Saturday morning, I immediately clocked that this wasn’t going to be like any other sporting event. The fashion was the first signal — race motocross meets linen meets Florida comfort. Then I got to the marina, where MSC was set up, and I was honestly blown away. They had built a full-on land-locked Superyacht— five levels, 32,000 square feet, towering 50 feet over the track. Pools, cabanas, a Bagatelle restaurant on Deck 2, the Jack Daniel’s Lounge on Deck 3, 360-degree panoramic views from the Captain’s Deck. Built inside Turns 5 through 9 so you could see five corners from one structure. 

SANDY: That’s insane. 

ERICA: They called it The Yacht Club. It was fully unlike anything else at the track. I’m not a cruise person, but I came out of it wanting to book one. Also, next time I’m bringing a swimsuit so I can splash around in the cabana pool while watching the race. I was jealous watching other people cool off. 

SANDY: Okay, can we talk about the music? It was everywhere — live performances, live DJs at almost every brand activation on the track, even the tiny ones. 

ERICA: Exactly. Marshmello, Nelly, Loud Luxury — they all performed at different clubs on the track. I think that’s where the Coachella comparison kicked in for me. Music brings everybody in. F1 by itself is still quite niche in America — but you don’t need to know the drivers or the teams to know who Marshmello is. Also, The Yacht Club almost exclusively played Afrobeats and amapiano, which I was thrilled about. 

SANDY: I agree with you on the festival comparison. Coachella works because it pulls a bunch of different scenes together. F1 in Miami is doing the same thing. 

ERICA: Right. And it shows in who shows up. Serena Williams was over at Ferrari catching up with Lewis Hamilton — her actual friend, the only other Black athlete dominating an English sport at the same time she was. Chase Infiniti and Tyriq Withers were doing the Audi garage tour — that’s not the room you used to see at a sporting event. The crossover is literal. But honestly, what separates it from Coachella is the luxury layer. Coachella has VIP tents. F1 has fully built-out structures. It’s another level altogether. How was your Saturday? 

SANDY: For me, it was all about the Sprint and Qualifying races — basically the moment where you start figuring out who’s actually fast and which drivers you need to keep your eye on heading into Sunday. I watched the sprint earlier in the day and got to do a garage tour with Cadillac before the qualifying race. 

ERICA: How was the garage tour?  

SANDY: Honestly, it might have been one of my highlights. Getting behind the scenes and seeing how much precision, detail, and teamwork goes into Formula 1 up close gave me a completely different appreciation for the sport. Everything moves fast, but somehow everyone still seems incredibly calm and focused at the same time. It honestly felt like watching organized chaos in the best way possible. 

ERICA: You know, I felt the same way at the Paddock Club — F1’s most exclusive hospitality zone, behind the pit lane, where teams, sponsors, and VIP guests all converge during race weekend. It’s also where the teams have their motorhomes — basically mobile clubhouses that double as engineering hubs, with full bars, dining rooms, a place for The drivers to hyper focus on how to improve the race. I went to the Alpine Motorhome on Saturday and met their lead driver, Pierre Gasly.  

SANDY: So wild that you got to meet Pierre right before what happened on Sunday. They actually moved Sunday’s race up by a few hours because of the rain forecast — and then lap six happened. 

ERICA: Right? Pierre came around Turn 17 on his sixth lap made contact with Liam Lawson from Racing Bulls on the inside. Pierre’s car flipped completely upside down before crashing into the barrier. A full mid-air flip. 

SANDY:  I screamed when that happened.  

ERICA: Same! It’s wild to watch a car flip in real time and then see the driver climb out of the wreckage unharmed. 

SANDY: The level of danger feels different with F1. I think that’s also what makes it exciting. And it’s great that the safety measures have evolved to the point where wild moments like that can happen without much risk to the drivers. 

ERICA: I agree. I was really rooting for Pierre, especially after meeting him. But the day belonged to Kimi Antonelli — the 19-year-old rookie at Mercedes everyone’s been watching. He won the Miami Grand Prix. Third in a row this season. 

What to Pack for Miami F1 

Here’s what we think you should have on hand. 

So How Much Does It Cost? 

SANDY: Okay, let’s circle back to the festival comparison and talk about how much it costs to actually come to F1. 

ERICA: People don’t talk about the actual numbers, which is part of why F1 feels intimidating. 

