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Misty Copeland shares secret to confidence, self-care essentials
In USA TODAY’s The Essentials, celebrities share what fuels their lives, whether it’s at home, on set, or on the road.
Misty Copeland is paying it forward – both on and off the dance floor.
The American Ballet Theatre principal dancer, still dancing but now at a new stage of her career as a mom, foundation owner and mentor, is sharing her advice for teens in a new book.
“Letters to Misty” (out now from Simon & Schuster) compiles fan notes the ballerina has received over her decades-long career. As the first Black woman to become a principal dancer at the ABT, Copeland has long inspired young performers, especially dancers of color. She shares with USA TODAY the best tips she’s learned for self-care and confidence.
Prince gave Misty Copeland key advice for confidence
In “Letters to Misty,” Copeland, 42, teaches teens that confidence is something you have to practice.
“It’s working a muscle, it’s putting in the reps and having a support system around you,” Copeland says. “The ballet mistresses or the coaches or the teachers around you are there to help and guide you, but it’s up to you to be consistent.”
As a young dancer, she was often the only Black girl in the room. Throughout her several collaborations with Prince, she said the “Purple Rain” singer gave her advice she’ll never forget: Uniqueness and individuality are strengths.
“I was coming from this place of fear and wanting to shrink myself in order to fit in and he was like ‘What are you talking about? There’s so much power in being the only one out there,’” she says. “‘You’re holding your attention – now what are you going to do with the opportunity?’”
Mentors are an essential part of Misty Copeland’s journey
A support squad is also crucial to building confidence, Copeland says. Her local childhood Boys and Girls Club (where she took her first ballet class) helped her establish healthy mentor figures from a young age. Her first ballet teacher was a key role model.
She also looks up to fellow dancers Alicia Graf Mack, Raven Wilkinson (who Copeland’s 2022 book “The Wind at My Back” is about), Lauren Anderson, actress Victoria Rowell and producer Susan Fales-Hill.
“Throughout my career, so many incredible women, and specifically Black women, have really been like the backbone of my success,” Copeland says. “That, naturally and organically, taught me the importance of being a mentor.”
Misty Copeland’s favorite social media accounts help her stay ‘zen’
In “Letters to Misty,” young readers ask Copeland about staying true to themselves in the digital age and how to navigate an often toxic social media landscape.
“I really suggest surrounding yourself, following people that are more aligned with your own values and being able to shut it off and say ‘What’s important are the people who are actually in my life that are there for me,’” she says.
Her favorites include culinary icon Ina Garten, photographer Mark Seliger, art curator Thelma Golden and any of the Aman hotel properties, which make her feel “so zen just looking at them.”
How Misty Copeland recharges: ‘A necessity and not a luxury’
Rest is a self-care priority to Copeland, telling teens in “Letters to Misty” it’s “a necessity, not a luxury.”
When she’s in the dance studio for eight hours a day, a day off has a leisurely start, sleeping in late and stretching. On the second day of her weekend, she’ll take a Pilates class, nap more, drink lots of fluids and eat nutritious meals. She also ices her body with her Game Ready ice machine, which keeps her blood circulating and reduces inflammation.
You’ll also find her dabbling in some “terrible TV” and listening to Kendrick Lamar, Mariah Carey, Anita Baker or Sade.
One of her favorite ways to unwind is to cook, especially her signature citrus salmon dish that she once made for Garten herself. Copeland broils her fish in a homemade marinade of brown sugar, orange juice, soy sauce and white wine vinegar, pairing it with sweet potato mash on the side.
“One of my favorite things is opening the refrigerator and there’s nothing in there and you’re like, ‘How can I make something work?’ It’s this creative challenge,” Copeland says.
Journaling is also a key part of her routine and has been since she was young. She often journals when she’s on the road or in hotel rooms and saves every finished notebook to look back on later.
“It’s such a healthy way to process things and also to document,” she says.
Clare Mulroy is USA TODAY’s Books Reporter, where she covers buzzy releases, chats with authors and dives into the culture of reading. Find her on Instagram, subscribe to our weekly Books newsletter, or tell her what you’re reading at [email protected].
