Men's Journal's Blog, page 107

Airbnb Is Using AI to Block Your Neighbor’s Party Plans

As Memorial Day weekend approaches, Airbnb is once again deploying its anti-party technology across the U.S., sending a clear message to would-be troublemakers: not on our watch.

The platform announced Monday that its system, which was designed to block high-risk bookings that could result in disruptive house parties, will be in effect for both Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. This marks the four year for the strategy.

Airbnb’s tech evaluates factors like booking duration, proximity to the guest’s home, and whether the reservation is last-minute. If a booking raises red flags, the system blocks it or redirects the guest to safer, lower-risk alternatives, which are typically hotel rooms or private rooms in shared homes.

Related: Airbnb Announces Major Change to Compete With Hotels

Last summer, this screening system prevented around 51,000 bookings nationwide, including over 7,700 in Texas alone. And it seems to be working. Since Airbnb implemented its global party ban in 2020, party-related incidents reported on U.S. stays have dropped more than 50 percent. In 2024, only 0.06% of reservations were flagged for party-related disruptions.

The holiday-specific safeguards work in tandem with Airbnb’s global reservation screening, which uses machine learning to analyze guest behavior and patterns. The company has also ramped up resources for hosts and neighbors alike—offering a 24-hour safety line, a Neighborhood Support Line to report in-progress parties, and even free privacy-compliant noise sensors for hosts.

While parties may be rare on the platform, Airbnb’s proactive approach reflects a broader push to keep communities on board as vacation rentals grow in popularity and scrutiny.

‘The Paper’ Actor Domhnall Gleeson Got Advice From John Krasinski & Steve Carrell

The cast of the upcoming spin-off, The Paper, has big shoes to fill. Fortunately, it sounds as though the group slated to follow up the outrageously successful show, The Office, is well aware of the tall task.

For one star of the upcoming Peacock series, Domhnall Gleeson, he was fortunate enough to pick the brains of two of the most beloved names from The Office.

During an interview with Collider, Gleeson revealed that he first spoke to John Krasinski, who played Jim Halpert, as the two were already working together on the upcoming movie Fountain of Youth. The About Time actor praised Krasinski as "incredible" and said he learned from him in "loads of different ways."

Domhnall Gleeson attends the 'Alice & Jack' premiere during the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival at Royal Alexandra Theatre.

Shawn Goldberg/Getty Images

“Of course, I talked to John, and it was crazy. I was working with John, so I got to talk to him about it before I fully jumped onto the job, and he was incredible and has remained incredible," Gleeson said of Krasinski.

"He's also a wonderful director, I'm sure you know, and a writer. So, I got to learn a lot from him in loads of different ways.”

After landing advice from one of the biggest names on The Office, Gleeson used a former role to link up with the actor whose personality made the show what it is today—Steve Carell.

As Gleeson told Collider, “I'd also worked with Steve Carell before, so I got to talk to each of them. I think a lot of it is just soaking up their vibe.” He and Carell, who starred in The Office as Michael Scott, were both in the Hulu movie The Patient.

However, the most interesting takeaway from Gleeson was something pivotal he learned from both Krasinski and Carell. In short, the success of The Paper will come down to the entire ensemble being successful.

“They're both very selfless actors, and I think that's necessary in work like that. I think it has to be about the ensemble," Gleeson said. "They seem to be like that with all of their work. I think just leading by example, that was a lesson for me on its own. They're also really funny, which is terrifying. That's the other thing.”

Related: 'The Boys' Creator Teases Dark Final Season for Fan-Favorite

Popular Discount Grocery Chain Opening 18 Stores in Florida

Fans of the discount grocery store chain Aldi have plenty to look forward to this year after the company announced its plans to open 225 new stores in 2025, with 18 of those new locations opening across the Sunshine State of Florida.

With nearly 20 new stores set to open this year, Florida shoppers will have access to Aldi's private-label line of pantry goods, the store's award-winning produce, and the seasonal, fan-favorite "Aldi Finds," and special-buy items, as well as dozens of new jobs in every community the store is opening in.

“We’re thrilled to open our doors and offer your community a new grocery store focused on quality and savings,” the chain’s website reads. “Shoppers will discover everyday low prices on groceries and household essentials, including fresh produce, organic foods, fresh meat and seafood, and ALDI-exclusive brands that match the quality of national name brands at a fraction of the price.”

