Voxcali

Before hosting the wedding of manga royalty, Naoko Takeuchi and Yoshihiro Togashi each transformed the industry with iconic stories that continue to inspire fans around the world.

Separately, Naoko Takeuchi and Yoshihiro Togashi are two names that come up when it comes to conversations about legendary anime creators, but together, they are considered one of Japanese entertainment’s most accomplished married couples.

Naoko Takeuchi is the creator of Sailor Moon, a magical girl anime series that has inspired generations of fans all over the world. Yoshihiro Togashi is best known for Yu Yu Hakusho in the early 1990s and Hunter x Hunter in the late 1990s, two series that have defined the shōnen genre. Takeuchi and Togashi have sold over 250 million manga copies, ranking them amongst the best-selling manga creators of all time.

Takeuchi was born in Kofu, Japan in 1967 and before pursuing a career in manga, she attended the Kyoritsu College of Pharmacy where she earned a degree in chemistry. She debuted as a manga artist at Japan’s largest publishing company in the late 1980s, allowing her science background to influence her ideas. It wasn’t until 1991 when Takeuchi published Sailor Moon, where she blended magic, romance, and action into a series that became a worldwide phenomenon. Sailor Moon sold over 46 million copies internationally across 40 countries, introducing anime to non-Japanese audiences for the very first time.

Meanwhile, Yoshihiro Togashi was born in 1966 and had already been making his name known as one of Weekly Shōnen Jump's biggest stars with his series Ten de Shōwaru Cupid. He later began gaining even more recognition with Yu Yu Hakusho in 1990. This show follows the life of teenage delinquent Yusuke Urameshi after his unexpected death and became a defining anime of the 1990s. Yu Yu Hakusho sold over 50 million copies and still remains as one of the most beloved action series ever made.

In 1998, Togashi launched Hunter x Hunter, a complex series that is praised for its strategic battles and unpredictable characters. Even though Togashi suffered chronic back pain while developing the series, leading to frequent hiatuses throughout the show, Hunter x Hunter still has sold over 84 million copies, cementing his reputation as one of the greatest manga creators.

The pair got married in January 1999 after being introduced to one another in 1997 at a party hosted by fellow manga artist Kazushi Hagiwara. Fans referred to the wedding as the “marriage of manga royalty” and although both have continued to pursue their careers separately, they have both openly supported each other’s work behind the scenes.

Today Takeuchi and Togashi’s influence extends far beyond Japan, inspiring millions of anime lovers all over the world. Sailor Moon, Yu Yu Hakusho and Hunter x Hunter have continued to attract new audiences over the years through streaming platforms, live action movies, and merchandise releases. Whether it's Usagi Tsukino fighting for love and justice, or Yusuke Urameshi giving his all to protect the Human World, their stories continue to resonate with fans and generations around the globe.

As Naomi Osaka and Alexandra Eala thrill fans on the grass courts, Shohei Ohtani leads All-Star voting and Miki Sudo captures another victory.

At Wimbledon, London’s pristine grass courts have once again become the stage for elite women’s singles underdog performances.  Filipino rising star Alexandra Eala captivated fans by upsetting #3 seed Iga Swiatek in a hard-fought third-round clash, a stunning feat reminiscent of her victory over the same opponent at last year’s Miami Open.  Though Eala’s magical run ended in the subsequent round against Jasmine Paolini, the upset signaled that the 21-year-old is primed to continue her ascent.  Four-time major winner Naomi Osaka stunned the #1 seed Aryna Sabalenka in the fourth round – securing her first victory over the powerhouse in eight years – en route to her first-ever Wimbledon quarterfinal.  She is joined in the final eight by Korean American Jessica Pegula, who, riding the momentum of two singles titles this year, remains in pursuit of her first major championship.

Back in the States, tradition met dominance once again on the Fourth of July.  Japanese American competitive eating legend Miki Sudo asserted her supremacy at the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, claiming her 12th consecutive title in the women’s division by consuming 38.75 hot dogs in 10 minutes, further cementing her legendary status in Coney Island.