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Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy Carter’ tour causes surge in hotel prices
Fans on night one of Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy Carter’ tour
USA TODAY’s Beyoncé reporter Caché McClay spoke to fans on night one of the ‘Cowboy Carter’ tour.
- Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” tour is causing hotel prices to surge in tour cities.
- A study found hotel prices increasing by up to 178% in cities like Chicago.
- The tour has sparked increased interest in accommodations, with over 82,000 Google searches in the last month.
- The album’s country music influence and Beyoncé’s past experiences with the genre have contributed to the tour’s impact.
Beyoncé Knowles-Carter has launched her “Cowboy Carter” tour, and each city along the way is seeing the Beyoncé effect with the singer causing hotel prices to skyrocket.
A new study conducted by Casino Reviews found that in the last month alone, there have been 82,590 Google searches for “Beyoncé tour accommodation.” And this interest is having an impact, causing hotel prices to skyrocket by up to 178% for cities along Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter and Rodeo Chitlin’ Circuit Tour.
According to researchers who looked at accommodations on booking.com, fans can expect to pay up to $221 more for every mile closer a hotel is to the respective tour venues.
The study found that hotel prices have surged the most (178%) around Chicago’s Soldier Field stadium — Beyoncé’s next stop. This equates to fans paying an additional $523.89 compared to a typical one-night stay.
Other cities like Beyoncé’s hometown of Houston and Las Vegas — the last stop — saw around 37.5% and 32.9% surges, respectively.
As fans know, Beyoncé first debuted her tour at SoFi Stadium in Los Angles on April 28 with 39 songs on the set list. Her second show took place May 1 on the same stage. The groundbreaking concert proved to be spectacle of many things including fashion, different music genres and most notably country music and political commentary.
Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Atlanta and Washington, D.C., are among the U.S. cities on the nine-city tour. It will also visit two cities in Europe — London and Paris. The grand finale will take place in Las Vegas on July 26. Beyoncé is set to make history again with her scheduled tour dates, including by playing the most dates at SoFi Stadium of any artist.
“Cowboy Carter” has been a huge catalyst for the recent spotlight on Black country artists and the genre’s roots. Prior to releasing the album, Beyoncé got candid about creating the five-year project and alluded to her 2016 performance at the CMA Awards. It was met with an icy reception.
“This album has been over five years in the making. It was born out of an experience that I had years ago where I did not feel welcomed…and it was very clear that I wasn’t,” she wrote on Instagram. “The criticisms I faced when I first entered this genre forced me to propel past the limitations that were put on me. Act ii is a result of challenging myself and taking my time to bend and blend genres together to create this body of work.”
Follow Caché McClay, the USA TODAY Network’s Beyoncé Knowles-Carter reporter, on Instagram, TikTok and X as @cachemcclay.
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Photos of Karol G, boyfriend Feid making their red carpet debutCelebrities
Photos of Karol G, boyfriend Feid making their red carpet debutCelebrities
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Crossword Blog & Answers for May 7, 2025 by Sally Hoelscher
There are spoilers ahead. You might want to solve today’s puzzle before reading further! 2BRs
Constructor: Stella Zawistowski
Editor: Amanda Rafkin
What I Learned from Today’s Puzzle
- SARI (33A: “A ___ for Ammi” (children’s book)) A SARI for Ammi is a children’s book by Mamta Nainy, illustrated by Sandhya Prabhat. This book tells of two young girls whose mother is a weaver. The girls notice that their mother is a talented SARI maker, but she never wears the SARIs she creates. The girls set out to buy a SARI for their mother, and learn about the process of creating SARIs along the way. I’m always happy to learn about a new children’s book.
- LAMB (43A: Jalamah meat) Jalamah is a LAMB dish that originated in Asir, a province of Saudi Arabia. LAMB is cooked with fat, onions, and Arabic spices (cardamom, cinnamon, coriander, and black pepper).
- LANA (68A: Drag queen ___ Ja’Rae) LANA Ja’Rae competed on the most recent season of RuPaul’s Drag Race, which aired from January 3 to April 18.
