SOCIAL MEDIA
Snapchat Launches Creator Accelerator at 1 Billion Followers Summit 2026
DUBAI, 10th January, 2026 (WAM) — Snapchat has concluded its significant participation in the fourth edition of the 1 Billion Followers Summit, the world’s largest event dedicated to shaping the content creator economy.
An extensive lineup of 20 sessions, workshops, and panel discussions, hosted at the dedicated Snapchat House within the summit’s venue, was designed to empower content creators by providing them with the tools, knowledge, and strategies to grow their audience, build sustainable businesses, and master the art of storytelling on Snapchat.
The fourth edition of the 1 Billion Followers Summit featured 580+ sessions and specialised networks, and hosted 15,000+ content creators and influencers, 500+ expert speakers with a collective following of 3.5+ billion, and 150+ CEOs and global experts. The event attracted over 30,000 attendees from around the globe.
Saeed Al Eter, Saeed Al Eter, Deputy Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Strategic Projects and Chairman of the UAE Government Media Office, emphasised that the 1 Billion Followers Summit is continuously refining its vision and programmes, with the aim to elevate the content industry and cultivate talent by forging stronger partnerships with major global platforms. Al Eter described the Summit’s fourth edition as a turning point in its history.”
Al Eter highlighted the crucial role social media platforms play in empowering content creators, enabling them to scale their businesses and drive positive change within their communities, noting that this role is fuelled by the vast potential of new technologies and the growing use of artificial intelligence.
Antoine Challita, UAE Country Head for Snap Inc. in MENA, said, “The UAE has positioned itself as a global hub for the creative and digital economy, with creators playing an increasingly important role in shaping culture and storytelling. What we’re seeing across the region is a shift toward more intentional, culturally grounded content, paired with a growing focus on building long-term value. Snapchat’s participation in the 1 Billion Followers Summit reflects our commitment to supporting this direction. Through initiatives like the Snap Accelerator Program, we focused on equipping creators with the skills, tools, and understanding needed to grow responsibly, strengthen their storytelling, and turn creativity into sustainable opportunity on Snapchat.”
Snapchat places a major emphasis on nurturing talent through its flagship initiatives, Snap Accelerator Program, which featured ten dedicated sessions during the 1 Billion Followers Summit, designed to guide emerging creators through every stage of their journey.
The sessions were led by a team of Snap experts including Ali Alshehri, Talent Partnerships Manager for MENA; Aya Kalouti, Talent Partnerships Manager for MENA; Reem Matloub, Snap’s Content Partnerships Manager with over 17 years in digital media; Mashael AlBelaihed, a Junior Talent Partnership Associate focused on fashion and beauty; Naif Alqumaizy, a Junior Talent Partnerships team member managing sports and travel creators; and Ahmad Fares, the Creator Education Senior Specialist leading Snap School across MENA.
Complementing this was Snap School, offered across four sessions and teaching creators best practices for using the platform. Snap School sessions featured insights from Mashael AlBelaihed, Naif Alqumaizy, and Ahmad Fares.
A series of keynote sessions, conversations and panel discussions focused on the business of content creation. A fireside chat titled Breaking Through with Content explored how creators can cut through the noise, featuring Snapchat’s Reem Matloub and Ahmad Fares.
Another fireside chat focused on turning connections into collaborations, guiding creators on how to work with brands authentically. Titled Creators & Brands: Turning Connection Into Collaboration, it featured Samer Lahoud, Snap’s award-winning Head of Creative Strategy for MENA; Heidi Felfella, a Senior Creative Strategist for Creator Marketing with over a decade of experience; and Rami Saad, Co-Founder & CBO of Halo AI and a seasoned digital media ecosystem builder.
In Building Brands, One Snap at a Time, creators learned how to build a real business on the platform. This practical panel discussion featured speakers including Angelo Di Sotto, Client Partner at Snapchat with over 18 years in digital strategy; Mayowa Tola-Voss, Client Partner at Snapchat with a 12-year track record in digital advertising; and Shadi Abdel Malek, Snap’s Business Development Manager with 15 years of experience at top tech companies.