Lineups for this year’sMLB All-Star Game – on July 14th in Philadelphia – were just announced. To no one’s surprise, Shohei Ohtani led the league in All-Star voting as a designated hitter with over 3.3 million votes.  No word yet on whether he will participate in the Home Run Derby.

The roster selection process did spark some controversy.  Chicago White Sox rookie sensation Munetaka Murakami was notably excluded from the All-Star squad, despite a blistering start that saw him blast 20 home runs in just 57 games.  A hamstring injury has sidelined the slugger for five weeks, likely costing him an All-Star nod.  Murakami is set to begin his rehab assignment on Monday with the Triple-A Charlotte Knights; possibly returning before the midsummer break.

The Philippines is home to a growing beauty industry and these three brands have become household names across the country with affordable and accessible makeup that has been designed with Southeast Asian consumers in mind.

When it comes to Asian beauty, most people think about Japanese or Korean brands, but the Philippines also has a thriving beauty industry of its own and here are three brands that you should try adding to your routine.

Starting off with Coulourette Cosmetics. Nina Ellaine Dizon founded Coulorette in 2015 with a passion for selling affordable lip products on the internet. Since she started, Colourette has grown into one of the most desirable homegrown Filipino beauty brands, being best known for its inclusive skin ranges specifically designed for Southeast Asian skin tones. One of their most popular products is the Colourtint because of its versatility as a lip, cheek, and eye tint. Colourette is still expanding its makeup line today and has been able to build up a loyal community and following on its social media platforms.

Next up is Vice Cosmetics, founded by Filipino television host Vice Ganda in 2017. From the start, Ganda’s mission has always been about making high-quality makeup affordable, while promoting inclusivity for every skin tone and every identity. Vice Cosmetics has a line of every makeup product from blushes, to foundations, to eyebrow pencils and has become one of the most well known brands in the Philippines. Vice can be found in hundreds of retail locations across the country, but beauty enthusiasts in the U.S. have discovered Vice Cosmetics and are now ordering shipments to their doorstep, contributing to the brand’s annual revenue that is estimated between $1 and $5 million.

Finally we have BLK Cosmetics which was founded by actress Anne Curtis, also in 2017. This brand focuses on minimalist, everyday makeup with easy-to-use products for make up lovers on the go. BLK is shaping the future of Filipino beauty as it became popular amongst younger consumers because of their natural and wearable shades. Since launching, BLK has expanded into eye makeup, skincare, and even beauty tools, climbing the ranks as one of the Philippines’ top lifestyle beauty brands. BLK Cosmetics continues to grow online and in retail stores proving that Filipino beauty can compete successfully with bigger, global names, while staying true to tailoring their products for Southeast Asians.

Following a high-profile Coachella set, the Japanese sensation is taking his first English-language album to stadiums across Asia, Europe, and North America.

Japanese pop artist Fujii Kaze ushered in a new era of his career with the release of his first English language album, Prema, in September 2025.  The project was highlighted by the singles “Hachikō” and “Love Like This” – songs that helped his third studio album gain significant international traction.  It debuted at number one on the Billboard Japan Hot Albums chart and peaked at number 14 on the Billboard Top Album Sales chart in the United States.

Building on his recent success, Kaze performed across both weekends at Coachella in April.  His sets emphasized the primary influences of his music, including 1970s Japanese pop, modern R&B, and classical piano, and offered a glimpse into the Prema World Tour, which begins in October and is slated for marquee stops at stadiums and arenas throughout North America, Europe, and Asia.

In early 2024, Kaze released the single “Michiteyuku,” which was featured in the film April Come She Will.  The track reached number one on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 and has since surpassed 350 million streams worldwide, further broadening his global reach.

Kaze’s second studio album released in 2022, Love All Serve All, debuted at number one on the Billboard Japan Hot Albums chart and featured the single “Kirari.”  The track stands as his most-watched video on YouTube with over 200 million views and remains his second-most streamed song on Spotify.  The album also included the hit “Matsuri,” which has amassed over 150 million views on YouTube.

