Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

The Top 10

Things that inspire me

By Ali Jacko


“THOSE who embrace life with both hands will always encounter inspirational things. That is why there are a lot of things that inspire me and I am using this in songs I have started to create. Here are perhaps the top 10 things that have inspired me most and bought me to where I am today,” said Ali.

My father: I have been associated with hard work all my life. Whether it has been in business, winning kickboxing world titles, overcoming obstacles or creating music, people have asked me the root of my work ethic. I would give credit to my father, who instilled the value of hard work early on in my life. I have built everything on the foundation he gave me and everything I have have done is to make him proud. My father, my hero.

My children: There is a reason why everyone says becoming a parent is life changing. You no longer take decisions or work for yourself, but base everything around your children. I am proud of all my kids and they not only inspire me to work harder, but also to become an even better human every day. They have inspired my second single You Are The Reason, and that is why I star alongside my two daughters in the music video and that will be there for life.

Muhammad Ali: The iconic boxer fought against incredible odds to not only become a world champion, but also inspired many millions by his greatness and I was one of those. I was fortunate enough to meet Muhammad Ali on a flight to Bangladesh in 1978. I was about eight or nine years old and punched him. In return, he blessed me! I idolised him as a kid and drew from his work ethic to win kickboxing world titles. My victories in the ring are dedicated to him in some way. I didn’t realise it so much until my last few fight before I retired.

Humanity: I really look up to anyone who does selfless deeds for others, including those who leave everything behind to go work in poor countries. I am drawn to humanity in others and work hard to be a good human being every single day. I think the greatest victory we can have in life is kindness towards others. It is the most satisfying feeling.

Talent: I think the biggest mistake we can make as human beings is closing ourselves off from other people’s achievements. Whether it’s the talented sound technician in my studio or my good friend Salman Khan, I love being around

talented people and the positive energy they create. That is why I have always been on the lookout for new talent to see how I can help them. Just like the boxer I am training, who will be the next Manny Pac Man.

Food: Eating your favourite food will always put you in a good mood and when you are happy, inspiration comes along. I love different types of food and one day hope I can learn how to cook. (Laughs) That way I can create my own dishes in the kitchen. A hearty meal inspires the mind, body and soul. I am starting to cook a few things.

Music: I have always loved good music, but only embraced it as a career at the end of last year with my debut single Give My Love A Brand New Name. Since then, music and being around some incredibly talented artists has inspired me in ways you can’t imagine. Music really is an endless ocean with infinite possibilities and I am looking to explore it the best I can by working with

like-minded

artists.

History: Whether it is the journey taken by your parents, looking at those who invented or created something great or appreciating those who have broken glass ceilings, we should always ap- preciate and get inspired by our history. After all, history shapes us all in some way or the other. If you don’t know where you are from, you will never know where you are going.

Life: Just being alive and being able to pursue your dreams should be inspiration enough. Life and all the amazing experiences it has offered me so far inspire me every single day. May these moments continue.

The Almighty: Last but definitely not least, the Almighty inspires me to work hard, leave a mark and do all I can for those around me. I appreciate all the blessings that have been bestowed on me and always feel like a high power is watching over me.

You Are The Reason by Ali Jacko is out now. Log onto www.alijacko.com and www.twitter.com/ ajackorocks to find out more.

More For You

Jeet Adani marries Diva Shah, Adani family pledges £950M for social causes

Jeet Adani and Diva Jaimin Shah tie the knot in an intimate ceremony

Instagram/Gautam Adani

Jeet Adani marries Diva Shah, Adani family pledges £950M for social causes

Jeet Adani, the younger son of billionaire industrialist Gautam Adani, married Diva Jaimin Shah, daughter of diamond merchant Jaimin Shah, in an intimate wedding ceremony in Ahmedabad. The event, held at the Adani township, Shantigram, followed traditional Jain and Gujarati customs and was attended by close family members and loved ones. The wedding festivities began at 2 PM, with rituals conducted in a serene and traditional manner.

Despite the family’s prominence, the wedding was intentionally kept low-key, with no political figures or celebrities in attendance. Gautam Adani, who shared glimpses of the ceremony on social media, expressed gratitude and sought blessings for the newlyweds. "It was a small and extremely private function, so we could not invite all well-wishers even if we wanted to. I sincerely seek love and blessings for my daughter Diva and Jeet," he posted.

Keep ReadingShow less
Jennifer Aniston and Selena Gomez recreate iconic 'Friends' scene at glamorous galantine's bash

Jennifer Aniston and Selena Gomez share a fun Galentine’s night, recreating an iconic Friends moment that sent the internet into a frenzy.

Instagram/lolavie

Jennifer Aniston and Selena Gomez recreate iconic 'Friends' scene at glamorous galantine's bash

Hollywood stars Jennifer Aniston and Selena Gomez recently turned heads with their star-studded Galentine’s bash, blending glamour, nostalgia, and a whole lot of girl power. The duo, who share a close bond both personally and professionally, hosted the event to celebrate their beauty brands, LolaVie and Rare Beauty.

The highlight of the evening? The internet went into a frenzy when the duo recreated an iconic Friends scene, paying tribute to the sitcom that made Aniston a household name. A viral video showed them lip-syncing to Rachel and Joey’s famous “Do you know something?” exchange, originally performed by Aniston and Matt LeBlanc. Fans couldn’t get enough, with many calling it the “collab of the century.”