SANDY: Exactly. F1 has tiers, just like a festival. There are basically two ways in: you either get a grandstand ticket, or you get into a club. 

ERICA: The Campus Pass — three-day general admission, which gets you onto the grounds — starts around $400. That’s your festival-GA equivalent. You’re in. You can walk the campus, you can find your way to the Fan Fest in Lummus Park, which is free and runs all five days. 

SANDY: Grandstand seats are the next tier. Reserved seating with actual sightlines to the track. Three-day grandstand passes start around $800 and run up to $1,750 depending on which corner you’re sitting at. Turn 1, where I was with Audi, is one of the more expensive ones because that’s where the action kicks off and ends. 

ERICA: Then you get into the clubs. The Hard Rock Beach Club, the Turn 18 Club, the MSC Yacht Club — each one is its own world, hosted by a brand, with its own vibe. Some have public deck passes, some are by inquiry, some are wrapped into hospitality packages. Pricing varies, access varies. You have to dig around to find exactly what you’re looking for. 

SANDY: And then there’s the top-tier club. 

ERICA: The Paddock Club. That’s F1’s own hospitality program. Full access, drivers come through, the food is top notch. Starts around $8,000 and runs to $12,000+ for premium suites. It’s essentially having courtside tickets to a basketball game, with a five-star restaurant within arm’s reach. 

SANDY: And then there’s the tier you actually can’t buy into. 

ERICA: Right. Comp invitations, brand-curated guest lists, the celebrities and creators who get pulled in by partners. That’s the artist-pass equivalent — no money buys it. It’s about who knows you and who’s building the room. 

SANDY: But here’s the thing. You don’t have to be in any of those clubs to have a great weekend. 

ERICA: Right. The thing about Miami is the city itself becomes the activation. The brand events spill out into Brickell and Wynwood and South Beach. Some of them are free. The Fan Fest is free. Watching the race from a bar in Wynwood with a good crowd is free. 

ERICA: So the honest advice is: pick your tier, but also pick your club. The race is the anchor. The club is the experience. And the clubs exist at every price point. 

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I know you’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover — or a beauty product by its packaging — but the second I saw Nexxus’ sleek metallic bottle, I had a feeling it was going to be good. It helps that Nexxus, a brand I’ve always felt is wildly underrated, has roots in the professional haircare space and was a household staple for me growing up. But this isn’t the stuffy, highly coiffed salon brand I remembered. The launch of the new KERAPHIX Liquid Crystallizer Reconstructive Leave-In Treatment Serum — a mouthful, yes, but also the overachiever it sounds like — felt different. More modern. More intentional. Like it was actually prioritizing hair health instead of just delivering temporary shine and softness. And, as it turns out, it was. 

I’m pretty low-maintenance when it comes to my hair. I heat-style it maybe twice a week and only refresh my subtle brunette highlights a couple of times a year. (When I say low-maintenance, I mean it.) Still, heat and bleach or color can weaken the hair’s disulfide bonds — the structural links that keep strands strong, healthy, and glossy. In other words, pretty much everyone can benefit from a bond-builder, and the fact this one costs just $30 — much less than many luxury alternatives — made trying it a no-brainer. 

What is Nexxus’ KERAPHIX Liquid Crystallizer, and what are the benefits?  

In the simplest terms, Nexxus’ KERAPHIX Liquid Crystallizer is a leave-in treatment — but that almost feels like an understatement given how multipurpose it is. It’s designed to be used on either wet or dry hair, and acts as a serum, heat protectant, and bond builder all in one. It’s powered by the brand’s proprietary Keratin Resistance Therapy — a protein-rich complex formulated with amino acids and black rice extract — to help repair damage, rebuild weakened bonds, and leave hair feeling stronger, softer, and healthier over time. 

What makes Nexxus’ KERAPHIX Liquid Crystallizer special?  

Unlike traditional bond builders that work as masks or salon service add-ons (usually if hair is being bleached or color-treated), Nexxus’ KERAPHIX Liquid Crystallizer is a lightweight serum that delivers both instant gratification and long-term results. On dry hair, it immediately smooths frizz and flyaways while adding a glossy, healthy-looking shine. Over time, hair feels noticeably softer, smoother, and stronger. On damp hair, it doubles as a heat protectant up to 450 degrees during blowouts but also works beautifully as a leave-in smoothing serum if you prefer to air- dry. 

