Candace Bushnell's New Dating Show Is Bringing Sex Back To The City

Candace Bushnell's new dating show

Anyone who's still reeling from The Golden Bachelor can start getting excited again because we're officially in for a new reality dating show! But, get this — the show comes from the genius mind of Candace Bushnell. Yes, the author who breathed life into the Sex and the City universe, giving us classic characters like Carrie Bradshaw and Samantha Jones.

Because I can barely contain my excitement about this news, here's all the juicy details about Bushnell's upcoming reality dating show!

What's the name of Candace Bushnell's dating show?

As reported by Variety — and in true Candace Bushnell form — the show is aptly called Is There Still Sex in The City?I love that she's expanding the SATC brand, taking on new territories alongside And Just Like That.

Who's developing "Is There Still Sex In The City?" with Candace Bushnell?

While Is There Still Sex in The City is her idea, Candace Bushnell is partnering with Bunim/Murray Productions to bring the reality dating show to life!

What's the synopsis of "Is There Still Sex in The City?"

This new dating show is taking a page from The Golden Bachelor's book, centering the dating lives of middle-aged women, rather than the typical twenty-somethings we see so often. Varietygot a deeper look at the synopsis, reporting, "They’ll try the boy toys, sample a senior age player, be romanced by the rich guys and even get to flirt with their fantasy man."

This comes as no surprise, given that Sex and the City began with women in their 30s, followed by And Just Like That in the 50+ era. I can't wait to watch this all unfold!

What has Candace Bushnell said about focusing on the love lives of older women?

In a statement obtained by Variety, Bushnell shared her confidence about the intrigue of older women who date. She said, "Fifty-something women (and above) are the hottest new dating demographic...I’m so excited to be working on a show that combines my passion for relationships with the chance to help women, like me, navigate a love do-over.”

Have executives from Bunim/Murray Productions chimed in with their thoughts?

Julie Pizzi — President of Bunim/Murray Productions — is equally excited about Is There Still Sex in The City. She told Variety, "We feel that Candace’s brand has grown with her audience and her expertise in the dating space is an incredible entry point for an immersive dating experiment.”

I couldn't agree more!

When will "Is There Still Sex in The City" premiere?

The show is still in the beginning stages of being developed, so a premiere date hasn't been released yet. But, you'll be the first to know once we have more information! Here's to hoping it'll premiere in 2024!

How do you feel about Candace Bushnell developing a new reality dating show? Let us know in the comments and follow the conversation on Facebook!

Lead image via Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

Ladies and fashionistas, hold on to your Manolo Blahniks because our favorite New York City dames are coming back for a third season of And Just Like That.... That's right, the cult classic Sex and the City spinoff is set to grace our screens once again! So, what can we expect from AJLT's junior season? Buckle up, darlings, as we delve into all the juicy details.

When will "And Just Like That" Season 3 come out?

Photograph by Craig Blankenhorn/Max

Now, here's the catch — while the fabulous return of our beloved Manhattanites is on the horizon, there's no set return date just yet. The writers strikeand SAG-AFTRA strike put production on hold for a while, but this delay gave us all the more time to binge-watch and reminisce about Carrie's iconic rent-controlled apartment. So, don't fret; we'll have more than enough time to sip our cosmos and rekindle our SATC love affair.

On May 1, 2024 Sarah Jessica Parker confirmed the series was back in production when she posted a photo of her script! "Here. We. Go. X, SJ," she says in the caption. While she perfectly positioned her pen to block the name of the first episode's title, we can see the last three letters look like "OOD." The title could be anything from "For Good" to "The Neighborhood" and I'm very curious to find out.

Where can you stream "And Just Like That" Season 3?

Photograph by Craig Blankenhorn/Max

Before we dive into the excitement of season 3, make sure you're up to speed by streaming the first two seasons of And Just Like That... on MAX. That's where we'll find season 3, too!

Which "And Just Like That" cast members will return for season 3?

