ITV audiences watching This Morning today (December 31) have been airing their thoughts on social media, with some lambasting the show’s reruns of old interviews as “dire” and complaining about the inimitable laughter of co-presenter Alison Hammond.
Today’s show featured repeats of old interviews – Dermot and Alison’s favourites of 2024.
And, in celebration of Hogmanay, some shortbread biscuits and a couple of drinks. Scrumptious!
But not everyone agrees. One man’s tipple is another’s… dire television, apparently!
Dermot and Alison have had a fun-filled year with giggles galore (Credit: This Morning/YouTube)
ITV viewers complain about Alison Hammond having such a laugh on This Morning
For many, the end-of-year festive period is a time for reflection. Another year, been and gone.
Whether the celebratory focal point is Christmas, New Year’s Eve, Hogmanay, or Hanukkah, people often find themselves looking inward, and thinking about what they might change going forwards.
For others, it’s a time to complain about TV presenters having too much fun.
Once more, the distinctive laugh of This Morning presenter Alison Hammond has born the brunt of the British daytime television-viewing public’s frustration.
“Alison Hammond,” one ITV audience member posted on X this morning. “Yeah, no thanks *switches off*.”
Sadly, not everyone loves the sound of laughter (Credit: This Morning/YouTube)
British public wishes TV presenter would stop having so much fun
“That [bleep] fake cackle,” writes another, attaching their comments to a GIF of a man scratching his fingernails down a classroom blackboard.
“Please replace Hammond with a Hyena,” fumes another, “as it wouldn’t be as annoying as her.”
Others have called her “loud,” or written that they’ve “had enough” of the programme.
Some of the festive period programming has included reruns of old shows (Credit: This Morning/YouTube)
But she’s not alone in receiving the public’s ire. The show’s very format has been getting flak. The people do not appreciate reruns.
“Good grief,” one viewer has posted on X. “You have hit an all time low,” – meaning ITV.
“This is dire,” another writes. “I’m off. A good New Year.”
A third has posted that today’s program was “insulting on so many levels. A low way to end 2024.”
Fortunately, there are those who appreciate the readiness with which Alison bursts into a bout of laughter and the sound of it ringing out in the studio.
“Alison’s laugh on This Morning,” one social media user writes, with a smiley face emoji. We appreciate you, Alison!
Read more: DJ Spoony fights back tears live on air after emergency op for brain bleed
Are you a fan of Alison? Let us know with a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix.
2024 marked a seismic shift in the fashion industry as several prominent creative directors departed from their respective houses, including Virginie Viard at Chanel, Matthew M. Williams at Givenchy, and John Galliano at Maison Margiela. When it comes to eponymous labels, recent years have seen Tom Ford and Raf Simons step back, while this year, Peter Hawkings and Dries Van Noten unexpectedly bowed out of their maisons.
Prior to Julian Klausner stepping up as a successor at Dries Van Noten, Van Noten had embraced the possibility of his replacement veering away from the codes he’s established over 38 years at his eponymous brand. “No, I absolutely don’t want them to do it the way that I do,” the member of the Antwerp Six told Business of Fashion’s Tim Blanks in an interview, explaining that he’d prefer them to approach his brand with a “new eye”.
Read More: Speculation Swirls of Hedi Slimane Heading to Chanel as Michael Rider Replaces Him at Celine
Visionaries like Dries Van Noten, Tom Ford, and Raf Simons have left behind a legacy that has marked the industry over decades. Their exits not only symbolise the end of an era but also usher in a dynamic transition, with creative directors vying for dominance in a fashion landscape. As the torch passes in the ongoing shake-up, it remains to be seen if these changes will affect these legendary Maisons’ bottom line. Successors face the daunting task of honouring a brand’s legacy while forging a path forward. For instance, when Tom Ford exited his eponymous label, questions arose about how the brand would sustain its identity without his distinct vision. Similarly, Raf Simons’ departure leaves his brand at a crossroads, with fans and critics alike pondering its future direction.
Read More: Marc Jacobs Sets His Sights on Chanel’s Creative Director Role
Pressure Cooker Roles
Marc Jacobs at the 2024 CFDA Fashion Awards held at the American Museum of Natural History on October 28, 2024 in New York, New York. (Photo by Lexie Moreland/WWD via Getty Images)
It is no secret that luxury fashion brands, especially eponymous ones like Donna Karan, Zac Posen, Marc Jacobs, and Michael Kors, have faced significant financial challenges in recent years. Donna Karan, for instance, faced widespread backlash due to controversial statements regarding convicted sex offender Harvey Weinstein, damaging her reputation and business. Zac Posen experienced a harsh reality in the luxury retail industry. In 2019, The Lexington Online reported that Posen’s label, House of Z, struggled to attract buyers or investors. The precarious state of the industry led Yucaipa Companies — an investment firm holding a 50 percent stake in Posen’s company — to withdraw their support. This decision forced Posen to lay off 60 staff members and shut down his business immediately.
Michael Kors has also faced significant setbacks. John D. Idol — chairman and chief executive officer of Capri Holdings, which owns Michael Kors, Versace, and Jimmy Choo — openly acknowledged the difficulties, stating they were “disappointed” as performance continued to suffer due to softening global demand for luxury fashion goods. Capri Holdings’ Q1 fiscal 2025 results highlighted these struggles, reporting a 13.2 percent decline in revenue on a reported basis. At Michael Kors, revenue dropped by 14.2 percent to USD 675 million. Retail sales declined by low double digits, while wholesale revenue fell by high double digits. All regions recorded decreases, with revenue down 10 percent in the Americas, 21 percent in EMEA, and 23 percent in Asia.
It is therefore not unexpected that the roles of creative directors at major fashion houses are increasingly likened to pressure cookers. The relentless demand for innovation — coupled with the expectation to produce collections at breakneck speed — has contributed to burnout among designers. This phenomenon echoes the earlier exits of designers like Raf Simons and Phoebe Philo, whose departures also signalled dissatisfaction with the current pace of the industry.
The industry’s ecosystem depends on the delicate balance of creative expression and commercial viability. However, financial restraints and enduring house codes often stifle designers’ abilities to create revolutionary designs. Instead, they are compelled to look back at archival work, reinterpreting classics rather than pioneering new aesthetics. While this approach pays homage to history, it limits opportunities for genuine innovation — a reality that only intensifies the pressure on creative leads.
The Rise and Fall of Independent Visionaries
The exodus of prominent designers underscores the urgent need for structural changes to support independent brands. Solutions such as strategic partnerships, innovative financing models, and collaborative ventures could help level the playing field. Additionally, the rise of digital platforms offers new opportunities for smaller brands to reach global audiences without relying on traditional retail networks.
As the industry evolves, the question remains: Can independent brands thrive in an ecosystem dominated by conglomerates? The answer may lie in their ability to embrace adaptability while staying true to their core values. Founding designers have historically been the lifeblood of their brands, infusing personal artistry and identity into each collection. However, maintaining independence in a fiercely competitive market has become increasingly challenging. The pressures of scaling globally, maintaining relevance, and adapting to shifting consumer preferences often prove overwhelming for standalone brands.
Designers like Dries Van Noten — who once epitomised the triumph of independence — now face an industry dominated by conglomerates such as LVMH and Kering. These corporate giants not only command immense financial resources but also exert significant influence over market trends, distribution channels, and media narratives. For many independent designers, the decision to step down reflects an acknowledgement of these insurmountable challenges.
The Growing Role of Business Executives
Today’s fashion consumer is more informed and discerning than ever. Sustainability and authenticity are no longer optional — they are expected. Gabriela Hearst’s leadership at Chloé was a textbook example of how a brand can embody these values. Her departure raises concerns about whether others can replicate her success in seamlessly blending high fashion with environmental responsibility. While reimagining archival designs has its merits, the industry’s over-reliance on this approach risks stagnation. As Wong notes, “While the creations are works of art, it is nothing new.”
Interestingly, as creative leads vacate their positions, there is a growing reliance on business executives to steer brands. The emphasis is increasingly shifting from creative artistry to profitability and market share. While this approach ensures financial stability, it risks diluting the very creativity that differentiates luxury fashion from mass-market apparel. For emerging designers, the challenges are even more acute. Financial constraints hinder their ability to stage high-profile runway shows or invest in innovative materials. Without substantial resources or backing, young talent struggles to compete with established houses that dominate the media and consumer attention.
The Role of Conglomerates in Shaping the New Guard
Conglomerates play a crucial role in the fashion industry by providing young designers with the financial backing and resources needed to scale their brands. For emerging talents, these corporate giants offer stability, global reach, and the ability to invest in high-quality materials, marketing, and runway shows that would otherwise be out of reach. In return, conglomerates gain access to fresh, innovative perspectives that help reinvigorate established brands. A prime example is Matthieu Blazy. Prior to his appointment at Chanel, he was the creative director at Bottega Veneta under the Kering group. Blazy — known for his distinctive and forward-thinking design approach — was given the platform to elevate Bottega’s status while receiving the support necessary to experiment with new materials and techniques, a luxury independent designers often lack. This symbiotic relationship allows both the designer and the conglomerate to thrive, but it also raises questions about the impact of corporate influence on artistic freedom in fashion.