I’ve been using my bottle ever since receiving an early sample in January, and my hair genuinely hasn’t felt this healthy in a long time. At a recent color appointment, I was even able to go lighter with my highlights than usual while still maintaining the integrity of my hair — something I don’t take lightly. I’m convinced adding this to my routine played a major role. These days, I reach for it a few times a week: after wash days (I shampoo about three to four times weekly) and on dry hair whenever I want to smooth flyaways or revive shine between styling. 

What to know about Nexxus’ KERAPHIX Liquid Crystallizer:  

• Repairs damage and strengthens bonds to help weak, dry hair look and feel healthier and stronger 
• Contains amino acids and rice extract to repair broken bonds 
• Can be used on wet or dry hair 

How do you use Nexxus’ KERAPHIX Liquid Crystallizer, and is it worth it? 

It’s virtually impossible to mess up. I dispense a few pumps into my palms, rub my hands together, then finger-comb the serum through my hair from mid-lengths to ends. (Sometimes, I’ll follow up with a few passes of my Wet Brush to make sure everything is evenly distributed.) Despite how nourishing it feels, it never weighs my hair down — and that’s saying something, considering my strands are very fine and prone to falling flat, especially at the roots. 

Final Thoughts 

I simply don’t have the time — or patience — for an elaborate routine filled with multiple steps and products. (With all due respect, you will never catch me sitting around for 20 minutes waiting for a hair mask to work.) Whether you’re trying to maintain already-healthy hair or actively repair damage, Nexxus’ KERAPHIX Liquid Crystallizer feels like one of those rare products that genuinely works for everyone. On Ulta’s website, the product has over 300 five-star reviews and a 4.7 average rating. “I have tried countless hydrating and repairing treatments and masks over the years, and this one truly stands out,” says one reviewer. “I can see results in the first couple of uses,” shares another. 

Because it does so much at once — hydrates, strengthens, protects against heat, smooths frizz, and boosts shine — it’s effectively replaced several products I’d normally rotate between: A smoothing serum, heat protectant spray, shine spray, and hair perfume. (One Ulta reviewer likened it to a lighter, fresher “just left the salon fragrance.”) And at $30, it punches far above its weight. It reminds me a bit of Olaplex N°9 Bond Protector Hair Serum, but better. Within weeks of consistent use, I was seeing and feeling a difference in my hair. (I also love the metallic purple glass bottle — it’s so cute.) In an oversaturated haircare market where every launch claims to be life-changing, this is one of the few that genuinely feels innovative — and absolutely worth every penny. 

Where can you get Nexxus’ KERAPHIX Liquid Crystallizer? 

Nexxus’ KERAPHIX Liquid Crystallizer retails for $29.99 and is available at Ulta Beauty and Target.

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At Seiless in Manhattan on April 12, the night before the 2026 WNBA Draft, I caught Flau’jae between moments — family on all sides, both grandmothers in the same room for the first time since the last family reunion, her little brothers in the mix. She was decked out in a striking head-to-toe black latex outfit, full e.l.f. glam, and by every measure, was ready.

What she didn’t know that night was that her family had been quietly slipping upstairs, leaving her voicemails on a rotary phone — an installation AT&T put together as part of this intimate pre-draft celebration, and an extension of their “She’s Connected” docu-series, where they’ve been following her life across basketball and business.

What followed between us was a conversation about how she takes care of herself off the court, a tender ritual between her and her grandma Pansy, and what it actually felt like to stand at the edge of everything changing. 

How are you feeling tonight? 

Very excited. This party seems amazing. My whole family is here — my little brothers, my grandmas. All my grandmas in one spot. It’s a beautiful time. 

And tomorrow? 

It’s like an anxious excitement. It feels like an award show — and I’ve been to a lot of award shows. I got a chance to meet my fellow draftees and build relationships. So it’s been pretty good. 

Has your whole family been together like this before? 

We only really get together at family reunions. So having everybody together right now? I love it. That’s my vibe. 

What does recovery look like for you? How do you take care of your body off the court? 

Definitely the compression boots — Therabody.  But also days off. When you’re playing basketball, you can be so engulfed in it. You really gotta take your time and do something else or you’re gonna lose your mind. Having that balance is everything. 

Your skin is seriously good. What’s the situation? 

I’m wearing e.l.f. right now. My makeup looks fine. Sometimes I wash my face, sometimes I don’t. But it’s working. 

Fragrance — are you a fragrance person? 

I’m a gatekeeper, but… I’m wearing Valentino It’s super fun. 

