This week's issue of TIME is highlighting the unity and shared humanity coming out of the coronavirus pandemic. This special double issue report — Apart. Not Alone — features the cover profile of Chef José Andrés, who is helping to feed people, profiles doctors and nurses who are fighting the virus on the front line, and others.
Charlotte Alter, a national correspondent for TIME, told Cheddar on Wednesday that everyone is finding a way to chip in and help.
"This is really a grassroots effort all across America with people trying to chip in to do what they can do," Alter said.
TIME Editor-in-Chief and CEO Edward Felsenthal wrote in a letter to readers that the magazine began working on the cover before they even knew of the term "flatten the curve."
"We began planning this special issue of TIME before any of us had heard the phrase flatten the curve, much less contemplated our own roles in the flattening," Felsenthal revealed.
Alter noted also noted that while this crisis may have people feeling isolated, it has also shown how connected we are with one another.
"Fundamentally, I think this crisis made us feel, maybe, physically isolated," she said. "But it has actually revealed how interconnected all of us actually are as a society."
The Chinese government brought the sitcom "Friends" back to its streaming services. However, it had instances of LGBTQ+ references left out, after the series had been banned on Chinese streaming platforms for years.
Season 13 "Shark Tank" contestant Tania Speaks secured a $400,000 deal for her Speaks Organic Skincare brand with "Shark" Mark Cuban while also being named one of the best pitches in the history of the show — all at 19 years old. Now 20, Speaks joined Cheddar News to talk about the skincare line, the clean beauty industry, and the moment that host Cuban was moved by her pitch. "I couldn't believe that he got emotional. I'm surprised I held back my tears that long," the young entrepreneur revealed. "It's just amazing for someone else to be inspired by your story, especially Mark Cuban himself."
The media giant formerly known as ViacomCBS has officially rebranded itself as Paramount Global with a focus on its streaming service, Paramount Plus. Naveen Chopra, chief financial officer at Paramount, joined Cheddar to discuss the company’s name change and streaming wars. "There are components of content licensing that we continue to do, either historical arrangements or opportunities to license content that don't really impinge on what we're trying to do with our owned and operated services and that continues to be an important ingredient in our broader financial model," he said. "But our number one priority is putting our best assets on Paramount Plus." Chopra also discussed theatrical release windows before feature films hit its service and the platform's subscription goals.
In efforts to help support black-owned brands. Ulta Beauty says it will make a commitment to not only give these brand shelf space but also help them navigate the ins and outs of growing a business. Last week, the beauty retailer announced in order to reach those goals, the company will spend $50 million on diversity and inclusion programs, including an accelerated program to mentor entrepreneurs of color. CEO of Ulta Beauty, Dave Kimbell, joined Cheddar to discuss more.