The dominance of conglomerates in fashion is undeniable, with their ability to attract and nurture fresh talent playing a decisive role in reshaping leadership. One could similarly argue that Chanel’s appointment of Blazy signals a trend of established houses seeking younger, more experimental voices to rejuvenate their brands. This strategy leverages the allure of a fresh perspective while ensuring that the house’s legacy remains intact.
Read More: Here’s Your Recap of Fashion’s Great Creative Director Reshuffle
However, this trend raises concerns about the homogenisation of fashion. With conglomerates prioritising profitability, creative directors often face constraints that limit artistic freedom. While these corporate-backed brands thrive financially, the industry risks losing the unique voices that have historically defined fashion’s avant-garde.
What is Next for Fashion Leadership?
2024’s designer exodus marks a turning point in the fashion industry, challenging traditional notions of leadership and creativity. As founding designers step aside, the onus falls on successors and corporate entities to preserve the essence of these legendary brands. While the influence of conglomerates continues to grow, the enduring appeal of independent artistry reminds us of the importance of diversity in fashion’s creative tapestry. The future of the industry hinges on its ability to balance innovation with legacy, ensuring that the next generation of leaders can sustain the spirit of individuality that defines fashion.
Read More: Matthieu Blazy Is Named Chanel Artistic Director: A Recap Of Fashion’s Great Creative Director Reshuffle
The departures in 2024 highlight an urgent need to re-evaluate the structure of leadership in fashion. Brands must address the unsustainable pace of the industry and create environments where creativity can thrive without compromising mental health. Equally, they must ensure that sustainability and authenticity remain at the forefront of their values — not just as buzzwords, but as guiding principles. As we move into 2025, the challenge for fashion houses will be to strike a balance between innovation and stability, ensuring that the next generation of leaders is prepared to navigate an industry in flux. Whether 2024 will signal a crisis or herald a renaissance in fashion leadership depends largely on how the industry responds to these pivotal changes.
Read More: Opinion: Fashion Industry’s Creative Expression is Impeded by a Broken Ecosystem
India’s burgeoning luxury market has experienced a major shift to fashion behemoths globally that have etched out their segments among the fashion police over the years. From eternally classy external designs to the most innovative, international clothing brands have not only drawn the Indian audience but also changed themselves according to their needs. Hence, it is a wonderful mix of foreign attractiveness and local significance.
Whether it is the vibrant streets of Mumbai or the elegant fashion weeks of Delhi, these brands represent exclusivity, sophistication, and aspirational living. Here is a look at the top 10 luxury international fashion clothing brands that have made their mark in India providing global fashion right at your doorstep.
1. Gucci
Gucci is Italy’s most powerfully curated brand and is known for a contemporary style that is characterized by courage, imagination, and unconventional elegance. Guccio Gucci was the one who set the benchmark upon which this house was built in 1921, and gradually it has become one of the leading names in the world of fashion. Well-loved for their beautiful prints, green-and-red stripes, and GG monogram, they have the hearts of Indian luxury shoppers in their pockets.
Why Gucci Stands Out in India
A unique blend of heritage and modernity has provided the key to the success of Gucci among India’s style-conscious consumers. From quirky graphic tees to elaborate dresses, Gucci offers a variety that caters to both traditional and contemporary tastes. Bollywood stars and influencers give the brand a further boost in India. Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, and Priyanka Chopra have often been seen showcasing Gucci. Together, they make it a house name for luxury enthusiasts.
Gucci Stores and Online Presence in India
Luxury houses such as Gucci have flagship stores across Indian metros, including in Mumbai and Delhi, and are accessible online through luxury websites, allowing Indian buyers to browse and purchase their favorite collections from the comfort of their homes.
2. Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton or LV, has been a synonym for luxury, heritage, and innovation. This Paris-based house was founded in 1854. Today it is a global icon known for impeccable craftsmanship and groundbreaking designs. Associated with monogrammed patterns and an exclusivity legacy, Louis Vuitton occupies an important place in the Indian luxury shopper’s mind, where tradition blends with modern appeal.
Why Louis Vuitton Resonates in India
Louis Vuitton’s heritage of 160 years appeals to India’s affluent class who value heritage and timelessness. Louis Vuitton’s Monogram Canvas and Damier patterns are the instantly recognizable logos of status. Louis Vuitton understands the nuanced tastes of Indian luxury buyers. The brand offers versatile pieces, including saree-inspired scarves and smaller handbags, catering to India’s preference for a blend of tradition and functionality.
Louis Vuitton’s Presence in India
Louis Vuitton flagship stores in Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore offer an international shopping experience to its Indian customers. Also, Louis Vuitton collections are available on certain luxury e-commerce platforms, making it easy to shop for the new-age tech-savvy shopper.
3. Prada
Prada, the epitome of understated luxury, is a name that resonates with those who value elegance, innovation, and modernity. Founded in 1913 by Mario Prada, the Italian brand has established itself as the leader in high-fashion clothing, celebrated for minimalist designs, avant-garde aesthetics, and unmatched craftsmanship. With a range that embodies an impeccable balance between sophistication and bold individuality, Prada is one of the most sought-after luxury brands in India.
Why Prada Wins Indian Hearts
Prada’s designs are characterized by clean lines, mellow tones, and effortless chic that impress the Indian buyer who likes subtle elegance over loud opulence. Prada caters to the diverse lifestyle needs of India, ranging from casual style to high-end formal clothes. This makes it relevant for India’s modern, cosmopolitan audience. Bollywood actors such as Alia Bhatt and Sonam Kapoor are often spotted wearing Prada clothing, thereby increasing the desirability of this brand among Indian luxury shoppers.
Prada’s Presence in India
Prada has made its presence felt in the land through exclusive retail counters in cities like Mumbai and Delhi, as well as with high-end multi-brand retailers, and online. These outlets ensure effortless access to this luxury brand for Indian consumers seeking its coveted collections.
4. Burberry
Burberry is a quintessentially British luxury brand for its timeless designs, heritage craftsmanship, and iconic trench coats. Thomas Burberry founded the company in 1856, and the brand has since epitomized subtle sophistication and classic style. With its ability to infuse a rich heritage with modern innovation, it is no wonder that Burberry has easily become a favorite in India’s thriving luxury market, in which traditional elegance and modern fashion go effortlessly hand in hand.
Why Burberry Resonates with Indian Consumers
Burberry’s signature trench coat, crafted with precision and innovation, is a global fashion symbol. Its lightweight yet luxurious appeal makes it perfect for India’s varied climates, especially during cooler months and monsoon seasons. The instantly identifiable Burberry check stands for class and exclusivity in accessories, scarves, and outerwear and is a huge seller of India’s love for signature styles.
Presence of Burberry in India
Burberry has flagship stores in key cities such as Mumbai and Delhi to provide the high street with an exclusive shopping experience, while it remains accessible on premium online luxury platforms for the tech-savvy Indian shopper.
5. Versace
Versace epitomizes Italian opulence and flamboyance with its audacious designs, vibrant aesthetics, and unapologetic glamour for carving a niche in the luxury market in India. Founded by Gianni Versace in 1978, this brand is a global symbol of high fashion, marked by the iconic Medusa logo and daring prints. The brand’s collections, a fusion of classic and contemporary elements, provide exactly what Indians love to indulge in bold, statement-making luxury.
Why Versace Flourishes in India
Baroque prints by Versace, detailing, and bursting colors resonate with the Indian preference for rich and artistic expressions in fashion. Versace-rich designs find perfect harmony with Indian ones in terms of grandeur, thus being immensely popular during marriage ceremonies, festivals, and other high-profile gatherings. Known for pushing boundaries, Versace’s bold silhouettes and contemporary cuts appeal to India’s younger, experimental luxury shoppers who seek to stand out.
Versace’s Footprint in India
Versace sells through standalone stores in select cities such as Mumbai and Delhi and multi-brand luxury department stores. Utilizing online platforms, Versace is reaching India’s increasingly digitally demanding luxury consumers.
6. Dior
Dior is known to be a brand that epitomizes refinement, innovation, and the classics. Founded by Christian Dior in 1946, the group revolutionized the world of women’s fashion in the iconic “New Look” and thus has been establishing boundaries in style and elegance for years. The Dior collections, characterized by a timeless sense of sophistication and cutting-edge design, have found their following in India, where luxury, craftsmanship, and good taste are considered highly valued.