Beyond the boots — are there any body rituals? Something people wouldn’t expect? 

My grandma Pansy came to my house during the my last season at LSU and we made body butters together. She handmade them — organic. She wanted my skin to be glowing. I have different flavors: lavender, cinnamon, peppermint, and a regular. Cocoa and shea butter base. We actually made them ourselves. 

The rotary phone upstairs — people have been leaving you messages all night. What does it mean to you to have all of these people here, in this moment? 

Super excited to hear them. There are so many people who’ve been on my journey and helped me — they don’t even know. Little or big things, even just advice. I’m ready to hear how excited they are for me. 

I was thinking about this weekend from a different perspective…if I was somebody’s auntie, how I would feel if someone I knew was going to the draft. And I’m starting to understand how big this is. Having my family here, what they’re going to say… it’s a type of memory that lasts forever. 

I’m glad AT&T could be a part of it. Super dope. 

The next day, Flau’jae Johnson was drafted 8th overall by the Golden State Valkyries and traded to the Seattle Storm within the hour. She opens her first regular season game tonight at Climate Pledge Arena — against the Valkyries. 

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Unbothered attended the Overtime x Flau’jae Draft Party as a guest of AT&T. 

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I never realized how much I hold my breath. Even now, typing this, I’m doing it. But now I have something that helps snap me out of it: an alarm on my phone — three deep breaths, one time a day — to remind me to breathe. It came home with me from Velocity Black‘s Rituals of Renewal, a three-day wellness retreat at Montage Healdsburg. I learned this trick from one of the special guest, Jhenè Aiko. I was invited on this retreat, and the main reason I went is because my therapist had told me, more than once, that I needed to actually rest.

My wish for this trip:

Thanks to being an overachiever since birth, I have struggled with chronic stress for years. It has impacted my sleep, mental health, and weight. I wanted to use this trip to leave my stress behind. I never really take vacations, especially those where I am expected to just chill. Which is very odd since I am a Taurus. My wish is to actually relax, practice mindfulness, and be open to new experiences.

What I packed:

I always teeter between overpacking and packing exactly what I need. Somehow, on this trip, I did both. I managed to pack too many dinner outfits and not enough jackets.

My fave top from Kai Collective. The packing list said we would attend some very nice dinners, so I wanted to give quirky elegance. I even planned my Nuuly delivery around this trip.

Glowscreen Sunscreen. The packing list also noted to bring sunscreen. I use Supergoop Glowscreen as foundation when I want minimal makeup.

Some very soft Uniqlo socks. As a Taurus and I will pick coziness over everything.

A Therabody sleep mask. Velocity Black sent us this sleep mask about 2 weeks before the trip to prepare us for supreme relaxation.

Day 1

A private car was waiting at the airport, snacks already loaded, to drive us to Montage Healdsburg. The Velocity Black team met us once we pulled up. We got to know each other over lunch.

Welcome check-in came with a tea I made sure to ask the recipe of as I grabbed a second cup. In case you were wondering: Earl Grey, cloves, elderberry syrup, agave, and herbs. Topped with an orange slice. They had a tarot card reader named Jem, who told me to be on the lookout for fire-filled motivation in my creative endeavors. I pulled the bat card from the animal tarot, which signifies breaking through darkness. I’ll take it.

The hotel sits on a hill so steep we got around in golf carts. My room had a giant bed and a giant tub I couldn’t wait to use.

After dinner, where I met some Velocity Black members and the rest of the press group, we headed to a sound bath led by Jhené. I’ve lived in LA for eight years and never been to one. The bowls and the rain machine settled me. A clean close to the travel day. When I got to my room, I found Alo’s Magnesium spray on my pillow. Relaxation wish, granted.

Day 2

We started with a workout from Kirsty Godso on a deck overlooking the property. She led us in the ab workouts she does with Hailey Bieber and a glute workout she called the “at-home BBL.” My glutes still hurt just thinking about it.

After the workout that will haunt my dreams, I ate an omelet overlooking the mountains and the vineyard on the property. Then a fireside chat with the experts: Dr. Jonathan Leary, Kirsty Godso, Mona Sharma, Jhené, and Velocity Black executive Greg Piddington. Here is where I confess that my level of woo woo is about a 7, and I was expecting the experts’ level to be at 100. I was wrong — it was a grounded conversation about wellness and longevity. Jhené Aiko talked about setting three alarms a day — one to take three deep breaths, one to name something she’s grateful for, one to thank God.