Photograph by Craig Blankenhorn/Max

Let's talk about the heart and soul of And Just Like That... — the cast. Sans Samantha, it's likely that all of our favorite characters from season 2 will be making a glorious comeback for season 3. With Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, and Kristin Davis all donning the executive producer hats, it's a safe bet that ¾ of the original SATC gang will grace our small screens once more. Fingers crossed Nicole Ari Parker, Sarita Choudhury, John Corbett, Karen Pittman, and more of our AJLT faves come back, too!

Who's not returning? According toThe Daily Mail, Sara Ramirez was let got from the show. Ramirez, who uses they/them pronouns, hinted at their departure from AJLT on Instagram. They wrote this statement on their story:

"Our industry is so duplicitous. While they give awards away, casting directors and agents are making blacklists of actors and workers who post anything in support of Palestinians in Gaza to ensure they will not work again. While they lift up some of their own clients who have spoken up against this genocide, they are firing and letting others who have smaller platforms go. While they award 'lgbtq orgs', they are silent on those orgs ties to weapons manufacturers who are currently supporting the Israel military as it commits genocide on Palestinian lives that include LGBTQIA2S+ lives."

The statement ended with a very tongue-in-cheek reference, "It's wild how performative so many in Hollywood are, even more performative than the last character I played."

Though Ramirez intimated that they got fired for their political beliefs, but allegedly the show has other reasons for the cast change. According to reporting from The Daily Mail, a source revealed that Che was "too annoying" as a character. It's no secret that people have strong feelings about Che Diaz, but we haven't received an official statement from the AJLT team confirming this reasoning.

Reporting from Varietyrevealed that Che's character simply came to a "natural conclusion." Their sources maintain that the severed ties with Sara Ramirez had nothing to do with their politics and everything to do with the fact that Miranda and Che's relationship was over.

Will Samantha Jones return for "And Just Like That" Season 3?

Photograph by Craig Blankenhorn/Max

The burning question on everyone's mind...will Samantha Jones make a triumphant return to the city that never sleeps? Season 2 did give Samantha's fans a taste of what they craved when Kim Cattrall made a brief appearance in the finale. However, for those yearning for a classic brunch scene with all four of the original cast members, it's time to temper your expectations.

After a revealing interview on the Today Show back in June, Kim Cattrall put the Samantha saga to rest. When asked by Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager about a potential season 3 comeback, Cattrall left us with lingering uncertainty, stating, "That's as far as I'm going to go."

Though it might be disheartening to know that Samantha won't be gracing our screens in the upcoming season, it's essential to remember that the magic of And Just Like That... extends beyond one character. Carrie, Charlotte, and Miranda's enduring friendship and the vibrant energy of New York City are still very much at the heart of the show.

Carrie Bradshaw's Apartment

Image via Max

While we all anxiously await any news about And Just Like That... Season 3, watch this homage to Carrie's classic apartment.

Who's your favorite And Just Like That character? Let us know in the comments!

Header image via Craig Blankenhorn/Max

George and Amal Clooney are one of the celebrity couples I’d personally be upset over if they ever break up. Like...my heart just wouldn’t be able to handle it because their love story is one for the books — not to mention all the power couple fashion moments we'd miss out on!

I was introduced to George Clooney’s work via Quentin Tarantino’s movieFrom Dusk ‘Til Dawn (thanks, dad) and have always found him to be a force of nature, but I didn’t take him for the ‘settling down’ type. Imagine my surprise when the man who once claimed he’d never get married eventually found himself smitten with Amal Alamuddin, an intelligent Human Rights Lawyer.

Since their fateful first meeting at George’s home years ago, the two have gone on to get married, have children, and even established the Clooney Foundation for Justice together. If you can’t get enough of their relationship either, here’s a full timeline of their love story!

George and Amal Clooney's Full Relationship Timeline

Image via Andrew Goodman/Getty Images for Celebrity Fight Night

July 2013: George And Amal Clooney’s First Introduction

In 2018, George sat down with David Letterman on My Next Guest Needs No Introduction to recount various moments from his life, including when he first met Amal. He remembers being at home at Lake Como when one of his friends asked if they could bring a plus one with them.

