The internet addiction clinic where 13-year-olds are in rehab

More wellness centre than rehab facility, the pioneering New York Center for Living helps patients fix their relationship with technology

The story appeared on The Times on Wednesday, May 27, 2026

It took a while for Luke to realise he had a problem. First it was just video-gaming, then hours lost in the Discord messaging forums. Then it became entire days and half the night spent mindlessly scrolling YouTube and TikTok.

“I was on TikTok every night until midnight and then having to set my alarm for 3am because I hadn’t done my coursework for the next morning,” said Luke, 21. “I would tell myself ‘it’s only a few seconds-long videos to take my mind off things’. But I was getting like four hours of sleep and just not functioning.”

Social media had taken over Luke’s life so intensely that he was no longer going outside much or seeing friends.

Luke, who did not wish to be identified by his full name, was a semester into his undergraduate degree in political science and business at the prestigious Northeastern University when his grip on reality unravelled to the point that he was forced to take medical leave.

He sought help from one of America’s first dedicated internet addiction clinics for adolescents and young adults.

The Technology Addiction Program at the New York Center for Living launched this year, is already treating dozens of patients — some as young as 13 and the majority of whom male.

Located in an affluent neighbourhood of midtown Manhattan, it feels less like an addiction clinic and more like a wellness centre, describing itself as “high-end therapy for students and young professionals in New York”.

“There are psychiatric hospitals that will treat mental health, which tend to be not very pleasant places to go because they’re very institutional, and you have the traditional rehabs which will treat drug and alcohol,” Dr Nicholas Kardaras, who runs the program, told The Times. “Usually people that have drug and alcohol issues have underlying mental health issues, so there’s nowhere else that’s really meaningfully addressing the addictive element.”

Internet addiction is not a recognised clinical mental health diagnosis, but recent studies suggest as many as 20 per cent of young adults in the US have experienced some level of unhealthy addiction to the internet. For a proportion of those, it can become obsessive and even harmful.

“The internet is something that has always been involved in every part of my life as I’ve grown up,” said Luke on a recent afternoon between treatment sessions at the clinic. “I remember being in first grade and they rolled in a rack of iPads for all of us to use. Then in fifth grade, sixth grade, that’s when everyone was getting their own personal phones and downloading social media.

“By seventh grade I was equating playing a video game online to real social interaction. I thought it was the same as going out and hanging with friends,” he said.

Luke was diagnosed with ADHD, but recognised in himself a broader set of undiagnosed addictive traits. Research suggests that those with mental health conditions such as attention deficient disorders, anxiety and depression are more likely to overindulge in social media.

Research published by the National Institutes of Health has shown men and boys are generally more vulnerable to generalised internet addiction and significantly more prone to Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD). They are also statistically two to three times more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD in childhood than girls.

“You don’t realise how much time you’re actually losing to it because you think when you start ‘it’s only like a ten-second video’ but multiply ten seconds by a thousand, ten thousand and hours and hours are gone,” he said. “The only way I knew time was even passing sometimes was because I’m laying on my bed and then at some point I’m eating breakfast and then I’m brushing my teeth, my phone in my hand the whole time.”

With so many young people spending increasing amounts of time online, at what point does a hobby turn into an addiction? Mental health experts simply say the hours spent online is not enough for a diagnosis. “It goes from ‘Johnny likes his phone a lot’ to ‘oh, Johnny’s got a problem’ if their schooling, health, sleep, social relationships, or family life is significantly suffering,” Dr Kardaras said.

The Center for Living offers a 12-week full-time outpatient course, costing $8,500 (£6,300) without insurance. After the first 12 weeks it drops to two to three days a week for eight weeks and then down to one group therapy session a week for as long as needed.

When a new patient arrives they are made to leave their phones in a zip-lock bag at the reception. They are then evaluated by a trained psychiatrist.

Once enrolled, they take part in a combination of individual therapy sessions and group sessions. Parents are included if the patient is under the age of 18.

The Center for Living combines conventional therapy with art therapy, yoga and drama improvisation. On Fridays, Cesar Rosado, the program director, organises outings to rock-climbing centres and botanical gardens.

While other institutions offer digital-detox retreats and wilderness-therapy camps, short-term abstinence has not shown to translate into long-term behaviour change. Psychologists say that is because such an approach treats the cause and not the symptom of addiction, such as stress, anxiety, and social isolation.

“We have all of our clients create a community amongst themselves to make sure they’re socialising and not isolated,” Rosado said of their Alcoholics Anonymous-style “buddy system.” “It’s important that they learn to cope in the world in which they actually live and have to exist.”

Scientific studies suggest that social media usage activates the parts of the brain that respond to pleasurable experiences, called the reward pathway. “Kids are getting dopamine hits that mimic the highs you can get from some drugs,” said Kardaras, a trained psychologist who has spent over a decade studying online addiction in young people and wrote the books Glow Kids and Digital Madness.

• Smartphone addiction isn’t just about children, warns device addiction expert

Studies have shown excessive screen time affects the brain in the same way that chronic substance addiction does. “They’ve done MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) research on this,” Kardaras said. “Digital media was not just mind shaping, but brain altering. If you look at the MRI of a brain that is excessively watching screens next to the MRI of an opiate addict, you’re going to see the same shrinkage in what’s called the prefrontal cortex — the dense grey matter of the prefrontal cortex.”

