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Using AI to depict a deceased person’s likeness continues to be a topic of discussion, unfortunately. There are actors like the still-living (thankfully) Robert Downey, Jr. who say they absolutely do not give studios permission to resurrect or continue their careers via AI cameos. Then, there are other cases where it is being done to serve a narrative purpose, which is terrible or needed, depending on whom you ask. The latest news is that Cobra Kai season six part two used AI to bring back Mr. Miyagi, the famous The Karate Kid character. (Thank you SlashFilm for bringing this to our attention!)

As fans of the film know, Pat Morita passed away in 2005 and since then his character has only existed spiritually. Now, AI has made it possible for Mr. Miyagi to appear in Cobra Kai. Here’s what Cobra Kai co-creator Josh Heald had to say about why this was necessary: 

“For so many seasons, we’ve told a Miyagi story that was focused on the absence of Mr. Miyagi. This season, we’re digging into a little bit more of the looming presence of new information, new ideas or a new glimpse into a part of Mr. Miyagi’s life that the series has never focused on. That Daniel has never been aware of. So by digging more into that and getting more and more in Daniel’s head with his kind of tortured idea of, ‘What didn’t he know?’ … does that affect and infect his opinion of Mr. Miyagi?”

Interesting. It is not clear what Morita’s family nor former cast members feel about this. But Netflix and the show’s creatives said they depicted his likeness in the most respectful way possible. There’s one final part to this story so we will have to see its conclusion in 2025.

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Shutterstock / Jacob Lund By Celeste Polanco ·

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A new analysis exposes the steep fees New York City brokers charge renters, with costs reaching as high as $13,000.

A recent study by rental-listing company StreetEasy shows that the average upfront cost for renting an apartment in New York City with a broker’s fee has skyrocketed to nearly $13,000. This hefty sum covers the broker’s fee, the first month’s rent, and the security deposit, the NY Post reports.

In 2023, the average upfront cost for apartments with a broker’s fee was $12,667, compared to $9,984 in 2019. The increased figures come at a pivotal moment as New York City prepares for a critical vote by the City Council on Wednesday. The City Council will consider a bill designed to alleviate the financial burden of costly broker fees on tenants. The bill, known as the Fairness in Apartment Rentals (FARE) Act, seems to have strong, near veto-proof backing.

StreetEasy surveyed over 500 tenants for its study and found that more than 80% of respondents believe landlords should cover broker fees. Additionally, 76% said they felt compelled to pay the broker’s fee to secure a home in New York City’s highly competitive rental market.

“The average New Yorker will be spending more than 10 percent of their annual income just to come up with these upfront costs,” StreetEasy Senior Economist Kenny Lee said.

Renters are speaking out against the high fees they were forced to pay brokers to snag an NYC abode.

“It doesn’t seem like that’s something that happens elsewhere,” Kayla, a 31-year-old Williamsburg, Brooklyn, resident, said. She estimates she paid $4,000 in broker fees for her apartment seven years ago. “Because I did all the work for this [apartment], I feel like I wasted my money.”

Jemma Rowlands, from Melbourne, Australia, believes the broker’s fee she paid for her first New York apartment in 2018 felt “expensive and unnecessary.” Doing away with the upfront cost “sounds good to me,” she says of the proposed bill.

Supporters of the council bill argue that it will alleviate the financial burden on renters. However, critics contend that landlords will offset the broker fee by increasing rent prices on annual leases.

“The FARE Act will fundamentally disrupt New York City’s real estate market, raise rents, and make it even more difficult to find an apartment, and nothing StreetEasy has proposed will address any of those concerns,” a rep from the Real Estate Board of New York said.

Supporters of the measure argue that the bill would benefit both tenants and brokers, the latter of whom often work to rent a property without any guaranteed payment.

“Once we see this bill in place, both landlords and agents will have the opportunity to negotiate how the compensation will be taken care of, and tenants will finally have a choice when it comes to if they want to work with a broker,” Lee said.

RELATED CONTENT: NYC Mayor Eric Adams Claps Back At A White Woman, Comparing Her To A Plantation Owner Over Rent Question

Photo Credit: Melina Pizano / Matchroom By Okla Jones ·Updated November 15, 2024

Alycia Baumgardner has always embraced a fighting spirit. Growing up in a family of fighters, she didn’t just learn to Photo Credit: Emma Sharon

Outside the ring, Baumgardner’s interests are as varied as her boxing >HBCUs to inspire young fans are a testament to that commitment, as she encourages them to embrace self-confidence and strive toward their dreams.

For the accomplished pugilist, her place in athletics goes beyond the titles and belts. “To be the face of women’s boxing is a blessing,” she says. “With my story and what I can offer outside the ring, I can reach so many people. It’s bigger than the sport.” She sees her role as a legacy-maker, one who’s known not just for her victories, but for the words she shares and the impact she leaves. “People aren’t going to remember me just for the belts,” she insists. “They’re going to remember what I spoke about, what I told that young girl who dreamed of becoming a champion one day.”

Her journey, however, isn’t without obstacles. As a Black woman in a male-dominated sport, the boxing star had to confront challenges head-on, often feeling like she stood out in a world where she didn’t see many who looked like her. Reflecting on her experience, she says, “Being a young Black girl with muscles wasn’t common. But I always believed one day, people would respect my work ethic.” That belief continues to fuel her as she balances the demands of her sport with the pressures of being an influential figure.

This past September, Alycia faced an unexpected setback during her highly anticipated match with Delfine Persoon at Trilith Studios in Atlanta. The fight was intense, with her determination to defend her undisputed super featherweight title. By the fourth round, a cut over Persoon’s right eye—caused by an accidental clash of heads—forced the ringside doctor to call the fight, resulting in a no-contest ruling. While the decision was anticlimactic, she viewed it as a temporary hurdle rather than a defeat, exuding the same resilience that’s defined her career.

As she looks to the future, the 30-year-old’s focus remains clear. She’s dedicated to her craft, to her community, and to inspiring the next generation of fighters. And while the challenges ahead may be tough, she’s grounded in her faith and her purpose. “Prayer is important,” she says. “I’ve always had this faith that I was meant to be something great, and through obstacles, I’ve learned to overcome.”

Baumgardner’s journey is one of grit, grace, and undeniable strength—a true testament to her belief that, in boxing and in life, every setback is an opportunity to rise. As she continues to train, mentor others, and push the boundaries of the sport, she shows that her fight goes far beyond titles; it’s about redefining life’s possibilities.

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