To make things even wilder, his own agent let him know his bachelor days would soon be over. “I got a call from my agent who called and said, ‘I met this woman who’s coming to your house who you’re gonna marry,’” he said.

Once he met Amal and began talking to her, it was apparent they had chemistry that resulted in them exchanging emails. George told The Hollywood Reporter, “I thought she was beautiful, and I thought she was funny and obviously smart…Then she sent some pictures from when she was here, and we were writing each other, emailing, talking, mostly about what was going on in each other’s lives, and over a period of time it became clear we were more than just friends.”

I’m being dramatic, but I think this dispels the idea that it’s impossible to find love if you don’t leave home.

Image via Cindy Ord/Getty Images

October 2013: George and Amal Have Their First Date

George also told The Hollywood Reporter about how their first official date came to be. He was in London overseeing the music for Monuments Men and decided to invite Amal for a visit. “Then we went for dinner…and when we came out, there were 50 paparazzi there. But she handled it like a champ. And pretty quickly, things escalated once I was in London,” he said

While they dated and got to know each other, they told CBS that they wrote each other letters. While they described that courtship, Amal added that some of the letters George wrote to her came from...his dog? Talk about bringing someone into your inner world! TBH, I'm more than here for it — let your sweet, goofy flag fly, George!

Image via Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Turner

April 2014: George and Amal Get Engaged

I always say there’s no denying when you’ve fallen in love with someone, and that couldn’t be more true for George and Amal Clooney who got engaged after six months of dating. Seriously, the way George proposed is something out of a romantic fairytale because he planned it. Not only that, but he cooked for her and sent her on a short scavenger hunt — except she didn’t know she was supposed to be looking for a ring.

He revealed even more details about the moment during his interview with The Hollywood Reporter. “I did all the stuff, got down on my knee and did all the things you’re supposed to do. I had a playlist with my Rosemary [Clooney] songs on it, and I was waiting for this song, ‘Why Shouldn’t I,’” he said.

Needless to say, Amal happily accepted his proposal! Ironically,I’m starting to realize there’s not always a set timeline for people to get engaged or married after dating. Some people only date for a few months while others date for years before deciding to get married. It’s all very personal.

Image via Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for BFI

September 2014: George And Amal Clooney Get Married

It wouldn’t be right if the couple didn’t get married in Italy, the country where they first met. Of course they were free to get married wherever they wanted, but leave it to the Clooneys to keep the romance going.

People reported the lovely couple wed at the Aman Canal Grande resort and guests like Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, and John Krasinski were in attendance.

Image via Jason Merritt/Getty Images

January 2015: George and Amal Grace the Red Carpet Together

For the first time ever, George and Amal Clooney made an appearance on the red carpet at the beginning of 2015. They attended the Golden Globes together where George received the famed lifetime achievement award.

Towards the end of his speech, George praised Amal in only a way that a man truly in love with his wife could. He said, "You make every single day — every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday — feel as special as tonight..."

Image via Duncan McGlynn/Getty Images

Late 2016: George and Amal Found the Clooney Foundation for Justice

By 2016, George and Amal Clooney decided to found the Clooney Foundation for Justice — an organization that aims to shed light around social injustices found across the globe. They've prioritized spending their own money to help those in need without a second thought and have even donated to the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Image via Clemens Bilan/Getty Images

February 2017: PEOPLE confirms George and Amal are expecting twins

Almost three years after getting married, a source close to George and Amal Clooney revealed the two were expecting a baby together. They told People, "They’re all very happy," referring to the couple's family.

George later revealed to The Hollywood Reporter that he was shocked when he discovered the couple would actually become parents to twins. He recalled their experience in the ultrasound room. "He goes, 'Well, there's one.' And I said, 'Great.' And then he goes, 'And there's the second one.' And I was like, 'What?' We just sat there, staring at that piece of paper they give you, and I kept thinking there was a mistake," he said of the exchange between the doctor and the couple.