The prefrontal cortex located at the front of the brain controls impulses and evaluates the consequences of actions by acting as a “brake” on emotional responses.

Kardaras said the harmful effects of internet addiction have worsened with every generation. “Baby Boomers were the healthiest, then every generation after it got progressively worse. Facebook was popular among Gen X and older millennials, but it was static, you would just look at pictures. TikTok and Instagram Reels are the most damaging because of the short-form video content,” he said.

The younger the age at which screens are introduced, the more damaging the effects.

“I had a group of very smart young men in my clinic, most of whom were raised on screens since they were two or three years old,” he said. “I had one say to me, ‘Dr Kardaras, when I read a passage from a book, I can’t visualise it, it’s like the movie screen in my brain doesn’t work’. And I asked, ‘who else in this group has that problem?’ Every hand went up.

“Because the visual imagery, the imagination, had always been pre-baked for them, their ability to visualise never developed. In people who become addicted later in life, you can work on rebuilding those synapses, that muscle, but you cannot build on something that was never there.

“If you hit eight, nine, ten years old without forming it — it’s too late.”

Kardaras said screen-addicted adolescents tend to come from one of two types of households. There are the “neglectful” parents who leave their children to their own devices, but also the “helicopter” ones, “where the young person will say, ‘I escape in my screen time because my mom — or sometimes dad — is smothering me’.”

• How to cure your phone addiction (once and for all)

Luke falls into the latter category. The son of a physician and a lawyer living in the Upper East Side of Manhattan, he felt the weight of expectation.

“I wanted, needed, to be a high achiever, I was really trying to maintain a 4.0,” said Luke, who had attended Fordham Preparatory, the exclusive all-boys Catholic school, before moving out of the family home to Boston for university. “Video games and social media were a release from that pressure, a kind of escapism. But that just led me to having a worse mental state as time went on.”

Luke, who enrolled at the Center for Living in February, is coming to the end of his 12-week course.

He wants to continue with the once-a-week therapy sessions until he starts back at Northeastern in September.

“I think what was a breakthrough for me is realising that I was not getting out of social media what I thought I was. I was telling myself ‘this is relaxation, this is leisure, this is my social life’, but in reality it wasn’t any of those things,” he said. “It was about not wanting to face all the problems in my life and now I feel I’m in a place where I’m able to see that.”

Luke has adopted practical solutions too. He has started to use Brick, a physical hardware device designed to curb smartphone addiction by blocking distracting apps. “There’s no longer that immediate gratification system,” Luke said.

The day we met, however, he had forgotten it.

“I have felt my phone buzz in my pocket with notifications about 20 to 30 times since we sat down,” he told me mid-way through our hour-long interview.

“Before the therapy, every single time it went off I’d think ‘well, I need to check it immediately’. But now I’m able to resist it because we’ve worked on being mindful and disciplined,” he said.

“That might not seem like all that much to someone who hasn’t experienced addiction, but to me it feels pretty major.”

Check out more client press here 

The post New York Center for Living Featured in The Times appeared first on R. Couri Hay.

Discovering Surprises Among the Familiar at the Independent 20th Century

A trove of 20th-century art from Lebanon to Santa Fe, Miami to Mumbai. Look for spiritualist painting and undersung artists from Hawaii and Mississippi.

Click here to read the full article

Can you shape the narrative of art history — which is what museums generally do — at an art fair? And do we need any more of these pop-up enterprises in our lives? Haven’t we had enough of art fairs?

The Independent 20th Century, held at Battery Maritime Building at South Ferry, with its hulking steel and iron Beaux-Arts facade, makes a pretty good case on both counts. In its fourth edition, and the New York fair that focuses on 20th-century art, the usual modern-art stars turn up here and there (hello, Picasso), but I made several thrilling discoveries among the 53 artists presented by 31 exhibitors. I’m inclined to think you’ll find some new favorites too.

Another New York School character is Dan Basen, who showed with the influential art dealer Betty Parsons (as Dusti Bongé did) and was on course to making a big contribution, with his Pop-like constructions (he was actually experimenting with film, Happenings, and other 1960s incursions) until he died at the age of 30 in 1970. At Galerie Gmurzynska, you can see his approach to collaging and crafting with found materials, but also a sly sense of humor as he observed advertisements, politics and the slowly-becoming-star-studded art world around him.

Check out more recent client press here.

The post Galerie Gmurzynska Featured in The New York Times appeared first on R. Couri Hay.

In this guide, we explore what makes a great PR firm in NYC, profile some of the most influential agencies, and shine a special light on a PR Firm in NYC – R. Couri Hay Creative PR.

The NYC PR Landscape: Why It Matters

NYC’s fast-paced environment, diverse market, and influential media presence make it the ideal setting for groundbreaking PR campaigns. Here are a few key factors that distinguish the best firms:

• Media Powerhouse: NYC hosts major traditional and digital media outlets, ensuring that compelling campaigns receive widespread exposure.

• Diverse Clientele: From startups to established luxury brands, the city demands creative and adaptive PR strategies.

• Elite Talent: The competitive market attracts top PR experts, fostering innovation and strategic excellence.

What Defines a Top PR Firm?

When choosing a PR partner, consider these essential qualities:

Expertise and Experience

A proven track record in managing campaigns across various industries is critical. Look for firms with robust case studies, client testimonials, and demonstrable success in both local and global markets.