Is your town or city on the list? Check out the full lineup of Florida store locations below:

Boynton Beach: 8855 Boynton Beach BoulevardMelbourne: 961 E. Eau Gallie Blvd.Jensen Beach: 1105 Northeast Jensen Beach BoulevardArcadia: 1737 E. Oak StreetLake Wales: 1860 State Road 60 E.Tampa: 15692 N. Dale Mabry HighwayLutz: 18407 US Highway 41Orlando: 1403 S. Hiawassee RoadOcala: 184 Marion Oaks BoulevardDeerfield Beach: 2301 W. Sample RoadAventura: 20417 Biscayne BoulevardLehigh Acres: 61 Bell Boulevard NorthCrystal River: 1651 SE US Highway 19The Villages: 820 Old Camp RoadSt. Cloud: 3318 Canoe Creek RoadWestlake: 5062 Seminole Pratt Whitney RoadFort Lauderdale: 941 SW 24th StreetBushnell: 1122 North Main Street

After adding more than 100 stores in 2024, Aldi revealed it has 2,400 stores in the U.S., making it the third-largest grocery chain in the country. The 2025 openings are part of a five-year growth schedule to add 800 stores by the end of 2028, so the German retail chain has big plans for its future in the U.S. 

'American Idol' Winner Turns Heads With 115-Pound Weight Loss

American Idol winner Iam Tongi showed off a dramatic body transformation this week at the Lilo & Stitch world premiere in Los Angeles.

Tongi, who has a song in the new live-action Lilo & Stitch film, told reporters that he has lost 115 pounds and that he "feels amazing" after his dramatic weight loss. 

Tongi gave credit to his personal trainer for helping him stay on track with his health and weight-loss goals.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 17: Iam Tongi attends the World Premiere of Disney's "Lilo & Stitch" at El Capitan Theatre on May 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/WireImage)

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

"We have a workout session maybe around 11, come back [home], and we go to an ice bath or sauna," he told People magazine.

"And then we come back, shower and go on a walk. And I've lost 115 pounds. It feels amazing. I feel great."

Tongi was the champion of season 21 of American Idol in 2023 where he beat Megan Danielle and Colin Stough in the final. But despite the competition, he says that he has a close relationship with them.

"Honestly, if it wasn't for these guys and all my family and our friends, I would … I don't know if I would stay humble, because these guys taught me every day that I'm useless — I'm just kidding," Tongi previously told People magazine. "Honestly, we laugh a lot."

As for his music career, Tongi revealed that he has moved out to Tennessee, where he is working on a new album.

"I moved out to Memphis, so I've been working out, writing, recording, and just been busy — but in a different way," he said.

"I'm working on an album, actually, so I'm excited about that, and we'll see how that goes. I’m inspired by a lot of soul. I love Al Green. Al Green is one of my favorite singers, so I'm excited for that [single]."

Clearly, things have been going well for Tongi since his American Idol victory.

Justin Bieber Had a Classy Reaction to Maple Leafs Loss

Pop sensation Justin Bieber is a massive Toronto Maple Leafs fan and has been for his entire life. That made Sunday night quite disappointing for him.

Bieber has made no secret of his Leafs fandom, prominently rooting them on throughout their run through the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He even stayed back and watched the Leafs in the playoffs while his wife, Hailey, attended the 2025 Met Gala without him.

On Sunday night, the Toronto Maple Leafs took on the Florida Panthers in Game 7 of the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and Bieber was in the house alongside his wife, Hailey. Unfortunately, the game did not go the way he had hoped.

The Maple Leafs fell to the Panthers in a 6-1 blowout as Florida punched its ticket to the Eastern Conference Semifinals while eliminating the Leafs from the playoffs.

While it was undoubtedly a disappointing night for Bieber, he had a classy response to the loss in a post on Instagram.

View the original article to see embedded media.

"I don’t remember a time in my life when I haven’t been obsessed with the leafsssss," Bieber wrote in the caption of his post on Instagram. "This year we made it farther than we have in so long and im happy about that"

"I can be patient cuz I know this is the team to do it," Bieber added.

Bieber's positive attitude was heavily praised in the comments.

"I hope all these smiles and positive energy make headlines," one fan wrote in the comments of Bieber's Instagram post.

"bro is more loyal than most leafs fans," someone else added.