His first full-length project, Help Ever Hurt Never, arrived in 2020 and peaked at number one in Japan.  The album features his breakout international hit “Shinunoga E-Wa,” which experienced a massive resurgence in late 2022 for trending on social media reels.  The track has now surpassed 1 billion collective plays across Spotify and YouTube and is recognized as one of the most-streamed Japanese songs of all time.

Kaze became the first Asian artist to join the Apple Music “Up Next” program in 2023, a reflection of his rising global influence.  He has amassed over 5 million subscribers on YouTube and maintains more than 7 million monthly listeners on Spotify.

Fujii Kaze was born and raised in Satosho, Japan.  His path to musical stardom was forged by his father, who encouraged him to post piano and vocal covers to YouTube starting at age 12.

Small European nations at the World Cup are proving that a sophisticated development infrastructure can overcome the disadvantage of a limited population size on the global soccer stage.

As the World Cup intensifies, it is striking to note that nine of the teams remaining in the Round of 32 are European nations with populations of less than 20 million people.  Switzerland, a nation with a population comparable to the Chicago metropolitan area, serves as a prime example, having now reached the knockout stage in five of the last six World Cup tournaments.

The history of the sport provides some context for this overachievement.  While FIFA recognizes that the earliest form of the game, known as cuju, was practiced in ancient China, the modern iteration of soccer was codified in England during the 19th century.  This English framework established the professional structures that these European nations have refined over generations.  In these countries, soccer is the primary cultural touchstone, whereas in the United States, athletic talent is fractured across football, basketball, and baseball, and in countries like India or Japan, the sporting landscape is dominated by cricket or baseball, respectively.  Because soccer is the undisputed focus of European nations, academies are meticulously cultivated to produce a higher concentration of elite talent.

These nations treat soccer as a precision-engineered industry.  They implement rigorous sports science – such as GPS-based load monitoring, predictive growth analytics to prevent injury, and data-driven periodization – within professional club academies that operate independently of the school system.  For example, Belgium utilized its “Golden Generation” blueprint to overhaul its entire youth system, partnering with universities to mandate uniform tactical philosophies and integrating “Topsport schools” that double a student’s professional contact time.  Furthermore, the dual-nationality advantage allows federations to recruit players from the diaspora whose ancestral heritage traces back to their borders.  This has been instrumental for teams like Croatia, which has utilized these connections to build a formidable squad despite a population of roughly 3.8 million – comparable to the Greater Minneapolis area.  The results of these strategies are undeniable.  In the 2018 World Cup, Belgium – whose population is roughly the size of the Los Angeles metro area – claimed 3rd place, while Croatia secured a runner-up finish.

However, the influence of the diaspora works both ways: while European federations recruit players based on ancestral heritage to bolster their own squads, their academy systems also refine stars who eventually choose to represent their nations of origin.  For example, Spanish-raised Achraf Hakimi was developed in Real Madrid’s system before becoming the captain for Morocco, and English-raised Antonee Robinson grew up in Liverpool’s youth setup before committing to the United States.

Even as the global soccer ecosystem matures, these exhaustive development systems remain the gold standard in the sport.  By prioritizing technical development and capitalizing on deep-rooted cultural passion, they have transformed their small footprints into exceptional performances on a global stage, demonstrating that excellence is defined by the efficiency of one’s infrastructure rather than population size.

I'd like to make a case that some classic anime has as much literary value as some of the classics.

Victor (00:00)

After almost a decade of graduating from school, I have decided to read again, particularly classics. Most recently I have picked up the works of Franz Kafka, and as I find myself sifting through it, I've noticed a certain level of discomfort when it comes to reading.

Victor (00:29)

I mean, this discomfort comes as no surprise given how much stimulation my brain has become accustomed to with the advent of streaming services and short form content via YouTube and Instagram. Reading by comparison is just not as stimulating. And I find myself contending with this discomfort every time.