Strategic Storytelling

Effective PR goes beyond press releases—it’s about creating narratives that resonate with audiences and drive engagement. The best firms craft tailored strategies that blend creative storytelling with tactical planning.

Comprehensive Services

From digital media and influencer outreach to crisis management and corporate communications, integrated PR solutions ensure your brand stays ahead in today’s fast-evolving market.

Strong Media Relationships

Long-standing connections with key media outlets enhance the reach and credibility of your campaigns, ensuring that your brand’s message is heard by the right people.

Measurable Impact

Transparent analytics and reporting are essential for tracking success. Top firms use data-driven insights to refine strategies and demonstrate return on investment.

Spotlight: PR Firm in NYC – R. Couri Hay Creative PR

Among the elite PR agencies in NYC, R. Couri Hay Creative PR stands out for its enduring legacy and unmatched expertise. With over 30 years of experience and excellence, the firm has been recognized as one of the top PR firms in NYC for six consecutive years by expertise.com.

A Legacy of Excellence

For decades, R. Couri Hay Creative PR has built a reputation for delivering tailored PR strategies that drive brand success. The firm’s commitment to excellence is reflected in its extensive portfolio, representing top-tier brands across various industries.

Leadership That Makes a Difference

At the heart of this success is R. Couri Hay—a celebrated publicist, author, editor, columnist, and expert broadcast spokesperson. Under his visionary leadership, the firm has managed high-profile campaigns for renowned brands such as Prada, Bvlgari, Versace, Fendi, Krug, and Brioni. His unique approach to crafting impactful stories and managing crisis communications sets the firm apart in the competitive NYC market.

Our Unique Approach

R. Couri Hay Creative PR believes every brand has a unique story. Their approach is built on:

• Strategic Storytelling: Crafting narratives that resonate with audiences and foster long-term connections.

• Proven Expertise: Leveraging decades of experience to provide insights and strategies that drive success.

• Integrated Solutions: Offering comprehensive services—from digital media and influencer outreach to crisis management—tailored to meet evolving market demands.

• Measurable Impact: Using advanced analytics to ensure that every campaign delivers tangible, measurable results.

Other Leading PR Firms in NYC

While R. Couri Hay Creative PR offers a unique blend of legacy and innovation, several other firms also lead the industry with their distinct strengths:

Weber Shandwick

A global powerhouse known for combining traditional media with digital strategies, Weber Shandwick delivers extensive coverage and innovative campaigns across diverse sectors.

Edelman

Famed for its research-driven approach, Edelman excels in reputation management and corporate communications, using data analytics to craft creative and measurable PR campaigns.

FleishmanHillard

With a reputation for strategic insight and creative storytelling, FleishmanHillard caters to a wide range of industries, from healthcare to technology, ensuring a robust public presence.

Kekst CNC

Specializing in high-stakes and high-profile campaigns, Kekst CNC is renowned for its agile response to both routine and crisis communications, positioning brands at the forefront of public discourse.

SKDKnickerbocker

With a focus on political, corporate, and nonprofit communications, SKDKnickerbocker creates compelling narratives that influence public opinion and drive social change.

Choosing the Right PR Partner for Your Brand

Selecting a PR firm requires careful evaluation of your objectives, budget, and the firm’s track record. Here are some steps to guide your decision:

• Define Your Goals: Determine whether you need to build brand awareness, manage a crisis, or launch a new product.

• Review Case Studies: Assess each firm’s success stories and client testimonials to ensure their expertise aligns with your industry.

• Consider Cultural Fit: Schedule consultations to get a sense of the firm’s approach and whether it meshes well with your brand’s values.

• Discuss Metrics: Ensure the firm uses clear, data-driven methods to measure the success of its campaigns.

Conclusion

In the competitive landscape of NYC public relations, partnering with the right firm is crucial. From industry giants like Weber Shandwick and Edelman to innovative players like FleishmanHillard, Kekst CNC, and SKDKnickerbocker, there are many excellent choices. However, R. Couri Hay Creative PR stands out with its rich legacy, proven expertise, and innovative leadership under R. Couri Hay.

Investing in a top PR firm not only enhances your brand’s visibility but also builds lasting connections with your audience. Use this guide to navigate NYC’s dynamic PR landscape and choose a partner that aligns perfectly with your business goals.

The post Top PR Firms in NYC: Your Ultimate Guide to Excellence in Public Relations appeared first on R. Couri Hay.

ByAly Walansky, Contributor. Feb 27, 2025, 09:26am EST. Click here to read the full article. 

When planning a night out at a hot new Indian restaurant, one may expect to enjoy classics such as samosas or saag paneer. But at Veerays, the new Indian speakeasy in the Midtown East area of New York City, the menu and vibe is almost entirely unexpected.

Veerays is a creation of Hemant Mathur, who was the first Indian chef in the United States to be awarded a Michelin star (known for Veeray da Dhaba and Saar Indian Bistro), and restauranter Sonny Solomon (of spots like Kurry Qulture, Tulsi, Devi, and Veeray de Dhaba) and Chef Binder Saini. The resulting vibe feels a little bit classic, a little bit prohibition, and a whole lot visionary.

With dishes such as Bootlegger Bison, an elevated take on a traditional South Indian pepper fry, Duck Vindaloo, Camel Seekh Kebab and Illegal Pheasant with chettinad-style curry interspersed with classics like Madame Makhani, a butter chicken or paneer in a tomato fenugreek sauce, this will be an restaurant experience quite unlike like any other – especially once the exotic meats get involved.