We took a field trip to Skipstone Ranch for lunch. Olive oil tasting, honey tasting from Sonoma Bee Company, and an owl I got to hang out with. The lunch overlooked a vineyard that had to be the inspiration for the Windows 97 screensaver.

When we got back to the resort, I had to prepare for my 1:1 interview with Jhené Aiko. We chatted about both being vitamin girlies and why whimsy is so important. More gifts: olive oil from Skipstone Ranch, Made Of protein powder from Kirsty Godso. After a sunset dinner with Jhené Aiko, I finally got into the tub. After a much-needed soak, I started reflecting on my day and how the theme of being mindful was subtly threaded through the day. From the tips the experts gave about wellness to the simple act of tasting olive oil. Wow. Mindfulness wish, granted.

Day 3

We started with another workout, this time led by Dr. Justin McDaniel from Remedy Place — the social wellness club Dr. Leary founded with cold plunges, IV drips, and the like. This is where the trouble started. I have a habit of making many friends and talking a lot. So after some light bullying from my new friends, looking at you, Dr. Leary, I found the courage to do the 6-minute ice plunge that Remedy Place set up for us. I’ve done a cold plunge before — I live in LA — but 6 whole minutes?! I was scared. The Remedy Place team coached us through it.

I faced my fear of freezing cold water and lasted the full 6 minutes in the ice bath. I even dunked under to finish it off! I felt invigorated and proud of myself. My fellow press girlies cheered me on. I cheered them when their turn came. We all felt like superheroes: soft monogrammed robes, our initials stitched in.

Remedy Place set up a mini Remedy Place at the resort for us to try. Naturally, I tried everything they had. I even got my first adjustment done by Dr. Justin. Plus hand-and-foot massages at the Montage’s spa.

Before dinner, we did a Tea Ceremony led by Jennifer Ndidi Ilonzeh and Jhené. We learned to make tea slowly — how to brew it, smell it, taste it. Fun fact: both nylon and biodegradable tea bags contain plastic. So, when we heat that water, we heat up microplastics and ingest them with our tea. Wild, right? Jennifer sent us home with her tea, and Jhené sent us home with lotion from her body care line. So many things to carry home: Away bags showed up to ship them home for us.

We ended our day with an experiential dinner at Chef Douglas Keane’s Michelin star restaurant, Cyrus. An experiential dinner means we got to go into the kitchen as the chefs prepared our meals. My favorites were the lobster with savory lemon curd and a hot mushroom broth that warmed me down to my toes. There was also a bread kitchen! All of this was before the multi-course dinner that ended with a chocolate experience, where I made a wish in the chocolate fountain.

I’m not sharing my wish — that’s bad luck. But let’s just say between that and my tarot, I am looking forward to what the universe has in store for me. Honestly, after this long day of trying new things and being ready for what is ahead after making my wish, my openness wish? Granted.

I didn’t expect to build community, but I did. As Dr. Leary mentioned, “human connection is very important for longevity. Being healthy does not mean being isolated.”

What to know before you go:

If you’re going to Sonoma, fly into Santa Rosa Airport. It’s small — only serves a couple of airlines — but it’s 20 minutes from Healdsburg. SFO is at least a two-hour drive. Save yourself the car ride.

Velocity Black is a digital concierge service and app and the membership runs about $3K per year, with more retreats like this one on the way.

Sonoma is dry. Bring deep-moisturizing lotions and ask the hotel for a humidifier. I woke up most days feeling very dry.

I boarded my flight home more relaxed than I’ve ever been after a trip. Who knew I could experience a real relaxing vacation? Not me.

Oh, and three deep breaths, once a day? Highly recommend.

Dawnie Jefferson is the Production & Editorial Coordinator at Refinery29. She dabbles in creating content for R29 Entertainment and Unbothered. On her days off she can be found puppeteering in LA.

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Eyekons, during a top-secret, intimate fan Q&A in Sydney, Australia, KATSEYE gave away clues for their next era! They talked about doing their own version of Spice World, but KATSEYE World, obviously.

Below are some highlights from the Q&A session with KATSEYE members Sophia Laforteza, Lara Raj, Daniela Avanzini, Megan Skiendiel, and Yoonchae Jeung.

Interviewer: How did you each find out about the KATSEYE auditions?