Why Dior Resonates with Indian Consumers
Dior adheres to the rich, elegant designs that luxury buyers prefer in India, from elegantly tailored suits to dresses beautifully constructed, Dior epitomizes refined taste. Bollywood celebrities such as Deepika Padukone and Kareena Kapoor Khan are often spotted in Dior, hence enhancing the icon status of the brand in India. The cooperation of the label with international stars and royalties further adds to its allure. Bags from Dior, such as the Lady Dior and the Dior Book Tote, are iconic and have a special place in the wardrobes of Indian luxury buyers who are attracted to them because of their craftsmanship, elegance, and exclusivity.
Dior in India
Dior operates through selective high-end boutiques in cities like Mumbai and Delhi, offering a very distinctive shopping experience for India’s elite. The presence of the brand is also growing on luxury e-commerce platforms, allowing customers across India to access its exclusive collections.
7. Balenciaga
Balenciaga, the fashion house founded by Cristóbal Balenciaga in 1917 in Spain, is a luxury symbol of the avant-garde that pushed boundaries with its unique blend of couture craftsmanship and influences of streetwear. Balenciaga, under the creative direction of Demna, has evolved to be a leader of modernist fashion, famous for its bold, often provocative designs. In India, Balenciaga has garnered a great following, particularly among the fashion-conscious and liberal young minds seeking a mix of luxury, and innovation, as well as an edgy type.
Why Balenciaga Resonates with Indian Luxury Shoppers
Balenciaga has been a trendsetter for the streetwear-legit high fashion model, attracting India’s more edgy, fashionable young generation who enjoy bold, unusual looks. Pieces of Balenciaga have been spotted on celebrities like Ranveer Singh and Priyanka Chopra, making it a favorite among Indian style icons.
Presence of Balenciaga in India
Balenciaga has strategically expanded its footprint in India, offering its collections through exclusive multi-brand luxury boutiques in key cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore. The brand also benefits from its presence on select luxury e-commerce platforms, catering to India’s digitally inclined luxury shoppers.
8. Chanel
Chanel, the epitome of timeless elegance and Parisian sophistication, stands as one of the most iconic luxury fashion houses in the world. Founded by the legendary Coco Chanel in 1910, the brand has become synonymous with refined femininity, classic designs, and revolutionary ideas that reshaped women’s fashion. When it comes to India, there is an overwhelming demand for this brand as elites seek classic items demonstrating status and sophistication.
Why Chanel Fascinates Indian Luxury Shoppers
Chanel’s designs exude a sense of refined simplicity that appeals to India’s luxury clientele, who value craftsmanship, timeless beauty, and understated style. One of the most demanded luxury goods items globally, the Chanel handbag to be specific, the classic 2.55 and Boy Bag, hasn’t missed its mark in India either. These bags have become the status symbol and epitome of class, an object of desire among India’s elite.
Chanel’s Presence in India
Chanel makes a selective presence in India through exclusive boutiques in key luxury retail destinations. Even though global popularity has created much demand for it, the brand ensures exclusivity to make its pieces available only to the most discerning patrons.
9. Armani
Armani, established by Giorgio Armani in 1975, is one of the most well-known luxury fashion houses in Italy. Known for its minimalist, sleek designs along with craftsmanship of utmost quality, Armani symbolizes refinement and modern sophistication. In India, Armani’s collections resonate with those who value understated style, precision tailoring, and contemporary flair.
Why Armani Appeals to Indian Luxury Shoppers
Versatility is offered by Armani collections and it appeals to Indians the most, perfect for various occasions ranging from formal events to casual luxury. Armani often attracts celebrities like Bollywood’s Shah Rukh Khan, and Hrithik Roshan, and international figures such as David Beckham and Leonardo DiCaprio, all of whom raise the allure of the brand for India’s prosperous potential market.
Armani’s Presence in India
Exclusive shopping destinations in Delhi and Mumbai stock Armani, giving the brand an affluent and handpicked bouquet of customers. Armani is also quite strong on luxury e-commerce sites to cater to the tech-savvy customer in India.
10. Hermès
Founded in 1837, Hermès is synonymous with exquisite craftsmanship, timeless style, and unparalleled quality. Over the years, Hermès has justifiably become synonymous with ultimate luxury – a symbol that attracts a loyal following of discerning customers across the globe. Hermès continues to charm the elite in India with the most diverse range of luxury goods that embody sophistication, heritage, and artisanal mastery.
Why Hermès Appeals to Indian Luxury Shoppers
Hermès’ history and commitment to master craftsmanship appeal deeply to Indian high-net-worth consumers, who appreciate the art and perfection in each piece. Every piece of handbags, leather goods, and accessories crafted by its skilled artisans is truly unique and highly desirable. This exclusivity is synonymous with Hermès in the contemporary era, its products are usually released in limited quantities and sold merely in a few prestigious boutiques.
Hermès in India
Hermès also has exclusive boutiques in some luxury malls and shopping districts in Mumbai and Delhi. These boutique stores create an experience of shopping, which lets the clients realize and explore the entire product range of Hermès. The brand stays unique and exclusive by offering personalized services as well as limited edition items so every purchase comes across as special and unique.
Conclusion
India’s luxury fashion has dramatically changed so much that international design clothes are delivering the best to the most discerning tastes of Indian consumers. Brands provide not just timeless elegance and scrupulous craftsmanship but also design innovations that appeal to the modern, style-conscious luxury shopper.
The appeal of these brands in India lies in their ability to blend heritage with contemporary sensibilities, creating pieces that are not just fashion statements but long-term investments. These luxury brands now transcend the prerequisites of high-end fashion, they symbolize success, sophistication, and refined taste for India’s wealthy consumers.
While things are never exactly quiet in the Real Housewives universe, the ladies sometimes have their off years — but 2024 was not one of them.
The year started off with a bang (and receipts, proof, timeline, etc.) when Heather Gay unmasked Reality Von Tease on season 4 of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, leaving fans wondering where exactly any of these franchises could go from here.
The answer was everywhere, basically: to Rails Steakhouse for some casual dropping of the c-word (The Real Housewives of New Jersey), to Mexico for a gondola ride from hell (The Real Housewives of Miami) and to Spain for a highly unusual memorial service (The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills).
The Real Housewives of Atlanta didn’t even air this year, but in the meantime, the women of Orange County and the rest truly delivered. Go the distance with Us and keep reading for a breakdown of the most iconic Housewives moments of 2024:
Heather Gay Unmasks Reality Von Tease
It may seem like a lifetime ago, but the great unmasking of Reality Von Tease actually happened this year — on January 2, to be exact, kicking off a full 12 months of Housewives glory. Very rarely do shocking reveals live up to the hype of months of teasers, but this one actually did, partly because Bravo has never seen a scandal quite like it.
To recap: Heather (with help from her trusty hairdresser) discovered that season 4 newbie Monica Garcia was one of the people behind Instagram gossip account Reality Von Tease, which had been tormenting the other RHOSLC women behind the scenes. Heather didn’t just drop the news with no buildup, though — she first clued the other women in on the plan beachside in Bermuda, giving Us a windblown tableau worthy of a Renaissance painting. By the time she uttered the immortal line, “Receipts! Proof! Timeline! Screenshots! F—ing everything!,” it was clear that this episode would go down in Housewives history as one of the best. (Just ask U.S. Congressman Robert Garcia, who quoted the speech during a House Oversight Committee hearing.) — Eliza Thompson
Related: See Us Weekly’s Top 29 Reality TV Moments of the Year
Disney/John & Joseph Photography; Disney/Andrew Eccles The past year has been chock-full of memorable reality TV moments — and Us Weekly has narrowed down the best of the best. Several tears were shed on shows such as Vanderpump Rules and Love Island USA, while things got heated in the Bravo universe on The Real Housewives […]
Jennifer Pedranti Stands Up to Tamra Judge
As soon as Jennifer joined The Real Housewives of Orange County in 2023, she realized Tamra isn’t always the best coworker and friend. After a few too many digs and an accusation that Tamra did a background check on her fiancé, Ryan Boyajian, Jennifer had enough during the season 18 cast trip to London.
“I’m so f—ing done with your low-level bulls—,” she said without stuttering a word. “You need to f—ing grow up and leave my f—ing family alone. … I want no part of your f—ing bulls—.”
At that moment, Jennifer found her voice and proved she was not one to be messed with. — Mike Vulpo
Paterson Dolores Enters the Chat — Again
Jocelyn Prescod/Bravo
The RHONJ season 14 finale was one for the history books, especially when it came to Dolores Catania’s alter ego. Paterson Dolores came swinging for costar Margaret Josephs in a rare blowup between the two Bravo stars, and the c-word was flying.
The August episode put an end to what was an interesting season (Teresa Giudice and Melissa Gorga refused to film with one another), and within the first 10 minutes of the episode, Dolores called Margaret a “f—ing lying c—.”
The insult came after Margaret claimed that she invited Dolores to her house for a “reunion review” before they filmed the season 13 reunion last year — because past drama never dies in Jersey. This was something Dolores called “an outright lie” before getting continuously heated.
