FROM FREE HUGS TO FREE SEXRemember the "Free Hugs" viral thing? That handwritten sign on a piece of cardboard, held by someone standing in the middle of the street, hoping some brave soul would go in for a little spontaneous affection. It became a full-blown phenomenon a couple of decades ago—a simple, feel-good gesture that, at the time, actually felt kind of revolutionary.
It all started with the “Free Hugs” movement back in 2004 in Australia, when a guy named Juan Mann hit the streets with his sign, just looking for a bit of human connection. It didn’t take long for the video to blow up on YouTube and turn into a symbol of hope, empathy, and human closeness—at a time when the world was already getting lost in screens and fast-paced routines.
A lot has changed since then. And while the cardboard + message + spontaneity combo is still around, let’s just say it’s taken a few… interesting turns.
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SLAVE LEIA OUTFITCarrie Fisher hated the metal bikini she had to wear as Jabba’s prisoner.
The famous “Slave Leia outfit” from Return of the Jedi was as uncomfortable as it was revealing. Parts of it were made of rigid metal, making it nearly impossible to move or sit normally. Every time Carrie leaned back, the costume would shift and expose more than intended, so the crew had to constantly fix it between takes.
Over time, the outfit—originally meant to sexualize the character—became an iconic (and very controversial) symbol of the saga. Carrie despised it, but with her signature biting humor, she took ownership of it and made sure everyone knew Leia was more than just a pretty face chained to a giant slug.
When Disney bought Lucasfilm, they began "cleaning up" the franchise’s image—and the golden bikini was one of the first things to go. For years, it had been a pop culture symbol (and a recurring fan fantasy), but Disney’s new direction wasn’t having it. In 2015, they stopped producing official figures, posters, and merch featuring the outfit, and many online stores pulled it from their shelves. The official line? They didn’t want to sexualize such an important female character… even though they’d been selling exactly that for decades.
The Slave Leia look even made it to Friends. In one of the show’s most iconic scenes, Ross tells Rachel that his biggest fantasy is seeing her dressed like Princess Leia—with the infamous bikini, of course. What starts as a punchline ends up confirming that the look had officially reached pop culture status, right up there with the most recognizable Halloween costumes.
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A beautiful moment from Bad Gyal making it easier for her deaf fans to read her lips.
Also—anyone out there who knows sign language and can help us figure out what this other girl is saying?