The night was filled with heartwarming moments, from their matching all-black outfits to their playful photo booth sessions. Aniston took to Instagram to share glimpses from the evening, captioning it, “Had a nice early Galentine’s with my girls.”

Selena Gomez, who has often referred to Aniston as a mentor, shared how the Friends star has been a constant source of support and advice. “She’s always been there for me,” Selena said, talking about the importance of having strong female friendships in her life. Aniston, in turn, praised Gomez, calling their bond a “sister-mother” relationship where they uplift and guide each other.

Beyond the celebrations, reports suggest that Aniston is also helping Selena plan her wedding to music producer Benny Blanco. The guest list is rumoured to include A-listers like Taylor Swift and Meryl Streep, making it one of the most anticipated celebrity weddings of the year.

From their heartfelt moments to a Friends throwback that broke the internet, Jennifer Aniston and Selena Gomez’s Galentine’s night was a perfect mix of nostalgia, friendship, and lots of glam.

Keep ReadingShow less
Priyanka Chopra walks brother Siddharth down the aisle, steals the show with dance & big sister energy

Priyanka Chopra brings star power and sisterly love to Siddharth Chopra’s wedding, making it a night of unforgettable celebrations

Getty Images

Priyanka Chopra walks brother Siddharth down the aisle, steals the show with dance & big sister energy

Mumbai was alive with celebration as Priyanka Chopra turned her brother Siddharth Chopra’s wedding into a full-blown star spectacle. The global star didn’t just attend but owned the moment, hyping up the crowd, dancing her heart out, and making sure the festivities were as grand as they were unforgettable.

Dressed in a stunning baby blue lehenga, Priyanka walked her brother down the aisle, turning the emotional moment into a celebration. She hyped up the crowd, encouraging them to cheer louder as she accompanied Siddharth to his bride, Neelam Upadhaya. She was every bit the doting sister, soaking in the joy of the moment. But we know Priyanka isn’t just a responsible sister—she was the life of the party. Earlier, she danced with abandon at Siddharth’s baraat, grooving to Gallan Goodiyan from her 2015 film Dil Dhadakne Do. Her infectious energy truly set the tone for the festivities, showing us that no one throws a celebration quite like the Chopras.

Keep ReadingShow less
Naga Chaitanya reacts to a fan saying he can’t act – Here’s what he had to say!

Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi share a fun moment during their Thandel promotions, leaving fans entertained with their candid interactions

Instagram/chayakkineni

Naga Chaitanya reacts to a fan saying he can’t act – Here’s what he had to say!

Naga Chaitanya, known for his charm and candidness, recently found himself in the spotlight during a fun Q&A session with his Thandel co-star Sai Pallavi. The actor, who is gearing up for the release of his upcoming film, faced a cheeky question from a fan that left everyone laughing.

When Sai Pallavi read out a fan’s question, “Acting epudu nerchukuntav? (When will you learn acting?)” Chaitanya appeared stunned for a brief moment, staring blankly at the camera as if processing the unexpected question. He then responded with a mix of surprise and humour, Epudu nerchukuntav enti? (What do you mean, when will I learn?)”


Instead of getting defensive, the Thandelstar took it in stride and responded with a smile: "Honestly, acting is a continuous process. You never fully learn it; you keep growing with every project. If you think you’ve mastered it, that’s when you stop progressing. So, I’m still learning every single day."

While some appreciated his humility, others found the moment hilarious. Social media was soon buzzing with reactions, with many praising Chaitanya for handling the question with grace rather than taking offence. Some fans even tagged the person who originally asked the question, letting them know their comment had made its way to the actor.

This isn’t the first time Chaitanya has addressed criticism. In a recent interview, he opened up about dealing with trolls, admitting that while it bothered him early in his career, he has learnt to ignore the noise. “Clarifying things only leads to more drama. It’s a vicious cycle,” he said, adding that he now focuses on his work rather than responding to negativity.

Chaitanya’s upcoming film, Thandel, marks his third collaboration with director Chandoo Mondeti and his second pairing with Sai Pallavi after their hit film Love story. The survival drama, set to release on February 7, has already generated buzz, with fans eagerly waiting to see the duo’s chemistry on screen once again.

Having faced a mixed bag of box office results in recent years, Thandel is a crucial release for Chaitanya. Fans are eager to see if this film will mark a new chapter in his career and whether his continuous learning process pays off on the big screen.

'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' revival confirmed: Sarah Michelle Gellar returns for a new era

Sarah Michelle Gellar returns to the Buffyverse as a mentor in the upcoming revival of Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Getty Images

'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' revival confirmed: Sarah Michelle Gellar returns for a new era

Sarah Michelle Gellar has finally answered the call of Buffy the Vampire Slayer fans and it’s about time. After years of “will they, won’t they” rumours, she’s confirmed that a revival is officially happening. “I’ve always heard the fans,” she said, making it clear she wouldn’t come back unless it felt right. Now, with a fresh twist on the Slayer story and a killer creative team, the project is moving forward, and fans are already dusting off their stakes in excitement.

The idea for the revival started three years ago when producer Gail Berman set up what was supposed to be a quick coffee chat between Gellar and Oscar-winning director Chloé Zhao. What was meant to be 20 minutes turned into a four-hour conversation about Buffy’s legacy and why it still matters. At first, Gellar wasn’t sold on the idea, but as talks continued with Zhao and writers Nora and Lilla Zuckerman, she started to see the potential.

Keep ReadingShow less