Sophia: Well, it all started because I became a huge fan of BTS. And then I was pretty much subscribed to their YouTube channel, and I saw the audition there… I basically auditioned for the first announcement of this project, which was really cool.

Megan: I actually don’t think I’ve ever said this, but I was training under another company, and I knew someone who worked there, and I got scouted to come onto this project.

Daniela: I don’t think I’ve ever said this either, but my mum gets a lot of emails for auditions, and she never looks at them, like ever. But she just had an inkling, like a gut feeling, and she was like, ‘I’m just gonna look at this one’. This is a true story, I swear. And she clicked it, and she was like, ‘Why don’t you just go audition?’ and I was like, okay! And now I’m living my dream.

Lara: Hybe and Geffen DM’d me. I think they found one of my singing covers that I had posted… and it was a really sketchy DM, and I was like, I’m definitely getting scammed right now. But, it’s not a scam. So now I’m here.

Yoonchae: I was in the singing academy for my high school. One of the teachers filmed me, and she kind of sent it to some companies, and one of them was Hybe and Geffen, and they called me.

You were picked from over 120,000 applicants. Did you learn anything from the process?

Megan: With all the evaluations we had to go through with the whole training process, I think there were a bunch of times where we would get stuck in our own heads, and we would kind of be too perfectionistic. So I think letting go of things that are just not that deep… really, really helped me just not overthink it, and just be the artist that you were born to be.

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What’s the secret to success as a girl group?

Lara: Communication. You have to talk and be so honest. Even if there’s a little thing that doesn’t seem relevant, we still bring it up to each other. And we talk about everything, because that way, nobody holds any grudges, nothing is left unsaid. We really make an effort to have tough conversations with each other… and also hanging out outside work is huge.

What does your family think of your success?

Daniela: They’re so proud of us. Like so, so proud of us. My mum especially, she loves the attention and she’ll use it. I’m like mum, chill.

Lara: They love the internet. They’re just playing on the internet. But we’re so grateful, our parents are so amazing.

Communication. You have to talk and be so honest. Even if there’s a little thing that doesn’t seem relevant, we still bring it up to each other.

katseye’s Lara on the secret to success as a Girl group

Megan: My mom is like, begging me to introduce her to BTS, and I’m like, I wanna meet BTS.

Sophia: My dad too, he loves BTS! He loves LE SSERAFIM.

Were there any dance moves that were hard to nail?

Megan: Gnarly, it’s the dance break, it winds me every single time. Also because by the time we do it, it’s the end of our set, so we’ve already done so much choreo before that. By the time that Gnarly comes, I’m trying to catch my breath. But I think we’ve done it enough, now our stamina is built and we kind of know what it is now. But when we first learnt it we were like oh my god, we’re dying.

Who are your dream collaborators?

Sophia: Ariana Grande. I’m never gonna stop saying it until it happens.

Lara: Ariana, definitely. Petal, are you guys excited for Petal?

You’ve just announced your new EP, what was on the moodboard?

Sophia: I’d say we wanted to get a little more authentic. And by authentic, I mean a little more raw with our personalities and the way we present ourselves. We wanted to be a bit messier, and everything doesn’t have to be too polished. I think that was the whole point of Pinky Up; it’s very posh, but we wanted to add a modern and relaxed twist to it, mess it up a little bit. That’s the direction we’re headed in.

Is there a song you’re most excited for Eyekons to hear?

Sophia: It’s a secret.

Megan: You almost got us!

Lara: It’s like something you’ve been asking for.

What are your career dreams?

Daniela: A world tour, maybe Australia? We love Australia.

Sophia: We heard you guys have a really big arena somewhere…

We wanted to get a little more authentic… be a bit messier.

Sophia on katseye’s next ep

Lara: Obviously, like an album. Winning a Grammy!

Sophia: We want to headline Coachella. Headline Lollapalooza. Headline everything.

Megan: Also, go to the Met Gala!

@refinery29au But they make it look so easy 😅 #gnarly #katseye #dance ♬ original sound – Refinery29 Australia

In the future, will we ever see KATSEYE dip outside of music? Are there other careers you want to try?

Megan: Oh my god, so many. I think one for me is being like a fashion designer. It’s one of my passions. And I got to design some merch for The Beautiful Chaos tour, so if and when we go on tour again, I’ll be able to design some pieces again.

Daniela: I used to act when I was little. I was in like three furniture store commercials. I’d love to star in a movie or series. I’m not tall enough, but modelling would be great.