Random Thoughts & Interesting Things
- ALOO (16A: ___ paratha (potato-stuffed breakfast dish)) ALOO paratha, which is a flatbread with potato filling, is a dish in Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi cuisine. This is my occasional reminder that ALOO is a South Asian term for potatoes, so when a dish in a crossword clue is described as containing potato, the answer may be ALOO.
- BRENE BROWN (18A: Author of “Daring Greatly”) BRENÉ Brown is a research professor at the University of Houston, where she studies courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy. She’s also an author, podcaster, and lecturer. Her 2012 book, Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead is one of six of her books that have been New York Times bestsellers. I am a fan of BRENÉ BROWN, and if you aren’t familiar with her work, I highly recommend checking it out. Daring Greatly is a good place to start, as is her Ted Talk (which I just recommended to you a few days ago).
- EPA (22A: Org. with a Household Carbon Footprint Calculator) The Household Carbon Footprint Calculator is a tool provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The interactive tool allows you to estimate your carbon footprint in three areas: home energy, transportation, and waste. Tips are also provided to decrease your carbon footprint.
- OTOE (24A: The ___ Missouria Tribe) The OTOE-Missouria Tribe has its headquarters in Red Rock, Oklahoma. The OTOE and Missouria tribes both originated in the Great Lakes region.
- BROOKS BROTHERS (27A: Preppy clothing chain) Henry Sands BROOKS found a clothing store in Manhattan in 1818. His four sons – Elisha, Daniel, Edward, and John – eventually inherited the business, and in 1850 they changed the name from H. & D. H. BROOKS & Co. to BROOKS BROTHERS. The high-end clothing brand is especially known for its clothing for men, though it also makes clothing for women and children. Here’s a not-so-fun fact: Both President Abraham Lincoln and President John F. Kennedy were wearing BROOKS BROTHERS when they were assassinated. On a happier note, many U.S. presidents have worn BROOKS BROTHERS for their inaugurations.
- NATO (34A: 32-country defense group, for short) The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is a military alliance established with the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty in 1949. There were 12 founding members, and there are currently 32 NATO members. The most recent country to join NATO was Sweden on March 7, 2024. Three additional countries (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, and Ukraine) have informed NATO of their desire to join the alliance.
- WALL-E (38A: Pixar film about a trash-cleaning robot) WALL-E, the trash-collecting robot on an uninhabitable, deserted Earth in the year 2805, is the title character of Pixar’s 2008 animated movie. WALL-E stands for “Waste Allocation Load Lifter: Earth Class.” The character is voiced by Ben Burtt. It’s been a while since I’ve watched WALL-E (but I have seen it!); it might be time for a rewatch.
- BROOKLYN BRIDGE (46A: Iconic structure across NYC’s East River) The BROOKLYN BRIDGE connects the New York City boroughs of Manhattan and BROOKLYN. When it opened in 1883, it was the longest suspension BRIDGE in the world, with a span of 1,594 feet. That record now belongs to Çanakkale 1915 Bridge in Turkey, which was a span of 6,637 feet.
- NOAH (56A: Comedian Trevor) Trevor NOAH is a comedian, writer, and producer. From 2015-2022, he was the host of The Daily Show, a late-night talk show on Comedy Central. Trevor NOAH currently hosts a podcast called What Now? He has also hosted the Grammy Awards for the last five years.
- IOWA (10D: State with January caucuses) Every four years, the Democrat and Republican parties hold caucuses in January (or sometimes early February). At the caucuses, voters discuss party business, and most notably, vote on their party’s candidate for president. For many years, the IOWA caucuses have been the first voting opportunity of the presidential primary season. (This was not true for the 2024 Democratic caucuses.) Living in IOWA as I do, I have participated in caucuses. I do so because I feel it’s my civic duty, but I have to admit that the process sometimes feels a bit chaotic.
- HENS (26D: Egg-laying birds) HENS are having a crossword moment. We saw the singular word HEN in the puzzle the last two days.
Crossword Puzzle Theme Synopsis
- BRENE BROWN (18A: Author of “Daring Greatly”)
- BROOKS BROTHERS (27A: Preppy clothing chain)
- BROOKLYN BRIDGE (46A: Iconic structure across NYC’s East River)
- BREAK BREAD (62A: Share a meal)
2BRs: Each theme answer consists of two words that begin with the letters BR: BRENE BROWN, BROOKS BROTHERS, BROOKLYN BRIDGE, and BREAK BREAD.