Image via Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

June 2017: George and Amal Clooney Welcome Their Twins

People also reported the birth of George and Amal Clooney's twins — Alexander and Ella — during the summer of 2017. "This morning Amal and George welcomed Ella and Alexander Clooney into their lives. Ella, Alexander and Amal are all healthy, happy and doing fine. George is sedated and should recover in a few days," they revealed in lighthearted joint statement.

September 2017: George and Amal Clooney Make Their First Appearance After Becoming Parents

Later that year, George and Amal Clooney graced the red carpet at the Venice Film Festival in support of George's film Suburbicon. George — an ever dapper gentleman — wore a classic black tuxedo while Amal wore a lilac Versace gown.

Image via Gareth Fuller - WPA Pool/Getty Images

May 2018: George and Amal attend Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding

Things were quiet for the couple until the spring of 2018. They attended Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's highly publicized wedding. They were just a few of the celebrities that were seen in the crowd.

Image via Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

February 2022: George and Amal accept the Catalyst Award together

A couple of years later, George and Amal Clooney were the proud recipients of the joint Catalyst Award from the Elevate Prize Foundation. The amazing work they'd been doing in connection with the Clooney Foundation for Justice hadn't gone unnoticed and they were praised for their amazing philanthropic work.

While accepting the award, George gave a moving speech about their foundation's purpose. "One of the Elevate Prize Foundation's core values is human safety and freedom...Our goal at the foundation is to free the innocent and punish the guilty. I think we're both inspired by the young people out there challenging injustice in their communities, a new generation that won't accept the status quo," he said.

Image via Joe Maher/Getty Images

September 2022: George and Amal attend London premiere of Ticket to Paradise

The couple then attended the London premiere of Ticket to Paradise where they looked refreshed and glowy. This is my attempt to be appropriate, but they truly looked smoking h-o-t!This time George wore a three-piece suit while Amal stunned in beautiful slip dress.

Image via Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images

October 17, 2022: George and Amal attend Ticket to Paradise Los Angeles premiere

They then attended the L.A. premiere of Ticket to Paradise where George looked debonair in a grey suit. Amal wore a gorgeous Alexander McQueen number that was an appropriate nod to the film's paradise theme.

Image via Mike Coppola/Getty Images

December 3, 2022: George and Amal Attend The Kennedy Center Honors

George and Amal Clooney attended the Kennedy Center Honors where he, along with honorees, received a nod for lifetime achievements. They were a picture of perfection on the red carpet, especially Amal. She dazzled in a lovely Valentino gown that looked amazing on her frame.

Image via Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images


August 31, 2023: The Couple Attend The DVF Awards in Venice

While attending the DVF Awards in Venice, Amal received the DVF Leadership Award. During her acceptance speech, Amal thanked George for being by her side. People reports she said, "Venice is the place where almost nine years ago we were married. I just wanted to say, you, my love, like this city, take my breath away, and you make our lives magical. It is sometimes hard to believe you exist, so thank you for being the brightest light in my life.”

September 28, 2023: George and Amal host The Albies

Before the end of 2023, People reported George and Amal Clooney hosted their foundation's second annual Albies at the New York Public Library to continue highlighting the importance of securing human rights for all.

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I spent an unhealthy amount of time thinking about love and relationships when I was younger, so I'm surprised I hadn't heard of the invisible string theory. You'd think someone who's familiar with imaginationships, red flags, and long-term relationships would, right? But this viral Tiktok theory took me — and the internet — by storm recently.

Since I was intrigued, I sought out some expert advice to really get to the bottom of what this lovely little social media notion was, and if it actually has some merit to it. With the help of Courtney Morgan, Licensed Therapist (LPCC) and founder of Counseling Unconditionally, I'm here to help you understand WTF the invisible string theory is and whether it's something that can apply to your life.

P.S. This one's for my lover women who can't get enough of the enemies-to-lovers trope often found in their fave romance books. 😘

Why are love theories so popular on social media?