“It’s a serious thing to me that you’re telling me you said something you f—ing didn’t,” Dolores screamed. “I knew nothing about that f—ing s—.”
Dolores eventually apologized for the “lying c—” comment, but it’s still living rent-free in our heads. — Shelby Stivale
‘RHOP’ Picks Up Cameras for Mia Thornton’s Shocking Split
During season 8 of The Real Housewives of Potomac, cameras picked back up three months after filming initially wrapped to document Mia and Gordon Thornton’s explosive split.
“If I were to be leaving my marriage because of financial reasons, I would’ve left seven or eight years ago,” Mia shared in a confessional interview. “He was spending an excessive amount of money … and just not home, coming in at the middle of the night.”
The pair ultimately argued about a variety of issues, including Gordon alleging Mia had an affair, which she denied. She has since moved on with a radio DJ named Inc. — M.V.
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Crystal Kung Minkoff Did the Thing
Crystal’s too-brief tenure on RHOBH included a few fights with her costars, but no one got her more heated than Annemarie Wiley during season 13. Crystal (who announced her departure from the show earlier this year) said Annemarie was “such a bitch” to her face in a moment that had the other women too stunned to speak.
The backstory? Well, detailing Sutton Stracke’s esophagus drama is too much to rehash, but the short of it is that Annemarie (a medical professional) was confused about her costar’s health issue. (Sutton previously claimed that her “esophagus disorder” hinders her from eating certain types of foods.)
Annemarie went back and forth with Crystal before the “bitch” comment put an end to the conversation. “I’ve actually never seen Crystal like that, I didn’t know she had that in her,” Kyle Richards stated.
Annemarie, meanwhile, confirmed her exit from RHOBH in March after just one season. — S.S.
The Global Dominance of Phaedra Parks
Todd Williamson/Peacock
Phaedra wasn’t even on a Housewives show this year, but she still managed to dominate the cultural conversation, including among people who don’t know their Below Deck Sailing Yacht from their Below Deck Down Under. She kicked off the year by taking control of The Traitors season 2, proving to all doubters that Housewives know more about scheming and betrayal than the so-called “gamers” of Big Brother and the like. Then she continued her run on Married to Medicine, adding some juice to one of Bravo’s more underrated shows. And finally, she competed on Dancing With the Stars season 33, throwing shade at previous Housewives who didn’t make it very far and clapping back at guest judge Gene Simmons when he rated her poorly on Hair Metal Night. The best, however, is yet to come: This year also brought the news that she’s returning to The Real Housewives of Atlanta for season 16 alongside BFF Porsha Williams. — E.T.
Erika Jayne Pays Tribute to Merce in the Purse
As the RHOBH cast enjoyed a trip to Spain, Sutton’s focus was on honoring the late famed dancer Merce Cunningham. During a group dinner, Sutton revealed that she was carrying the ashes of her close friend in her purse. After hearing a little too much about Merce, an inebriated Erika decided to speak her truth and deliver a now iconic line.
“Can I say something? I know you love Merce, but Merce was in a Ziploc bag,” Erika said. “Merce is in the purse!” — M.V.
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Larsa Pippen Reveals Guerdy Abraira’s Cancer Diagnosis Without Permission
During season 6 of RHOM, Guerdy struggled to understand why Larsa would share her breast cancer diagnosis with the group without permission — just hours after Guerdy told her about it.
“Secrets matter, Larsa,” Guerdy said during the reunion. “I just saw you as completely a different person. I’m like, this person is not my friend. It’s malicious. Like, who’s the fakest? I have f—ing cancer! Like, are you serious?!”
Larsa ultimately apologized and explained, “My reason for telling the women was because I wanted to rally around you and show you love.” — M.V.
Erin Lichy’s Heartfelt Abortion Conversation
Clifton Prescod/Bravo
The second season of the rebooted Real Housewives of New York City has been a mixed bag — too many pranks, not enough real drama — but the show still shines in moments when the cast opens up about the tougher aspects of their lives. Erin hasn’t always been the most forthcoming Housewife, but the episode where she shared her abortion story felt like the realest moment yet for the new RHONY women. After deciding to tell her story to Glamour, Erin first opened up to costar Jenna Lyons, who offered her support and solidarity by revealing her own abortion story to Erin.
But the biggest challenge came when she told her father, Eli Yitzhari, who died right as season 15 was premiering. Erin was afraid of how he would react, but he offered her nothing but unconditional love. The scene was made all the more poignant by the fact that it was filmed just months before Eli’s death. The episode ended with a montage paying tribute to Eli and a confessional interview from Erin sharing all the reasons she loved him, proving yet again that Housewives can still deliver raw, human moments between the prank wars and dinner squabbles. — E.T.
Dorit Kemsley Keeps Putting Andy Cohen to Sleep
Andy has yawned on more than one occasion during RHOBH reunions, but his most recent faux pas sent Dorit over the edge. During the season 13 reunion, which aired in March, Dorit was discussing her relationship with now-estranged husband PK Kemsley when Andy emitted a yawn.
The television host tried to hold it back and cover his mouth with his cards, but Dorit still noticed. (It’s important to note this was the third time this has happened during a RHOBH reunion.)
“Don’t you dare. Don’t you dare,” she said. Andy responded, “I’m sorry, I didn’t — OK.” — S.S.
Mary Cosby Supports Robert Jr.
Koury Angelo/Bravo
Mary has had an odd trajectory on RHOSLC, starting as a kooky full-timer before briefly leaving and then returning as a checked-out “friend of.” In her latest return, however, she clearly decided to bring it, both in lighthearted scenes with her costars and in extremely vulnerable moments with her family. Season 5 saw her open up like never before when she confronted her son, Robert Jr., about his increasingly concerning behavior.
In an unbelievably candid on camera conversation, Robert Jr. admitted that he’d been struggling with substance abuse since trying Xanax and told his mom that he’d considered suicide. Mary responded without judgment, telling her son that she loved him and would do anything she could to help him get sober. The unusually heavy scene earned widespread praise from fans, many of whom commended Mary for the way she handled Robert Jr.’s confession and the support she’s offered him since. (She recently confirmed that he’s doing well after a stay in rehab.) — E.T.
‘RHONJ’ Gives Rails Steakhouse Free Promo
Rails Steakhouse has been an unofficial RHONJ cast member since the show’s inception in 2009, but season 14 offered the New Jersey restaurant even more screen time than usual — especially when the Bravo stars were throwing glasses at each other in a private room.
The group of women gathered for what Dolores called the “last supper,” but it ended up becoming a forum to air grievances (loudly, we might add). Teresa called sister-in-law Melissa “a whore” multiple times, Danielle Cabral and Jennifer Aydin nearly got physical again and Rachel Fuda issued the line of the century with, “Keep my husband’s name out of your fat f—ing hot dog lip mouth.”
It was all very quintessentially Jersey, if you ask Us.
When it came time for a RHONJ season 14 reunion they — spoiler alert — didn’t have one. The women were seated in two private rooms at Rails as they rewatched the finale and reacted in real-time. (As you might imagine, the future of this Bravo franchise is still up in the air.) — S.S.
Related: Bravo’s Most Iconic 4th Wall Breaks Over the Years
In the words of former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Denise Richards, “Bravo, Bravo, f—king Bravo.” Over the years, multiple Bravo reality shows have broken the fourth wall — sometimes more than once. However, there are a few fourth wall breaks more iconic than others. After what some would call a snoozy season of […]
RHOM’s Gondola Ride From Hell
While visiting Mexico City, the RHOM cast thought they were going to enjoy a casual gondola ride together. What came next was two jam-packed episodes of complete chaos.
One moment, Julia Lemigova was smooching so many of the ladies that she was labeled a “kissing bandit.” The next minute, she was crying over hanging toy dolls.
Meanwhile, Lisa Hochstein was accusing Kiki Barth of assault after a juice box was thrown at her. If that wasn’t enough drama, Guerdy needed an IV after throwing up at the end of the gondola ride. As Alexia Nepola said, maybe the boat should have been called “Miami Locas.” — M.V.
Lisa Barlow Goes the Distance
Koury Angelo/Bravo
Lisa never fails to deliver, whether she’s chugging extra large fountain sodas or calling one of her many lawyers for legal advice about crimes that have nothing to do with her. In season 5, she refused to back down when Whitney Rose accused her of planting the rumor that her jewelry line, Prism, uses designs from Alibaba (or Alibawbuah, if you’re Meredith Marks). But Lisa didn’t just tell Whitney to cool it. This is a woman who always has a guy, and this time, she had a “cybersecurity team” on speed dial who she claimed could help her get to the bottom of it all.
“Hey Shawn, I need an investigation opened,” Lisa told said guy, Shawn, smack in the middle of Angie Katsanevas’ mafia-themed anniversary party. “I’m being accused of something I did not do. I’m going to send you information, and I want to go the distance on it. The distance.” The previous dominance of “baby gorgeous” is shaking. Physically shaking. — E.T.
