TikTok Shutdown in the U.S.: A Major Shift for 170 Million Users

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

First Teaser Released for Live-Action 'How to Train Your Dragon' Remake

Universal Pictures has unveiled the first teaser trailer for its live-action adaptation of "How to Train Your Dragon," directed by Dean DeBlois, who returns from the original animated trilogy. The film stars Mason Thames as Hiccup and Nico Parker as Astrid, with Gerard Butler reprising his role as Chief Stoick the Vast. The teaser showcases a faithful recreation of Hiccup and Toothless' first meeting, highlighting the bond that challenges Viking society's perceptions of dragons. The movie is slated for release on June 13, 2025.

TikTok Shutdown in the U.S.: A Major Shift for 170 Million Users
TikTok has officially gone dark in the U.S. as of January 19, 2025, following a Supreme Court decision upholding a federal law. This ruling required ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, to divest its U.S. operations or face a ban. The app is now inaccessible to its 170 million American users. Efforts to challenge the law failed, leading to TikTok’s removal from app stores and the disabling of services.

POP CULTURE HIGHLIGHTS

Music

• Fastest albums to surpass 1 billon streams in Spotify history:

  #1. The Tortured Poets Department (6 Days)

  #2. Midnights (10 Days)

  #3. DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS (13 Days)

  #4. Un Verano Sin Ti (14 Days)

Entertainment

• The full release schedule for ‘INVINCIBLE’ Season 3 has been revealed.

  Episodes 1-3 premiere on February 6.

  

• New teaser for Bong Joon-ho’s ‘MICKEY 17’, starring Robert Pattinson and Robert Pattinson.

  In theaters on March 7.

Sports

• Taylor Swift and Caitlin Clark at the Texans vs Chiefs game.

  

• The Rock is included in the latest promo for WrestleMania 41.

Gaming

• First trailer for the ‘Until Dawn’ film adaptation. Out April 25th.

• Trailer for the Nintendo Switch 2

QUICK QUIZ

Who holds the record for the most Grammys won by a single artist?
A) Beyoncé
B) Michael Jackson
C) Taylor Swift
D) Stevie Wonder

(Scroll down for the answer!)

LIFESTYLE

The One Habit That Can Change Your Entire Day

Ever feel like your day spirals out of control before it even begins? The secret to regaining that balance lies in just one powerful habit: starting your morning with intention.

Here’s how it works:

• Take 5 minutes to plan your day. Grab a notebook or use a simple app to jot down your top 3 priorities. This creates focus and reduces overwhelm.

• Practice gratitude. Before diving into tasks, list three things you’re thankful for. It shifts your mindset to positivity.

• Avoid your phone for the first 30 minutes. This prevents distractions and gives your mind a calm start.

It’s not about packing more into your morning—it’s about creating a small, consistent practice that sets the tone for a productive, stress-free day.

Try it tomorrow and notice the difference! 

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"It always seems impossible until it’s done." – Nelson Mandela

When faced with challenges that feel insurmountable, it’s easy to let doubt creep in. This quote reminds us that every great achievement was once considered impossible—until someone took the leap.

Take that first step, no matter how small, because progress often begins when belief overcomes hesitation. The road ahead might look tough, but remember: the impossible is simply waiting for you to make it possible.