I open my book.

Victor (01:04)

As I sat down with my discomfort at this slow rate of consumption, I started to recognize this sensation. It's actually very similar to the feeling I get when watching old classic anime from the 90s, such as Neon Genesis Evangelion, Cowboy Bebop, and Serial Experiments Lane. I know as animated

Works, people oftentimes assume that these are pieces of media designed for children, but in reality, a lot of classic anime has a level of discomfort built into it similar to reading classic literature.

Victor (01:57)

Of course, in an anime, there are moving pictures, right? You don't have to take the same amount of mental work to create a picture in your mind from reading the words on the page. But what I found about these classics is they weren't afraid of forcing the viewer to linger on an image. A lot of times in classic work, such as Neon Genesis Evangelion.

You would spend 30, 15, sometimes 20 seconds just lingering on one frame, forcing the audience to contend with a much slower pace and to really sit with the atmosphere of the anime and to immerse themselves into the character's thoughts.

Victor (02:48)

Yes, I do have to acknowledge that the use of stills was often done out of necessity as animating moving images is an expensive process and there was not a lot of money going into these anime studios at the time. However, I think studios like Gynax did a very good job at using still images to enhance the themes and the messages that they were trying to convey.

Victor (03:19)

As an elder Weaboo, I have witnessed anime start as a low-budget, niche form of entertainment and grow into a multi-billion dollar industry. Every year I'm constantly impressed by what studios are able to produce. And that's a great thing. But with the increased emphasis on spectacle, I can't help but feel that a lot of modern anime

Is losing the narrative depth that old classics had.

Victor (03:56)

One hallmark of classic literature is that it refuses to give us simple answers. Take Dostoevsky's the brothers Karamasov. Every major character represents a competing philosophy of human existence. Ivan wrestles with rationalism and the problem of evil. Alyosha represents faith and compassion, and Dmitri embodies passion and impulse. None of these characters are caricatures, and Dostoyevsky never

Simply declares one worldview victorious. Instead, he creates tension between them and asks the reader to wrestle with those ideas personally. Neon Genesis Evangelion operates in almost the same way. At its surface, Neon Genesis Evangelion is about teenagers piloting giant robots to fight aliens.

But that is merely set dressing for a story that deals with the ways each character grapples with their need for intimacy. Every major character is trapped by a different wound. Shinji desperately wants acceptance, yet constantly retreats from intimacy out of a fear of rejection. Asuka builds an identity entirely upon achievement because she believes failure makes her unworthy of love. Gendo

grieving the loss of his wife, sacrifices every relationship in pursuit of control over loss, even going as far as to alienate his son.

Victor (05:33)

As the series progresses, each character must grapple with how they have chosen to handle their pain and suffer as a result, all while having to fight against the eldritch horrors referred to as angels. Ano isn't asking whether humanity can defeat monsters. He's asking whether people can ever truly know and understand each other. This idea becomes even clearer through what psychologist Carl Jung calls the shadow. Jung argued that every person hides parts of themselves they cannot accept.

Those rejected aspects do not disappear. Instead, they quietly influence behavior from the unconscious. Evangellian constantly visualizes this process. Characters aren't fighting angels nearly as much as they're confronting the parts of themselves they've spent years suppressing. By the final episodes, the battlefield shifts from a physical one against the angels to a psychological one. In fact, the battlefield has become consciousness itself, as the barriers separating the consciousness of all the characters dissolve.

melding the minds of humanity into a primordial soup.

Victor (06:38)

Most narratives build toward external resolution. The hero defeats the villain and everyone lives happily ever after. However, Evangelion intentionally dismantles that expectation. Instead of climaxing with explosions, it climaxes with introspection. Though, if we're being honest, Studio Gynax ran into budget issues, which forced them to settle on a more subdued ending originally.