‘RHOBH’ and ‘DWTS’ Get a Crossover
By now, Housewives viewers know that Mauricio Umansky was paired with Emma Slater during season 32 of DWTS last year following his separation from Kyle. During the RHOBH season 14 premiere in November, Bravo subtly called out the romance rumors that were swirling between Mauricio and Emma. (Us Weekly has since confirmed that Emma is dating fellow professional dancer Alan Bersten.)
Sutton was first to reveal that Mauricio had switched a photo on the desk in his office from himself and Kyle to a photo with “the woman from Dancing With the Stars.” Sutton was, of course, referring to Emma.
If anyone’s going to stir the pot, it’s Sutton. She also brought up the picture one more time during the episode, this time when walking by Mauricio’s office in the house he used to share with Kyle.
“Does that feel weird, the desk?” Sutton wondered. Kyle responded, “Yeah, it feels weird that my picture was taken down too.” — S.S.
Karen Huger’s Body Cam Footage
Alberto Rodriguez/Bravo
The Grande Dame has done her best to avoid talking about her March DUI arrest during season 9 of RHOP, but she couldn’t stop viewers from talking about it — especially after police released footage from the night of her arrest. In the immediately viral December clip, Karen told an officer that she is known as the Grande Dame, noting that Andy Cohen gave her that nickname. (The officer, apparently not a Bravo fan, didn’t seem to know who she was talking about.)
Later in the video, Karen referred to herself as “Thomas Jefferson’s concubine” and admitted she was “hammered.” On December 18, she was found guilty of charges including negligently driving a vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner endangering property, life and person and failure to control vehicle speed on the highway to avoid a collision. She is set to be sentenced on January 29. — E.T.
Emily Simpson Calls Out Alexis Bellino
Nicole Weingart/Bravo
While Emily and Alexis were initially friendly in season 18 of RHOC, things quickly began to change. One major point of contention was Alexis’ treatment of Shannon Beador as she faced a lawsuit from her ex-boyfriend — and Alexis’ fiancé — John Janssen.
Emily ultimately lost her cool during the reunion show after Alexis referred to her and a costar as “Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum.”
“Don’t you ever f—ing call me dumb. You are an idiot,” Emily shouted at the reunion. “You are the dumbest girl I’ve ever f—ing met.”
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Alexis later announced she would not be returning for season 19. — M.V.
‘High Body Count Hair’
It might seem like RHOSLC is overrepresented on this list, but that’s because the women of the Beehive State over-delivered this year. It was hard to imagine how they could top the drama of Reality Von Tease in the season 4 finale, but they did it and then some, thanks in large part to Angie K., who finally came into her own in season 5.
Things really hit the fan at Meredith’s bat mitzvah when Angie told Britani Bateman that she had “high body count hair,” a combination of words that surely rivals “cellar door” for the title of most beautiful phrase in the English language. Bravoholics and civilians alike have been looking at their own hair with suspicion ever since — and wondering whether they too could use Kérastase Thermique. — E.T.
As we enter 2025, many questions hover over crypto—and not just those about prices and regulation. The underlying technology powering some of the industry’s most popular tools is also poised to change in the new year, and those shifts could have major implications for users.
For our annual Crypto Crystal Ball series, we’re taking a hard look at the narratives likely to shape the coming year, and how they’re likely to impact you.
Following a look at how much political capital Donald Trump may be willing to spend on the crypto industry’s top priorities, here’s how an upcoming tech upgrade to Ethereum could finally pave the way to crypto going mainstream at a consumer level.
For years, the crypto industry has prayed for the arrival of mass adoption. But time and again, on-chain products and experiences have failed to attract as many users as their Web2 rivals.
A key update to Ethereum, penciled for February, could change that—by making on-chain apps much, much easier to use for everyday consumers.
David Silverman, senior vice president of strategic business initiatives at Ethereum scaling project Polygon, told Decrypt that during the 2021 crypto bull market, millions of people were interested in exploring on-chain apps—but the tech wasn’t ready. Come the looming 2025 bull cycle (knock on wood), Silverman says crypto products will finally be up to snuff.
“This next cycle, if we do see a mass inflow of interest, we will be able to show a proper example of what we think the Web3 future is,” Silverman said, “as opposed to just glimmers of hope.”
Why? Developers say Ethereum’s upcoming Pectra upgrade will eliminate barriers that have previously made on-chain apps a headache. Goodbye gas fees and special wallets for navigating smart contracts; hello signing transactions with FaceID—and surfing some on-chain apps without having to sign any transactions at all.
One key innovation in Pectra will grant smart wallet functionality to the types of basic wallets issued by mainstream companies like Coinbase and MetaMask. Come February, users of those wallets will be able to pay gas fees on Ethereum and all L2s with any crypto of their choosing, including stablecoins. They will also be able to sign for transactions with universal tools like Apple’s FaceID and TouchID.
Those effortless signing mechanisms will now also be capable of enabling “much more complicated on-chain interactions with a single click,” Mark Tyneway, the co-founder of Ethereum layer-2 network Optimism, told Decrypt.
Take session keys, for example. Previously impossible, session keys will soon allow ordinary crypto users to navigate a site or app for hours while completing dozens of secure on-chain interactions—all without the user knowing what’s happening on the backend.
“You could put the entire Instagram experience on-chain without it feeling like it,” Tyneway told Decrypt. “It’s going to unlock a massive wave of innovation.”
Polygon’s Silverman says Pectra will soon allow many crypto app developers to create seamless experiences where gas fees are sponsored and transaction signings are abstracted away—leaving products that look and feel like leading Web2 apps, but offer distinctive Web3 perks.
“Crypto UX is about to level up,” Silverman said. “This is the unlock.”
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The son of Tommy Cooper’s mistress previously opened up about the comedian’s spooky yet tragic on-stage death in 1984.
Tommy died at age 63 and shared two children, son Thomas Henty and daughter Vicky Cooper, with his wife Gwen Henty. The pair got married in Nicosia, Cyprus, in 1947. Gwen died nearly two decades after Tommy’s death in 2002.
From 1967 until his death, Tommy, referred to as the King of Comedy in the 1970s, was also in a relationship with his assistant Mary Kay.
Tommy died on stage in 1984 (Credit: YouTube)
Tommy Cooper on-stage death
Before passing away, Tommy gave his last-ever performance at Her Majesty’s Theatre in London. 12 million viewers tuned in, including his wife Gwen.
Detailing the horrific night 20 years later in 2014, his mistress’s son, Tony Kay, recalled the moment he had a sudden heart attack on stage.
“When he collapsed and everyone was laughing she knew there was something wrong,” he told the Mirror.
Tony revealed that Tommy had told Mary that he “believed he was going to die on stage”.
“Mum was distraught. She never got over the death of Tommy,” he said.
At age 83, Mary died in 2011. Before her death, she was left with a negative reputation. “After Tommy died they called her Mad Mary and made out like she was some kind of stalker,” Tony recalled.
He believed his mother had a relationship with Tommy “that I don’t think he had with Gwen”. Describing their relationship, Tony insisted Mary was “naive” but also “useful to him”.
“Maybe, in his own way, he did love her. But she was besotted by him.”
Tony stated that Tommy’s wife Gwen later acted as if she knew nothing about their relationship. However, he insisted she did.
Tommy had a relationship with his assistant while married to his wife (Credit: YouTube)
‘He was the love of her life’
Tony opened up more about his mum’s relationship with Tommy with the Express three years prior.
“My mum always saw the best in people and would refuse to accept they had flaws. He was the love of her life and she saw him through rose-tinted spectacles. She would not admit that he was not perfect,” he said.
Despite her feelings for Tommy, Tony believes that Tommy took advantage of her.
“But I don’t think he had any intention of leaving [Gwen]. He needed someone to care for him on the road and took advantage of her feelings. That’s the way I view it,” he stated.
Read more: BBC special celebrates Tommy Cooper’s 100th birthday and comedic legacy
What do you think of this story? Let us know on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix.
Days of our Lives 2-week spoilers reveal that Jada Hunter wonders why Rafe Hernandez is acting weird. The couple is planning their January wedding. However, Fake Rafe, Arnold Fenger, has other ideas. Will Jada see through the farce? She may end up marrying her fiance’s doppelganger in the new year. Next, Maggie Horton Kiriakis tries to comfort Holly Jonas. She’s hurting because she heard Tate Black got Sophia Choi pregnant. However, her former best friend may have slept with Aaron Greene, too. Does Tate demand a DNA test before complying with Amy Choi’s request? Finally, on the 60th season of the NBC Peacock exclusive, EJ DiMera and Belle Black may go from enemies to lovers during the weeks of December 30, 2024 – January 10, 2025.