Lara: I would love to do fashion and my own jewellery line. I really want to do some sort of activism or something like that for my people. That would be so cool.

Sophia: I want to do musical theatre. I’m gonna do it, just give me time. I’m gonna do KATSEYE first.

Yoonchae: I would like to do acting.

Sophia: I wanna do a KATSEYE movie, you know like the Spice Girls Spice World? Have a story but still play ourselves. Write that down. This is a start of an idea.

This interview has been condensed for clarity.

This article was originally published on Refinery29 Australia.

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Amazon Prime Video has done the unthinkable and is expanding the Elle Woods universe. The first teaser trailer for Elle, the prequel to Legally Blonde, has finally landed — but it actually looks good. Stepping back into the pink world of Elle is both trepidatious and thrilling, because so many of us hold the original films dear to our hearts. Produced by the OG Elle, Reese Witherspoon, there’s nobody else we trust more with this IP. Introducing Lexi Minetree as a younger Elle Woods, fans can expect a fleshed-out backstory of how she turns into the fierce, unapologetic character in Legally Blonde and Legally Blonde 2.

Below, we’ve rounded up everything we know about the Legally Blonde prequel Elle, from the release date, trailer, cast, plot details and more. We can’t wait to be reunited with our favorite Gemini vegetarian!

When will the Legally Blonde prequel Elle be released?

Elle will premiere on Amazon Prime Video on July 1, 2026. This date is also the 25th anniversary of Legally Blonde, which is absolutely wild.

What is the plot of Elle?

The Legally Blonde prequel series Elle follows a teenage Elle Woods as she navigates high school and the issues she faces in 1995. The trailer gives us more details about the plot, and it looks like Elle is another fish-out-of-water story, similar to Legally Blonde.

When Elle’s father accepts a job in Seattle, the Woods family have to move there for two years, leaving Elle devastated. The new school seems a lot less pink, is filled with skater boys and barely any blondes, so Elle is sure to stand out. And of course, Bruiser is there every step of the day.

“Before she became the most famous Gemini vegetarian to graduate from Harvard Law, she was just a regular ’90s high school girl. And all of you are going to get to know her,” Reese Witherspoon wrote on Instagram.

Who is in the cast of Elle?

Lexi Minetree plays Elle Woods, and her parents are played by June Diane Raphael and Tom Everett Scott. Other main cast members include Chandler Kinney (Kimberly), Jacob Moskovitz (Miles), Gabrielle Policano (Liz) and Zac Looker (Dustin).

Recurring cast includes Jessica Belkin (Madison), Logan Shroyer (Josh), Amy Pietz (Donna), Lisa Yamada (Amber), Chloe Wepper (Ms Burke), David Burtka (Chad), Kayla Maisonet (Tiffany) and James Van Der Beek (Dean Wilson).

What has Reese Witherspoon said about Elle?

When Witherspoon was casting for Elle, she told The Hollywood Reporter that Netflix’s Wednesday was her inspiration. “I saw that Wednesday Addams show and I was like, ‘Oh, she was in high school.’ I loved it. I watched every episode. I thought it was amazing,” the actor said. “And I was like, ‘We should do Elle Woods in high school because I wanted to see who she was before college, before law school. And I started having all these ideas and these amazing writers came up with a great pitch and now Amazon is making the show and it’s called Elle.”

The show is being made under Witherspoon’s production company, Hello Sunshine.

Is there a trailer for Elle?

Yes, and you can watch it below. Minetree certainly seems like a star on the rise, and we think she will captivate us with her version of Elle Woods.

What are Elle Woods’ most famous and iconic quotes?

While we wait for Elle to be released, here are some of Elle Woods’ most famous quotes. Perhaps we’ll see some iterations of them in the series?

“I’m Elle Woods and this is Bruiser Woods and we’re both Gemini vegetarians.”

“Whoever said orange is the new pink was seriously disturbed.”

“I feel comfortable using legal jargon in everyday life. [Whistle] I object!”

“Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don’t shoot their husbands, they just don’t.”

“When used appropriately, it has an 83% rate of return on a dinner invitation. It’s called the bend and snap.”

“What? Like it’s hard?”

“If I’m gonna be partner in a law firm by the time I’m 30, I’m going to need a boyfriend who’s not such a complete bonehead.”

“I’ll show you how valuable Elle Woods can be.”