Image via Pexels User/Pexels

Fromloud budgeting to the lucky girl syndrome, it's not unsurprising that I discovered the invisible string theory on TikTok. It turns out I'm not the only who loves hearing about how other people met the person they're dating or married to. Morgan says, "I believe that love theories are popular on social media because they bring up positive feelings, are relatable, and fun to consider. Even if they’re a little wacky or far out there, it can be entertaining to consider the possibility that they may be true and explore how they relate to your situation."

That's probably why I found myself creating a few imaginationships in my late teens, but we won't dive into that.

So, what is the invisible string theory?

Image via Photo by Juliano Astc/Pexels

Since the only string that comes to mind when I think about this is string cheese, I asked Morgan if she could fully explain this theory. "The ‘invisible string theory’ is a viral phenomenon that essentially alludes to the fact that we are connected to a person so innately that the bond cannot be broken, and that we would find this person in any lifetime," she says.

Now that I have a better understanding of this, I liken this theory to finding "the one," but more on that soon!

Should I expect to find the invisible string theory hard at work in my life?

Image via Angelina Orlova/Dupe Photos

I'll be honest — I asked this question for you, but I kind of want to know if there's actual merit to it for research purposes 👀. I know it's fun to think everyone will have the same experience, but that's not always the case.

"I don’t think that everyone will experience this phenomenon for themselves, and I also don’t think it should be a goal that we set out to accomplish, as feelings and interpretations can be so mixed and ambiguous. I am hopeful that a person seeking this connection will find a person or persons that make them feel secure and connected, even if their relationship doesn’t perfectly follow the invisible string theory," says Morgan.

Okay, noted.

Will the invisible string theory help someone attract "the one?"

Image via Elizabeth Pishal/Dupe Photos

Remember what I said about my not-so-secret former obsession with finding "the one?" Well, Morgan has thoughts about how that could connect to the invisible string theory. She says, "I believe that when people set out looking for something, they will find it. This doesn’t always mean that it works out and that it is meant to be this way, but believing that there is a person out there for you creates hope."

She also says, "A person that has this hope is a lot more likely to put themselves in situations to meet “the one”, whether that is striking up conversation with an attractive stranger, trying to get out of the friend zone, or accepting an invitation on a first date."

I'm just going to drag my younger self by saying that I entertained more guys than I probably should've on my journey to find true love. Thank goodness for growth and maturity!

Does the invisible string theory only apply to romantic relationships?

Image via Adrienn/Pexels

It feels like society has started to change how it takes about relationships by realizing that not all of the important ones are strictly romantic. There are familial and work ties along side our many friendships have nothing to do with romance, but they're important nonetheless.

"People will reference the invisible string theory in a variety of relationships. Some of the relationships are romantic, but others may experience this feeling with their close friends, a really amazing mentor, or another person that has significant positive impact on their lives," says Morgan.

All jokes aside, should I expect for this theory to be perfect?

Image via Alena Shekhovtcova/Pexels

Eh, define 'perfect.' Seriously, we like to throw the word 'perfect' around, but nothing ever really measures up to that — especially when it comes to matters of the heart.

"A person should not expect to experience the invisible string theory exactly as it is described. Rarely do things work out exactly as planned, and the invisible string theory is not an exception. The invisible string theory is fun to consider, and believing in the theory can be valuable if it inspires you to put yourself out there," concludes Morgan.

Long story short, no one can tell you not to believe in the invisible string theory. All I or a licensed therapist like Morgan can do is help answer your heart's burning questions while (hopefully) guiding you towards making an informed decision.

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Lead image via Vlada Karpovich/Pexels

Nails breaking constantly? Wishing you didn't have to rely on tips at the salon? Desperate for that long nail look? You’re not alone. Despite it being used as an annoying and vapid phrase women would say in TV shows, breaking a nail is very painful and can ruin a (usually expensive) manicure. But don’t fret — we’ve rounded up five simple ways to get your nails to grow longer and stronger.

What causes weak fingernails?