Days of our Lives 2-Week Spoilers: Jada Hunter Questions Rafe Hernandez
DOOL 2-week spoilers report that Police Commissioner Jada Hunter (Elia Cantu) is concerned about her fiance, Rafe Hernandez (Galen Gering). The former cop has worked for Black Patch since he quit the SPD. However, Jada and Rafe plan for a winter wedding early next year.
Further, Days of our Lives recaps show Arnold Feniger (Galen Gerring) returning from his hideout in Argentina. Jada has no idea that Rafe’s lookalike has hit the streets of Salem. But this week on the beloved soap, Rafe Hernandez bumps into his old enemy. Will he tell Jada Hunter he’s seeing double?
Days of our Lives: Jada Hunter and Rafe Hernandez
DOOL social media predicts that Arnold plays the old switcheroo with Jada Hunter’s handsome husband-to-be. The astute cop can tell something is wrong with “Rafe.” Will Jada wind up marrying Arnold rather than Rafe Hernandez? It could be a wild ride for Jada and Rafe in the new year. Stay tuned.
Days 2-Week Spoilers: Maggie Horton Kiriakis Comforts Holly Jonas
Days of our Lives 2-week spoilers indicate that Maggie Horton Kiriakis (Suzanne Rogers) offers her granddaughter, Holly Jonas (Ashley Puzemis), a shoulder to cry on. The young woman recently learned that her former BFF Sophia Choi (Madelyn Kientz) got pregnant by Tate Black (Leo Howard). Holly and Tate just got back together, and now this.
Plus, Sophia’s mother, Amy Choi (Shi Ne Nielsen), demands Tate and Sophia raise the baby together. She doesn’t give her teen daughter permission to terminate the pregnancy. But Holly’s ex-bestie hasn’t told anyone about her night with Aaron Greene (Louis Tomeo) on DOOL.
Over the next few weeks, Holly tries to navigate her latest news from Tate and Sophia. Additionally, Grandma Maggie works hard to try to cheer her up. Will the matriarch urge her granddaughter to move on with her life or fight for her boyfriend? Holly’s grandmother could encourage her to see other people. Doug Williams III (Peyton Meyer), perhaps? Watch Days of our Lives as the drama unfolds.
DOOL 2-Week Spoilers: EJ DiMera & Belle Black – Salem’s Newest Power Couple?
Days of our Lives 2-week spoilers spill that EJ DiMera (Dan Feuerriegel) and Belle Black (Martha Madison) could become more than enemies with benefits. First, the Day of Days Winter promo showed the two arguing and then falling into bed together. But this one-night stand could turn into something more.
DOOL fans predict that Belle and EJ could develop a relationship. Yet, when EJ gets shot in upcoming episodes, Belle could be on the suspect list for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Will she pursue the real shooter? She may get as far away from the DiMera mansion and Elvis Junior as possible.
Look for sparks between EJ and Belle soon on Days of our Lives. They could be Salem’s next supercouple. Meanwhile, a heartbroken Holly Jonas leans on her Grandma Maggie. What sage advice will she give the teen girl about Tate and Sophia? Finally, Jada Hunter can tell something strange about her fiance, Rafe Hernandez. Does Arnold take his place?
Return to Soap Dirt for the latest DOOL spoilers and news.
The celebrity world has said goodbye to many famous faces in 2024, with too many sad deaths happening in the past twelve months.
Celebrity deaths hit fans hard when they’re announced, as stars we’ve seen on the screen and in our lives for so many years pass on. Although they’ve left us, we remember them for the impact they left on the world.
Here, ED! remembers the stars we’ve loved and lost this year.
Derek Draper died in January (Credit: ITV)
Derek Draper
GMB star Kate Garraway, lost her husband Derek Draper in January this year. He was 56. Derek had endured a lengthy battle with Covid-19 after being first hospitalised with the virus in early 2020.
Liam died in October (Credit: SplashNews.com)
Liam Payne
One Direction star Liam Payne tragically died after falling from his hotel balcony in Argentina in October, and became one of the most shocking and sudden celebrity deaths this year. A toxicology report claimed that Liam had a “cocktail of drugs” in his system at the time of his death.
Maggie sadly passed away this year (Credit: SplashNews.com)
Dame Maggie Smith
Maggie Smith passed away in September at the age of 89. The star – whose career spanned more than six decades – died surrounded by her family at Chelsea and Westminster hospital. A statement released at the time didn’t confirm her cause of death.
John was a soap legend (Credit: SplashNews.com)
John Savident
In February, John Savident, who played butcher Fred Elliott on the soap died aged 86. A statement released to ITV News confirmed the actor’s death – but did not give a cause.
She died following a cancer battle (Credit: ITV)
Janey Godley
Scottish comedian Janey Godley died in November following a battle with cancer. She was 63 and was surrounded by her family in a hospice when she passed away.
The reality star appeared in Big Brother and Gogglebox (Credit: Big Brother UK)
George Gilbey
Gogglebox star George Gilbey died in March aged 40 after falling through a skylight on a warehouse roof in a workplace accident. Gogglebox and Celebrity Gogglebox fans paid tribute after hearing he joined the stars who passed away, as none of their deaths have been easy to take in. George died from traumatic head and also torso injuries.
The A Place In The Sun star died in February from lung cancer (Credit: ITV)
Jonnie Irwin
Jonnie died in February following a cancer battle, leaving behind his wife and three sons. The A Place in the Sun star was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2020. It then spread to his brain. However, Jonnie revealed his diagnosis publicly in November 2022.
Robin was found dead in a London hotel (Credit: ITV)
Robin Windsor
Strictly dancer Robin Windsor was found dead at age 44 in his hotel in February. His cause of death hasn’t been revealed. The funeral of Robin – who appeared on Strictly from 2010 to 2013 – took place the following month in his hometown of Ipswich.
The Hairy Bikers legend lost his battle with cancer (Credit: BBC)
Dave Myers
Another name who tragically joined the list of celebrity deaths was the beloved TV chef. Dave was best known as one-half of the culinary duo known as The Hairy Bikers. He tragically died at age 66 in February after battling cancer from 2022. His death was announced on social media by his best pal Si King.
The journalist died this year (Credit: ITV)
Dr Michael Mosley
Dr Michael Mosley died at age 67. The journalist died on June 5 whilst he was on vacation on the Greek island of Symi. After setting off for a walk, Michael went missing for four days. According to the BBC, he died of natural causes.
Read more: Mary Berry urges fans to check on bereaved loved ones following sudden death of her son
You can leave your condolences on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix.
Blockchains are often slow in transaction completion, with very high gas fees, which has become frustrating for most users. They have been looking for fast, scalable, and eco-friendly blockchain applications. Enter Avalanche, redefining the way we interact with decentralized technology. From DeFi, NFTs, or even browsing the blockchain, Avalanche offers smooth, effective, and user-friendly experiences. What makes Avalanche unique? How does it work? And why should you care? Let’s discover why Avalanche is trending among developers and making waves in the world of crypto.
What is Avalanche?
Picture Courtesy: chainport.io
Avalanche often referred to as AVAX, is a layer 1 blockchain platform designed to offer scalability, speed, and flexibility. It was introduced in 2020 by Ava Labs. It boasts as one of the few blockchains that could achieve blockchain trilemma – decentralization, scalability, and security in their truest forms, all without compromising any of them.
AVA uses the consensus algorithm that is different from conventional blockchains. It allows the execution of thousands of transactions per second (TPS) and finality within a couple of seconds. You got that right; it is unbelievably fast!
How Does Avalanche Work?
Avalanche’s innovative architecture works completely contrary to conventional blockchains. The design was prioritized across several parameters including speed, scalability, and decentralization, wherein the revolutionary innovation is presented as the most successful blockchain through which cryptos can be made. Let’s get into all the details:
1. Avalanche’s Tri-Chain Architecture:
A majority of blockchains operate in a single chain to perform all their processes, Avalanche has this unique three-chain structure, cooperating with each other and dedicated to distinct tasks.
X-Chain: Exchange Chain
It is the backbone of Avalanche for the creation and transfer of digital assets. This chain employs the Avalanche consensus protocol, enabling rapid and economical transactions. Tokens made on the X-Chain comply with Avalanche’s AVAX Standard.
C Chain: Contract Chains
C-Chain is built for smart contracts and DApps. It is compatible with Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) and would allow a developer to bundle existing Ethereum-based applications with little or no change. It uses the Snowman consensus protocol and is optimized for the operations of smart contracts.
P Chain: Platform Chain
P-Chain is the backbone for validators and subnets (custom blockchains). It empowers users with the creation of blockchains designed for specific cases and enjoys the safety and speed of Avalanche. It also coordinates staking and validation.
2. Consensus Mechanism: A Game-Changer
Avalanche introduces a groundbreaking consensus mechanism that blends features of classic with innovative features:
Avalanche Protocol (for X-Chain):
It operates by a lightweight and gossip-based process. It doesn’t build global agreement; rather repeatedly samples small groups of validators for rapid and secure consensus.
