Jennifer Lopez, long one of Hollywood’s most reliable red-carpet showstoppers, was once again absent from the Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026, for the 98th Academy Awards — marking her seventh consecutive year skipping the ceremony.

The multi-hyphenate star — actress, singer, dancer and producer — has not attended the Oscars since the 2020 ceremony, shortly after the widely discussed snub of her critically acclaimed performance in the 2019 film “Hustlers.” That absence has now stretched into a prolonged streak, with Lopez opting out even as awards season buzz swirled around her recent work in the 2025 release “Kiss of the Spider Woman.”

Sources close to the situation and entertainment outlets like Harper’s Bazaar confirmed Lopez did not appear on the red carpet or in the audience for the 2026 Oscars. The decision comes amid a busy schedule that includes her ongoing Las Vegas residency “Up All Night,” which features showgirl-inspired performances and has kept her committed to live shows through late March.

Lopez’s last Oscars appearance was in February 2020, where she turned heads in a sparkling silver gown by Tom Ford. That night, “Hustlers” — directed by Lorene Scafaria — earned praise for its box-office success (grossing $157 million worldwide on a $20 million budget) and Lopez’s portrayal of veteran stripper Ramona Vega. She received Golden Globe and SAG Award nominations for Best Supporting Actress, along with widespread critical acclaim for delivering what many called the best performance of her acting career.

Despite the momentum, Lopez received no Oscar nomination when the Academy announced its shortlist in January 2020. Industry observers labeled it one of the biggest snubs of the season, with outlets like IndieWire noting the film’s Gotham Awards recognition and multiple critics’ group nods for Lopez. In a 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Lopez reflected on the disappointment, calling the omission “so obviously absent” from the conversation. She later told CBS Sunday Morning in 2025 that the experience taught her a lesson: “I don’t need it… Not that I wouldn’t love it,” emphasizing she focuses on work that resonates with audiences rather than chasing awards validation.

The “Hustlers” oversight appears to have influenced her approach to subsequent awards seasons. After the 2020 Oscars, Lopez stepped away from the ceremony entirely. She has since prioritized other commitments, including music tours, film projects and family life.

In 2025, Lopez starred in the film adaptation of “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” playing the multifaceted role of Ingrid Luna/Aurora/The Spider Woman. Early buzz positioned it as a potential awards contender, with some strategists placing her in the Best Supporting Actress category for the 2026 Oscars. Pre-season predictions from sites like Gold Derby and The Contending discussed her chances, drawing parallels to past wins like Jessica Lange’s 1994 Best Actress Oscar for “Blue Sky” despite modest box-office performance.

However, “Kiss of the Spider Woman” faced challenges. It garnered limited nominations in precursor awards — just one non-acting nod at the Critics Choice Awards — and was shut out at the 2026 Golden Globes. Lopez attended the Golden Globes in January 2026, turning heads in a sheer vintage Jean-Louis Scherrer by Stephane Rolland gown that showcased her toned physique and signature glamour. But the lack of major recognition for the film, combined with her residency schedule, likely contributed to her Oscars absence.

Insiders note that Lopez has maintained a selective approach to awards events in recent years. She skipped the 2026 Grammys despite teasing attendance on social media, and passed on the Critics Choice Awards in January amid her Vegas shows. Her focus has shifted toward live performance and upcoming projects, including the rom-com “Office Romance.”

Lopez’s Oscars track record remains nomination-free despite decades in the industry. She earned early acclaim for “Selena” (1997), which brought a Golden Globe nod, and has since built a prolific resume across film, television and music. Yet the “Hustlers” moment stands out as a pivotal near-miss that highlighted biases in awards recognition for certain genres and performers.

Fans and commentators expressed disappointment online over her absence from the 2026 ceremony, with social media posts lamenting the missed opportunity for another iconic red-carpet moment. Lopez’s fashion influence endures — from her Golden Globes look to past Oscars ensembles — even without her physical presence.

As the entertainment landscape evolves, Lopez continues thriving outside traditional awards circuits. Her Las Vegas residency draws sold-out crowds, and new film announcements keep her in demand. Whether the seven-year Oscars hiatus signals a permanent shift or a temporary pause remains unclear, but the “Hustlers” snub six years ago clearly left a lasting mark.

For now, the Academy Awards proceeded without one of its most magnetic personalities on the scene. Jennifer Lopez’s star power shines elsewhere — on stage, on screen and in the cultural conversation — proving she doesn’t need an Oscar invite to remain one of Hollywood’s brightest lights.

nLIGHT, Inc. (NASDAQ: LASR), a leading provider of high-power semiconductor and fiber lasers for directed energy, optical sensing and advanced manufacturing, saw its stock maintain strength in mid-March 2026 trading, closing at $62.60 on March 13 amid continued investor enthusiasm following strong 2025 results and bullish analyst coverage.

The shares, which have surged dramatically from a 52-week low of $6.20 to a high of $69.52, traded in a daily range of $61.87 to $64.87 on March 13 with volume of about 1.06 million shares. After-hours activity dipped slightly to $62.10, reflecting a modest -0.80% pullback, but the stock remains up significantly year-to-date, benefiting from a pivot toward high-margin defense applications and away from commoditized industrial segments.

nLIGHT’s transformation story gained traction after its Feb. 26, 2026, earnings release, which delivered record fourth-quarter revenue of $81.2 million — a 71% year-over-year increase — and full-year 2025 revenue of $261.3 million, up 32%. The company posted adjusted earnings per share of $0.14 for the quarter, beating consensus estimates by $0.03, while narrowing its net loss. Aerospace and defense revenue hit a record $175 million for the year, up 60% from 2024, underscoring the success of contracts in directed energy weapons and optical sensing for military platforms.