“While Veerays’ menu includes classic Indian fare like Butter Chicken, Paneer Makhani, Stuffed Baby Eggplant and Dum Aloo, Chef Hemant wanted to push culinary boundaries by incorporating exotic meats, creating a truly unique dining experience,” said restauranter Sonny Solomon in an email, who points to Pheasant, as an example, for its historical significance in India. “Mughal princes and Nawabs hunted, caught, and cooked pheasant while traveling, making it a dish steeped in royal tradition,” said Solomon.

Beef Pepper Fry, on the other hand, has deep roots in South India, particularly in Kerala.. “Traditionally slow-cooked with black pepper, curry leaves, and aromatic spices, it is a dish known for its bold, fiery flavors,” said Solomon. At Veerays, Chef Hemant reimagined this dish using American bison, which Solomon says brings a similar richness while offering a unique twist.

Veeray’s Duck Vindaloo was inspired by Goa’s Portuguese-influenced cuisine. “The traditional pork vindaloo evolved by incorporating Indian spices, vinegar, and slow-cooking techniques. By using duck, Chef Hemant enhances the dish with deeper, more complex flavors while staying true to the essence of vindaloo—a dish known for its tangy heat and rich masala,” said Solomon.

Perhaps the most intriguing item on the menu is a dish involving an ingredient not often found in New York City dining – camel. “Chef’s inspiration for camel came from his travels in the Middle East—he experimented with it, infusing it with authentic Indian flavors to craft something both innovative and deeply rooted in tradition,” said Solomon, who said the response has been incredible. “Diners appreciate the bold flavors and the chance to experience something unexpected yet thoughtfully executed,” said Solomon.

The exotic meats on the menu are sourced from Fossil Farms in New Jersey. “Camel meat, in particular, is not commonly found on menus, making it a rare and exciting ingredient to work with,” said Solomon, who says to his team’s knowledge, Veerays is the first Indian restaurant in the U.S. to offer camel on the menu.

This camel dish is reflected in Veerays’ Exotic Meat Tasting Menu, a six-course experience designed to showcase exotic meats infused with authentic Indian flavors. “Each course is carefully crafted to highlight unique textures and bold flavors,” said Solomon of the menu which includes courses such as Ostrich Malai Kebab, served on a bed of spinach and mushrooms with plum chutney, Kangaroo Bukhni Kebab, served with spicy marble potatoes and pineapple chutney, Camel Seekh Kebab with date chutney and olive garlic naan, Yak Kofta Curry with petit poori(a deep fried indian bread), Alligator Biryani with cucumber raita. The meal concludes with a Strawberry Tapioca Pudding.

“At Veerays, we focus on meats from India like Yak, and also around the world, but reinterpret them using time-honored Indian techniques and spices,” said Solomon. Chef Hemant believes that while ingredients may change, the heart of Indian cuisine lies in its techniques and spices. “His approach is to honor traditional methods—whether it’s slow-cooking, marinating, or tandoor grilling—while experimenting with unexpected ingredients,” said Solomon.

A tremendous amount of experimentation went into perfecting these dishes. “Executive Chef Hemant Mathur and Chef de Cuisine Binder Saini tested the flavor profiles, cooking methods, and spice blends to ensure that each dish not only highlighted the uniqueness of the meat but also stayed true to the essence of Indian cuisine,” said Solomon.

The exotic meats have an unexpected backdrop as well – a very 20s-esque prohibition speakeasy feel. “The speakeasy vibe is definitely a growing trend, and it’s one that resonates with the allure and mystery of the Roaring ’20s. Owners Sonny Solomon and Chef Hemant chose this concept for Veerays partly because of the space itself—it was closed off, with no windows and a small entrance, which made it a perfect fit for the speakeasy theme. It’s also a tribute to New York City, the place that made them who they are today,” said Solomon.

Veerays is now open in the Midtown East area of New York City.

The post NYC Restaurant Veerays in Forbes appeared first on R. Couri Hay.

The full article appeared on Page Six February 11, 2024. Click here to read 

“Orange Is the New Black” star Jackie Cruz is expecting her third child with artist husband Fernando Garcia, Page Six has learned.

Cruz bared her bump in a cutout gown in Aspen, Colo., at the ritzy Snow Ball charity gala.

Cruz already has twins and told us she’s been living off the grid in Mexico, but is returning to Hollywood with a bunch of projects — including the upcoming movie, “Woozy,” with Emile Hirsch, and a Lifetime movie, “Husband, Father, Killer.”

Jackie Cruz made a fashion statement when debuting her baby bump in Aspen.

(Getty Images for Children’s Oncology Support Fund)

The glittering Snow Ball, hosted by “The Brutalist” executive producer Thomas Pierce, benefitted the Children’s Oncology Support Fund, and there were also a number of other events during the week.

Model Christie Brinkley was honored at the gala (showing up despite having brutal altitude sickness, we hear), and guests also included her kids Jack and Sailor Brinkley-Cook, as well as “Glee” star Nolan Gerard Funk and singer Zara Larsson, who performed for the crowd.

Comedian Jay Leno kicked off the black-tie evening, which raised $3.5 million, with a 20-minute set.