Snowman Protocol (for C-Chain and P-Chain):
Linear and deterministic for smart contracts and optimized for high throughput. Without delay to seconds and guarantees security against various attacks.
With such an agreement, Avalanche can manage 4,500+ transactions per second (TPS) with the desired decentralization.
3. Custom Subnets: Tailored Blockchains
Another of the distinguishing features of Avalanche is its ability to create subnets, in the form of blockchains concluding customizable needs:
Subnets can be private or public, ideal for industries like healthcare, gaming, and finance, where tailored solutions are critical.
Each subnet can have its own rules, consensus, and tokenomics.
Although these subnets operate independently, they are inherently secured and scalable under the entire realm of Avalanche.
4. Interoperability with Ethereum:
Avalanche’s C-Chain ensures complete compliance with the Ethereum ecosystem. Thus:
Developers can make things like MetaMask, Remix, and others.
Minimal transfer to Avalanche from existing Ethereum dApps can be realized at much faster speeds and lower costs.
5. Staking and Validation:
Avalanche uses a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) system to secure its network:
To participate in consensus, validators must stake AVAX tokens.
To become validators, at least 2,000 AVAX must be staked.
These rewards are distributed according to both uptime and performance, allowing network integrity to be maintained.
6. Built for Speed and Finality:
Transactions on Avalanche achieve finality in under two seconds as irreversible and confirmed almost immediately.
This speed is a significant improvement on Ethereum’s average transaction finality of several minutes.
What Makes Avalanche Unique?
The Avalanche blockchain has several distinguishing features making it stand out in the heavily crowded blockchain space, boosting its innovative characteristics and a robust ecosystem that takes a majority of setbacks faced by the traditional blocks. Here are six differentiators that make Avalanche unique:
1. Tri-Chain Architecture:
Avalanche uses a three-chain structure that comprises an X-chain, a C-chain, and a P-chain to utilize different chains in optimizing efficiency and scalability:
Each chain performs a specific function as part of enhancing throughput and avoids congestion to seamlessly operate independently.
This separation also ensures transaction speeds remain high and does not interfere with the performance of smart contracts and subnets.
Unlike the architectures of single chain blockchains, such as Ethereum, Avalanche’s approach allows it to maintain a variety of workloads with much ease.
Delegating tasks to the specialized chains leads Avalanche to achieve superior performance and flexibility compared to most other blockchains.
2. Blazing Transaction Speed and Finality:
Avalanche is designed for speed:
Finalized transactions take about two seconds compared to Ethereum’s 6-12 minutes and Bitcoin’s 10-60 minutes.
The lightning-fast speed makes it possible to build real-time financial applications or games delays considerably impair functionality or disrupt user experience.
The network can process 4,500+ transactions per second (TPS), way above many rivals.
Such parameters put Avalanche among the swiftest, most effective blockchains going around.
3. Customize Subnets (Blockchain as a Service):
Avalanche allows users to design their subnets, separated, custom-made blockchains.
They make way for businesses to define how cloud banks operate by having different rules, governance modalities, and consensus methodologies.
Subnetworks have room for private and permissioned blockchains, which intrigue a lot of companies within heavily regulated activities, such as finance and healthcare.
Developers have total control of their subnetworks without compromising the security and scalability offered by Avalanche.
The flexibility of Avalanche makes way for a leader in Blockchain-as-a-Service (BaaS) solutions.
4. Eco-Friendly Proof-of-Stake (PoS) Consensus:
Avalanche uses a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) system. This method is much more energy-efficient when compared with the traditional Proof-of-work (PoW) mechanism:
Validators participate by staking AVAX tokens, eliminating the need for energy-intensive mining.
The consensus mechanism minimizes computational waste while maintaining high security.
Avalanche’s PoS approach aligns with global sustainability goals, making it a green alternative to older blockchains like Bitcoin and Ethereum.
That eco-friendliness is highly attractive to organizations and developers who care for the environment.
5. EVM Integration: Compatibility with Ethereum
Avalanche seamlessly interacts with the entire ecosystem of Ethereum, thanks to the C-Chain:
Developers may utilize Ethereum tools such as MetaMask, Solidity, and Truffle to develop dApps upon Avalanche.
Applications could easily adopt Avalanche from Ethereum as well, obtaining lower fees and faster speeds as a result.
It effectively always connects Avalanche with the world’s largest blockchain ecosystem and enhances that ease of adoption and use.
This is the best possible world with the best toolset from Ethereum combined with its high-performance infrastructure.
6. Decentralization Without Compromise:
Avalanche is one of the few to achieve such an exceptional balance among decentralization, scalability, and security:
The consensus allows thousands of validators without compromising on performance.
Unlike other blockchains that compromise decentralization to achieve scalability, Avalanche maintains a decentralized structure while still processing thousands of transactions per second.
This ensures that the network remains secure, censorship-resistant, and inclusive.
AVAX: The Native Token of Avalanche
Picture Courtesy: moonstake.io
At the heart of the Avalanche ecosystem lies AVAX, the platform’s native cryptocurrency. AVAX plays a crucial role in powering the network, enabling seamless transactions, rewarding participants, and ensuring the ecosystem’s security. Let’s explore AVAX:
1. Utility of AVAX in the Ecosystem:
AVAX isn’t just a token; it’s the backbone of Avalanche’s functionality:
Transaction Fees: AVAX is used to pay for all transaction fees within the Avalanche network, from simple transfers to deploying smart contracts.
Staking and Rewards: Users can stake AVAX to become validators or delegators, securing the network while earning rewards in return.
Governance: AVAX holders participate in governance, enabling them to vote on key proposals, such as network upgrades or fee adjustments.
Subnet Creation: To launch custom subnets, developers must pay a fee in AVAX, ensuring its integral role in scaling the Avalanche ecosystem.
2. Tokenomics:
Avalanche incorporates a well-structured tokenomics model to ensure sustainable growth:
Initial Supply: The total supply of AVAX was capped at 720 million tokens during its launch.
Circulating Supply: AVAX tokens are released gradually through staking rewards and ecosystem incentives.
Burn Mechanism: A portion of the AVAX used for transaction fees is permanently burned, reducing the supply over time. This deflationary mechanism supports long-term value appreciation.
3. Staking AVAX:
Staking AVAX is a cornerstone of the Avalanche network:
Minimum Stake: Validators must stake a minimum of 2,000 AVAX, while delegators need to stake at least 25 AVAX.
Rewards: Validators and delegators earn staking rewards based on the amount staked and the duration of their participation.
Lock-in Period: Staked AVAX is locked in a user-defined period (minimum of two weeks and up to one year).
This staking mechanism not only ensures network security but also incentivizes long-term participation.
4. Economic Design:
The AVAX tokenomics design balances supply and demand through strategic mechanisms:
Fee Model: Transaction fees are dynamically adjusted based on network usage, ensuring affordability while maintaining economic stability.
Incentives: AVAX incentivizes participation from both developers and users, creating a thriving ecosystem.
Burning Fees: The token burn feature decreases total supply over time, potentially increasing scarcity and value.
5. Use Cases of AVAX:
AVAX extends beyond just being a payment token:
Payments: Users can send and receive AVAX globally with near-instant finality.
Smart Contract Deployment: Developers use AVAX to deploy smart contracts on the C-Chain.
NFT Marketplaces: AVAX powers transactions in NFT marketplaces built on Avalanche.
DeFi Applications: Many DeFi protocols within Avalanche’s ecosystem, such as lending, staking, and liquidity pools, rely on AVAX.
6. Market Performance:
AVAX has seen significant adoption and investment interest:
Listing: AVAX is listed on major exchanges like Binance, Coinbase, and Kraken, providing global accessibility.
Price Trends: As of 2024, AVAX has shown strong resilience in the competitive crypto market, thanks to its robust ecosystem.
Market Capitalization: AVAX consistently ranks among the top cryptocurrencies by market cap, reflecting investor confidence.
Use-Cases of Avalanche:
Avalanche’s versatility has enabled it to power a wide range of applications:
1. DeFi (Decentralized Finance):
Avalanche has become a key player in the DeFi ecosystem by enabling fast and low-cost transactions. Cost-efficient and quicker transactions have allowed Avalanche to enable dApps for lending, borrowing, yield farming, and liquidity provisioning, laying out a seamless stage for such transactions without intermediaries in finance. A fine-grained throughput and very low fees make it possible for a smooth DeFi experience, attracting protocols such as Aave and Trader Joe into its ecosystem.
2. Enterprise Blockchain Solutions:
Avalanche is increasingly being adopted by enterprises seeking private, customizable blockchains. Its unique subnet architecture allows companies to develop their blockchain built to suit needs, such as supply-chain management, identity, or financial services. Its flexibility and massive scalability make Avalanche an attractive option for industries that need such specific secure customized blockchain networks.