The earnings beat triggered a wave of positive revisions. Baird initiated coverage March 4 with an Outperform rating and a $95 price target, citing nLIGHT’s “strong tech stack” in high-energy lasers and its positioning in growing defense budgets. Roth Capital raised its target to $74 from $55 earlier in March, while other firms maintained Moderate Buy consensus ratings with averages around $58-$70 pre-surge levels. Analysts highlight nLIGHT’s vertically integrated capabilities — from semiconductor chips to full laser systems — as a differentiator in mission-critical applications where reliability and power output are paramount.

A key strategic move announced in late 2025/early 2026 involved exiting lower-margin cutting and welding markets, expected to create a $25 million to $30 million annual revenue headwind mostly phased out by the second half of 2026. To fund expansion, including a new 50,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Longmont, Colorado, nLIGHT completed a follow-on equity offering in February 2026, initially raising about $175 million before underwriters exercised their full option for an additional $26 million, totaling roughly $201 million in gross proceeds.

The capital infusion supports R&D in high-energy laser weapon systems and supply-chain resilience, areas executives emphasized during investor conferences in March. nLIGHT management participated in multiple events, including the Raymond James 47th Annual Institutional Investors Conference and others, where presentation materials highlighted progress in directed energy programs and partnerships with U.S. Department of Defense primes.

Institutional interest remains robust. Recent filings show new positions, such as Pier Capital LLC acquiring 132,726 shares worth about $3.93 million in late 2025 activity, contributing to institutional ownership around 83.9%. The stock’s rally has boosted market capitalization to approximately $3.50 billion as of March 13, up more than 50% in the past month and over 80% over the trailing 12 months.

Despite the gains, challenges linger. nLIGHT continues to report operating losses on a GAAP basis, though adjusted metrics show improvement. Guidance for the first quarter of 2026 called for revenue of $70 million to $76 million, gross margins of 27% to 32% and adjusted EBITDA of $5 million to $10 million, reflecting a transitional period as industrial revenue declines are offset by defense growth.

The laser sector benefits from broader trends: increasing defense spending on directed energy for counter-drone and missile defense, plus demand for precision optical systems. Competitors in the space include IPG Photonics and Coherent, but nLIGHT’s focus on semiconductor-based high-power lasers positions it uniquely for next-generation weapons.

On March 2, 2026, nLIGHT announced it would showcase high-energy laser weapon solutions at the Pacific Operational Science & Technology Conference, reinforcing its defense credentials. No major new announcements emerged in the immediate lead-up to March 16 trading, but the stock’s performance reflects sustained momentum from the earnings tailwind and analyst endorsements.

Looking ahead, investors watch for updates on defense contract wins, progress on the Longmont facility ramp-up and any signs of accelerated adoption in directed energy programs. With shares trading well above prior targets but below Baird’s ambitious $95 call, nLIGHT remains a high-conviction name for those betting on the intersection of laser technology and national security priorities.

As of March 16, 2026, with markets closed in some time zones but U.S. pre-market indications stable, nLIGHT’s trajectory illustrates a classic growth rebound: from pandemic-era lows to defense-driven highs. Whether the rally sustains depends on execution in a competitive, capital-intensive field — but for now, the laser specialist continues to shine brighter on Wall Street.

Billionaire and Uber co-founder Travis Kalanick officially joined the exodus from California, revealing he moved to Austin, Texas, just weeks before a proposed wealth tax could have targeted his estimated $3.6 billion fortune.

“Just to be clear, on December 18, I moved to Texas. I don’t know what’s so specific about December 18, but let’s just say it’s prior to January,” Kalanick said in an interview with TPBN.

“I get a little bit [of] FOMO on like, these people going to Florida. I’m like, dude! Why so much Florida action?” he continued. “Come on, homies.”

‘WALL STREET TO Y’ALL STREET’: WHY AMERICA’S WEALTHY TRADES CITY LUXURY FOR ACRES OF TEXAS FREEDOM

Kalanick left his San Francisco home for Texas just 14 days before the new year, when the retroactive residency deadline for the proposed billionaire tax would take effect.

Travis Kalanick, founder and former CEO of Uber Inc., stands on the trading floor during the company’s initial public offering (IPO) at the New York Stock Exchange on May 10, 2019. (Getty Images)

While it has not yet qualified for the November ballot, the proposal — backed by the Service Employees International Union–United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW) — would impose a one-time 5% tax on the net worth of California residents with more than $1 billion in wealth. The tax would be due in 2027, and taxpayers could spread payments over five years, with additional fees, according to the California Legislative Analyst’s Office.

If the measure is approved by voters, anyone who was a California resident on Jan. 1, 2026, would owe the tax, according to the proposal. Based on Forbes’ estimates, Kalanick could owe roughly $180 million.

Kalanick’s departure follows other longtime California billionaires who have moved themselves or their businesses to Texas in recent years, including Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale and venture capitalist David Sacks.

Florida is also rapidly absorbing California’s finance and media elite, with names like Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, venture capitalist Peter Thiel, Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin, and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg moving to the “Gold Coast.”

Kalanick is using his relocation to launch his new venture, Atoms — formerly City Storage Systems — which focuses on industrial robotics and “gainfully employed” artificial intelligence, he said in the interview. It’s a pivot from the “perception politics” he claims pushed him out of Uber in 2017.

“I had been torn away from an idea and a movement that I had poured my life into. I had lost my bearings as I found the world increasingly operating by the rules of perception, not reality,” he writes on Atoms’ website.

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When jokingly asked if he ever takes work calls through his AirPods while waterskiing, Kalanick responded that he might start doing so.

“Dude, I should. I’d love it. Don’t get me excited,” he said.

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