The former “Tonight Show” host and car enthusiast auctioned off a visit to his famed garage, where he keeps his collection of vintage vehicles.

Jay Leno hosted the gala, doing a 20 minutes set. (Getty Images for Children’s Oncology Support Fund)

Earlier in the week, Brooke Burke hosted a “kick-off” event with music by Robin Thicke and Chloe Jane at the Aspen Art Museum.

Thicke barely made it to the mountain gig after missing his plane.

Said the star: “I was supposed to fly in this morning with my whole family, in-laws, all four of my kids. Missed the flight, had to switch airlines, got to bring one of my kids here,” he said, noting, “it’s for a good cause!”

The week of festivities was hosted by “The Brutalist” executive producer Thomas Pierce, founding chairman of the Children’s Oncology Support Fund. (Getty Images for Children’s Oncology Support Fund)

Christie Brinkley was honored. (Getty Images for Children’s Oncology Support Fund)

Robin Thicke missed his flight, but made it the Aspen Art Museum. (Nina Fernandez/BFA.com)

Suzanne Somers is seen here with her son Bruce Somers Jr. as she was honored … [+] SGranitz/Wireimage/getty images)

The post Children’s Oncology Support Fund (COSF) in Page Six appeared first on R. Couri Hay.

The full article appeared on DailyMail.com November 12, 2024. Click here to read the full article

Mariska Hargitay made rare comments about the trauma of losing her mother, Hollywood bombshell Jayne Mansfield, at the age of three.

‘I lost my mother when I was 3 years old, and I grew up in a house of people dealing with the tragedy in their own way,’ the actress, 60, shared at the Hope for Depression Research Foundation’s 18th Annual HOPE Luncheon on Tuesday, as per US Weekly. 

‘Because there was so much grief, there wasn’t room to prioritize anyone. We didn’t have the tools that we have now to metabolize and understand trauma,’ the Law & Order: Special Victims Unit star added.

Mansfield, an actress and Playboy Playmate, tragically died in a car crash in 1967 at the age of 34. Hargitay and two of her siblings were passengers in the vehicle.  

Hargitay accepted the 2024 Hope Award for Depression Advocacy at the event, hosted at The Plaza Hotel in NYC.

Mariska Hargitay, 60, made rare comments about the trauma of losing her mother … [+]

(Erik Pendzich/Shutterstock)

Mansfield, an actress and Playboy Playmate, died in a car crash in 1967 … [+]

(Getty images)

This year’s luncheon centered on trauma and recovery, a topic that the actress explored in depth during her speech, as she delved into ‘various traumas’ she’s experienced over the years, and how she overcame them.

She explained that it wasn’t until ‘much later in life’ that she developed the tools to confront her past traumas. 

‘I also suffered sexual trauma in my 30s, it wasn’t until much later that I found the language to acknowledge it for what it was,’ the star shared.

She said that the Joyful Heart Foundation, which she founded 20 years ago was ‘part of my response to my own experience.’

Earlier this year, Hargitay – who shares three children with husband Peter Hermann, 57 – revealed she was raped by a friend when she was in her 30s.

Click on the links below for related articles:

Page Six
People
US Magazine
SheKnows

The post Mariska Hargitay makes rare comments about the ‘trauma’ of losing mother Jayne Mansfield at age three | HDRF appeared first on R. Couri Hay.

The full article appeared on Fox News October 15, 2024. Click here to read the full article

For Alan Hamel, love never dies.

It’s been a year since the producer lost his wife, “Three’s Company” star Suzanne Somers. The actress passed away on Oct. 15, 2023 – just one day before her 77th birthday. She had breast cancer for over 23 years.

Hamel told Fox News Digital he’s grateful to have experienced extraordinary love with Somers.

Alan Hamel and Suzanne Somers married in 1977. They remained together until her death in 2023. 

(Gabe Ginsberg/FilmMagic/Getty images)

“Suzanne called her beautiful mother that day [we met] and said, ‘I have just met the man I am going to marry,” he shared. “We both knew this was real, not a flirting moment.” 

Suzanne Somers made her mark as Chrissy Snow in “Three’s Company.”

(ABC Photo archives/disney general entertainment content via Getty images)

“What are the odds of a big city guy from Toronto meeting a small-town girl from a blue-collar town in Northern California, falling instantly in love and spending 55 years together, 42 of which we were not apart for even one hour?” said the 88-year-old. 

And when it came to bringing their families together, Hamel said they were up for the challenge.

“Those of you who have done this know how difficult an assignment that is,” he said. “But Suzanne declared that she would put our two families together and create one magnificent family – that she did. And six beautiful grandkids iced the cake.”

Hamel admitted they experienced plenty of ups and downs – but they were always determined to overcome any struggles that came their way.

A handbag designed by Vanessa Noel for the Youth America Grand Prix’s Pointe Project Suzanne Somers and husband Alan Hamel at Studio 54 circa 1978 in New York City.

VANESSA NOEL (Robin platzer/images/getty images)

Suzanne was incredibly wise and savvy for her years,” Hamel explained. “For the first few years, we fought like mad dogs, but always returned to our passionate love for one another.”

“After one of our fights, Suzanne said to me, ‘No matter how bad it gets, let’s never break up.’ And we never did,” said Hamel. “We always went to sleep every night holding hands, and in the morning, I would always awaken a few minutes before Suzanne and I would just lay there, staring at her beautiful face.”

