LOS ANGELES — Sabrina Carpenter has solidified her status as one of pop music’s brightest and most playful stars in 2026, headlining Coachella, earning six Grammy nominations and delivering chart-topping albums that blend wit, vulnerability and unapologetic fun. At 26, the Pennsylvania native continues to captivate audiences with her infectious energy and clever songwriting.

Here are 10 fun facts that highlight her remarkable journey from child performer to global sensation:

1. She’s Tiny But Mighty: Carpenter stands at exactly 5 feet (152 cm) tall, making her one of the shortest Grammy winners in history. She has embraced her petite frame, often poking fun at it in interviews and on stage.
2. Disney Roots Run Deep: Born Sabrina Annlynn Carpenter on May 11, 1999, in Quakertown, Pennsylvania, she rose to fame as Maya Hart on the Disney Channel series “Girl Meets World” from 2014 to 2017. The role launched her acting career after she began posting YouTube covers at age 10.
3. Homeschooled for Stardom: She started dance lessons at age 2 and singing at 6. Her parents homeschooled her so she could pursue performing arts full time, a decision that paid off as she balanced early auditions and music training.
4. Family Ties to The Simpsons: Carpenter is the niece of Nancy Cartwright, the legendary voice actress who has portrayed Bart Simpson since 1989. The connection adds a layer of Hollywood royalty to her already entertainment-filled family.
5. Miley Cyrus Contest Connection: At age 10, she placed third in Miley Cyrus’ “The Next Miley Cyrus Project” singing competition. Cyrus was one of her idols, and the experience left a lasting impression despite her fashion regret of wearing a fedora to meet her.
6. Taylor Swift Collaborator and Friend: Carpenter opened for Taylor Swift on the Eras Tour and later became the only featured artist on Swift’s 2025 album “The Life of a Showgirl.” Their friendship has been a highlight of her rise.
7. Grammy Dominance: In 2025, she won two Grammys for “Short n’ Sweet,” including Best Pop Vocal Album. Her 2025 album “Man’s Best Friend” earned six nominations at the 2026 Grammys, including Album of the Year and Record of the Year for “Manchild.”
8. Coachella Headliner with Flair: She headlined Coachella 2026 with an elaborate “SABRINAWOOD” Hollywood-themed set featuring treadmill choreography, dog-costumed dancers for “Manchild” and unforgettable moments. The performance cemented her as a live force.
9. Broadway Brief Stint: She played Cady Heron in “Mean Girls” on Broadway for two performances, showcasing her theatrical roots beyond Disney.
10. Animal Lover and Philanthropist: Carpenter is known for her love of animals, wearing faux fur and supporting welfare causes. She has raised significant funds for animal charities through her platform.

From Pennsylvania to Pop Superstardom

Carpenter’s path began in the quiet suburbs of East Greenville, Pennsylvania, where boredom sparked creativity. The youngest of four sisters — Sarah, Shannon and half-sister Cayla — she credits her supportive family for nurturing her ambitions. Her father, David, and mother, Elizabeth, encouraged her early pursuits in music and dance.

By her early teens, Carpenter was already building an online following with YouTube covers of artists ranging from Christina Aguilera to Guns N’ Roses. Signing with Hollywood Records led to her debut EP “Can’t Blame a Girl for Trying” in 2014, co-written with Meghan Trainor. Subsequent albums like “Eyes Wide Open” and “Evolution” laid the groundwork for her evolution into a more mature pop artist.

The breakthrough came with 2022’s “Emails I Can’t Send,” featuring the viral hit “Nonsense,” known for its clever outros that Carpenter customized nightly on tour. Her 2024 album “Short n’ Sweet” catapulted her to new heights with smashes like “Espresso” and “Please Please Please,” blending bubblegum pop with sharp lyricism.

“Man’s Best Friend,” released in 2025, continued her hot streak, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and spawning the chart-topper “Manchild.” Her Grammy performances, including a memorable airport-themed set for the 2026 ceremony, showcased her theatrical flair.

Personal Life and Public Persona

Carpenter has kept much of her romantic life private but has been linked to actors like Griffin Gluck and, more recently, Barry Keoghan. She maintains a close bond with her sisters, often sharing family moments on social media.

Her style — playful, glamorous and often provocative — has made her a fashion favorite. From sparkly corsets to sheer lace on stage, she commands attention with confidence. Offstage, she advocates for mental health and authenticity, resonating with fans who appreciate her blend of humor and honesty.

Cultural Impact and Future Outlook

Carpenter’s success reflects a new era of pop stardom where social media savvy, theatrical live shows and genuine songwriting collide. Her Coachella headline set, complete with vintage cars, pyrotechnics and emotional ballads, drew widespread acclaim as one of the festival’s most memorable performances.