A keynote session titled Building your Public Profile on Snapchat by Majd AbiAli from Snap’s EMEA Sports and Media Partnerships team covered the essentials of bringing a brand’s personality to life on Snapchat.
The Summit also featured unique, creator-led sessions that offered personal insight and inspiration. Comedy Over Coffee marked Snap’s first comedy-led creator session in MENA, delivering an entertaining and humorous take on the creator journey, led by Mohamed Helmy, a rising star in Arabic stand-up comedy and founder of HelmyMan Events.
An intimate fireside chat titled The Female Lens: Where Authenticity Shapes Empowerment explored how female creators are building powerful communities and turning creativity into opportunity. The conversation featured successful content creator Sara Al Wari alongside Snap’s Reem Matloub.
The 1 Billion Followers Summit, organised by the UAE Government Media Office, took place from 9 to 11 January 2026 at Jumeirah Emirates Towers, DIFC and the Museum of the Future, under the theme ‘Content for Good’.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Demi Moore Sparks ‘Ozempic Ears’ Accusations At 2026 Actor Awards
Demi’s Moore made a number of stunning transformations throughout her long acting career. Although Moore’s been working steadily since the 1980s, she gained important critical recognition with a 2025 Oscar nomination for “The Substance.” Soon after, Moore’s role as Cami Miller on the popular “Landman” series thrust the actor even further into the spotlight.
Moore’s long been the subject of plastic surgery rumors, and all this new attention has caused people to scrutinize Moore’s appearance even more. After she stepped out in a body-hugging outfit at a fashion show, people jumped to the conclusion that the “Landman” star is using Ozempic. When Moore appeared at the March 2026 Actor Awards (previously the Screen Actors Guild Awards), it was another opportunity for the rumor mill to start churning. Rather than claims about weight loss drugs affecting her face or neck, critics zeroed in on Moore’s ears. “Botched ozempic ears,” claimed one poster on X. “Losing all that weight made her ears massive,” asserted another.
However, by comparing a photo of Moore from 1989 with her 2026 awards show pic, it’s clear that these claims are ridiculous. Moore’s ears look essentially the same. While her ears are a standout feature, the actor’s hairstyle makes a big difference. When her hair is in a pixie cut or pulled back, Moore’s ears are much more noticeable than when they are partially covered by long, loose strands. Also, Moore’s dangly earrings create the illusion of larger ears.
Moore’s ears were on full display when she shaved her head
Although Demi Moore’s slicked-back ‘do seems like a radical departure from her signature long hair, the actor has sported plenty of shorter cuts throughout her career. Around the time of “GI Jane,” Moore even made a dramatic reveal of her shaved head during a David Letterman appearance.
Ozempic rumors aside, it’s possible that Moore’s ears could have changed slightly over time. “While significant weight loss can affect the appearance of the ears to some extent, the aging process and heavy earrings tend to have a more significant impact, particularly in older individuals,” Dr. Mark Murphy informed Allure. In Moore’s case, she seems to have a preference for bold statement earrings, so depending on their weight and how often she wears them, it’s possible her jewelry could have an impact.
Beyond her ears, it seems Moore’s changing appearance is causing fans to concoct all kinds of theories. For instance, one person was concerned that Moore’s appearance was connected to the difficulties of dealing with Bruce Willis’ dementia diagnosis. The former couple shares three children, and their daughter, Rumer Willis, shared a particularly bittersweet update on Bruce’s condition in late 2025. Others were worried about Moore’s health, especially those who felt her feet looked swollen in her pointy high heels. As Moore herself has noted, past health issues have affected her weight, like when a combination of professional pressure and a bout of shingles caused Moore to lose 20 pounds.
Thelist.com`
SOCIAL MEDIA
Jim Carrey Reflects on French Roots at Rare César Honor Appearance
The Truman Show star Jim Carrey made a rare public appearance at the 51st César Awards in Paris on Thursday evening to receive an Honorary César Award.
The actor, who stepped back from the limelight of late, teared up as director Michel Gondry recalled their collaboration on Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and looked touched when actor Emmanuel Curtil, who is the official French voice of Carrey, begged him not to leave the profession.