Over the years, they became more in sync with each other, Hamel shared.

“We were so resonant that we’d come out of our closets wearing exactly the same colors and crack up,” said Alan Hamel. 

(courtesy of alan hamel)

“We were so resonant that we’d come out of our closets wearing exactly the same colors and crack up,” he recalled. “We would communicate while silent. We took a 3,000-mile drive and there were hours we’d not speak, but we knew we were thinking similar thoughts.”

Looking back, Hamel said the secret behind their decades-long marriage was surprisingly simple. The pair said “I do” in 1977 and remained together until her death.

“The other wisdom from Suzanne was that we should surrender to one another,” he revealed. “I would do what she wanted to do, and she would do what I wanted to do. [Her son] Bruce said we had a codependent relationship that actually worked.”

Dating was a big part of the couple’s daily routine.

(Gregg deguire/wireimage/getty images)

“We loved dating,” Hamel gushed. “Suzanne would get all incredible looking wearing one of her sparkling mini dresses – she had killer legs – nighttime makeup and the right color Manolos. We’d go to one of our favorite, intimate French restaurants, order a bottle of great wine, and spend the evening looking at each other and silently saying how great is the love we have. Or I’d tease her about some of her idiosyncrasies and act them out.”

Somers’ son also told Fox News Digital that the TV icon was not only a loving wife but a doting mother too. They leaned on each other as she skyrocketed to fame as Chrissy snow.

“My mother and I were only 19 years apart, so we grew up together,” Bruce explained. “Our journeys often mirrored each other. I was 11 when she started ‘Three’s Company’ and shot to stardom. We had to act cool about it in public, but privately we shared our awe and gratitude for the amazing things we were experiencing. Thank God I had her, because she always instilled in me that fame was an aspect of our lives, but did not define who we were as individuals or as a family.”

Suzanne Somers is seen here with her son Bruce Somers Jr. as she was honored … [+] SGranitz/Wireimage/getty images)

Bruce shared that Somers had shown signs she was still by his side.

“I miss her terribly, but she shows up in her own way,” said Bruce. “I talk to her all the time. Recently, I took a meditative hike in the Alps. My mother used to always say, ‘If you want to see the face of God, go into nature.’ High in the Alps, there’s only a weed here and a shrub there. However, as I talked to her on my hike, I would come around a corner and there, by itself, was a single daisy saying, ‘Hello!’ I saw my mother’s bright happy face in each one of those daisies.”

Suzanne Somers, known for her roles in “Threes Company” and “Step by Step,” died on Oct. 15, following … [+]
(Getty Images)

“Daisies are rare at that altitude,” he reflected. “It got to the point where I would giggle each time it happened. I know she’s always with me.”

Somers is survived by Hamel, Bruce, two stepchildren and six grandchildren.

The post ‘Three’s Company’ star Suzanne Somers, husband once ‘fought like mad dogs’ but their ‘passionate love’ endured appeared first on R. Couri Hay.

Michael Kors and Khaite Design Couture Ballet Shoes for Pointe Project

The full article appeared on Forbes April 25, 2024. Click here to read the full article

Last week, the country’s foremost ballet competition, Youth America Grand Prix hosted their 25 year anniversary at the Lincoln Center. Besides the stage show, awards and dinner—there were the pointe shoes.

These couture ballet shoes are part of the Pointe Project. They’re being auctioned off until 9 pm ET today to help provide scholarships for dance students around the world. The selection of shoes have been designed by renowned fashion designers and artists like Michael Kors, Libby Klein and Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen of The Row.

Atmosphere== Youth America Grand Prix 25th Anniversary Gala== David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln … [+]

©PATRICK MCMULLAN

Brian Atwood, for one, designed an exuberant, dramatic pair of pointe shoes made of Swarovski crystals and feathers.

“When Marcella Hymowitz asked me to be a part the Pointe Project, I was so excited to participate,” said Atwood. “I’ve never designed a pointe shoe, but I thought, how can I make it mine? I added a heel, of course. It’s inspired by ballets like Swan Lake and The Firebird.”

All proceeds will go to benefit the YAGP’s scholarship program. The funds will help train and educate young ballet dancers.

In total, the designers had six weeks to create their different pointe shoes, which range from pairs to single shoes, and are covered in pearls, gold chains, crystals, and feathers.

The pointe shoes designed by Adam Lippe are covered in floral embroidery, while Carolina Herrera created a pair of black and pink ballet shoes covered in tulle, while Cynthia Rowley covered her pointe shoes in feathers and ribbons. “I’ve never seen a dance performance that moved me as much as the Youth America Grand Prix does; the expression onstage and choreography is unforgettable,” said Rowley. “The ballet dancers float across the stage like feathers.”

There were also pointe shoes designed by Dylan’s Candy Bar by Dylan Lauren, LoveShackFancy, Khaite, Michelle Ochs for Herve Leger and The Elder Statesman, among others. The Pointe Project was created to expand the YAGP’s mission, and bring in fashion designers and artists to help fundraise for the organization.

Shoe designer Vanessa Noel took an unconventional approach—she designed a handbag out of a pointe shoe. “I wanted to make an evening purse for someone who loves ballet,” said Noel. “It’s an evening bag to bring to the ballet. A conversation piece. Easy to wear.”