As she continues touring and exploring acting opportunities — including rumors of a role in “Mamma Mia 3” — Carpenter shows no signs of slowing down. Her ability to connect with audiences through clever lyrics, high-energy performances and relatable vulnerability has made her a defining voice of her generation.

From a homeschooled Pennsylvania girl dreaming big to a Coachella headliner with multiple Grammys under her belt, Sabrina Carpenter embodies the modern pop star: talented, resilient and endlessly entertaining. As her career accelerates, these 10 fun facts offer just a glimpse into the woman behind the hits.

Fans can expect more boundary-pushing music and unforgettable live moments in the years ahead. Whether belting out “Espresso” or debuting new material, Carpenter continues to prove she is much more than a fleeting sensation — she’s here to stay.

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SAN DIEGO — NASA released an iconic image Saturday showing the four Artemis II astronauts standing proudly beside their Orion spacecraft, named Integrity, in the well deck of the USS John P. Murtha just hours after a flawless Pacific Ocean splashdown that capped humanity’s first crewed lunar voyage in more than half a century.

The photograph, posted by the official NASA Artemis account on X, captured Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist Christina Koch and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen smiling in their launch-and-entry suits alongside the gumdrop-shaped capsule that carried them 252,756 miles from Earth and back.

” The astronauts. Their ride around the Moon,” the agency captioned the image, which quickly amassed more than 11,000 likes and thousands of shares within hours of its release.

The crew splashed down off the coast of California at 8:07 p.m. EDT Friday after a nearly 10-day mission that tested Orion’s life-support systems, re-entry capabilities and deep-space navigation in preparation for future lunar landings.

The astronauts. Their ride around the Moon.

The Artemis II astronauts pose for a group photo after viewing their Orion spacecraft — which they named Integrity — in the well deck of USS John P. Murtha following their splashdown. pic.twitter.com/dLicqJPoox

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— NASA Artemis (@NASAArtemis) April 11, 2026

Navy recovery teams extracted the astronauts one by one onto an inflatable platform before ferrying them by helicopter to the amphibious transport dock USS John P. Murtha, where the group photo was taken. All four were reported in excellent health following post-flight medical evaluations.

A Mission for the History Books

Artemis II marked the first time humans traveled beyond low-Earth orbit since Apollo 17 in 1972. The crew looped around the Moon on April 6, surpassing the Apollo 13 distance record by traveling 248,655 miles from Earth at one point.

Wiseman, Glover, Koch and Hansen conducted scientific observations, tested spacecraft systems and even named two lunar features during a live broadcast that moved the crew to tears.

The mission’s success validates NASA’s Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System rocket for Artemis III, targeted for a crewed lunar landing as early as 2027 near the Moon’s south pole.

“This is a gift to the world from NASA,” one NASA commentator said during the live splashdown broadcast, echoing the sentiment shared by millions watching worldwide.

Meet the Crew Making History

The diverse Artemis II team represented a deliberate step forward in space exploration demographics. Koch became the first woman to fly to the Moon’s vicinity. Glover is the first Black astronaut to travel that far from Earth. Hansen is the first non-American and first Canadian on a lunar mission. Wiseman, a veteran Navy test pilot and father, commanded the flight.

All four are seasoned spacefarers except Hansen, who made his first trip beyond Earth orbit. Their selection underscored NASA’s commitment to international partnership through the Artemis Accords, which now include more than 40 nations.

During the mission, the crew shared stunning views of Earth and the Moon, conducted live calls with schoolchildren and performed experiments that will inform long-duration human spaceflight to Mars.

The Road to Splashdown

After launch from Kennedy Space Center on April 1 aboard the SLS rocket, the crew spent nine days, one hour and 31 minutes in space. They performed a lunar flyby that brought them within about 4,000 miles of the Moon’s surface before beginning the long journey home.

Re-entry was textbook. Traveling at Mach 33, the capsule endured peak heating of nearly 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit as it plunged through the atmosphere. Communication blackout lasted several tense minutes before Wiseman radioed, “Houston, Integrity. We have you loud and clear.”

Parachutes deployed perfectly, slowing the spacecraft to a gentle 20 mph impact with the Pacific. Recovery forces from NASA, the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force secured the capsule within minutes.

The USS John P. Murtha, positioned 200 miles southwest of San Diego, served as the primary recovery vessel. Once aboard, the astronauts underwent medical checks before boarding aircraft back to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.

The Orion capsule itself will be transported to Naval Base San Diego and eventually returned to Kennedy Space Center for analysis.

Public Reaction and Cultural Impact

The group photo has resonated deeply online. Commenters called it “the family photo civilization should keep on the mantelpiece” and praised the crew’s composure after what one described as a “white-knuckle ride” through re-entry.