"Thanks for representing us Ontarians," another fan wrote.

"Good fan!" someone else added.

"Bro keeping it classy with the caption," another person commented.

Bieber will obviously be supporting the Leafs just as hard next year.

Tim Allen Reveals ‘Toy Story 5’ Is About Jessie, Calls It ‘Very, Very Clever’

When Toy Story 5 hits theaters on June 19, 2026, it'll be almost exactly seven years since Woody and Buzz Lightyear went their separate ways.

Tom Hanks, the voice of Woody, and Tim Allen, who plays Buzz, put together four memorable movies, and it appeared that one of the most beloved animated series had officially wrapped up—until the 2025 announcement.

With Hanks and Allen set to reprise their roles as the fan-favorite animated duo, there's been no shortage of questions about how the story will continue. While Woody opted to go on an adventure with Bo Peep instead of returning to Bonnie's house at the end of Toy Story 4, it leaves the door open to a broad range of possibilities.

Although it's unlikely fans will receive much in the way of spoilers, Allen did offer some insight on Toy Story 5. Specifically, the voice of Buzz revealed how the storyline will continue and admitted his character's farewell to Woody (Hanks) "tore us up" while speaking with Entertainment Tonight. 

“I just finished another five-hour session in L.A. yesterday, flew here late last night. So, it's a story about Jessie. It's very, very clever," Allen explained.

"I was reticent, I'm with some people that are detractors — do we need another [one], because Toy Story 4, 'to infinity and beyond,' the hard line when Buzz and Woody had to say goodbye to each other, which tore us up," Allen said. "...But now we're back for a good reason, and it is very, very clever. And it's worth it.”

The shift to a storyline about Jessie makes a lot of sense after Woody gave the sheriff's badge to her before departing at the end of the fourth film.

Regardless, Toy Story 5 will bring a lot of nostalgia to many people, especially those who watched the series as kids and may now be bringing their children to the fifth film.

Related: 'Reacher' Star Alan Ritchson's Candid Take on New Co-Star Owen Wilson Turns Heads

Tom Cruise Reveals 4-Word Retirement Plan

Tom Cruise cannot be stopped.

After premiering Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, the final film in his long-running Mission: Impossible franchise, at Cannes last week, the four-time Oscar nominee is currently on a global tour with the hotly anticipated action flick. With the Ethan Hunt chapter of his life closing, many fans are wondering whether Cruise, too, has any plans to start winding things down. 

Related: Tom Cruise Might’ve Revealed if This Is Really the Last ‘Mission: Impossible'

Just two years ago, while attending the Australian premiere of Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One on his 61st birthday, Cruise spoke with The Sydney Morning Herald about how much he admired Harrison Ford’s career.

“Harrison Ford is a legend,” Cruise said. “I hope to keep making Mission: Impossible films until I’m his age.”

The Hollywood Reporter reminded the 62-year-old of this comment over the weekend and asked if he still felt that way. Cruise clarified that he meant he wanted to keep making movies in general into his eighties, but also admitted he has since changed his mind. “Actually, I’m going to make them into my 100s,” Cruise quipped.

At the #MissionImpossible—The Final Reckoning premiere, Tom Cruise reveals he will keep making movies into his 100s pic.twitter.com/dZdzfEKnAf

— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) May 18, 2025

It was then that he declared his true retirement intentions: “I will never stop.”

“I will never stop doing action,” he added. “I will never stop doing drama, comedy films. I’m excited.”

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning marks the eighth, and reportedly final (for now), film in the franchise. The first film—directed by Brian De Palma and written by David Koepp and Robert Towne—debuted on May 22, 1996. Which means that Ethan Hunt has been a part of Cruise’s life for nearly 30 years now. And a character that surely won’t be easy to leave behind. 

Spirit Airlines Has Made Some Significant Changes

Spirit Airlines has long been viewed as a budget, bare-bones, no-frills, ultra-low-cost airline designed to get you from one location to another with not much else to offer. But after some recent changes, that is no longer true.

As Kyle Stewart of Live and Let Fly points out, Spirit Airlines has gone through a pretty extensive overhaul and should no longer be dismissed as simply a budget airline. In fact, it's competitive with airlines like American and Delta in many ways.

