Hailee Steinfeld announces she's engaged to Josh Allen.

Welcome back to What's Popular Now!

Another week, another edition of What's Popular Now! Get ready for a weekly deep dive into the world of pop culture, trending topics, and lifestyle essentials.

TRENDING THIS WEEK

In the Spotlight: Must-Read This Week

UFC 310: Las Vegas Showdown
The highly anticipated UFC 310 takes place on December 7, 2024, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. With Alexandre Pantoja defending his flyweight title against Kai Asakura and unbeaten welterweights Shavkat Rakhmonov and Ian Machado Garry clashing in the co-main event, this fight night promises intense action. Other highlights include Ciryl Gane vs. Alexander Volkov and Chris Weidman’s catchweight bout against Eryk Anders.

Marvel's 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' Completes Filming

Principal photography for Marvel Studios' "The Fantastic Four: First Steps" wrapped on November 30, 2024. Directed by Matt Shakman, the film features Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human Torch, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing. Set in a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world, the narrative follows the Fantastic Four as they defend Earth from the cosmic entity Galactus and his herald, the Silver Surfer.

WWE Survivor Series: WarGames 2024 Delivers High-Octane Action in Vancouver

On November 30, 2024, WWE's Survivor Series: WarGames electrified the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, marking the first Survivor Series event in the city since 1998.

Event Highlights:

Men's WarGames Match: The Original Bloodline—comprising Roman Reigns, The Usos (Jey and Jimmy Uso), Sami Zayn, and CM Punk—triumphed over The Bloodline faction of Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, and Bronson Reed. The match featured intense moments, including Reigns mistakenly spearing Punk, followed by Punk saving Reigns from a Bronson Reed splash, leading to their team's victory.

Women's WarGames Match: Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair, Naomi, Iyo Sky, and Bayley defeated The Judgment Day's Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez, alongside Nia Jax, Tiffany Stratton, and Candice LeRae. The climax saw Ripley executing an avalanche Riptide through a table to pin Morgan.

World Heavyweight Championship: Gunther retained his title against Damian Priest, with assistance from Finn Bálor, who interfered by stomping Priest, allowing Gunther to capitalize and secure the victory.

POP CULTURE HIGHLIGHTS

Music

• TWICE share snippets of songs on their upcoming mini album ‘STRATEGY.’ Out December 6th. [Listen]

• Lana Del Rey has officially sold out her UK & Ireland Stadium tour, including two nights at Wembley. 

  

• Hailee Steinfeld announces she's engaged to Josh Allen.

  

Entertainment

• ‘MOANA 2’ has already passed $200M worldwide.

• ‘WICKED’ has become the highest grossing musical adaptation of all time in the U.S. in just 8 days

  

  Gif by WickedMovie on Giphy

• New poster for ‘KRAVEN THE HUNTER’

  In theaters on December 13.

  

Sports

• All set for FIFA Club World Cup with 32 team now officially qualified!

  Draw taking place next December 5.

  

• The closing shot to Survivor Series 2024.

  

Gaming

• How the PlayStation evolved

QUICK QUIZ

Which series popularized the phrase "Winter is Coming"?
A) Vikings
B) Game of Thrones
C) The Witcher
D) The Mandalorian

(Scroll down for the answer!)

LIFESTYLE

Why Gratitude Can Transform Your Life

Ever had a moment when everything felt overwhelming, and then something small—a kind word, a stranger’s smile, or even just the warmth of the sun on your face—brought you back to the present? That’s the power of gratitude. It’s not just about appreciating the big milestones but noticing the little joys that make life beautiful.

Gratitude can truly be life-changing. When I started my own gratitude practice, I was surprised by how quickly my mindset shifted. Instead of focusing on what wasn’t working, I began to notice the small wins—like a productive morning, an unexpected message from a friend, or even just the quiet moments I used to overlook.

Here’s what gratitude has taught me:

• It rewires your brain: When you focus on the positive, you’re training your mind to see more of it.

• It keeps you grounded: Life is chaotic, but gratitude reminds you of what really matters.

• It strengthens your connections: A simple “thank you” can create deeper bonds with those around you.

How You Can Start:

• Try a “One Good Thing” Habit: Every night, jot down one thing that made you smile. It’s amazing how much joy you’ll uncover.

• Practice Saying Thank You: Whether it’s to your barista, your partner, or even yourself, expressing gratitude out loud makes it more meaningful.

• Pause for a Moment: When something good happens—big or small—stop and savor it.

Gratitude isn’t about ignoring life’s challenges; it’s about finding the silver linings that make those challenges easier to bear. It’s a mindset shift, and honestly? It’s the best gift you can give yourself.

Why not try it today? Start with one thing you’re grateful for—just one. You might be surprised by how much it changes your day.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change." – Wayne Dyer

Ever felt stuck in a situation where nothing seemed to go your way? It’s something we’ve all experienced. But what if the situation wasn’t as unmovable as it seemed? What if the key to moving forward was simply seeing it differently?

Sometimes, the challenges we face are like puzzles—we only see the difficulty until we step back and look at them from a new perspective. A tough deadline at work might actually be an opportunity to showcase your skills. A canceled plan could open up time for something better.

This week, take a moment to shift your perspective on something that’s been weighing on you. Ask yourself: What could this be teaching me? How can I approach this differently? You might discover that the obstacle isn’t the problem—it’s how you’ve been looking at it.

Perspective has the power to turn roadblocks into stepping stones. Give it a try—you might be amazed at what changes. 🌟