Social media lit up with tributes to the mission’s inclusivity and its role in inspiring the next generation. “They didn’t just orbit the Moon — they gave an entire generation their Apollo 8 moment,” one viral reply read.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson hailed the mission as “a triumph of American engineering and international cooperation.” He noted that Artemis II paves the way for sustainable lunar presence and eventual human missions to Mars.

What Comes Next for Artemis

With Artemis II complete, NASA turns full attention to Artemis III, which will attempt the first crewed landing on the lunar south pole using SpaceX’s Starship lander. That mission could occur as soon as late 2027, pending successful uncrewed tests of the lander and additional SLS flights.

The program also includes plans for a lunar Gateway space station and long-term habitats. International partners, including Canada, Japan and the European Space Agency, continue to play key roles.

For the Artemis II crew, the coming weeks will involve debriefings, medical monitoring and public appearances. Wiseman, Glover, Koch and Hansen are expected to share their experiences at events across the country, much as Apollo astronauts did decades ago.

The mission’s success comes at a pivotal time for NASA, which faces budget scrutiny and technical challenges but has now demonstrated that Orion can safely carry humans to deep space and back.

As the astronauts reunite with families in Houston, the image of them standing beside Integrity serves as a powerful symbol: humanity has returned to the Moon’s vicinity, and the journey to live and work there — and eventually beyond — has truly begun.

The viral NASA photo posted Saturday reminds the world that exploration is not just about destinations but about the people who dare to go — and the spacecraft that bring them home.

Get ahead of the market by subscribing to Seeking Alpha’s Wall Street Week Ahead, a preview of key events scheduled for the coming week. The newsletter keeps you informed of the biggest stories set to make headlines, including upcoming IPOs, investor days, earnings reports, and conference presentations.

Wall Street’s major averages struggled to stay higher on Friday as the core retail inflation print for March came in slightly cooler than expected, while investors continued to brace for U.S.-Iran war tensions. The March U.S. core Consumer Price Index, which excludes food and energy, came in weaker at +0.2% MoM vs. +0.3% consensus. In addition, the Consumer Sentiment Index came in lower at 47.6 for April vs. the 52.0 consensus, according to preliminary data by the University of Michigan Survey.

As the first-quarter earnings season kicks off next week, with major banks reporting their results, only a few economic data are scheduled. Existing home sales data for March will be released on Monday, with PPI data scheduled for Tuesday. Philadelphia Fed’s manufacturing numbers are due on Thursday along with the jobless claims data.

Goldman Sachs (GS), JPMorgan (JPM), Citigroup (C), Bank of America (BAC), and Netflix (NFLX) are among the companies reporting their results next week.

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Earnings spotlight: Monday: Goldman Sachs. See the full earnings calendar.

Earnings spotlight: Tuesday: JPMorgan, J&J (JNJ), Wells Fargo (WFC), Citigroup. See the full earnings calendar.

Earnings spotlight: Wednesday: ASML (ASML), Bank of America (BAC), Morgan Stanley (MS). See the full earnings calendar.

Earnings spotlight: Thursday: Taiwan Semiconductor (TSM), Netflix, PepsiCo (PEP). See the full earnings calendar.

Volatility watch: Coherent (COHR) and AMD (AMD) are set up for a volatile week of trading based on options volume. The most overbought stocks per their 14-day relative strength index include Service Mega Fortune (

In an interview with ET Now, market veteran Sunil Singhania explains why the current West Asia conflict is impacting Indian equities more than past geopolitical events, how oil, rupee and global flows are interconnected, and why he believes most risks are already priced in with long-term prospects intact.

Why is this geopolitical episode impacting Indian markets more than past events?

Markets have recovered from past crises and will likely do so again. The key difference this time is not just higher oil prices but also supply disruptions due to issues around the Strait of Hormuz. There’s also constant, uncertain news flow, which keeps sentiment volatile. That said, markets are gradually stabilising and beginning to take this in stride.

From an investor’s perspective, is this mainly an oil story, a rupee issue, or a broader risk-off trend?

It’s a combination. This comes after 18 months of underperformance by Indian markets versus global peers. Earlier, high valuations, slowing growth, weak earnings, and global shifts toward tech-heavy markets led to FPI outflows. Just as things were improving—growth picking up, earnings recovering, and policy support kicking in—this conflict hit. Oil prices, currency pressure, and risk-off sentiment are all interconnected here.

What could break this cycle of pressure on markets?

De-escalation of the conflict is key. If tensions ease, crude prices could fall by $20–25, which would significantly improve sentiment. In fact, I believe nearly 90% of the current risks are already priced in, making the risk-reward favourable from here.