Photo by cottonbro studio/PEXELS

But first, what causes unhealthy, brittle, breakable nails? A lot of factors that may not instantly come to mind. According to WebMD, these factors can contribute to weak nails:

  • Aging: As we get older, our nails get thinner and can crack or peel.
  • Harsh nail products: Both nail polish and nail polish remover can have strong chemicals that can damage and dry out your nails, leading them to break.
  • Wet nails: Consistently have your hands in water, maybe doing the dishes or bathtime for the kids? This could be drying out your nails.
  • Underlying health issues: Vitamin deficiencies, autoimmune diseases, and many other health issues could be the cause of nails breaking.

How can I strengthen my nails?

Photo by Karolina Grabowska/PEXELS

Dealing with some of these factors? While we can’t help you with the underlying health issues (please see a doctor if you think you may be dealing with something!), there are many easy things you can do to improve your nails and encourage growth.

  • Cuticle oil
  • Biotin
  • Diet
  • Nail protection
  • Avoid picking and peeling
Here's why each factor is important, plus how you can go about successfully achieving them.

Find a Cuticle Oil

You may only use cuticle oil when your manicurist applies it, but that doesn't have to be the case. Cuticle oils are an inexpensive and easy way to promote nail health and growth by keeping your nails hydrated. Cosmetically, cuticle oils encourage longer-lasting manis and leave your nails looking shiny and polished. But they do much more below the surface: cuticle oils create a healthier environment that allows strong growth for your nails.

Interested in adding cuticle oil to your beauty routine? Check our a few of my faves:

Photo via Cora Pursley/Dupe

Explore Biotin

Biotin is an important type of B vitamin that helps our bodies turn food into energy. It’s also one of the top recommended supplements for hair and nail growth, and for good reason. Many scientists say a daily biotin supplement can improve nail strength in as little as a few weeks.

“Since it is water soluble, biotin (or vitamin B7) can’t be stored in the body and must be acquired from diet or through supplementation,” shared Rachel Kilroy, Director of Product Innovation at Solaray, the original pioneers in supplement health and wellness. Solaray has developed a new supplement that provides biotin in a unique way.

Solaray’s Timed Release Biotin strategically supports nail health with a powerful 5,000 mcg of this important nutrient, delivering half of the biotin rapidly and the other half gradually over a period of up to 8 hours for sustained support,” Kilroy continued. “With consistent use, this vegan formula—lab verified for purity and potency—can provide comprehensive support for longer, stronger nails.”

Supplements not your thing? Biotin can be found naturally in many foods, like cooked eggs, whole grains, soy and other beans, nuts and nut butters, salmon, mushrooms, and cauliflower.

Photo via Daniella Cappellari/Dupe

Eat A Nail Friendly Diet

Nails require a balanced, healthy diet for proper growth and strength. According to Medical News Today, making small tweaks to your diet can make a big impact on your nails. Adding in nutrients like more iron or calcium in your diet will have your nails growing long and strong.

Dieticians recommend a colorful diet for nail growth consisting of colorful fruits and veggies, nuts, seeds, eggs, lean meat, avocado, sweet potato, and whole grains.

Photo via Sash Gabriel/Dupe

Protect Your Nails While Wet

Constantly doing dishes, managing bath time, gardening, or swimming? The water may be the cause of your breakage.

Your nails are like sponges, constantly expanding and contracting when water goes in or out of the nail cells. This can strain your nails, causing them to weaken, peel, and then break.

When possible, grab a pair of rubber gloves to wear while cleaning to protect your nails from the water and make sure to fully dry your nails after they’re in water. Hand creams are also a win for your nails after water exposure.

Avoid Picking, Peeling or Biting

Bad habits that are addicting. While peeling off your gel manicure can be so satisfying, it’s one of the worst things you can do for your nails. Same with constantly picking or biting your nails. As someone who used to constantly bite her nails down, I can assure you my nails are much healthier and stronger after kicking that habit.

Want to quit that habit? Try a nail bite deterrent, like this one from ella+mia or this one from LONDONTOWN and watch your nails grow before your eyes.