In real estate listings, 2BR is shorthand for two bedroom. Today, 2BR is reinterpreted in a fun way, and I enjoyed these 2BR phrases. I also appreciate that the 2BRs span a variety of categories: a person, a brand, a structure, and a saying. Thank you, Stella, for this bright, brilliant puzzle.
For more on USA TODAY’s Crossword Puzzles
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Kelly Clarkson joins star-studded audiobook cast for thriller novel
Kelly Clarkson and Amy Grant are partnering on a new project – but don’t get your hopes up for a duet.
The “Since U Been Gone” singer announced on “The Kelly Clarkson Show” May 7 that she and Grant are lending their voices to narrate the audiobook of “Caretaker,” a thriller novel written by her longtime music director Jason Halbert and his wife, Rhonda. Grant was a guest on the episode, singing “Home (Lyana’s Song),” written specially for “Caretaker.”
The audiobook is an immersive experience, featuring a cast of actors and a score by composer Joe Trapanese, promising to add to the “eerie atmosphere.” The star-studded ensemble includes Henry Ian Cusick, Erick Avari, Brandon Engman, Charles Esten, Hayley Orrantia, Michael Shanks and Josh Robert Thompson. The audiobook is now available on R.J. Halbert’s website and will be added to major audiobook platforms this summer.
Kelly Clarkson to narrate ‘eerie’ thriller written by her producer
“Caretaker” by R.J. Halbert, follows the Keane family, who move to a small town in New Hampshire seeking a fresh start. The old house they move into has a rich history, but after a series of strange coincidences and hallucinations, it’s clear there’s something lurks beneath the surface. The Keanes are left to wonder whether the house will save or destroy them. “Caretaker” is the first book in a trilogy.
“The transformation of ‘Caretaker’ into an audiobook with such a talented and diverse cast is a dream come true,” the writing duo said in a press release. “We are eager for both new and existing fans to experience the story in this dynamic format.”
R.J. Halbert is the pseudonym of husband and wife Rhonda and Jason Halbert. Jason has collaborated with Clarkson for more than two decades as her music director and won a Grammy for his contributions to her album “Stronger.”
“We’ve worked on hundreds of songs together. Doing a 3.5-minute single for you versus 5.5 hours of audio, I had no idea how much work it was going to be, but it has been a labor of passion,” Halbert told Clarkson on the show. “We have had so much fun doing it, but it’s completely different.”
“The most nervous he has probably ever seen me in the studio is when I did my part,” Clarkson said.
Clare Mulroy is USA TODAY’s Books Reporter, where she covers buzzy releases, chats with authors and dives into the culture of reading. Find her on Instagram, subscribe to our weekly Books newsletter or tell her what you’re reading at [email protected].
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Photos of Smokey Robinson amid sexual assault lawsuitMusic
Photos of Smokey Robinson amid sexual assault lawsuitMusic
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Barry Diller, Diane von Furstenberg’s husband, addresses sexuality
Barry Diller, the tech billionaire and longtime husband of fashion designer Diane von Fürstenberg, is getting candid about his sexuality and the pair’s scrutinized romance.
In something of a coming out, Diller, 83, acknowledged his experiences of same-sex attraction in a May 6 essay published in New York Magazine. The revelation is taken from an excerpt of Diller’s upcoming memoir, “Who Knew,” which is slated to be released on May 20.
“While there have been a good many men in my life, there has only ever been one woman, and she didn’t come into my life until I was 33 years old,” Diller wrote of Fürstenberg, 78.
Diller, known for his work as chairman of IAC and Expedia Group, has been married to Fürstenberg since 2001. The couple has no children.
“There are many complex aspects of my relationship with Diane von Fürstenberg,” Diller continued, which include “romantic love and deep respect, companionship and world adventuring, then disappointment and separation, and finally marriage.”
USA TODAY has reached out to representatives for Fürstenberg for comment.
Diller’s sexuality has long been the subject of media speculation. A 2001 article from New York Magazine, titled “Inside Out,” noted that the businessman was “often referred to as bisexual,” although he reportedly “lived most of his adult life as a more or less openly gay man.”