"Spirit recently overhauled its Free Spirit loyalty program, and—brace yourselves—it’s good. Not 'good for Spirit,' but actually competitive with mainline carriers," Steward wrote for Live and Let Fly this week. "Elite members can now enjoy perks like free checked bags, seat selection (yes, even Big Front Seats), and priority boarding. And unlike American’s loyalty points or Delta’s SkyMiles circus, Free Spirit Status levels that award these perks are available at lower thresholds than any of the major carriers. 

"Spirit also offers more nonstop flights from secondary cities than the other carriers," he continued. "For airports like my home airport in Pittsburgh, it’s often the only nonstop option or is more competitive in markets like New York (though it’s since discontinued flights between Pittsburgh and the New York market)."

Clearly, Spirit is not the same airline it used to be. However, unlike Southwest, it seems like Spirit is changing for the better and has taken some significant steps to improve the customer experience.

It's a bold move from the airline to completely change its image, but it appears to be paying dividends.

It'll be interesting to see whether or not these changes will ever lead to the airline changing its perception amongst customers.

Jamal Roberts and John Foster's Emotional Final 'American Idol' Moments

Singing competition television series American Idol wrapped up its 23rd season on March 18, and yet another singer was crowned the winner. The episode was three hours long and featured the final three contestants, Jamal Roberts, John Foster and Breanna Nix, each performing two songs, as well as a bevy of group performances with the top 14 contestants and performances with star musicians.

Nix came in third place, stating on Instagram, “I don't even know where to begin… Nix Nation – thank you from the bottom of my heart to every single one of you who’s supported me throughout this experience. I'm overwhelmed with gratitude and so excited for what's next. I can't wait to share more music and grow with you, this is just the beginning. There's so much I want to say, but for now… thank you. Truly. You've changed my life."

Then, it was down to the final two. Foster came in second place. Before the show, he said in an interview with WBRZ, "My hometown visit was proof of the fact that even if I were to be eliminated at number 3, I would forever have a place in the industry somewhere. Addis, Brusly, Plaquemine, Port Allen, Baton Rouge, you've been supporting me in my early days while I was still honing my artistry in those bars, restaurants and venues."

Roberts took the crown. He wowed the judges during the show, with Carrie Underwood saying after his performance, "You are just so talented," and Luke Bryan stating, "Will you teach me how to be that smooth?"

"What I love about you is the way you just navigate the story, it happens to come out of your mouth in brilliant form," Lionel Richie added.

Watch a collection of the contestants' final performances on American Idol season 23 below.

Alan Jackson Announces He Will Play One Last Concert

Legendary country music artist Alan Jackson played the final show of his final tour this weekend, but it will not be the last time he plays in front of a crowd.

On Saturday night, Jackson played a sold-out concert in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, marking the end of his current tour, which will also be the last tour of his career.

However, Jackson also had a pretty significant announcement as he revealed that he is planning to do one last send-off concert before retirement in Nashville next summer.

"Y'all may have heard that I'm kinda winding down, and in fact this is my last road show of my career," Jackson told the crowd at the final road concert of his legendary music career.

"Y'all gonna make me tear up out here," he said. "But I will say, this is my last road show out here, but we're planning on doing a big finale show in Nashville next summer sometime. It just felt like I had to end it all where it all started. And that's in Nashville, Tennessee – Music City – so I gotta do the last one there."

Alan Jackson addressed the sellout Milwaukee crowd. He said this is his last road show. He said he plans on one last show in Nashville next summer to close things out. pic.twitter.com/sDj8LVxZAz

— Steven Radmer (@Steven_R) May 18, 2025

Though Jackson still has one more concert to play next year, his career is coming to a close, leading to a lot of reactions from his fans on social media.

"What a great Ride Alan! Love your passion and you have Blessed a lot of people with your music but most of all your character!" one fan wrote in a post on X.

"Thank you for all the memories Alan Jackson, thoughts and prayers are with you has you end your wonderful career," another fan wrote.

"The last of a dieing breed. So sad to see him go. Not so long ago Alan and King George dominated Country Music Radio for years!! The last of the best for sure!!! It’s been a hell of a ride Alan! Godspeed!!!" a fan commented.

"Great Country Artist that will truly be missed!!!!" someone else wrote.

"So much talent & style! God Bless you Alan Jackson, so thankful for you Blessing Us!" another fan added.

It's been a legendary career for Jackson, and it's clear that his music has had quite an impact on many people.