Kelsea Ballerini on Her Whirlwind Year

This article is part of the 2023 TIME100 Next, our annual list recognizing rising leaders in health, climate, business, sports, the arts, and more. Read more about Kelsea Ballerini—and see the whole list—here.

Kelsea Ballerini has had a whirlwind year. Last September, she released her fourth studio album, Subject to Change, to critical acclaim. In November, she nabbed her third Grammy nomination and finalized her divorce from her husband of five years, Morgan Evans. In February of this year, she released an EP, Rolling Up The Welcome Mat, an achingly honest emotional portrait of that divorce. In March, she made her debut as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live. And in April, she co-hosted the CMT Awards, making a memorable state…

Mindy Kaling and Bela Bajaria on Telling Diverse Stories

Mindy Kaling knew her hit HBO Max show had a title that would sell. “People are far more interested in hearing a show called The Sex Lives of College Girls than the Title IX fight of four girls in college, even though that’s really worthy,” she said Tuesday at the TIME100 Summit. It’s just one example of how Kaling uses storytelling devices like humor and raunch to make larger points about inclusivity and gender.

At the event, Kaling and Netflix head of global TV Bela Bajaria—who worked together to bring Never Have I Ever to the streamer—talked about the importance of creating television shows that entertain, but also ones that prioritize inclusive storytelling at all levels. “What I like about the shows is they’re not …

Chinese ‘Friends’ Fans Mourn Matthew Perry

Long before Friends made its official debut in China, the show was a word-of-mouth phenomenon in the country. In the wake of Matthew Perry’s death at 54, fans in China are mourning the loss of the star who felt less like a distant celebrity and more like an old friend.

A Wednesday evening memorial at a cafe in Shenzhen, a busy city across the border of Hong Kong, was one of several held throughout the country for the actor who played Chandler Bing and died Saturday in Los Angeles. The coffee shop — an homage to the 10-season sitcom, from its name (Smelly Cat) to the Central Perk sign on its glass wall — was packed with people and floral arrangements as the TV mounted in the corner played an episode of Friends.

Read More: Matthew P…