With heavy FPI outflows, can domestic investors continue to support markets?

Domestic investors have shown strong resilience and continue to invest with a long-term view. SIP flows and investor confidence remain intact. While FPI selling has been heavy, India’s fundamentals—strong GDP growth, improving earnings outlook, and attractive valuations—should eventually bring foreign investors back.

What is your outlook on India amid all this uncertainty?

Despite current challenges, India remains the fastest-growing large economy with over 6.5% GDP growth. Valuations have corrected, and India’s weight in global portfolios is at a decade low. As growth and earnings recover, both domestic and foreign investors are likely to increase exposure again.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Midcontinent Communications, known as Midco, faced scattered but significant service disruptions Saturday, with numerous customers across South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota and Nebraska reporting internet, TV and phone outages despite the company’s official outage map showing mostly normal operations.

As of late Saturday evening on April 11, 2026, third-party monitoring sites showed spikes in user reports, contradicting Midco’s public status page that continued to display “Services Online” for many entered addresses. Downdetector and Outage.Report noted elevated complaints, particularly in Sioux Falls, Fargo, Bismarck and surrounding communities.

Customers took to social media and outage trackers expressing frustration over sudden loss of connectivity during peak evening hours when streaming, remote work and family entertainment demand typically surges. Many described complete blackouts lasting from minutes to several hours, with intermittent service in some areas.

Scope of the Reported Issues

While Midco’s official outages portal did not flag a company-wide event, independent trackers painted a different picture:

• Downdetector recorded a noticeable increase in reports for internet connectivity as the primary issue.
• Outage.Report indicated isolated but persistent problems, with users in Minnesota and Nebraska among the most affected in recent hours.
• Social media platforms showed real-time complaints, including users unable to stream sports, attend virtual events or even make calls via VoIP services.

The discrepancies between official statements and customer experiences are common during rolling or localized outages caused by node-specific failures, fiber cuts, maintenance or weather-related stress on the network.

Possible Causes and Midco’s Response

Midco has not issued a public statement on any widespread outage as of Saturday night. The company typically attributes such disruptions to routine maintenance, construction accidents, severe weather or upstream provider issues. Spring conditions in the Midwest — including wind, rain and construction activity — often contribute to cable and fiber vulnerabilities.

Customers who contacted support reported long wait times and automated messages directing them to the outages page or basic troubleshooting. Many were advised to restart modems and routers, a standard first step that proved ineffective for those in genuinely affected areas.

Midco’s Fiber Forward initiative, which includes recent multimillion-dollar upgrades, aims to improve long-term reliability. However, during transition periods, hybrid fiber-coaxial segments can experience temporary hiccups.

What Affected Customers Should Do

If your Midco service is down:

1. Verify the Outage — Visit midco.com/outages and enter your exact address.
2. Basic Troubleshooting:
   • Power cycle your modem and router (unplug for 30-60 seconds).
   • Check all physical connections.
   • Test with a wired Ethernet connection if possible.
3. Use the Midco App — For Freestyle Wi-Fi customers, the app often provides more detailed diagnostics.
4. Contact Support — Call 1-800-888-1300, use live chat on the website, or log into My Account for personalized status.
5. Alternative Connectivity — Switch to mobile hotspot data temporarily for urgent needs.

Midco crews typically prioritize restoring service quickly once an issue is identified, with most localized outages resolved within a few hours.

Broader Impact on Midwest Users

Midco serves hundreds of thousands of households and businesses across the Upper Midwest, where reliable broadband is critical for agriculture, education, healthcare and remote work. Saturday evening disruptions likely affected family movie nights, online gaming, bill payments and small business operations.

In a region with limited provider competition in many rural and suburban areas, such outages draw particular ire. Past incidents have prompted customers to explore alternatives like satellite internet or emerging fiber competitors where available.

Staying Informed

• Follow Midco’s official X account (@Midcontinent) for updates, which has shifted focus toward customer support.
• Monitor Downdetector.com/status/midcontinent for real-time user reports.
• Check local news outlets in Sioux Falls, Fargo and Bismarck for any confirmed large-scale events.

Midco continues investing heavily in network modernization. The $9.1 million Bismarck-Mandan fiber upgrade announced earlier this month is part of broader efforts to deliver faster, more resilient service.

For now, affected customers are urged to remain patient as technicians work behind the scenes. Many outages resolve spontaneously as systems self-heal or as crews complete repairs.

If your service remains down after basic troubleshooting and the official page shows no outage, document the issue with screenshots of speed tests or error messages. This information helps support teams isolate problems faster.

Midco has built a reputation for local service in a vast region, but nights like Saturday remind users that even established providers can face unexpected challenges. As the situation develops, check official channels regularly for restoration estimates specific to your area.