Gynax eventually did release the quote unquote true final episodes titled The End of Evangelion Part 1 and Part 2, which managed to send the series off with a bang. They combined brutal action with an uncomfortable reflection on the fan base's desires, which I won't go into further detail to keep this podcast advertiser friendly. I will say it poetically traps Shinji in his personal hell as he is left alone as one of two surviving humans on devastated planet Earth with someone who actually

Absolutely despises him. Apologies for the spoiler.

The original ending frustrates many viewers because it refuses to satisfy the desire for neat conclusions and double digit frame rates. I still believe the original ending has artistic value despite its flaws. As the viewer is running hot from the action leading up to the finale, they are abruptly forced to contend with Shinji's pain as he has difficult conversations with each character in the show. Classic literature often behaves in exactly the same way. Kafka rarely explains.

Evangelion belongs comfortably in that tradition. It doesn't want the viewer to understand everything.

I do have to acknowledge the budgetary constraints experienced by Gynax that forced them to take a lot of shortcuts. Ava was forced to use stills and ambient noise for many scenes. However, I believe that the use of stills was an integral part of what makes Ava special. The 15 to 20 seconds of Shinji riding in train cars forces the viewer to sit in the uncomfortable silence and reflect on the weight of each traumatic event Shinji had to face. Modern life provides us many distractions from our own thoughts, while

Ava has a way of forcing the viewer to confront them.

Victor (08:51)

Even the famous Hedgehog's Dilemma, borrowed from philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer, demonstrates how deeply Evan Gellien draws from philosophical traditions. Schopenhauer imagined hedgehogs huddling together during winter. If they stay too far apart, they freeze. If they move too close, they wound each other with their spines. Humans, Evan Gellien suggests, face the exact same paradox. We need intimacy, but intimacy inevitably risks pain.

Almost every relationship in the series reflects this single philosophical idea. Shinji avoids closeness because rejection terrifies him. Asuka demands validation while pushing everyone away. Gendo chooses isolation entirely, but in his grief precipitates the end of humanity.

The giant robots and eldritch whores become secondary. The real story asks whether imperfect people can ever truly connect.

Victor (09:54)

If Evangellian explores psychology, serial experiments Lane explores ontology, the branch of philosophy that asks perhaps the oldest question imaginable. What is real? This is where Lane shows how ahead of its time it was. It reminds me of a quote: The map is not the territory, the menu is not the meal. While this may have been true just 10 years ago, the internet has distorted reality. Turning the map into the territory is

And the menu into the meal. Since its premiere in 1998, Lane has anticipated nearly every philosophical debate surrounding digital identity, well before the rise of smartphones and social media. Lane refers to the internet as the wired, a place where memory, identity, information, and existence begin dissolving into one another, just as social media takes our data and our memories and displays it for all to see.

Lane poses questions such as if every memory of you disappeared, would you still exist? If your personality could be copied perfectly, which version would be you? If everyone believed a different history about your life, which history becomes reality?

Victor (11:13)

Again, through the internet, the menu is now the meal and the map is now the territory.

Victor (11:20)

perception has become a reality in and of itself.

Victor (11:24)

These aren't computer science questions. They're metaphysical questions. Kafka feels like an obvious literary comparison. His protagonists constantly discover that reality obeys rules they cannot understand. Nothing feels stable, authority is invisible. Meaning slips away just as it's about to become clear. Watching Lane produces a remarkably similar feeling. Episodes often end without resolution. Characters contradict themselves.

Reality quietly shifts, memories change, people appear where they shouldn't.

Victor (12:02)

Instead of providing certainty, every answer generates more questions. The audience slowly experiences the same confusion as Lane herself. Rather than explaining philosophical uncertainty, the series makes viewers inhabit it. One of Lane's most fascinating ideas concerns identity as performance. Today we all maintain multiple versions of ourselves. Professional profiles, private messages, anonymous accounts, public personas, family versions.

Friend versions. Different people know a different you. Lane predicted this fragmentation decades before social media normalized it. Throughout the series, different characters encounter different versions of Lane. Some remember conversations that never occurred. Others insist they meant a completely different lane. Which one is real? The uncomfortable answer may be all of them or none of them. Identity becomes less like a fixed object and more like an ongoing negotiation between

Memory, perception, and relationship.