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I've got a thing for Reese Witherspoon's book club which is why I couldn't wait to get my hands on Yulin Kuang's debut novel How to End a Love Story. Chosen as Reese's Book Club's May Pick, it features a romance that almost shouldn't make sense. I mean, when's the last time you realized you trauma bonded with someone? Except Helen Zhang and Grant Shepard's character arcs as well as the entire plot of How to End a Love Story doesn't even feel like that.

Instead, Yulin uncannily peels back the layers of what it means to be a layered human being who happens to be carrying trauma, talent, success, imposter syndrome, and burning desire in their hearts. Even that doesn't scratch the surface of who Helen and Grant are. Trying to capture their essence feels like I'm stumbling over my words which points to how great this novel is and that means Yulin's goal has been accomplished.

Though she loves perfectly executed rom-coms and is fortunate to be working on them in the filmmaking space, she doesn't consider How to End a Love Story as one. "...I was searching for something more aligned with the Brontë sensibility of romance in the writing of this book. Less warmth and charm, more id-level storytelling and unchecked carnal desire," she explains.

Yulin Kuang's Journey To "How To End A Love Story"

Image via Zach Wallnau

Some people seem to be born knowing they're destined to right, but some of us stumble into it and realize, "Hey, I'm pretty good at this." For Yulin, her journey to her debut novel How to End a Love Story takes the latter route. Her first dream, you make ask? To be an Olympic figure skater.

"...that didn't pan out so I turned to storytelling," Yulin admits. That pivot led her to set her sights on becoming an author as she began honing her creative writing skills via your classic marble composition notebooks. If you're still wondering if she kept some of them, the answer is yes!

The screenwriter and author then found herself drawn to other aspects of writing and film. She says, "I eventually fell in love with screenwriting and directing while in undergrad at Carnegie Mellon, and I spent my first decade post-grad concentrating on my filmmaking career."

Yulin Kuang's Approach To Filmmaking

It's a reason why her hard work and the stars aligned for her to adapt Emily Henry's Beach Read and People We Meet on Vacation.

When I ask what helps her approach the book-to-film trajectory, she credits writing fan fiction. This feels similar to Christina Lauren's own experience, further proving that fan fiction deserves the utmost praise for helping some of the best literary and film minds who ultimately birth what I could only describe as masterpieces.

Yulin says, "Fan fiction is where I first learned you could play with characters originated by someone else to discover what you’d make them do in your own version." Although it would be easy for anyone to snap their fingers and have their first pitches accepted by everyone, she learned to lean on what writing fan fiction taught her.

"Early in my career, I would pitch on book-to-film adaptations and I’d be like, 'Change nothing, just shoot the book!' And I wouldn’t get those jobs, because I didn’t have a clear “take” and because you can’t actually just shoot a book – adaptation is an art form unto itself. So onceI started approaching adaptation with more of a fan fiction mindset – 'What is my take on these characters and this world?' – that helped me approach the book-to-screen trajectory more successfully," she proudly says.

However, this doesn't mean she never questioned if she could still find ways to create new ideas. "...in 2021, at a time when everything else I was working on was an adaptation, I found myself wondering if I had anything original left within me," she remembers.

It's natural for creatives to experience moments of doubt, but Yulin has been able to turn the tide and discover untapped ideas in her mind. Just don't expect her to set her own expectations about any adaptations she's working on.

She says, "Know that I am an avid reader of romance and a frequent consumer of this genre across mediums, and I will be bringing everything I know going into these adaptations. But more specifically to Beach Read, which I have more creative ownership over as the writer/director."

How Yulin Kuang Relates To Her Main Characters In "How To End A Love Story"

And since How to End a Love Story is truly Yulin's own creative body of work, it makes sense that main characters Helen and Grant have pieces of her personality as well as her characteristics.

"I gave Helen all my hopes and insecurities from high school and gave her the alternate universe path where I had pursued publishing instead of Hollywood. I examined what might have happened if I’d grown into certain qualities I’ve actively tried to grow away from," she says of Helen Zhang.