Carrey delivered a highly accented acceptance speech in French as he received the rectangle block shaped trophy, recalling how his great-great-great-grandfather Marc-François Carrey had emigrated from the French port city of Saint Malo for Canada, while he himself had then travelled onto Los Angeles.
“About three hundred years ago, my great-great-great-great-grandfather, Marc François Carrey, left Saint-Malo in France for Canada. Tonight, with this magnificent honor, this ‘square’ has come full circle,” he said. “Perhaps this is what my family was looking for.
hank you to the funniest man I have ever known: my father, Percy Joseph Carrey, who taught me the value of love, generosity, and laughter. If you want fortune to smile upon you, smile upon it first. It is very difficult, but we must try. I will always cherish this memory. I will always smile at this memory.My life is paradise,” he continued, concluding: “So, how was my French? Mediocre, right?”
Carrey follows in a long line of illustrious César honorees which include Julia Roberts (2025), Christopher Nolan (2024), David Fincher (2023) Cate Blanchett (2022), Robert Redford (2019) and George Clooney (2017).
The once prolific actor who broke onto the big screen in 1994 with a trio of box office topping hit films – Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, The Mask, and Dumb and Dumber – has slowed down the pace in recent years and also taken up painting.
In 2022, he suggested he was considering retiring from acting but then backtracked on the suggestion to reprise his Dr. Robotnik role in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 in 2024.
DEADLINE
SOCIAL MEDIA
Panic as Miss Universe Stumbles during festival parade
Miss Universe Fátima Bosch worried onlookers when she suddenly fell to her knees while riding a parade float this weekend.
On Sunday, Feb. 15, the 2025 international titleholder attended the Fruit and Flower Festival in Ambato, Ecuador. While standing and waving to the crowd on a florally inspired platform, Bosch appeared to try to hold a railing behind her before dropping down in her mint-colored gown.
In videos of the incident since reshared on social media, those watching can be heard gasping and crying out in response to her unexpected fall. A woman climbed up the float to assist Bosch, who remained conscious as she spoke to the person who came to her aid.
Bosch did not immediately responded to PEOPLE’s request for comment. The Miss Universe Organization’s Head of Communications, Miguel Ángel Martínez, tells PEOPLE in a statement that Bosch “experienced a brief episode of lightheadedness after several hours of outdoor participation” during the festival parade.
“As a precaution, she was immediately assisted by her team and local medical personnel on site,” the statement continues. “She remained conscious, was evaluated promptly, and recovered quickly. Out of an abundance of care, her schedule was adjusted to allow for appropriate rest and hydration. She is feeling well and expressed her sincere appreciation for the warmth and hospitality she received in Ecuador.”
Martínez adds in the statement, “Fátima is currently on her official international Miss Universe World Tour, which includes cultural, humanitarian, and community engagements across multiple countries. At every stop, we work in close coordination with local organizers and medical teams to ensure the safety and well-being of our titleholders.”
He maintains that the “health and security” of Miss Universe delegates remains the organization’s highest priority.
Bosch represented Mexico at the Miss Universe contest last fall, and after three weeks of events and appearances, she was crowned winner on stage in Bangkok on Nov. 21. However, her participation in the prestigious, global pageant made headlines shortly after she and her fellow contestants arrived in Thailand.
At a pre-pageant event on Nov. 4 — which was livestreamed on Facebook by Miss Universe Thailand — pageant executive Nawat Itsaragrisil called out Bosch for allegedly refusing to partake in a photo shoot meant for contestants to share on their social media pages. He claimed that she wasn’t fulfilling her duty to “promote the host country.”
Despite Bosch denying the claims, Itsaragrisil continued to chastise her, prompting several other contestants to follow her out of the room as she left.
Following her win, Bosch discussed her Miss Universe win during an appearance on CNN’s The Lead with Jake Tapper on Dec. 4. When asked about the global reaction to the viral confrontation, Bosch insisted she was concentrating at the time so she “didn’t have the time to see what happened.”
People
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