Victor (13:06)

The show's visual language reinforces this uncertainty. Notice how often electrical wires dominate the frame. Power lines stretch endlessly across empty skies. Most viewers would treat them as scenery, but they're anything but. They symbolize invisible connection, signals constantly passing between people who remain emotionally isolated. They're reminders that communication does not guarantee understanding. Ironically, the more connected society becomes,

The lonelier many individuals appear. Again, this was made in 1998. Before Facebook, before Instagram, before smartphones, before algorithms shaped daily life. That is why Lane feels prophetic rather than dated. It wasn't predicting technology, it was predicting human behavior. Perhaps the greatest compliment you can pay either Evan Gellion or Lane is the same compliment often given to classic literature. They improve with rereading.

The first viewing asks, what happened? The second viewing asks, what did it mean? The third viewing asks something entirely different. What does this say about me? That's exactly what happens when people revisit Dostoevsky, Kafka, Camus, or Shakespeare. The text remains unchanged. The audience changes. And because the audience changes, the work reveals something new every time. That is one of the defining characteristics of a true classic.

Whether it's printed on paper or animated on a screen becomes almost irrelevant. What matters is whether the work continues to challenge us decades after its creation. And in that respect, Neon Genesis Evangelion and Cyril Experiments Lane have earned their place alongside some of the greatest works of modern philosophical storytelling.

The Maui-born actor landed his breakout role in Apple TV+’s historical drama Chief of War which takes place in his home state.

Actor Brandon Finn secured his breakout role starring in Apple TV+’s epic historical drama series Chief of War.  Across 8 episodes of the 2025 limited series, Finn portrayed Prince Kūpule, the last reigning king of Maui, who was asked to help realize a prophecy to unite the Hawaiian islands.  Co-created by and starring Jason Momoa, the historical drama chronicles the unification and colonization of Hawaii from the perspective of its indigenous peoples during the late 18th century.

Previously, Finn gathered screen credits including appearances on Hawaii Five-0 in 2019 and Magnum P.I. in 2022.  He followed these with roles in the Fox drama Fantasy Island and Starz’s Three Women in 2023, later appearing in an episode of CBS’s FBI: International in 2025.

Most recently, Finn guest starred in episodes of NBC’s Law & Order and ABC’s The Rookie, both airing in March.

Born and raised in Wailuku, Maui, Finn grew up far from traditional Hollywood pipelines.  The Filipino American did not follow a conventional theater or acting conservatory route out of high school.  Instead, he worked as a flight attendant for Hawaiian Airlines for several years, transferring his base from Honolulu to Los Angeles in 2018 to formally pursue acting and study at local studios on his days off.

Finn recently wrapped filming on a supporting role in Protecting Jared, an upcoming Netflix action-comedy feature film that reunites him with his Chief of War co-star Jason Momoa.

You can never go wrong with traditional foods, but this year, upgrade your Fourth of July menu with these savory Asian-inspired BBQ recipes.

If you thought hot dogs and hamburgers were the only foods that belong at the Fourth of July barbecue, think again. Here are four dishes that will switch up this year’s barbecue spread and are deserving of a spot at the cookout.

First up, Asian BBQ chicken skewers. These are easy to grill and perfect for feeding a crowd. Just marinate bite-sized pieces of chicken in soy sauce, ginger, sesame oil, and honey. Caramelize them on the grill then sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions for a finishing touch of flavor.

Every barbecue needs a refreshing side of vegetables and this year, you can make an Asian cucumber salad. Thinly slice cucumbers, then toss in rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and any other seasonings of your choice. This crunchy dish will be a cookout favorite and will help balance out all the grilled meats.

Next is the beef bulgogi burger. Rather than your traditional Fourth of July burger, switch it up with Korean bulgogi in burger form. Season the ground beef with soy sauce, garlic, ginger, brown sugar, and green onions before grilling, then add delicious toppings like kimchi, spicy mayo, and cheese on a brioche bun. This fun fusion twist will be a huge hit at any barbecue.