The handbag is made of black satin and feathers. “I love the YAGP, it’s important to support the arts,” said Noel. “Ballet and dance are amazing art forms, we need more of this in our lives.”

“Especially when times are so turbulent, the arts are an incredible place to escape. It’s healing.”

A handbag designed by Vanessa Noel for the Youth America Grand Prix’s Pointe Project

VANESSA NOEL

Atmosphere== Youth America Grand Prix 25th Anniversary Gala== David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln … [+]

©PATRICK MCMULLAN

Meanwhile, artist Libby Klein, known for her painterly landscapes, created a ballet shoe with butterflies and bees, accompanied by a framed painting for a piece called We Will Dance Again. The pointe shoe is hand-painted, while the painting was created with artificial intelligence. Together, they represent the past and future.

“Each brushstroke on this pointe shoe is a testament to the community and the legacies we build, and the resilience that unites us,” said Klein. “Dreams do come true and I believe anyone can do anything in this world. The YAGP will give these young dancers what they need to thrive.”

Atmosphere== Youth America Grand Prix 25th Anniversary Gala== David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln … [+]

©PATRICK MCMULLAN

Stacey Bendet, the CEO and creative director of Alice + Olivia, created a stylish pair of pointe shoes made of lace, silk and pearls. “I am always so happy to support the ballet and emerging talent,” said Bendet. “The slippers feature delicate corded off-white lace, sparkling crystals, and a graceful chiffon embellished strap.”

The Stars Of Today Meet The Stars Of Tomorrow gala at the David Koch Theater saw fashion world icons like Dennis Basso, Brian Atwood and Indre Rockefeller.

Youth America Grand Prix is known as the world’s largest ballet scholarship audition. Over the past 25 years, it has given over 250,000 young dancers education and dance opportunities.

Founded by Larissa Saveliev, the YAGP has awarded $5 million in scholarships to the world’s leading dance academies. Many of the program’s alumni are now working at leading ballet companies like the American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, Paris Opera Ballet, The Royal Ballet, among others.

The YAGP recently announced their $1 million endowment by the Hymowitz Family Foundation, called the Marcella Hymowitz Creative Fellowship, where it will fund groundbreaking dance projects over the next 10 years.

Pointe shoes designed by Carolina Herrara as part of the Youth America Grand Prix 25th Anniversary’s … [+]

KEVIN CZOPEK/BFA.COM

Carolina Herrera at the Youth America Grand Prix 25th Anniversary Gala

KEVIN CZOPEK/BFA.COM

Giuseppe Zanotti Pointe Shoes for the Youth America Grand Prix 25th Anniversary Gala

DARIAN DICIANNO/BFA.COM

The post Couture Ballet Shoes By Michael Kors And Khaite For The Pointe Project appeared first on R. Couri Hay.

The professional ballerina works with nonprofit Youth America Grand Prix, a dance organization celebrating its 25th anniversary with an N.Y.C. gala on April 18

The full article appeared on People April 12, 2024. Click here to read the full article

Misty Copeland’s support for young dancers is en pointe. 

The professional ballerina, 41, has been paving the way for the next generation of performers since she burst onto the scene in 2000, but thanks to the nonprofit Youth America Grand Prix, her work extends to even more of a “hands on” approach.

“The first person I met [in N.Y.C.] was YAGP’s first-ever winner, Leyla Fayyaz — who became my best friend. That’s how I learned about the competition. I remember it was such a big deal because it was this new competition for Americans, and it was really exciting for that generation of dancers to have a platform where they were able to be seen,” Copeland recalls of how she first teamed up with YAGP, founded in 1999 by Larissa Saveliev. 

Misty Copeland dancing at the 2012 YAGP Gala. Photo: LIZA VOLL

Copeland has worked with the organization — which hosts competitions and provides scholarships for dancers worldwide — as a judge, performer and mentor over the years, and she credits YAGP for really cementing ballet as an “American art form” and increasing its overall accessibility. 

“Inclusivity and diversity was also so important. For years, YAGP has connected me with dancers of color, so I can be really hands-on and mentor them. It creates a pipeline for young students to come into professional dance companies,” says Copeland, who became the first Black female principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre in 2015.

“There have been Black dancers as a part of this industry from the beginning who haven’t always been allowed in, haven’t always been given a chance to even stand and be a part of this platform,” she adds. “So it means so much that [YAGP] has been doing this from the beginning.”

Misty Copeland with YAGP Participants in Philadelphia in 2013. PHOTO COURTESY MISTY COPELAND

Saveliev, who, in addition to launching the program in 1999, also serves as its artistic director, is proud to speak to the organization’s early commitment to diversity. 

“Right now, the world has really turned its attention to diversity. But that was always an important part of what we do: make sure our group of our dancers are very, very diverse and make sure our group of ballet educators are very diverse,” she says. “And that’s why Misty was involved with us from literally the very beginning. She taught, she judged, she danced a zillion times.” 

Misty Copeland dancing at the 2014 YAGP Gala. PHOTO: VAM

Adds Sergey Gordeev, YAGP’s director of external affairs and institutional partnerships: “[Ballet] is for the audience, and it’s important to show the audience people who look just like them. Humans sharing the human experience. This network exists for them.”

In celebration of YAGP’s 25th anniversary, the organization is holding a gala (chaired by Marcella Hymowitz) on April 18 in New York City. The night, sponsored in part by bubbly rosé Aphrodise, will celebrate the story of YAGP with dinner and a performance featuring numerous alumni. 