“I once had to judge a tighty-whitey contest for Lambda Kappa Pi. Trust me, I can handle anything.”

As more information about Elle gets released, we will continue to update this article.

Elle will be available to stream on Amazon Prime Video on July 1, 2026.

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If she sells seashells on the seashore, Instagram’s nail artists are keen collectors because my feed is awash with hyper-realistic scallop shell designs just in time for summer.

It makes sense. Shells feel like a natural continuation of last year’s coastal obsession with sardines (who could forget sardine girl summer?) and oyster-pearl nail polishes. It’s kitsch in the best way, and manicurists from LA to London are firmly in agreement.  

What are seashell nails and how do you achieve them? 

If Instagram is anything to go by, the shell of choice for nails is the humble scallop — though the designs are anything but basic. Take Kalala’s viral set by Mani Concept, which pairs a milky base with brown ridges to mimic the natural nuances of a real shell, finished with soft white contours for shape and a pearl-like gem at the cuticle for good measure.  

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Nail artists like Annabel Maginnis are going even further with 3D gels, creating raised contours reminiscent of a scallop shell, and when layered over neutral ridges, they’re unmistakably beachy. 

Natalia Mercedes, a nail artist and founder of Sad Girl Nails Studio in New York City, is especially a fan of this maritime-inspired design. “The sculptural effect comes from using a high-viscosity clear gel, which allows the artist to build dimension without the product flattening out,” she says. “I layer the gel strategically to mimic the natural ridges and curves you’d see on a real seashell, curing between layers to maintain that elevated, 3D structure.” Mercedes calls the technique architectural and organic. “It’s why the finished look feels so luxe.” 

Then there’s getting the natural color scheme right. Mercedes starts with a neutral or milky base, then layers soft brown tones and white highlights. “The diffused seashell effect underneath is typically created using blooming gel,” explains Mercedes. “This helps disperse the pigment in an organic way, which gives the design that soft, underwater-inspired movement before the clear sculptural gel is layered on top.” It lends a naturally blended, almost airbrushed finish, adds Mercedes.

How long do seashell nails take? 

Mercedes says that for an experienced nail artist, the art itself usually takes around 20 to 30 minutes per set. “This depends on how intricate the sculptural details are,” she adds. While it might take a little longer than most designs, it’s worth it. “One reason clients love this look is that it grows out beautifully, especially when paired with nude or neutral base tones,” says Mercedes. “The softer color palette keeps the regrowth subtle and intentional-looking for longer.” 

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The best shell nail designs for spring and summer 2026 

Ahead, find our roundup of the cutest shell-inspired manicures, whatever your nail shape. 

Seashell Frenchies

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These long almond nails posted to Instagram by @glitterbells offer more surface area to play with shell-like ribs, but the design works just as beautifully as a French tip, offset with 3D clear gel contours. 

Kaleidoscope Seashells

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A post shared by Emilie Leopard | Nail Artist (@emsnails_)

These prismatic nails by nail artist Emilie Leopard are reminiscent of the holographic rainbow sheen found inside seashells. We love that the ridges are painted on an angle for an imperfectly sculpted look, as though the shell has been eroded by the waves. 

Iridescent Seashells

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Nail technician Jules has mixed and matched chrome powder and pearly gel pigments to create this dreamy set, which features 3D French tips, not to mention tiny gilt shells and starfish. Truly stunning. 

Short Seashells

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Vanity Projects proves that even intricate seashell designs can work on shorter nails. If you’re not keen on 3D gel, ask your nail artist for thin white stripes to create the shell’s contours for a more realistic feel. 

Subtle Seashells

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You don’t have to opt for a full-on seashell set. Make like Beautifino on Instagram and layer 3D gel over a neutral chrome base for that oceanic feel. The teeny tiny pearls and gem accents are the cherry on top. 

3D Seashells

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The large 3D gel stripes over the white grooves make this seashell set — dreamed up by Laurel on Instagram — look as though it’s fresh out of the ocean.  

Oyster Seashells

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The silver chrome on this set by nail artist Bri is akin to the inside of a pearly oyster shell. We love that you can see the free edge of the nail through the polish, giving it a more natural, gauzy finish. 

Pearly Seashells

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A post shared by Annabel Maginnis (@nails_by_annabel_m)

Annabel Maginnis perfectly captures the nuances of a shell’s grooves by alternating white, taupe, and darker brown stripes, finished with clear 3D lines and a pretty pearl. 

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