Despite his attraction to men, Diller revealed in his memoir that the “biological imperative” of his relationship with Fürstenberg “was as strong in its heterosexuality as its opposite had been.”
“I’m well aware that this part of my life has caused confusion and lots of speculation,” Diller wrote. “A relationship that began with indifference, then exploded into a romance as natural to us as breathing, surprised us and everyone else. It really is the miracle of my life.”
Barry Diller on why he didn’t disclose sexuality
Although Diller had a history of sexual experiences with men dating back to his teen years, the business executive shared in his memoir that he was reluctant to disclose his sexuality as a public figure.
“I’d conquered other phobias, but fear of exposure still had a tyrannical hold on me, so much so that it stunted any chance of my having a fulfilling personal life,” Diller wrote, per New York Magazine. “Instead, I had discovered I could separate myself from anything painful or terrifying by just locking it away, putting it into a distant box, and having to deal with it hopefully never.”
While Diller grew to suspect that other people were aware he liked men, he “never wanted to make any declarations” out of fear of being ostracized.
“So many of us at that time were in this exiled state, so stunted in the way we lived,” Diller continued. “I hated having to live a pretend life, one that was totally silent on all the topics normal people talked about with each other. Of course I could have declared my sexuality, come out as some others were doing, but I was among the many at that time who were too scared to do so.”
Barry Diller’s sexuality was never a ‘conflict’ in Diane von Fürstenberg romance
Diller met Fürstenberg in the mid-1970s at a dinner party thrown in his honor after he was named chairman and CEO of Paramount. Fürstenberg was married at the time to Prince Egon von Fürstenberg.
The pair later reconnected at another dinner for their mutual friend Sue Mengers, and a “ferocious” romance soon ensued.
“There was no effort, no reasoning, no what’s-going-on-here, no ambition, no anything,” Diller reflected in his New York Magazine essay. “Other than sheer excitement, I thought, ‘Well, this is a surprise!’ I certainly didn’t feel, ‘Oh my God, what does this mean?’ I was simply existing in the moment, a rare place for me.”
Diller and Fürstenberg’s love story hit a rough patch in the ’80s when Diller discovered the fashion maven allegedly had an affair with actor Richard Gere during production of the Paramount Pictures film “American Gigolo.” The two reconciled after a 10-year separation.
Diller called his relationship with Fürstenberg the “bedrock of my life” and reflected that modern-day “sexual identities are much more fluid and natural, without all those rigidly defined lanes of the last century.”
“I’ve lived for decades reading about Diane and me: about us being best friends rather than lovers,” Diller concluded. “Plain and simple, it was an explosion of passion that kept up for years. And, yes, I also liked guys, but that was not a conflict with my love for Diane.
“I can’t explain it to myself or to the world. It simply happened to both of us without motive or manipulation. In some cosmic way we were destined for each other.”
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Attendees criticize viral Baltimore book festival
Social media slams Million Lives Book Festival
Attendees and authors of a Million Lives Book Festival in Baltimore took to social media after they witnessed the lackluster event.
A Million Lives Book Festival? More like “A Million Lies,” according to some attendees.
A romantasy book festival recently held in Baltimore has left some attendees feeling like they experienced the book version of infamous Fyre Festival.
The event, held at the Baltimore Convention Center May 2 and May 3, was advertised as the “perfect event to make more bookish friends.”
Archer Management promised prospective attendees and authors a magical evening complete with a vendor hall, panels, a content creation room, a cosplay competition and a ball. But according to various testimonials posted to TikTok over the weekend, the “A Million Lives Book Festival” was anything but.
Disgruntled attendees, many of them authors, said they felt cheated by event organizers, who failed to deliver on most, if not all fronts.
Numerous authors, including writer Perci Jay, have spoken up about the things they saw at “A Million Lives Book Festival” on social media, pointing to a lack of clear communication, materials like chairs or water and access to certain billed amenities over the course of the festival.
“It felt like Fyre Fest of book festivals. It was advertised as something really awesome and the actual execution of it was horrible,” fantasy romance author Kate Disney-Leugers said in a TikTok detailing her experience. “This is my cautionary tale to you, in that, do not ever do this event, go to this event because you’ll be ripped off.”