So, while the sheer number of students YAGP is able to help train and shepherd into professional dance companies is more than admirable, for Copeland, the real reward is less about that final destination.

“It’s really about that journey and the character it builds,” Copeland says, “and creating an environment where these young people can be nurtured and thrive.”

For more information, go to yagp.org.

The post Why Misty Copeland Says This Dance Competition Helps Students ‘Thrive’: ‘It’s About the Journey’ (Exclusive) appeared first on R. Couri Hay.

One key example of this is author Christy Cashman recently launched the YouThink Creative Wellness Retreat, which is happening next at the Harbor View Hotel in Martha’s Vineyard this fall, from October 3 to 6. The premise of the retreat is to get guests into the wellness zone, then trigger their creativity.

“Caring for others begins with caring for ourselves,” said Cashman, who founded the retreat in 2023 in an enchanting 12th century castle, Kilkea Castle, just outside of Dublin. “We provide a spiritual, creative, and physical oasis for each guest,” she explains. “You’ll enjoy a nurturing, intellectual and emotional journey through quiet reflection, inspiring programs, and exhilarating activities led by some of the very best in the wellness and creative industries.”

Cashman is the author of The Truth About Horses, a novel focused on the equestrian world which is currently being adapted into a TV series co-produced by British actress, Jane Seymour. She was recently on a panel with Emily Blunt about horses and their healing powers at the Misty Meadows Equine Learning Center.

Christy Cashman

 GEORGINA PRESTON

Her wellness retreats, which she leads alongside executive director Shannon Pastuszak, focuses on having speakers talk about health and wellness, as well as holistic and preventative medicine. Cashman also hosts a writing workshop for the guests to help them explore their inner fiction writer. Guests are also invited to take part in cold plunges (“it’s uncomfortable, but a bonding experience when you all do it together,” she says), as well as horseback riding

She features workshops and classes led by top industry professionals. There are yoga and meditation classes with Pam Butler, a communications workshop with Irish actor Alan Devine, and a holistic wellness workshop with Dr. Mark Kovacs. Los Angeles musician Keith Harkin takes guests on a journey through musicology, while Dr. Mary O’Connor leads guests through an ecological walk, and a dramatherapy session with Pádraig J. Dunne.

The retreat was a long time coming for Cashman, an actor who has starred in films like Pink Panther 2, and American Hustle, before becoming a fiction writer. “For years, I have wanted to do a creative wellness workshop – where people just have a chance to just be,” said Cashman. “It’s where you soak into your environment and carve out space to be creative. Whether it’s getting back to writing that novel you’ve wanted to, or doing the painting you wanted to make, it’s about just being inspired by life and its surroundings. We get so caught up in the business of our lives, we lose perspective.”

Christy Cashman GEORGINA PRESTON

“The whole idea is about getting your perspective back, creating time for our creative projects,” she adds.

The YouThink retreats give back, bridging the gap between philanthropy and wellness. The retreats fund the YouthInk non-profit creative mentorship program and scholarships for teens aged 13 to 18, which Cashman hosts on a quarterly basis. It helps teens carve out their creative voice through creative writing, film, photography, music, animation, fashion design, and acting.

Christy Cashman

 GEORGINA PRESTON

“Creativity goes hand in hand with wellness,” said Cashman, who runs the program with its co-creative directors, Pádraig J. Dunne, and Mary O’Connor. “It’s about creating your own personal story, learning how to be a storyteller and expressing your true creative self.”

After doing their first pilot workshop at Kilkea Castle in 2021, Cashman realized the power of the creative workshop and wanted to offer it to adults. “I thought adults would love this,” she recalls. “It’s a 360-degree approach that comes full circle the moment you decide to care for yourself. As you help yourself, you help others.”

The dedicated time and space to be creative is key to Cashman who knows this firsthand. When she started writing her book in 2013, she attended several writing workshops to perfect her craft.

“It had this feeling of a new beginning,” she said. “The most important thing about writing is not only having the talent but carving the time out in your life. You must take the time. The only way I could express it was through these retreats.”

The upcoming wellness retreat in Martha’s Vineyard will feature a talk by Carly Simon’s daughter, Sally Taylor, who runs an arts organization called Consenses, on how art by one person informs the art of another.

“Creating art is scary, but it is so fulfilling,” said Cashman. “Attending a wellness-driven creative retreat is the perfect place to be still, to grow, and to reconnect with your inner creator.”

As she prepares for her next retreat in Martha’s Vineyard, Cashman will be featured at Canyon Ranch in Lenox on May 8 discussing mental health in The Truth About Horses along with Dr. Mark Kovacs. She is continuing her book tour with talks in New York and Nantucket this spring. Cashman will also make an appearance at the Capital Rare Book Fair, co-founded by Eve and Edward Lemon, in Washington on May 5, speaking alongside royal expert Hugo Vickers. She is also working on her second novel, which is a mystery book based in the Tennessee mountains in the 1980s.

Keeping her own creativity alive is key to the process. “I think we need creative exploration in wellness,” she said. “We are creative beings, and whether you’re an entrepreneur or a doctor, you must use your creativity in one way or another—I believe everyone is creative.”

The post Christy Cashman On The Future Of Wellness And The YouThink Retreat appeared first on R. Couri Hay.