By Richard Pérez-Feria
Photography by Dori Fitzpatrick
About eight years ago, I started writing (and posting on social media) a weekly e-mail blast I dubbed 5THINGS2LIVE4 (Five Things To Live For) to some of my closest friends that consisted of an image and a short paragraph about the five people, places or things I was excited about and looking forward to that week. Mind you, the range was enormous on purpose—from the reality drama on Love Island to powerbrokers in presidential politics. Come to find out that a lot of people, places and things really matter to me. And, as with most things I’ve done creatively for the past several decades, Kathleen Gates (The Mountains’ design genius) came up with the perfect aesthetic for my titillating side project. As a kickoff to the revival of 5THINGS2LIVE4 (look for it in 2025), the following things are piquing my interest right now. Fun, no?
1. Wicked, Parts One & Two
OK, yes, of course I’ve already seen Wicked, Part One twice; and, yes, of course, it was mind-blowingly fantastic. But I’m convinced that when Wicked, Part Two premieres Thanksgiving 2025, it’ll rival The Godfather and The Godfather II for the greatest two-part films in Hollywood history. Wicked is, simply, a movie musical spectacle for the ages. And, because we knew them, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo have changed us all for the better—and for good. #IYKYK
2. TayVis
The imminent, (almost) definite engagement/wedding/baby announcement(s) from my favorite—and everyone else’s—couple du jour, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, is competing for the epic pop culture news of 2025. Go ahead and eye roll if you must, but in this moment, I’ll take the utter goodness pouring out of these two super talented lovebirds at the very top of their respective fields. America, we couldn’t have chosen a better king and queen of the prom. And, no, they are never, ever, ever breaking up. Like, ever. #TaylorSwiftTravisKelce
3. Great TV
These are the ten TV shows that have me on the brink until their release (in no particular order): The Bear (Season 4, Hulu); The White Lotus (Season 3, HBO); Stranger Things (Season 5, Netflix); Suits: LA (Season 1, NBC); Hacks (Season 4, Hulu); Alcaraz, The Docuseries (Season 1, Netflix); The Traitors (Season 3, Peacock); The Night Agent (Season 2, Netflix); The Morning Show (Season 4, Apple+); Wednesday (Season 2, Netflix). #MustSeeTV
4. Miami Dolphins
Either at the tail end of 2024 or definitely the next NFL season, my beloved, hard-luck Miami Dolphins are bound to finally put all the pieces together for a legit run at winning the Super Bowl for the first time in more than half a century. So, yeah, we’re due. #FinsUp
5. Kelly Clarkson
Indisputably, Kelly Clarkson, the inaugural champion of American Idol (22 years ago!), has unquestionably joined the jaw-dropping, short list of single-name icons who comprise the very best female singers of all time: Ella, Judy, Barbra, Donna, Whitney, Céline, Mariah. Within a two-week period, this impossibly nice Texas girl tore the roof off The Kelly Clarkson Show by slaying these familiar anthems in head-exploding ways. Kelly’s two-minute versions of Céline Dion’s “All By Myself” and “My Heart Will Go On;” Taylor Swift’s “Lavender Haze;” Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club;” Judy Garland’s “If I Only Had A Brain;” and Lady Gaga’s “I’ll Always Remember Us This Way” left no doubt whatsoever: Kelly Clarkson may just be the very best singer in the world. Oh yeah, American Idol indeed. #Kelly
Overarching all of the five decidedly light-hearted people, places and things I’m looking forward to, I’ll, as always, remain steadfast on all gravely serious fronts as well, including important issues impacting our civil liberties, the planet, injustice and a civil political discourse. For me, even as I eagerly await the latest season of some entertaining television series, remaining vigilant and alert about our country isn’t a contradictory exercise. One feeds the soul, the other saves the world.
Some of the items featured in the 5THINGS2LIVE4 on my list are fast approaching. So, with a touch of excitement for that, I’ll also remain optimistic as ever in the face of daunting adversity. Love will win, friends. It always does. Now, that’s something to live for, isn’t it?
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