And finally for dessert, instead of your usual pie or fruit salad, try mango sago. This Hong Kong dessert combines mango puree, coconut milk, chewy sago pearls, and fresh mangos. Serve it chilled while your guests spend the day outside soaking in the sun.

Whether you’re celebrating with a small group or hosting a large party, adding Asian-inspired dishes to your Fourth of July spread is a tasty way to bring something new to the table and introduce your friends to new barbecue favorites.

While entrepreneur Chris Xu has stayed out of the spotlight, his company Shein has become one of the fastest-growing fashion brands in the world.

Chris Xu is one of the industry’s most mysterious CEOs who quietly built Shein into one of the world’s largest fashion retailers.

He was born in Shandong, China, in 1984 and attended the Qingdao University of Technology. After graduation, Xu began working in search engine optimization, helping Chinese manufacturers sell products overseas through Google search. With the knowledge he gained from working in SEO, Xu had a strong understanding about visibility on the internet and how that can benefit brands.

In 2008, Xu launched his very first e-commerce business in Nanjing where he was able to experiment with selling everything from porcelain teapots to electronics, but it didn’t take long for him to realize that fashion had the highest demand. Chris Xu founded SheInside in 2011. The site initially specialized in wedding dresses before expanding into women’s fashion completely and rebranding the company name to Shein, the name now recognized internationally.

What made Shein stand out was its data-driven business model which monitors trends and consumer behavior to identify what will sell. Instead of mass producing many pieces at once, Shein tests small batches, sometimes even as few as 100 items, to gauge demand and if it performs well, they will produce more.

This model led Shein to become the world’s largest fashion retailer by 2022, surpassing popular brands like H&M and Zara. In 2024 Shein reported around $38 billion in revenue, making Chris Xu one of the wealthiest entrepreneurs in fashion, with an estimated net worth of $6 billion according to Forbes’ 2026 Billionaires List.

Over the years, Shein has faced controversy and criticism regarding labor conditions, copyright infringement, and environmental issues, but the company has put out responses saying they have strengthened their supplier oversight and invested in sustainability initiatives.

Even with these controversies, Chris Xu managed to keep a low profile and still emerged as a major influence in the ecommerce industry. By combining social media marketing and data analytics, he was able to build a company that changed how clothing is designed, produced, and sold.

Siddiquee delivers another knockout performance in the spotlight, building on massive success from his YouTube special and America’s Got Talent.

Usama Siddiquee recently gained widespread attention for his breakout performance in Kevin Hart’s Netflix comedy competition, Funny AF, which premiered in April 2026.  Performing for millions of Netflix subscribers and guest judges like Keegan-Michael Key and Nikki Glaser, Siddiquee ultimately finished as the runner-up in the live May finale.  His high-energy, physical delivery on the show quickly established him as one of the most compelling new voices in stand-up.

On stage, Siddiquee’s material is defined by a fearless exploration of cultural identity, South Asian stereotypes, and the friction of the immigrant experience.  He often leans into cringey and uncomfortable topics, using a relentless pace to deconstruct societal taboos with sharp observational wit.

This distinct comedic voice is the centerpiece of his 2025 half-hour special, titled Usama Bin Laughin. Released directly to YouTube via Don't Tell Comedy, the project has gathered over 400,000 views, highlighting his ability to weave complex personal narratives into broad, accessible humor.

Before his recent Netflix run, Siddiquee made a major splash on America’s Got Talent in 2020. His stand-up set was well-received by all four judges and has since accumulated 4.3 million views on YouTube.

Now 35, Siddiquee was raised in Plano, Texas, by Bengali immigrant parents.  After graduating from UT Dallas in 2013, he was initially on track for medical school.  However, he pulled the plug on that path to begin his comedy career in the Dallas scene, eventually moving to New York to establish himself as a full-time performer.