Here’s what we know.
Lavender Romance Ball was also an ‘absolute mess,’ author says
Aside from the low turnout and lack of profit, attendees, including authors, said they were especially disappointed by the ball.
“I know all of you have seen the ball at this point, but everyone was so shocked about the lack of anything at this ball that no one talked about what actually happened at the ball,” Jay said.
The venue where the Lavender Romance Ball was slated to take place was bare, with very little decor or sound system. Banquet-esque tables, sparsely decorated with foam rose petals and books, and chairs could also be seen in the conference room.
Guests were welcome to feast on a selection of desserts set up at a table but were expected to pay additional amount if they wanted a drink. (Guests who attended the ball paid $250 for a ticket that included access to the event.)
“When the ball is discount ballin,” one attendee wrote in the caption of a TikTok posted May 4.
A convention center security guard dubbed “Speaker Steve” came through for the group, who were milling around in silence by playing music from a speaker he brought from home.
Another unsung hero in the situation, according to Jay, was dark fantasy romance author Kalista Neith, who allegedly confronted event organizer Grace Archeron about what an “absolute mess” the ball was and asked her to issue refunds immediately.
Archeron’s apology video, posted May 4, was filmed about 30 minutes into the ball at the Neith’s request, not out of the “goodness of her heart,” according to Jay.
Event organizer extends apology, offers refunds
Archeron issued a formal apology, not about “A Million Lives Book Festival” as a whole but rather about the Lavender Romance Ball because it was “not set up to standards.”
“There were a lot of issues with getting set up and it was not set up well,” Archeron says in the video. “I want to apologize. If you would like a refund, please contact me and I will issue a refund immediately.”
Archeron provided an update to attendees who requested a refund on May 6, writing in an Instagram post that they “are currently processing funds as fast as we can.”
“All refunds will be processed by May 31st,” the post reads. “We thank and appreciate you for your patience!”
Archer Management did not immediately respond to USA TODAY’s request for comment.
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Who are Diddy lawyers? Meet the attorneys defending Sean Combs
What we know about the case against Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs
The trial against Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is kicking off. How strong is the case against him? Here’s what we know now.
A team of experienced lawyers is helping embattled hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs defend himself against sex crimes charges as his trial gets underway.
The latest lawyer to join Combs’ legal team is Nicole Westmoreland of Westmoreland Law LLC, who filed a notice of attorney appearance with the court on May 6.
Combs’ defense team was already led by attorneys Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos. Agnifilo is a founding partner at Agnifilo Intrater and, according to the firm’s website, has tried more than 200 cases in his 30-year career. He is a former Manhattan Assistant District Attorney.
Geragos is also a founding partner at Agnifilo Intrater and is “particularly experienced in defending and investigating allegations of sexual misconduct,” according to the firm’s website.
Who are Diddy’s lawyers?
Brian Steel, who represented Young Thug in the rapper’s RICO trial, is also working with Combs, as is Alexandra Shapiro.
According to her website, Shapiro is a trial lawyer who began her career as a clerk for Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
On May 2, just a few days before Combs’ trial kicked off with jury selection, criminal defense lawyer Xavier R. Donaldson was also added to the rapper’s team.
Donaldson is a former assistant district attorney for the Bronx County DA’s office, per his LinkedIn profile.
Also working on Combs’ defense are Anna Maria Estevao, a partner at Sher Tremonte, and Jason Driscoll, who joined Shapiro Arato Bach in 2023.
In February, with the start of Combs’ trial looming, one of the rapper’s attorneys, Anthony Ricco, quit the case, telling a judge that this decision came after discussions with Agnifilo. “Although I have provided Sean Combs with the high level of legal representation expected by the court, under no circumstances can I continue to effectively serve as counsel for Sean Combs,” Ricco said at the time.
Combs, the once-powerful rapper and producer, is in court facing sex trafficking charges. He has pleaded not guilty. The process of narrowing down a pool of prospective jurors began on May 5. Combs’ trial is expected to last around eight weeks. He could spend the rest of his life in prison if convicted.