3. Non-Fungible Tokens:
Avalanche is designed to enable the creation and exchange of NFTs at great speed and low cost. C-Chain is intended for the deployment of NFTs into multiple marketplaces and platforms for digital art. The excellent transaction speed with which Avalanche transacts along with its relatively low fees mints and sells of NFTs can be done at minimum cost overheads to be competitive with Ethereum and the rest of the NFT ecosystem.
4. Cross-Chain Interoperability:
Avalanche’s cross-chain interoperability allows different blockchains to communicate seamlessly. It becomes more apparent especially to DeFi applications and others operating in more than one network since its integration allows a cross-chain interaction between off-chain assets and databases.
5. Gaming and Metaverse:
Avalanche is increasingly popular for gaming and metaverse applications, where low latency and scalability are critical. Games built on Avalanche can handle thousands of in-game transactions per second without delays, improving user experience. Furthermore, with the growing interest in the metaverse, Avalanche supports virtual worlds and digital economies by offering fast and cost-effective blockchain infrastructure, which is vital for building interactive, blockchain-based gaming and virtual reality experiences.
Avalanche vs. Solana:
Picture Courtesy: moralismoney.com
Let’s explore the key differences between Avalanche and Solana:
FeatureAvalancheSolanaLaunch Year20202020Consensus MechanismProof-of-Stake (PoS) with Avalanche and Snowman protocolsProof-of-History (PoH) combined with Proof-of-Stake (PoS)ArchitectureTri-Chain Architecture: X-Chain, C-Chain, and P-Chain for specific tasksSingle-Chain ArchitectureTransaction SpeedFinality in < 2 secondsFinality in ~400 millisecondsThroughput (TPS)4,500+ TPS65,000+ TPSEcosystem FocusMulti-chain, customizable subnets for diverse use casesHigh-speed dApps and decentralized exchanges (DEXs)Energy EfficiencyHighly eco-friendly Proof-of-StakeEnergy-efficient, but requires more resources due to high computational demandDevelopment ToolsCompatible with Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), supports Ethereum toolsSolana-specific tools like Solana CLI and Solana SDKGas FeesLow fees (~$0.01–$0.10 per transaction)Extremely low fees (~$0.00025 per transaction)Consensus ProcessValidators use a gossip-based sampling process for consensusUses Proof-of-History to timestamp transactions, reducing delaysValidator RequirementsMinimum stake of 2,000 AVAXMinimum stake of 1 SOLScalabilityScales through subnets (independent blockchains)Scales vertically with high throughput on a single chainDecentralizationSupports thousands of validators; highly decentralizedCentralized compared to Avalanche, with fewer validatorsSmart Contract SupportUses C-Chain for smart contracts, fully EVM-compatibleNative smart contract development, non-EVM compatibleEcosystem StrengthStrong growth in DeFi, subnets, and enterprise use casesFocused on DeFi, gaming, and NFTsUse CasesEnterprise blockchain, DeFi, NFTs, and custom applicationsGaming, DeFi, high-frequency trading, and NFTsSecuritySecure with robust staking and decentralizationSecurity relies on fewer validators and high throughputAdoption RateRapidly growing, especially with subnet deploymentsKnown for fast adoption in gaming and NFT marketsChallengesThe complexity of subnet deployment, slower adoption compared to SolanaOccasional network outages and performance issues
Advantages of Avalanche:
Here’s why you should try Avalanche:
1. Very High Scalability and Rapid Transactions:
More than 4,500 transactions per second are handled by Avalanche with instantaneous finality, making it an extremely fast blockchain for the users. Therefore, delays through which users can undergo in making transfers are minimal, ensuring importance for any decentralized finance app or for games.
2. Low Transaction Cost:
Avalanche’s low gas fees (~$0.01 per transaction) make it highly cost-effective for developers and users. Due to this low-cost approach, it stands as the best choice for building decentralized applications (dApps), minting NFTs, or conducting regular transactions, especially compared with other blockchains including Ethereum.
3. Customizable Blockchains (Subnets):
Avalanche’s subnet architecture allows developers to create their own customized blockchains for specific use cases. Each of these subnets can have its own set of rules, and governance and may even run on a diverse consensus among quite a wide range of flexibility offered to the developer instead of having a single chain for every transaction.
4. Environmental Efficiency:
Avalanche uses a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism, which is more energy-efficient than traditional Proof-of-Work (PoW) blockchains like Bitcoin. Thus, the environment-friendly approach will facilitate scaling of the network without using up a lot of energy, making it attractive to environmentally conscious developers and users.
5. Robust Security and Decentralization:
Avalanche’s multi-layered security ensures that the network remains highly secure and resistant to attacks. A digital decentralized nature, having thousands of validators, is a further factor that strengthens the integrity of the platform.
How to Get Started with Avalanche?
If you’re looking to explore the Avalanche ecosystem, whether as an investor, developer, or user, here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:
1. Create an Avalanche Wallet:
The first step to getting involved with Avalanche is setting up a wallet to store AVAX tokens and interact with dApps.
Download a Wallet: You can use the Avalanche Wallet, a user-friendly, web-based wallet that allows you to manage your AVAX and other assets. You can also use third-party wallets like MetaMask, which supports the Avalanche network.
Create Your Wallet: After downloading, create a new wallet, and ensure you back up your private keys and recovery phrases securely.
Connect to Avalanche Network: In your wallet, ensure you connect it to the Avalanche C-Chain (the default chain for transactions, DeFi, and NFTs).
2. Buy AVAX Tokens:
To interact with Avalanche’s ecosystem, you’ll need AVAX, the native token.
Choose an Exchange: You can buy AVAX on popular exchanges such as Binance, Coinbase, Kraken, or FTX.
Transfer AVAX to Your Wallet: After purchasing, transfer your AVAX tokens from the exchange to your Avalanche wallet for safer storage and easier interaction with dApps.
Transaction Fees: Remember, AVAX is also used to pay transaction fees on the network.
3. Explore Avalanche’s DeFi Ecosystem:
Avalanche’s ecosystem offers a wide range of decentralized finance (DeFi) applications. Here’s how to get started:
Access DeFi dApps: Visit platforms like Trader Joe, Aave, and Pangolin to explore decentralized exchanges (DEX), lending platforms, and liquidity pools.
Connect Your Wallet: Simply connect your Avalanche wallet to these DeFi dApps to start trading, lending, or providing liquidity.
Earn Rewards: Many DeFi protocols offer yield farming and staking opportunities where you can earn rewards by participating.
4. Staking AVAX:
Staking your AVAX tokens helps secure the network and earns rewards. To stake AVAX:
Choose a Validator: Use the Avalanche Wallet to stake your tokens with a trusted validator or delegate your tokens to one.
Start Staking: Select a validator, lock your AVAX for the desired time period (minimum 2 weeks), and start earning staking rewards.
Monitor Your Staking: You can track your staking rewards directly in your wallet or on staking platforms within the Avalanche network.
5. Develop on Avalanche (For Developers):
Avalanche offers developers a powerful and scalable platform to create decentralized applications (dApps).
Avalanche C-Chain: Developers can use the C-Chain (compatible with Ethereum) to build smart contracts and dApps using Solidity (Ethereum’s programming language).
Subnets: Avalanche’s subnet architecture allows developers to build custom blockchains tailored to specific use cases.
Documentation: Visit the Avalanche developer portal for tutorials, resources, and tools for building on Avalanche.
6. Join the Community:
Engage with the Avalanche community to learn more and stay updated.
Avalanche Forum & Discord: Join the official Avalanche Discord and community forums to ask questions, share ideas, and learn from others.
Follow on social media: Keep up with the latest news by following Avalanche on Twitter, Telegram, and Reddit.
Challenges and Risks of Avalanche:
There are some challenges also:
1. Scalability Under Stress:
Despite high throughput, the network could face congestion during extreme traffic, potentially impacting transaction speeds and costs.
2. Ecosystem Competition:
Avalanche competes with established platforms like Ethereum and Solana, which could limit its market share in the blockchain space.
3. Regulatory Uncertainty:
Global regulations on cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology pose potential risks to the growth and adoption of Avalanche.
4. Security Concerns:
While Avalanche is highly secure, vulnerabilities in smart contracts and dApps on its network could expose users to hacks and exploits.
5. Adoption and Awareness:
The success of Avalanche depends on increased adoption by developers and businesses, which requires overcoming user inertia and building more awareness.
Avalanche is a testament to how far blockchain technology has come. With its unparalleled speed, eco-friendly infrastructure, and robust ecosystem, it’s no surprise that Avalanche is making waves in the crypto world. Whether you’re a developer, investor, or blockchain enthusiast, Avalanche has something for everyone.
What’s your take on Avalanche? Do you see it as the blockchain of the future, or do you think another contender might take the crown? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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