Right away, readers get the sense that Helen is a whip-smart and hardworking, but her penchant for being cautious about her success also peeks through. Though she's written highly successful YA (read: young adult) novels, Helen waits with bated breath for the moment people will call her bluff. She's relatable because many of us wonder if we're simply cosplaying as versions of ourselves who've reached any level of success.

On the other hand, there's Grant Shepard. He's seemingly this cool, calm, and collected screenwriter who has a complicated past with Helen. Yulin says, "I gave Grant a lot of the qualities I’m proud of and/or have coveted as a working screenwriter, and I certainly relate to many of his thoughts on screenwriting and the current state of our industry."

The more the reader learns about Helen and Grant, the more it becomes obvious that there's more to them than meets the eye. Sure, they are complicated...but who isn't?

"At their core, Helen and Grant are just two kids from Jersey trying to make it in Hollywood, and of course I relate deeply to that," she says.

Yulin Kuang's View Of Rom-Coms

Based on Yulin's genuine interest in romance novels and the fact she's well-versed in adapting them, she knows what it takes to make rom-coms flourish. Her first take? "Romantic tension is key to any romance – I always need to know why our couple can’t be together now. The second that tension is gone, so is audience interest," she points out.

This explains why we can't get enough of reading books about it, listening to albums dedicated to it, or watching films that depict all levels of romance. Still, there are some people who approach the genre with a side eye.

"There seems to be a natural human suspicion of things that make us feel too good – like, 'That can’t possibly be good for us, that’s just candy!' I wonder if it’s something evolutionary at work," she says before doubling down. "You can’t argue with the fact that people absolutely fucking love rom-coms, and I will die on the hill that a well-earned happily ever after is both harder to achieve and more narratively satisfying when it’s pulled off successfully."

She's the type of writer who really appreciates a big kiss that's handled correctly onscreen, but she's also not afraid to "groan every time it's fumbled." But, she knows everyone still won't see romance the way she and so many others view it, but she doesn't really care.

"Ultimately, I don’t concern myself too much with changing minds that don’t want to be changed.There are enough smart people who recognize the power and value of rom-coms, and I’d rather spend my precious time creating art to surprise and delight the people with good taste."

Need I say that this is yet another reason why How to End a Love Story works so well?

How Yulin Kuang Wishes The World Would Celebrate AAPI Month

As much as she's vocal about screenwriting and rom-coms, Yulin also has thoughts about the way society-at-large talks about BIPOC creative artists. "There’s a real, 'This is important, eat your vegetables,' vibe to things. And while that might be true, it’s not the most appealing way to market or discover art," she says.

She admits this could be due to how many diversity-in-film panels she's attended. As a Black woman, the conversations I see every year during Black History Month seem to have a certain "Let's check this box so everyone can be happy" vibe, so I can imagine attending panels about diversity and inclusion can start to sound repetitive after awhile.

Yulin doesn't hold back when she says, "I’m a little jaded when people ask me diversity questions at this point. I don’t want to attract the kind of readers who are only showing up to be supportive of my Asian-ness. It’s a bit like showing up to a date where someone says, 'I’m so excited that you’re Asian!!!'" This is an analogy I can so get behind because it makes a lot of sense!

It's one thing to have representation, but I like to think it's always obvious when people are approaching the conversation in a way that 'others' BIPOC people. We're literally not asking for a trophy, but more so an acknowledgement that we shouldn't be excluded from conversations, spaces, and careers or treated differently.

This sentiment is shared by Yulin who says, "That’s the thing about me that I didn’t do on purpose, and while I’m glad you’re excited, I hope there are things that I did do on purpose that you find exciting, too" and feels there is a way to be a genuine ally.

"...support AAPI creatives by all means, and perhaps begin by celebrating us as individual artists even after the designated month ends. And where applicable, talk about our work like it’s candy, not vegetables. I’d rather be irresistible than important," she states.

Take a page from Yulin Kuang's book and pick up a copy of How to End a Love Story today! You won't regret it!

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